Looks like I got a good CZ3D

[Hwy 395]

I got my detector already, two days after buying it. Thanks desimundo!

Assembled it, put in a fresh set of batteries, and did Dankowski's "clad dime test" using his recommended settings. It correctly identifies a clad dime at 11", so depth wise, it passes the test. However, I noticed that buffalo nickels can give it problems ID'ing in enhance mode. Whether the detector is in salt or enhanced, it will give a high tone with the buffalo nickel, and correctly ID it as a nickel. However, as I move the nickel away from the coil, after about 6-7 inches away, it will sometimes register as foil and give a mid/low tone. I would say this happens about 30-40% of the time. A couple other coins seem to give the detector the same kind of issue.

Am I supposed to be seeing a big difference between the enhanced and salt modes? So far, the only coin that shows a significant difference is a badly corroded shield nickel. It will register as foil in salt mode, and a high tone nickel in enhanced mode. Other than that, I'm not seeing a very big difference in the "enhanced" mode.

Any ideas? I may have to send it to Dankowski after all for a tune up. I'm glad the depth isn't an issue though... that's the one thing he says he can't always fix, because some times the components need replacing and he can't do that anymore.

 

[Aces High 333]

Glad your CZ-3D is good and getting a tune up.

 

[therover]

The corroded shield nickle ID"s correctly in enhanced mode as high tone. Similar old type coins ( those corroded or have been in the ground a very long time) will ID the same.

If you read some of Tom D's posts on his forum and some of the articles he wrote about the 3D, enhanced mode works best in ground conditions, and when you air test certain objects in enhanced mode, they may not ID properly, but if they were in the ground, the should.

I don't think you need to send your 3D back to Tom. Get out there to some older pre-1950 sites and use enhanced mode and dig, dig, dig. Just be aware if you are in a more modern site that has lots of foil, tabs, aluminum can slaw and other type of trash, that enhance mode may drive you crazy because it will ID a lot of this as high tone.

When I first got my 3D, I dug every target and messed around in both modes. I have been a CZ user since the CZ6a came out and I am familiar with the units, but I still dug everything. You will learn your detector that way. Also, remember that CZ's down average targets the deeper the target is. So, lots of times a deep nickel will ID as foil, or lots of deep targets bounce low tone to mid tone or even ID as iron yet they may be good targets. Sizing the target helps, as well as listening to the mellow sound vs a more harsher sound. Deep coins size small and hit soft.

Get there and have some fun and don't worry about if it needs tuning or not. You already know the depth test passed, so now dig those deep targets and then you will be in a position to tell if the unit needs tuning. Field use is the only proven way to be sure.

JC

 

[Hwy 395]

Thanks Rover. That's good to hear about the enhanced mode working better in the ground.

My backyard is full of so much junk, I doubt I am going to be able to detect it with the CZ, but I'll try. My Minelab would null out constantly back there. I think the CZ will perform best in cleaner ground.

 

[therover]

But only dig the high tones. Also, you may want to run in enhanced mode, and when you get a high tone hit, switch over to salt mode. If it does to mid tone, you may have a target that was brought up into the high tone category in enhanced mode. Dig it and see what it is.

If it's still high tone when switching to salt mode, then there is more of a probability that it's a coin. Size it via the pin point button to be sure.

I say go for the back yard first and learn the detector. Grid sections of the back yard at 90 degree angles, then at 45 ( that is, hunt a square section of your yard front to back, then side to side, then diagonally). Correct...it isn't made for trashy sites, but your back yard is one of the best places to start since you can take your time, you won't be bothered by anyone and you can be a little messy with the holes !

JC

 

[yardhunter]

n/t