New CTX User Qs

[GateKeeper]

Well said Nolan. I'm sure Bill S will appreciate that.

 

[jakechiro]

I think this thread may be getting a tad out of control...

As a new user to the CTX, I was just wanting some others input on what I was experiencing.

I did notice that several of the memorial pennies that I dug rang in at a 43-45 on the Conductive scale.

I will try to see what the machine is running in auto sensitivity and report back tomorrow (I am going back there tomorrow).

I will try to run in straight Auto, and then try manual at the level that the machine is suggesting for straight auto. I will also take note of my gain, threshold, etc.. for you guys.

The old 2 room school house is right behind the house I am hunting, so I am gonna try to get permission to hunt that also.

Thanks to everyone that replied with suggestions, I will definitely try them out.

Bill_S, I really respect your opinions when it comes to Minelabs, so thank you for taking time to try and help me out!

 

[chadwick]

Its not getting out of control you really have some heavy hitters on here answering your question.Dont let the same numbers get on your badside its a great detector I honestly can say I like it not being 100 percent right. That way you don't think you know everything about it and stop learning the machine

 

[Digger]

The numeric TID is programmed to display at the end of a target detection. In other words, on isolated targets, make sure your entire coil has cleared the target area before checking the numbers. A "one sweep" and wait for the TID should provide a more reliable TID. JMHO HH Randy

 

[GKMan]

This is another good example how someone newer to the CTX forum asks a question and it leads to some interesting posts...

 

[jakechiro]

I went back out today to the same property. My auto sensitivity was only suggesting a level of 10. Maybe that is why everything was in the 4-6" range. I tried to bump it up manually, but it was way to chatty and couldn't isolate any good signals. Maybe after I become more proficient with this machine, I'll try this spot again. Spent another couple of hours out there and only managed some clad. I did bring out the Etrac and the 6x8 SEF, but didn't find anything that the CTX had missed.

Thanks for all of the advice though!!!!

 

[GateKeeper]

You might want to try Ground/Coin to help with the mineralization. If your machine is still chattering, then ground balance.

 

[Digger]

I hunted the ROW with the Etrac and the 6x8 coil first. 2nd dig of the day produced a 1934 Washington Quarter!! The rest of the ROW didn't produce any keepers. So then, I figured I would hit it with my CTX. No keepers from the ROW with the CTX.

I noticed that while hunting with the CTX, it will chatter more than my Etrac does. By chatter I mean while swinging the coil, I get random high tones, grunts, low tones, etc... and when I sweep back over that spot, nothing. The way that I have been hunting is a Modified Sabisch coin pattern in Combined tones, Ferrous-Coin w/ Pattern 2 completely open (like a Quick Mask on the Etrac).

I tried GH's settings, but I think maybe there was too much iron in there because high tones were everywhere, but none were repeatable. I would occasionally check a signal using GH's settings, but it was a little too noisy here to use it.

I went back out today to the same property. My auto sensitivity was only suggesting a level of 10. Maybe that is why everything was in the 4-6" range. I tried to bump it up manually, but it was way to chatty and couldn't isolate any good signals.

A few points..... the CTX is a totally different beast than the ETRAC. In your posts, you are comparing the "chatter" of your CTX to your ETRAC........ but unless I missed something, I believe you are using a much smaller coil on the ETRAC than the CTX. A "more fair" comparison (and one I would be interested in seeing you perform) would be to compare both detectors using similar sized coils, running similar settings. I would venture a guess that the reason your ETRAC is quieter is due to the amount of soil being analyzed at any one time. e.g....coil size. At this point in time, unfortunately, the same coil options for the ETRAC are not available for the CTX 3030. But I would also venture a guess that if you were to put on the 6-inch CTX coil, it would have less chatter than the ETRAC and butterfly 6 X 8 coil (mine did in the testing process). And I'd also venture a guess that the 6-inch coil will hit coins in that 4 - 6 inch range, as the stock CTX coil, for the reason mentioned above.

