Interesting (and disappointing) test with gold ring

[Phillip_in_NM]

OK, here are the pictures. My testing buddy sent them to me along with his latest find for a size comparison.

 

[markg]

*** I was going to go with just auto, but the sensitivity in came up with was only 17, so I went to manual and set it at 25, then 27, then 30.... made no difference. ***

Turning the sensitivity up will help in getting deeper targets. It will not make the E-trac more sensitive to thin, small gold targets which are low conductors. The only way that is going to happen is to change the operating frequency - which you can't do.

So, if you want small gold you'll need a second detector with a higher operating frequency, like the GMP, GB2 (runs at 71KhZ for the tiny micro-jewelry, but not for wet sand), GB Pro (almost as good as GB2, but superior for gold rings-coins), F75SE (in bp mode). The higher the freq the better resolution on small, weakly conductive targets like most alloyed gold jewlery.

I agree with your choices, I got to borrow a gold bug pro for three weeks. I was amazed at how it hit on the low conductors. Being an avid Etrac user I purposely gridded off an area with the Etrac before the Bug arrived. Then I proceeded to grid the same area with the Gold Bug, amazed at the number of nickels that came up. I even found a very nice 1030 Buffalo from the same area. But the best find was a 10k gold ring that I posted on this forum a few weeks ago. I believe the bug once learned would be superior to the Etrac on gold.

 

[Ray-Mo.]

Looking at the pictures I dare say my E-Trac and pro coil would hit it equally as well as the Explorer.I have done hundreds of side by side tests with both machines and found them to be equal on depth on all undisturbed in ground targets.
I would be finding out what was wrong with my E-Trac/coil if I were you.....

 

[Phillip_in_NM]

So you're saying that BOTH of our Etracs/coils may have problems??? We tested every reading with both his and my Etrac. Maybe you just have an extra-special Etrac. I really don't believe the problems lie with our machines other than that Etracs apparently just don't do well with gold.

Looking at the pictures I dare say my E-Trac and pro coil would hit it equally as well as the Explorer.I have done hundreds of side by side tests with both machines and found them to be equal on depth on all undisturbed in ground targets.
I would be finding out what was wrong with my E-Trac/coil if I were you.....

 

[thE-TRACker]

I do alot of beach / wet sand searching and have found hundreds of small gold targets and I mean small !I usually search all metal and disc. with numbers. I've noticed that white gold , chains and filigreed earrings are the most difficult usually registering a 02/12. At 4 inches a 12/29 target should ring out loud and clear. Just my observations. Also maybe the salt water is more conductive . thE-TRACer

 

[Ray-Mo.]

If they both did the same then that leaves the other possibility of not set up for optimum results on said target.. The Explorer and E-Tracs use same frequencies with same coils and other than the E-Trac having a slightly faster processor and a true auto sensitivity their is little difference.

High manual sensitivity and high gain must be used with the E-Trac for maximum depth, especially on smaller targets and gold jewelry.Also both machines hit harder the lower the gold karat in my experience.

Neither will come close to hitting the micro gold like the AT Pro will

Fast on or off plus ground setting can make a lot of difference on certain fringe targets as well.......
Regardless you must use what works best for you on the targets you seek with the setting you hunt with

PS My E-Trac is extra special as it has found me over 500 silver coins with the vast majority dating before 1920 including two 1895o key date barber dimes