I'm liken my Cortes :smile:

[sasquache]

Hello Tesoro users First i would like too say WOW I'm really impressed with the Cortes Coming from and using most other brands i have too say it is a top notch detector pros's> for me are the light weight and well balanced,the screen is easy too use visually,excellent target separation,the back light is awesome,easy setup and go,all metal is great,easy all metal ground balance, excellent target identifier 95% accurate!. Cons are> need a bigger DD coil, needs more depth, needs pinpoint button,adjustable volume knob other than that i am Happy with this unit is there any suggestions on a coil?

 

[amberjack]

Detech 13" should get some more depth or the 10 x 12 concentric Tesoro coil.

AJ

 

[John (Ma)]

There are options for coils and I find that I don't need pinpoint on my tesoro's as the target is in the same spot on the coil every time when X patterned. The tightest I've seen on any detector. Good luck on a great detector and brand. As you learn it, you may find the depth will get better.

 

[Monte]

Hello Tesoro users First i would like too say WOW I'm really impressed with the Cortes Coming from and using most other brands i have too say it is a top notch detector pros's> for me are the light weight and well balanced,the screen is easy too use visually,excellent target separation,the back light is awesome,easy setup and go,all metal is great,easy all metal ground balance, excellent target identifier 95% accurate!.

We all have to like the detectors we use or we just are not going to be satisfied. You are one of the rare ones as we very seldom hear a lot about people who like the Cortés. I am one of them who don't because, for me, it just lacks the versatility I need and is heavier than I care to handle with my bad back and health issues.

Also, noting your 'likes,' I'll add my didn't/don't likes and that is the display is very small and difficult for aging eyes to see.

The numeric display bunches too many higher-conductive targets.

The Notch Disc. setting were not/are not very useful with todays types of "pull-tabs' because most of the rectangular-shaped tabs [size=small](I've never seen a "square" tab as they refer to in the manual)[/size] have conductivity values that just about duplicate the US 5¢ coin. The 'wide' notch selection is supposed to also reject the higher range for screw caps and modern US Zinc cents, but that also includes most Indian Head cents and many early Wheat-Back cents from 1909 to about 1920. I also have a modern rectangular pry-tab that my oldest son and I got from a tot-lot playground in Utah this past July that reads exactly like a Zinc cent on every make detector that has checked it out.

Cons are> need a bigger DD coil,

Curious why you want a bigger search coil, and also why you want a bigger Double-D coil and not a bigger Concentric coil?

needs more depth,

I found the Cortés to have ample depth of detection in most of the sites I hunted, as long as the search coils used and Disc. mode Ground Balance combined to make functional performance. That can be the challenge.

needs pinpoint button,

I admit I like the Pinpoint button on my Silver Sabre [size=small]micro[/size]MAX, but I get along just fine using the All Metal with the mode-change toggle selector.

adjustable volume knob

I am glad most makes and models removed the Volume control as it is easily adjusted, if needed, with a quality set of headphones. What type do you use?

other than that i am Happy with this unit

That's the important part.

is there any suggestions on a coil?

Yes. IF the standard 8X9 search coils works well, and if there is no falsing when hunting in very mineralized ground, and if you can sweep over a silver US dollar or half dollar and get a good audio response, then just use the stock search coil.

Why do I say that? Because there are several Tesoro models through the years that have some glitches in the circuitry design with s preset GB in the Discriminate mode, and the Cortés is one of them. I was hoping the Cortés was going to be a serious competitor, and I followed some of the reports I got while the prototype was being evaluated afield. When it came out, as a Tesoro Dealer, I thought I better get one in.

With an MSRP of $849 it was right up there in the ball park with the White's XLT and other top-end models, but fell way short on the features it offered and adjustment abilities it had.

I hunt trashier sites the bulk of the time and rely on smaller-size search coils. I had some friends who were inter3ested and they hunted places like sports fields and big grassy parks and were curious how it would perform with "larger coils" and their desire, like yours, was "more depth."

I took my Cortés and other favorite Tesoro's I had [size=small](an 'original' Bandido, Silver Sabre µMAX, Bandido II µMAX and Eldorado)[/size] and assortment of search coils to several places to check out the performance. I used sports fields, big 280+ acre parks, torn-up sidewalk repair, two ghost towns, and three other places where the ground mineral conditions were quite challenging. I tried it in some Utah sites, Eastern Oregon, and in the greater Portland, Oregon area.

