(Q)1. In Disc mode (Iron mask on zero Disc and notch), over your usual ground with S12 or WOT, do you run with different SENS settings then you normally do with stock 10 in. coil?. Less, more, the same?
(A)First thing off I have used the S12 and the WOT on my Sovereign XS and XS2, but never had one to try on the GT, but would feel it will be the same. I am a land hunter looking for coins, not a water huntter and hope someone that is will reply too.
With the S12 I found I could still run my sensitivity at the 10-11 o'clock position like with my 10 inch coils,but got a little more falsing from iron, but easy to tell if you know your Sovereign. The WOT I tried I had to run more at the 12 o'clock position for it to be stable.
(Q)Is there a depth gain ( some, little, much), between stock and larger coils at setting used?
(A) On my test on actual targets I found I was getting a good inch more depth with the S12 over the 10 inch coils and seem to lock on to the target better plus the coil was lighter feeling. On the WOT I found it not to give my much depth over the stock coil, but only used it a couple of times before I had a chance to sell it.
From what I have seen the S12 will go deeper by a good inch over the stock 10 inch coil and lighter weight.
(Q)Is it necessary to tweak other settings (Vol, band, threshold), out of your normal range, to get into your operating zone.
(A) No setting had to be changed other than to recalibrate my Sun Ray meter.
(Q) 2. More depth is good (I wouldn't turn down a three inch gain) but I'd like more ground coverage for the same number of swings, faster sweep speed, and I don't want to be overwhelmed with multiple sounds and readings. Will the larger coils:
Give me target separation, similar to 10 in, at the normal slow GT sweep speed? What if I speed up my swing? Will a stable threshold be maintained if I pick up the sweep speed some, or will it go out of control.
(A)I felt the S12 gave very good target separation, but may have to go a little slower than the stock coil as it is seeing more than the stock coil does.On one of my Field test with the S 12 I was able to pick out a buffalo nickle in with some trash around 8 inches deep, there was also a token within 3 inches of the nickle as I knew there was more than one target there.
(Q)Allow me to pin-point in Disc mode, on leading edge as I can with the 10 in?
(A)No problem pinpointing with the S12 for me in the disc mode, just come at it from at least 2 different angles.
(Q) Give me spot pin-pting in All/MET mode (center of coil, edge?), with signal strength equal to 10 in.
(A) I found the signal strength to be great on the S12 in all metal mode and better in the all metal mode than the stock 10 inch coil.
(Q)Give me the same tone structures and target feedback as 10 in.
(A)I feel for tones I did get better tones on the S 12 on deeper coins I dig and even went against a Explorer XS with the stock coil by a guy very experienced with the Explorer and found I could hear every deep target he could get with a good tone and meter ID, some were very weak, but this was the first time I could keep up with him, but I was using the S12 where as before i was using a 8 inch coinsearch or a 10inch coil.
I'll save questions on beach hunting and All-Metal for another post.
(conclusion)Over all I found the 12 inch coil to be lighter and go deeper with some good target separation and in my field test I worked a couple of old parks that have been hammered to death and found more coins than I ever did before using any of my other coils. Many of this is knowing your Sovereign and going by the tones that are climbing and running a threshold plus going slow as you have to to get the deeper target others have missed.
This coil may not be for every one or every application, but how many do you see for sale? not too many is there so most must like them.
Rick
Don
Don