Ground balancing the Sovereign Elite

[G.J.Evans]

Hello there,
I have recently purchased a second hand Sovereign Elite but unfortunately there was no manual with the unit, so I was hopeing someone could tell me how to ground balance the unit correctly.
I am currently using the unit in Auto and would like to try and get more depth out of the machine by adjusting the sensitivity, so I would welcome a reply regarding set up.

Regards

G.J.Evans

 

[doublet2a]

There is no manual ground balance
Running in auto is fine until you get used to the machine
it depends on the area you are hunting
Start in auto..........
then listen form the threshold tone
if it's prety stable
then click out of auto,
then play with the sens
Hope this helps


HH TIM

 

[NamVetLesTreasureSeeker]

Hey G.J., I'm sure if you contact MINELAB USA., in Las Vegas, Nv., they will send you an Owners Manual as a COURTESY.

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

As was said, there is no ground balancing required. As for the sensitivity, you can probably run it at 11 oclock with good results if you have the stock 10.5" coil. If you have a larger coil you may need to lower it to maybe the 12 oclock or 1 oclock position. With the 8" coil you may could run it as high as 10 oclock. It depends on the type of ground you're in. Basically, if you can run a steady threshold without any false signals or instability, then you're OK. To get best depth you will want around 11 oclock.

Here is a link to the Minelab site and the manual for the Elite. Save your time getting one from Minelab...this is it:

http://206.188.2.79/products/manuals/SovElite.pdf

And for anybody else that's interested, ALL the manuals are available here: http://206.188.2.79/products/manuals/manuals.htm

 

[G.J.Evans]

Thanks to all for replying.


G.J.Evans

 

[G.J.Evans]

While searching ukdetectornet for info on the Sovereign Elite I came across a post regarding Ground balancing the Elite :-

Switch the machine into all metal and set the sensitivity to about 12 o'clock (not crucial)

Turn the machine on TURNING THE VOLUME ALL THE WAY ROUND

Turn the threshold until you have a just audible "hum"

Lift and lower the coil in a pumping action between 2"-8" above the ground. Listen to the threshold, it should raise and lower as you pump. Make sure you don't hit the ground.

Turn the volume down until the threshold remains stable as you pump the machine. The reason for this is that the volume behaves as a gain control once you turn it beyond 12 0'clock so you are now balancing the machine to the ground conditions. when the threshold remains stable, turn the volume down a smidge more. The machine will now be stable over the ground you detect on - no more false signals.

Turn the sensitivity up until the machine chatters as you swing the machine in normal use, then back it off a bit until it stops. Now you are running optimum settings.

switch the machine into discriminate and away you go.

It is important with the Sovs that you hear the threshold as this will tell you how much iron is in the ground and whether you need to slow right down.

Could someone please explain what this about as I was under the impression that ground balancing was unnecessary with the Elite.

Regards


G.J.Evans.

 

[Rick(ND)]

n/t

 

[adam in cal]

its a solid unit but it dosent have a manual ground balance .......I prefeer the sensitivity around 11 to noonish for my soil, anything less is chatter city , good luck

 

[Art (NWOH)]

You're fooling yourself if you think turning the volume down will adjust ground balance............

The volume control is just that.......a volume control.

As you turn it down, it becomes increasingly more difficult to hear weaker signals.....particularly in all metal mode.

Eventually weak signals will disappear into the threshold and you won't hear them anymore. This will cause an apparent loss of depth because you simply can't hear the response.
Sooooooooooo........
When you turn the volume down, you only make it more difficult to hear any variation in response to the dirt (or any other objects). You have NOT ground balanced it.

If you turn the threshold all the way down fully ccw, you will also appear to lose depth. Again, the detected signals will be too low to come through the audio ckt.

HH

 

[G.J.Evans]

Thanks once again for the information, it just goes to show that you should take what is writen on some forums with a pinch of salt.
I wonder if I should send the guy who wrote it a pm, telling him of his error ?

 

[Art (NWOH)]

I wouldn't bother telling him about it. You have to show people to change their minds. That gets them upset.

You should try things for yourself to see what really is or is not happening. You can really screw yourself by blindly taking the word of others who may have misconceptions.

HH