Search coils used included the stock 8X9, round 8" Concentric, 7" Concentric, Clean Sweep and a 10X12 Concentric as well as my Super 7" Concentric coil from a Shadow X2.

Results: The Cortés worked okay in all but one very mineralized rocky environment with the stock 8X9 coil in the Discriminate mode where the preset GB was too negative and it falsed a lot.

With all other search coils used and compared at all the sites, even in the soft grassy parks in Salem and Oregon City, Oregon, the detector falsed quite a bit in the Discriminate mode, the cause being a too negative Ground Balance. I couldn't find any location where the 10X12 Concentric or CleanSweep coil could be used without falsing.

I called James, when he was at Tesoro, and explained the problem one of his Dealers was having with the Cortés and sent it in for service and specifically asked for the internal GB trimmer to be adjusted to function with more search coils as it was much too negative. I included a note describing the issues and sent an e-mail to him. I also called, again, and asked for it to be corrected. While it was off for service I got with a fellow who had a Cortés and wanted an accessory search coil. We tried several coils and only found one that would work on his unit most of the time, unless he got over higher mineralized ground.

When I got it back it was unchanged and still falsed a lot. I wanted to use my smaller-size Super7" coil on it because I hunt trashier sites, so I opened it up and located the Disc. mode GB pot. I adjusted that GB trimmer with all of the coils I had tried before until I got it to at least work passably with the bigger 10X12 and CleanSweep and still be functional with the other coils. I then mounted my Super 7" and used it successfully without any problems.

But I also found that with a functional GB setting for all the coils it was just a bit too positive foe some coils and, while I still detected big silver coins, it seemed to lose a little depth of detection from a too positive GB, but that was needed to get the bigger coils to work w/o being too negative. I soon sold the Cortés and some coils to a fellow who lived in a very mellow ground mineral environment back in the central states and haven't missed it.

So, my suggestion to you is if you want ANY accessory search coil for the Cortés, I would encourage you to find a local dealer or seller where you can try the coil on your particular unit. Test it in both modes over dirt, grass and rocks. Set the Disc. level at minimum and bob the search coil towards and away from the ground and even use an asphalt parking lot as many are fairly mineralized. Bob the coil from about 6" to ½" and back up several times, if it falses on the up-lift, that's an indication the Disc. mode GB is set too negative ... at least for that search coil.

Monte

[size=small]NOTE: I don't have an issue with the brand as I love my favorite Tesoro models, but I haven't had good experiences with this particular model. I know others who experienced the same frustrations with the Cortés.[/size]

 

[sasquache]

Hello Tesoro users First i would like too say WOW I'm really impressed with the Cortes Coming from and using most other brands i have too say it is a top notch detector pros's> for me are the light weight and well balanced,the screen is easy too use visually,excellent target separation,the back light is awesome,easy setup and go,all metal is great,easy all metal ground balance, excellent target identifier 95% accurate!.

We all have to like the detectors we use or we just are not going to be satisfied. You are one of the rare ones as we very seldom hear a lot about people who like the Cortés. I am one of them who don't because, for me, it just lacks the versatility I need and is heavier than I care to handle with my bad back and health issues.

Also, noting your 'likes,' I'll add my didn't/don't likes and that is the display is very small and difficult for aging eyes to see.

The numeric display bunches too many higher-conductive targets.

The Notch Disc. setting were not/are not very useful with todays types of "pull-tabs' because most of the rectangular-shaped tabs [size=small](I've never seen a "square" tab as they refer to in the manual)[/size] have conductivity values that just about duplicate the US 5¢ coin. The 'wide' notch selection is supposed to also reject the higher range for screw caps and modern US Zinc cents, but that also includes most Indian Head cents and many early Wheat-Back cents from 1909 to about 1920. I also have a modern rectangular pry-tab that my oldest son and I got from a tot-lot playground in Utah this past July that reads exactly like a Zinc cent on every make detector that has checked it out.

Cons are> need a bigger DD coil,

Curious why you want a bigger search coil, and also why you want a bigger Double-D coil and not a bigger Concentric coil?

needs more depth,

I found the Cortés to have ample depth of detection in most of the sites I hunted, as long as the search coils used and Disc. mode Ground Balance combined to make functional performance. That can be the challenge.

needs pinpoint button,

I admit I like the Pinpoint button on my Silver Sabre [size=small]micro[/size]MAX, but I get along just fine using the All Metal with the mode-change toggle selector.

adjustable volume knob

I am glad most makes and models removed the Volume control as it is easily adjusted, if needed, with a quality set of headphones. What type do you use?

other than that i am Happy with this unit

That's the important part.

is there any suggestions on a coil?

