Locating Target

[enjr4]

Hello,
I am totally new to this hobby. I have been looking into this for a couple of years and just got a good deal on a new AT350 so I took the leap this Tuesday.

Today was my first outing and I picked a sand volleyball court. I picked it because is owned by my homeowners association and I knew I could hunt there without any problems. Well, I spent about two/three hours out there and I found a pull tab and a quarter (I threw that out there over my shoulder).

I got a large number of hits on various iron and coin indications, but could not locate the items. The 350 would hit and I could pin point it at say 8 or 6 or even 4 inches deep. But, it didn't seem to matter how big or deep the hole I dug (reason I picked this location) I could not find anything. I would dig and then check the sand I took out of the hole and then check the hole again. The 350 would indicate it was still there in the hole and in the same place as before even though the hole was bigger and deeper than indicated. I don't understand this. Sensitivity was set at about four bars.

Now, my question. What am I doing wrong? Were they all false hits? If so how do I stop this? I would sweep left and right over the hit, then turn 90 degrees and sweep again. The go to the pinpoint function and zero in. But I could not find anything. Some suggestions would really be appreciated.
Thanks, Ed

 

[mudpuppy]

You got a nice easy digging private spot there, so take that quarter, and bury it at different depths, and practice. You will find it with your sens lowered, which you should do. Most likely those phantoms are deep large junk items if you have your sens cranked up to the max, you will hit a pop can at nearly 2 feet, yet your depth meter will say less! You want to be able to run stable and not miss coins or rings in the 8" depth, so bury that quarter, and adjust your settings appropriately. It just takes a little time to get to understand what is going on is all, we've all been there. Somebody may jump in and give you some help on your specific machine. Good Luck!
Mud

 

[cc8137]

I would do a "reset" on your machine to revert to factory settings. I would check the batteries and also use a pinpointer to help find your targets (If your not using one)

 

[enjr4]

Thanks Mud,
Thank you for your advise. I do plan to keep at it. It gets me outdoors and out of my chair. CC8137, a pin-pointer is probably in my future; but, not just yet. By the way is there a detector's forum that has a classified section like many gun forums?
Ed

 

[GoGoGopher]

http://www.findmall.com/list.php?44
http://www.findmall.com/list.php?65
http://www.findmall.com/list.php?45

These are the Findmall Forum Classifieds...Also check out this site for some educational videos...

http://www.garrett.com/hobbysite/hbby_ace_350_library_videos.aspx

Happy Hunting,

 

[enjr4]

Thanks Go Go, I guess I just didn't look hard enough. Ed

 

[fongu]

Take your time and have patience, you'll do just fine. Good luck and happy hunting to you.

 

[fongu]

You tube has a lot of videos that will help you with the 350. quite a few garrett videos and others. You can learn about pin pointing by watching and learning these videos. Of course, there are some poeple on you tube who give a bad name to our hobby and you have to remember the metal detector's code of ethics.

 

[Hank68]

The honey spot on the DD coil is just forward of the coil mounting bracket just with a little bit more practice it will a piece of cake, you have a fantastic machine keep it up! hank