GT 180 minelab meter questions

[grumpy]

Hello folks;
Got a few questions if someone has time to spare. I am new to the GT but have metal detected a few years now and the new machine has created some questions.
First my eyes are not really fast anymore but I have a 180 meter and I think I see larger numbers at times than that. I have it set for a quater at about 179 or 180 so do I have it set where most people think is right and are there numbers possible above 180 on this meter?? Also I see lots of -- 450 and such minus numbers what gives here.??
Now when I go and start hunting nearly each time I have to reset the knob to the 179-180 for the quater as it is not on after I have hauled it around a day or two is this normal for the meter knob to move just shaking around in the trunk of a car??
I have a straight shaft and wonder do most people mount the brains in a hip bag or on the stem.?? I have trouble with getting to the switches on the stem but it is in the way in the hip bag , I am probally doing something wrong with the way I have the bag on??
Sorry for to many questions but the only way I know to learn the machine is ask the questions. My SE was a breeze after a couple guys on here pointed out the way this forum works wonders .
Thanks in advance
Grumpy

 

[Rick(ND)]

HI Grumpy,

The 180 meter when set for 180 on a quarter should be the highest positive reading you should get, but it will go negative to a -450 or so for iron and that will be when it is nulling the threshold out. I really don't look at the numbers until you get a good repeatable signal, then try to get it to be as stable as possible by swinging the coil only over that one little area. Now this is where you get your target ID. Just like the Explorer you have to go by the tones first, but the Sovereign with the 180 meter give you the target info while it is giving you the tone ID. The Explorer the threshold has to come back before you get the video ID.
I swing mine while the control box is on the shaft at this time and find the only time I have to use the controls is when I want to Pinpoint and don't have a big problem myself with that. Now on one of the Elite and GT I had myself I redid the control box bracket so i was able to turn the control box around and the switches where now pointed forward and easy to get at as they were right under my arm. On some of the older Sovereigns I did hip mount and found it was easy to use that way as I am left handed so I swing with the left hand and the control box hip mounted was on my left side too but in front of me. Now with it this way I found I was using my waist along with my arm to swing the coil so the shaft wouldn't hit the control box. Now with the GT and the new style bag you have you can put it around your neck so the controls will be right in front of you with the nylon belt that come with it.

I hope you will get the hang of this detector as it is great once you see some of the little tips we can give you. Ask all the questions you want as this is how we learn this detector plus actual use of it.

Rick

 

[Art (NWOH)]

While I use 550 meters, I have seen positive numbers as high as 600.
I happened to be watching the meter one day when a big noise spike jumped the threshold and the meter at the same time. The meter quickly returned to a lower value after a momentary 600 reading.
So it is possible that you could see positive numbers higher than 180 if you hunt in a very noisy location.

Otherwise.........what Rick said.

HH

 

[grumpy]

Thanks guys;
Everything with the Sov seems to be working great as far as finding things it is as good as or better than My SE but I like both. I still wonder on the meter knob is it easy to bump and turn so you have to check it after hauling it in the trunk a few days or should it be real solid and not move at all unless diliberately turned??
Thanks again
Grumpy;

 

[Art (NWOH)]

It gets bumped and it will move.

They are also voltage and temperature sensitive, so you may have to recalibrate every once in a while even while you are hunting.

HH

 

[Jeff (IL)]

On the meter knob moving, some folks have been known to put a small rubber o-ring or rubberband behind the knob which provides enough friction to keep it from being easily bumped.

HH,

Jeff (IL)

 

[grumpy]

Thanks fellows ; As always questions answered very clearly.
Grumpy.

 

[John(H)]

Hi Grumpy! I have always been told to never keep or haul a detector in your car's trunk! You are exposing your detector to extreme temperatures plus it can be tossed around................. not being secured!.................................HH....................Joe