Yes. IF the standard 8X9 search coils works well, and if there is no falsing when hunting in very mineralized ground, and if you can sweep over a silver US dollar or half dollar and get a good audio response, then just use the stock search coil.

Why do I say that? Because there are several Tesoro models through the years that have some glitches in the circuitry design with s preset GB in the Discriminate mode, and the Cortés is one of them. I was hoping the Cortés was going to be a serious competitor, and I followed some of the reports I got while the prototype was being evaluated afield. When it came out, as a Tesoro Dealer, I thought I better get one in.

With an MSRP of $849 it was right up there in the ball park with the White's XLT and other top-end models, but fell way short on the features it offered and adjustment abilities it had.

I hunt trashier sites the bulk of the time and rely on smaller-size search coils. I had some friends who were inter3ested and they hunted places like sports fields and big grassy parks and were curious how it would perform with "larger coils" and their desire, like yours, was "more depth."

I took my Cortés and other favorite Tesoro's I had [size=small](an 'original' Bandido, Silver Sabre µMAX, Bandido II µMAX and Eldorado)[/size] and assortment of search coils to several places to check out the performance. I used sports fields, big 280+ acre parks, torn-up sidewalk repair, two ghost towns, and three other places where the ground mineral conditions were quite challenging. I tried it in some Utah sites, Eastern Oregon, and in the greater Portland, Oregon area.

Search coils used included the stock 8X9, round 8" Concentric, 7" Concentric, Clean Sweep and a 10X12 Concentric as well as my Super 7" Concentric coil from a Shadow X2.

Results: The Cortés worked okay in all but one very mineralized rocky environment with the stock 8X9 coil in the Discriminate mode where the preset GB was too negative and it falsed a lot.

With all other search coils used and compared at all the sites, even in the soft grassy parks in Salem and Oregon City, Oregon, the detector falsed quite a bit in the Discriminate mode, the cause being a too negative Ground Balance. I couldn't find any location where the 10X12 Concentric or CleanSweep coil could be used without falsing.

I called James, when he was at Tesoro, and explained the problem one of his Dealers was having with the Cortés and sent it in for service and specifically asked for the internal GB trimmer to be adjusted to function with more search coils as it was much too negative. I included a note describing the issues and sent an e-mail to him. I also called, again, and asked for it to be corrected. While it was off for service I got with a fellow who had a Cortés and wanted an accessory search coil. We tried several coils and only found one that would work on his unit most of the time, unless he got over higher mineralized ground.

When I got it back it was unchanged and still falsed a lot. I wanted to use my smaller-size Super7" coil on it because I hunt trashier sites, so I opened it up and located the Disc. mode GB pot. I adjusted that GB trimmer with all of the coils I had tried before until I got it to at least work passably with the bigger 10X12 and CleanSweep and still be functional with the other coils. I then mounted my Super 7" and used it successfully without any problems.

But I also found that with a functional GB setting for all the coils it was just a bit too positive foe some coils and, while I still detected big silver coins, it seemed to lose a little depth of detection from a too positive GB, but that was needed to get the bigger coils to work w/o being too negative. I soon sold the Cortés and some coils to a fellow who lived in a very mellow ground mineral environment back in the central states and haven't missed it.

So, my suggestion to you is if you want ANY accessory search coil for the Cortés, I would encourage you to find a local dealer or seller where you can try the coil on your particular unit. Test it in both modes over dirt, grass and rocks. Set the Disc. level at minimum and bob the search coil towards and away from the ground and even use an asphalt parking lot as many are fairly mineralized. Bob the coil from about 6" to ½" and back up several times, if it falses on the up-lift, that's an indication the Disc. mode GB is set too negative ... at least for that search coil.

Monte

[size=small]NOTE: I don't have an issue with the brand as I love my favorite Tesoro models, but I haven't had good experiences with this particular model. I know others who experienced the same frustrations with the Cortés.[/size]

Thank you Monte for your input much appreciated you are right on all aspects of this detector and i will be keeping a eye out in high mineral ground but here in maine the soil isnt to hot unless i get on black sand beaches but thats not going too happen becouse i live inland from any beach. This unit is just a try out unit for me i have never owned a Tesoro so i thought i would give it a go so far it is a excellent coin shooter with good depth but i have had deeper ect for sure for less money this may be another trade off detector but im giving it a go for now come spring we will see.Take care .

