My Garrett 250 is tricking me

[Bearprint]

When I use my Garrett 250 on for example fields and beaches, it sats the sound and works properly and everything, but then when I start digging, there is never anything there, even when I use my PinPointer.

The most frustrating thing is that it says a sound when I detect something, but no matter how many times I move my detector over the same spot again, it won't say a sound again. It's like it's teasing me.

Solution? I haven't really found anything worthwhile yet.

 

[Orion42]

What do you have your sensitivity at?

John

 

[Thylacine]

I agree with Orion42, check the sensivity, then the coil connection, wrapping of the coil lead, the coil itself for cracks and if you have a coil cover attached check that nothing is caught between the coil and the cover, if all is good then do a reset and proceed to air testing on coins. If after doing the checks it is still not performing call Garrrett and send it in for repairs.

 

[surf n turf]

Also check the battery's.

 

[Bearprint]

The sensitivity is at 6, but when I put it up to 8 (max), it just says sounds at almost everything and is even more inaccurate.

When I move it over a shovel, it works fine... it's just when I move it over the ground, it sometimes says something, but when I dig there's nothing there. So I basically waste my time.

 

[Orion42]

What part of the country are you in? You may have to knock your sensitivity back another notch.

John

 

[John-Edmonton]

Sometimes it's a piece of rusted metal. It is so rusted, that when you dig it, it breaks into almost a powder, so now the detector or Pro Pointer will not pick it up.

 

[Bearprint]

Sensitivity at 5? Or 7, Orion?

I live in Denmark, across the Atlantic Ocean

 

[Orion42]

If it's rusted away metal, you should see a color difference in the soil. I get a lot of that here in the sandy soil in upper Michigan. Not sure about the soil in Denmark, so I would try dropping the sensitivity down another notch (5) and see what happens.

John

 

[Ohiodirtfisher]

My travel machine is the 150 and I have to keep the sensitivity in check or I get allot of false signals. I run mine one under factory preset and it seems to work pretty well, also make sure the cable from the coil runs up on top of the lower shaft, I have mine taped in place to separate it from the coil. Good luck and happy hunting. Ohiodirtfisher.

 

[slingshot]

Several years ago, when Bill was moderator for this forum, he found-as I have- that 4 bars sensitivity seems to be the breaking point between depth/mineralization handling by the Ace. Of course, under ideal conditions, factory 6 bars reaches down there. At one of my mineralized sites, I hit a quarter at 6" with factory setting-6 bars. It was, however, a jumpy, harsh sound. I lowered the sensitivity to 4 bars and not only dit it hit the quarter, but the signal was clearer. Just saying there's things to consider with a fixed g/b detector. A deep tab will give a good coin bong when the sensitivity/bad ground issue is present. And, as John said, iron objects, also.

 

[ralph]

if the coil wire(the cord from the coil to yellow box) is not wrapped or secured to the shaft properly(if it is loose & moves when u sweep the coil it can cause false signals) check it out.

 

[slingshot]

if the coil wire(the cord from the coil to yellow box) is not wrapped or secured to the shaft properly(if it is loose & moves when u sweep the coil it can cause false signals) check it out.

Yeah, forgot about that! Run in STRAIGHT up the shaft for 6" THEN start wrapping. Darndest thing I've ever seen. Cured mine and never had problems again in 8 years.