Graph Aid Overlay?

[brissietex]

Hi all...

I am a newbie ExpII user and am really enjoying Andy Sabisch's book. I was wondering if anyone has a computerised version of the Smartfind graph aid overlay from Chapter 7. I have tried duplicating it with some graph programs that I have found on the internet but nothing comes close so far.

I mainly want to use it as just one of the identification techniques mentioned here on this forum especially while I am learning how to use this machine.

thanks...Keith

 

[Hard Nosed Dave]

Keith,
I think you can create one with the ms word feature for making graphic tables that can ultimately be printed onto a gell or plastic sheet in a bubble jet printer of some description.


Try and get hold a basice program through Limewire or Bitcomet that you can adjust and create a table that has columns and rows.

I think you can do the same with ms excel.

I can't quite remember how many clumns and rows there are.


Hard Nosed Dave

 

[brissietex]

Thanks Dave. I decided to use Open Office to create a spreadsheet myself and go from there. cheers...Keith

 

[Steve(MS)]

I think it would be great if someone could use a spreadsheet that is easy to obtain and after they find the exact adjustments let the rest of us know, I would try but computer stuff like that isn't my strong suit....

 

[foil finder]

Try Grid Maker
http://www.pivari.com/grid-maker.html

 

[Steve(MS)]

Well I tried to come up with something on this overlay, first I scanned the page in the book and then trimmed so that the overlay picture was all that was left. Then I printed it out on the transparency paper but found out that the size in the book is the wrong size, I think I can resize it using a pic program but there is a tinge caused by the white background. I can't seem to figure out how to get a transparent background, I have several pic programs including photoshop which is way over my head....
I like the idea of the overlay and the small arrows if for nothing else will make the display look more intelligent
There is a computer geek at work, I will see if he can help me. If I work it out, I'll let all of you know...

 

[SNOWY]

I remember in Andy Sabich's book that a guy in Denmark used a clear add on screen,
and marked coloured dots for various targets instead of using a grid pattern.

Snowy

 

[Steve(MS)]

Yeah, that's the way I presently do it. I cut a piece of a ziplock bag just a little larger than the screen area and then use clear small computer sticky tape and cover the entire front of the control overlapping the ziplock bag piece on the sides, that way the control face doesn't get any scratches on it. I tried the minelab cover and I just couldn't see the screen with it, anyway I have a few colored dots, one for the nickel, zinc penny,silver half and dollar and a vertical line showing where most common pulltabs id. I have memorized tones though, I still think it would be nice to make an overlay like the one in Andy's book or something similar.

 

[Steve(MS)]

I don't think the idea will work too good and here is why. I scanned the screen overlay from the book, then I finally got the background cleared using photoshop then I resized the overlay to match the screen size but the numbers are so small one would need a magnifying glass to see them so I will just use the method I have outlined in the previous post.

 

[Boony]

Hi Guys,

I used a bit of clear over head projection talc to make up overlay for the display and as Snowy said marked it with coloured dots like the guy in Andy's book, I use it for about three months until I had learnt where the hits showed up on the screen then discarded it. If anything hits close to where I think the good signals should be I dig it. I found that the overlay was never "exactly correct" and I put this down to the variances of the item in the ground (eg. corrosion etc). By all means try it for a while but you Will get to know from the sound and where it displays on the screen weather to dig or not.

Regards.....Boony

 

[brissietex]

I think I will stick to using OpenOffices Calc(or MS Excel) to create a spreadsheet grid as a guide while I am learning to use my Exp2. The overlay would be nice but I think just getting know the possible general locations on the grid might be the go. Also, using some of Andy's techniques on discriminating out location common junk might work good too.

Can't wait to get out to use the Exp2. Busted leg still has just over a month of recuperation til I can start trying to walk again. Bloody slow process this recuperating and with the summer upon us down under, it is so tough not to take the Exp2 out for a wander at least in the backyard.

cheers...Keith

 

[popsmoke]

Not to revive this old thread but - I was thinking the same thing. What I was going to do is take some of the PDA protector material, sticky on one side and pretty tough stuff and just trace the pattern on with a sharpie.

 

[brissietex]

Popsmoke,

After putting a couple of these protectors on my pda and ipod, I think your idea warrants some thought. I wouldn't necessarily plot out the whole graph though but to depict the 'hot' areas like our 1 and 2 dollar coins. That said, I think once I better learn the Exp and the screen, the overlay would become unnecessary.

Here is an idea for a new Explorer feature...a hotspot tone. In otherwords, you can overlay the smartscreen with hotspots and if a target hits within the hotspot, a special tone will sound off and the cursor would be different shape, shading or colour. Maybe use a synth voice when this hit happens. Think of this feature as the obverse of discriminating out targets on the smartscreen. Little enhancements like this to the Explorer software would make the Explorer pretty much unbeatable. Hmmm...I wonder if Minelab is hiring software developers as I am looking to move to South Australia this year.

cheers...Keith