Masking, Depth and the Inevitable Comparisons

[sumrtym]

I read something about this in the last week, but I can't remember where, that the "test" is more gimmick than fact. It had to do with if the coin was on top of our behind the iron when facing the coil, and how the detector could be set to just knock out iron but putting a big plate of iron in front of it with a coin behind the plate would still set the detector off like it could see the completely and utterly hidden coin. However, the reason it sounded off was because of the increase of mass pushing the signal out of the discriminated range.

Just telling you what I remember. All I know is that if a detector signals off on a 4" square plate of iron with a coin behind it, it is NOT really seeing the coin, something else is going on. Wishful thinking does not take the place of common sense.

 

[VaRelics]

[size=medium]Sumrtym,

The ability for the tejon to pick up a non- ferrous target through Iron does have to do with the mass of the Iron. If the Iron is too large it will mask the coin but if it has multiple similar sized iron targets around it you will only pick up the coin!

The minelab I had would go blind for about two feet after getting anywhere near Iron as do many very expensive machines. One of the most important tests for a machine is the recovery speed after going over Iron.

I

 

[utahshovelhead]

I am hearing allot of intelligent metal detector folks say that its not possible to do test comparisons with top of the line detectors. (stay calm) BUT If you argue that an ACE 250 is just as deep seeking as a Whites DFX or Minelab E trac I doubt any of us accept that. Oh wait a minute I just made a comparison. Whew, good thing Ace is not a top of the line detector...oh wait I did it again.


Every tool, every computer, every phone, Gps systems ... but we cant do this on a metal detector as its too??? subjective, difficult, unreasonable?....what other excuses can we find.

(Sorry JW no sales folks. I love ya but that Ace line only works till they get growed up)

To all crusty types... no need to reply in this thread if your going to get emotional n all.. I'm just lookin for good solid reasoning in 10 lines or less.

Rather be out detecting any way.

 

[Southwind]

I don't know about the Vision, but the DFX can be set to do very well with iron masking. Of course it always depends on the size and relationship of both targets.

I set my DFX just so it will breakup on iron such as nails and bottle caps, and when a coin is near/with said nail or bottle cap, you can tell a goos target is there. Just last weekend I dug a rusted 10 penny nail out of the same hole as a 1953 dime. It's not that tough, but you've got to have a detector that can be properly adjusted to meet the need.

I've found the best way to do a head-to-head is with a live hunt. When comparing my DFX and my Minelab SE I would take one or the other out hunting, When I got a good signal I would take the other detector and check it's response on the same target. I realize experience with a detector is a factor, but it's not hard to tell when one detector does a better job than the other. Sure tweaking is also a factor, but my head-to-head was done with the basic setup on both. That gives you an out of the box comparison.