MXT settings

[jah]

I've been using an MXT for about two years now, mainly for relic hunting, and have had good success. Some of the posts I've read seem to suggest some people are not using just the preset settings (as I've been doing). Could someone elaborate on this? Maybe I'm missing targets without knowing it! Thanks.

 

[steelheadfever]

You have never increased your gain setting? HH Dennis in Idaho

 

[Rob (IL)]

I know settings depends on ground conditions and the amount of trash. In my ground conditions, when it is not too trashy, I usually run the gain in the + range with no problem. You should run as much gain as you can with the threshold remaining stable or with as much noise as you can tolerate. This will give you more depth. If the area is trashy gain may have to be lowered to avoid fringe target problems. The same goes for ground mineralization. As mineralization goes up usually I have to back down on the gain. I never have to go below preset unless I am hunting next to metal fences, playground equipment or I am trying to avoid electrical interference.

Except in trashy areas I run my Disc just above 2. This is where my MXT rejects rusty surface nails. If I where hunting a site that had a chance for old finds I might go lower. In a new trashy site I would raise the Disc but would take the chance of missing small gold. Rob

 

[jah]

not yet--but I'll try it!

 

[jah]

Thanks for the info, Rob!

 

[jah]

TO:
rcasio44
Thanks Rob-- I've been playing around with the gain on my MXT, and it seems pretty stable at the increased settings. I'm still not used to it though, having used preset for so long. Do you start at maximum gain and then work back if there's instability, or start with a certain number setting? Also, I often get readings from about 72 to 92 on the VDI, and dig down 8-12 inches only to find a piece of cast iron or other ferrous metal--is this normal, or am I doing something wrong? I often even check the target in prospecting mode--sometimes 10% ferrous readings are still iron! I'm in Virginia, and most of my hunting is in open fields or woods, until I locate an old homesite, so trashy areas aren't too much of a problem. Thanks, Jack.

 

[Rob (IL)]

The large targets will fool all detectors. Detectors with ID and depth readings are calibrated for coin sized objects. Lets say the detector reads 76 and shows 3" for depth. If it is a penny it will be around 3" deep. If it is a can it will still read 76, a penny reading, but that can might be a foot deep. Large targets are deeper than the detector reads and small targets, a little ear ring, are shallower than the detector reads. So you aren't doing anything wrong. In my dirt if I get 75 readings more than not it is a can. Lets say it shows 3". I dig 5" or so and then fill the hole. Every so often I dig deep to the can just to prove it to myself

I also check targets with the prospecting mode and large ferrous target do read 10% or 20% sometimes. Rusty metal can read wrong also. However, I've haven't had the prospecting tell me it was ferrous and then find it was non-ferrous.

In open fields and woods I just crank it up all the way to see if it can handle it . If not I start backing down until it is steady or as chattery as I can handle. In these types of areas I think I would run zero disc since there would be little trash and just check the VDI. In old sites with little trash I would be digging all deep ferrous signals no matter what they read. Rob

 

[jah]

Thanks again, Rob! Sorry to clutter up the forum with all these dumb questions, but I want to be able to use the MXT as efficiently as possible, and all the books, videos, etc. can't hold a candle to first-hand expertise like yours, so THANKS AGAIN! Jack.