Ben,
Keep in mind that there are three basic types of meteorites: Stony, Stony Iron and Iron. The irons (ataxites, octahedrites, etc) will be no problem for the ACE 250 as they are just that, mostly iron. But only about 6% of all the meteors that make it to the ground are in this class. Stony irons (pallasites, mesosiderites) are a combination of iron and stone, these account for about 1% of all meteorites. That leaves the Stony meteorites making up the remaining 93% of meteorites. And these are by the greatest majority made of stone, with of course nickel and other metals/minerals in much smaller quantity.
A quick test with my ACE 250 shows all the irons in my collection will hit easily in all-metal mode. This includes the Canyon Diablo from Meteor Crater, Campo del Cielo from Argentina, Sikhote Alin from Russia, Nantan from China and others from all over the world.
The Stony Irons hit without too much trouble, there's enough metal in them for the ACE to pick up. The Brenham Pallasite from Kansas was no problem, the Brahin from Belorussia hit just fine but it's a large piece. I think the meteorite would have to be a bit shallower than the Irons for the ACE to pick it up well. The smaller the piece, the harder it was to ping on.
Now the Stony meteorites, forget it. The only hit I got was on the very huge ones with a good fusion crust (where the metal in the meteorite melts and flows when the meteor enters the atmosphere). I'm talking the 3 kg. meteorites and larger here, and the ACE wasn't too swift on them anyway. I tried small (3-5 gram) part slices, end pieces and individuals and got nothing.
So basically, 93% of all meteorites on earth can't be found with an ACE 250, at least as far as my little test went. I agree that a true non-motion all metal detector would be best for meteorites, maybe someday I'll try with my old Garrett Marksman. The good news is that the Iron and Stony Iron meteorites, being by far the most rare, are worth much more by weight than Stone meteorites. I've paid $150/half gram for some of my meteorites (very rare Carbonaceous Chondrites), lunar and Martian meteorites have an astronomical price tag (pun intended), and ANY meteorite that you find yourself is priceless.
It just seems that while the ACE 250 is a terrific coinshooter, ring finder and all-around performer, it should probably be used for that rather than meteorites. Unless you happen to know where a big honking iron meteorite strewn field is.
My 2 cents
Steve
Keep in mind that there are three basic types of meteorites: Stony, Stony Iron and Iron. The irons (ataxites, octahedrites, etc) will be no problem for the ACE 250 as they are just that, mostly iron. But only about 6% of all the meteors that make it to the ground are in this class. Stony irons (pallasites, mesosiderites) are a combination of iron and stone, these account for about 1% of all meteorites. That leaves the Stony meteorites making up the remaining 93% of meteorites. And these are by the greatest majority made of stone, with of course nickel and other metals/minerals in much smaller quantity.
A quick test with my ACE 250 shows all the irons in my collection will hit easily in all-metal mode. This includes the Canyon Diablo from Meteor Crater, Campo del Cielo from Argentina, Sikhote Alin from Russia, Nantan from China and others from all over the world.
The Stony Irons hit without too much trouble, there's enough metal in them for the ACE to pick up. The Brenham Pallasite from Kansas was no problem, the Brahin from Belorussia hit just fine but it's a large piece. I think the meteorite would have to be a bit shallower than the Irons for the ACE to pick it up well. The smaller the piece, the harder it was to ping on.
Now the Stony meteorites, forget it. The only hit I got was on the very huge ones with a good fusion crust (where the metal in the meteorite melts and flows when the meteor enters the atmosphere). I'm talking the 3 kg. meteorites and larger here, and the ACE wasn't too swift on them anyway. I tried small (3-5 gram) part slices, end pieces and individuals and got nothing.
So basically, 93% of all meteorites on earth can't be found with an ACE 250, at least as far as my little test went. I agree that a true non-motion all metal detector would be best for meteorites, maybe someday I'll try with my old Garrett Marksman. The good news is that the Iron and Stony Iron meteorites, being by far the most rare, are worth much more by weight than Stone meteorites. I've paid $150/half gram for some of my meteorites (very rare Carbonaceous Chondrites), lunar and Martian meteorites have an astronomical price tag (pun intended), and ANY meteorite that you find yourself is priceless.
It just seems that while the ACE 250 is a terrific coinshooter, ring finder and all-around performer, it should probably be used for that rather than meteorites. Unless you happen to know where a big honking iron meteorite strewn field is.
My 2 cents
Steve