 

[sasquache]

You are right John im figureing this pinpoint method out lol

 

[sasquache]

Thank You

 

[Mike Hillis]

Hi Sasquache,

Don't let Monte rain on your parade. If you like the detector you like the detector. Doesn't matter if he does or not.

I've had more than 4 of them I like them so much. But I'm a fan of tone id and just can't seem to enjoy a monotone unit. But that is just me.

Looking forward to reading more of your Cortes adventures.

HH
Mike

 

[Monte]

As I stated, the Cortés provided me very good detection depth, as long as I had a functional coil mounted [size=small](the stock coil at first)[/size] or after I tweaked the Disc. mode's GB trimmer [size=small](mainly for the Super 7" for trashier sites, but still to handle all the other Tesoro coils I had)[/size].

It was the high-dollar retail and the dinky display and cramped high-end numeric read-out that annoyed me. Overall I got along as well or better using the other Tesoro models I had, most with manual GB for both modes, so I let it go.

I wasn't trying to "rain on anyone's parade," just let him know about my experiences. Also, I was a Tesoro Dealer at the time, and I traveled to three states working some shows and, at the time, lived in a large metro area with three active metal detecting clubs I was in. I only had one serious inquiry about the Cortés out of my area, and I sold him my unit, and locally and in the clubs four [size=small](only four)[/size] people had an interest in the Cortés. I let them use mine if they wanted on some outings [size=small](after I had tweaked the GB trimmer)[/size] with any coil they wanted. They compared it to their Tesoro's and other makes and models, then said "it was interesting" or "it's okay"," but were not interested in it at that retail price. Also all of them complained about the smaller-size display and cramped numeric read-out. Maybe they were just older folks with worn-out eyesight?

Only four. And since then I have only seen one Cortés in use in any of my travels through many western states, or in the seminars I conduct, and haven't had anyone bring it up for question or discussion more than maybe six times since its release, other than on the Internet Forums.

I know they can work and some folks might like them, but it wasn't for me. I'd bet Sasquache will also find it interesting, but as he stated, it might well become trading stock.

Oh, as for Tone ID. I like some makes and models with some of the Tone ID functions they have, such as the Tek. T2 and Omega 8000, the Makro Racer and Nokta FORS CoRe, but for most of the places I hunt and the performance they provide, I am very comfortable with a good Tesoro like I own and the audio tone pitch they were designed with. The lower pitch I don't care for, but most Tesoro single-tone models are fine in my opinion. There are times I grab a Tone ID model but it's not always.

Monte

 

[thump7]

I love the Cortes!
Of all Tesoros I've used before, I like this one the best. In my humble and lowly count of past machines used.... No machine has been as fun and productive as the Cortes. with the clean sweep it is a discriminating vacuum on sports fields. I wish I had more time to get out with it.

I started out with the silver umax and found that there were some places where the ground was too mineralized to hunt, the machine would start chirping and falsing all over the place. When I got the Vaquero I went back to these places thinking all my problems were solved. After ground balancing I was quite surprised to find that the vaquero behaved the same way, just couldn't handle the dirt in these mineralized areas. Only at one location was it able to hunt with some improvement where I couldn't hunt with the silver.
Lesson learned, ground balance is over rated. Yes ground balance is good! However in my area the real benifit to groundbalanceing was being able to swap coils and tune the coil to the machine. Even that, I've swapped a lot of coils, the only time I had any problem was with some extra chatter with a 10x12 concentric on the silver umax with the sensitivity in the red.
Having said that, with the Cortes tesoro still left an open window. If the ground gets real bad I can still ground balance and run all-metal while using the screen to discriminate, which is how I hunt in the disc mode anyways.
Although not super deep, it's on par with the other known deeper machines tesoro makes.

I sure wouldn't mind some tones, but for now I can live without them. I like to investigate every signal and check to see what the machine is telling me. Doing this has become half the fun. Picking through dozens / hundreds of signals in trashy places and taking home the keepers. I still dig trash, but not the depressing ' I need to get a real life and maybe rethink how I got to this place' amount I used to dig. Sure I leave some stuff behind and anyone is welcome to it.

Great machine.