Tahts-a-dats-ago
Well-known member
Galen1066 said:
I haven't had the opportunity to play with the F75 yet (I'd like to though). From all I've heard it is a great machine.
I do own, and love, the V3i. I don't find it to be difficult to set up correctly, but there is a learning curve to the machine (probably more so than with the F75, or most other machines). It can be as simple as selecting a stock program and hunting (after ground balancing) or you can set it up to suit your needs/whims. I have multiple programs set up on mine (other than stock) and just tweak a few things as needed for each hunt (it takes just a few seconds). It is a bit heavy though, but I find it to be very well balanced and have no issues with swinging it for hours. The screen is world's better than all other machines (that I know of). There are a lot of coil choices for the V3i, and I'd strongly suggest getting the wireless headphones if you opt for the V3i.
Most machines will give you an idea of a targets depth - based on the target being the size of the coin supposedly detected. The accuracy can vary - with shallower coins being more accurate and deeper coins being less accurate. All machines can, and will be, fooled by targets that aren't coins: a flattened soda can will sometimes ring up like a shallow coin when in fact it is a deeper can (just one example of how the target depth can be incorrect).
A target's size can be estimated (fairly accurately most of the time) by the response (of the machine) to the target. Going back to the flattened soda can example - if the machine responds (to a target) over a larger area (say multiple inches) while pin-pointing (or in all metal mode) the target is almost certainly larger than a coin. It is much easier to do, than it is for me to explain. As you learn your machine, identifying target size becomes much easier. The V3i has a sizing feature (analyze screen) - mostly it is fairly accurate, but it can be fooled as well.
In the case of a coin spill - multiple targets in one small area - the VDI number can (and will) vary. A small coil helps separate items, as can a slow swing speed.
It has been awhile since I last used a CTX 3030, but I believe it will show more than one target on screen. I don't recall much about that, so hopefully someone with a CTX 3030 can verify that for you.
I would suggest that you go to a local dealer and try swinging several different machines; or ask friends if you can try their machines for a bit. Every machine has strengths and weaknesses. What works for one person may not work for another.
You can download the manual for most machines; it's another means of learning which machine is right for your needs/whims.
Good luck and happy hunting!
