Hunting in iron - 3 frequencies or 1?

[earthmansurfer]

I have been using 3 frequencies exclusively and heard that multi frequency detectors are known to mask in iron. Not sure if this was more of a reference to the Minelab machines or not.

Those of you that hunt in iron, have you cross checked signals between 3 freq and 1? I actually haven't except in my test garden. The only target that I couldn't hit in 3 freq was a small hammered coin in iron that hit well in 22.5.

Thx,
EMS

 

[Aurium]

I think the more information you have the higher the probability of hitting (digging) a good target.

3 Freq gives you more information in or out of iron. I've been hunting some heavily trashy areas (lots of nails) and 3 Freq is doing extremely well.

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

The real advantage to the three frequency modes is that you have a lot more information to look at and compare before making a decision to dig. In single frequency a target may look good on the Spectragraph and even in the Analyze screens, but in Multi- Freq modes the target may not look so good.

 

[earthmansurfer]

I posed the question over on another forum regarding how come the V3i seems to do very very well in iron when it is generally accepted that multi frequency machines don't do as well in iron. By multi frequency I mean the Minelab's and CZ's. But, did you guys know that these "multi frequency" machines "merge" their frequencies? Where as the V3i is actually transmitting 3 single frequencies? I never knew that before and hence it is true, the V3i does well in iron with three frequencies because it is transmitting them individually where as the E-Trac and Fisher CZ's are merging the frequencies and have more of a problem in iron with falsing and masking (and that is not saying the E-Trac can't do good in iron).

Another benefit of the V3i over the "merging" multi frequency machines would be that it can hit hard on all the conductors in 3 frequency as one of those 3 will resonate well with the target. And to continue a merged multi frequency machine should do better on beaches and in higher mineralized ground, but I don't know that the V3i is not as good there.

If you are curious I got the info from Tom Dankowski who designed a CZ unit. The above is in my words though. Really an interesting bit to discover.

I might as well post his words here, but the last time I did this on the Garrett forum they took it bad. So please don't take this as anything but one mans scientific opinion. I've learned a lot from him.

EMS

Although you may select/choose to run all 3 freq's on the V3i..............yet; even in this configuration........ by definition....... it is still a single freq unit. All three freq's are kept separate. They are also displayed separately. Never once..... do the 3 freq's come together. Unlike a Minelab or Fisher CZ..... where all of the frequencies are 'merged' in a comparator.

There are advantages/disadvantages to both types of platforms. True multi-freq units handle bad-dirt/higher-mineralization better than single freq units. In general........ multi-freqs will provide greater depth in bad dirt...... as compared to their single freq counterpart. BUT...... multi-freq units will 'false' on iron to a greater extent.

Single freq units handle iron much better......... with substantially less falsing. Single freq units have less depth performance in bad dirt....... due to it's inability to 'comparator' analyze ""confirmed-dirt-mineralization-feedback...vs...actual-deep-target-delta/return"".

((( To contradict myself; the F70/F75/F75 LTD single freq platform seems to handle bad dirt...... to the capability level of the multi-freq CZ platform. Leave it to Dave Johnson/John Gardiner to partially defy mother nature ))).

The V3i does conceptually pose a interesting attribute.............. as........ it is 3 single freq detectors in one unit. In theory...... it should 'resonate' on silver........ 'resonate' on brass........ and 'resonate' on gold.......(high, medium, low conductors). I often wonder how the V3i platform would respond to a target that is at fringe depth. A target that is just barely within detectable range of only ONE frequency; yet, out of range of the other two frequencies.

 

[earthmansurfer]

I agree with you Neil, just on my experiences. I am really addicted to searching and pinpointing in 3 frequencies. There is a lot of information there. In a way, like the E-Tracs readout (which I haven't used, but read about). I wish there was a way to search in single frequency yet pinpoint in 3 frequency - perhaps the next update.

EMS

 

[Larry (IL)]

For those who want a better understanding on how the V handles the three frequencies, White's goes into detail on the first few pages of the owners manual. It is very interesting reading.

 

[earthmansurfer]

For those who want a better understanding on how the V handles the three frequencies, White's goes into detail on the first few pages of the owners manual. It is very interesting reading.

I'm curious, outside of the DFX and V3's, is there another unit made that transmits the frequencies separately and not merged?
I wonder what other benefits/drawbacks this might have...

 

[Larry (IL)]

Not to my knowledge except the White's Beach Hunter ID which is believed to be a limited DFX in a waterproof case.

 

[triplehooked]

Good info. here guys, thank you!