There is nothing wrong with "copying" someone else's settings. But if you expect to get the same results they are getting, you're only fooling yourself. Andy's program for the ETRAC does not take into consideration the additional functionality of the CTX. And to date, Andy has not written anything "educational" about the CTX. As far as Gonehunting's programs.....I worked with Evan quite a bit before he settled on what he tagged his Gonehunting's settings. Once he figured out the CTX was not an upscale ETRAC, and learned how he could implement the various functionality to his benefit at his sites, we were able to come up with a combination of settings that suited his sites, style and personal preferences. And if you ask him, I think he will agree...... there are way too many variables in functionality and possible settings to say that a program that works for him will work for you. They are a good place to start, if you know what it is each function represents. But unless you can adapt that program to your sites, your style and your targets......you're not going to be maximizing the potential of your CTX 3030. With that said, I'm glad to see you were willing to make changes to the programs you downloaded. But don't stop there..... keep tweaking the Sensitivity (did you try a negative offset?), change the audio response to see if one of the optional settings will improve how you hear the targets. You might find that simply changing the pitch of the tones in your Combined audio profile will make those coins "jump" out at you. But you'll never know unless you try.

The way I hunted with it was if I found a high tone that was repeatable (hit every swing), then I would turn 90 degrees. If it would hit every swing at 90 degrees, I would dig it. That is basically what I was doing with my Etrac. Repeatable signals at 90 degrees were getting dug.

If a target provides the same tone, coming from the same exact location, regardless of what direction I am sweeping.....I'm digging it. The ETRAC does not have the functionality of the CTX. That is one of the reasons we swept it from various directions. If you are using Ferrous Coin separation and hit two targets at the same time, rest assured that both targets will provide their images on the screen, and the coin target will provide the TID.

JMHO HH Randy

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

I hunted the ROW with the Etrac and the 6x8 coil first. 2nd dig of the day produced a 1934 Washington Quarter!! The rest of the ROW didn't produce any keepers. So then, I figured I would hit it with my CTX. No keepers from the ROW with the CTX.

I noticed that while hunting with the CTX, it will chatter more than my Etrac does. By chatter I mean while swinging the coil, I get random high tones, grunts, low tones, etc... and when I sweep back over that spot, nothing. The way that I have been hunting is a Modified Sabisch coin pattern in Combined tones, Ferrous-Coin w/ Pattern 2 completely open (like a Quick Mask on the Etrac).

I tried GH's settings, but I think maybe there was too much iron in there because high tones were everywhere, but none were repeatable. I would occasionally check a signal using GH's settings, but it was a little too noisy here to use it.

I went back out today to the same property. My auto sensitivity was only suggesting a level of 10. Maybe that is why everything was in the 4-6" range. I tried to bump it up manually, but it was way to chatty and couldn't isolate any good signals.

A few points..... the CTX is a totally different beast than the ETRAC. In your posts, you are comparing the "chatter" of your CTX to your ETRAC........ but unless I missed something, I believe you are using a much smaller coil on the ETRAC than the CTX. A "more fair" comparison (and one I would be interested in seeing you perform) would be to compare both detectors using similar sized coils, running similar settings. I would venture a guess that the reason your ETRAC is quieter is due to the amount of soil being analyzed at any one time. e.g....coil size. At this point in time, unfortunately, the same coil options for the ETRAC are not available for the CTX 3030. But I would also venture a guess that if you were to put on the 6-inch CTX coil, it would have less chatter than the ETRAC and butterfly 6 X 8 coil (mine did in the testing process). And I'd also venture a guess that the 6-inch coil will hit coins in that 4 - 6 inch range, as the stock CTX coil, for the reason mentioned above.

There is nothing wrong with "copying" someone else's settings. But if you expect to get the same results they are getting, you're only fooling yourself. Andy's program for the ETRAC does not take into consideration the additional functionality of the CTX. And to date, Andy has not written anything "educational" about the CTX. As far as Gonehunting's programs.....I worked with Evan quite a bit before he settled on what he tagged his Gonehunting's settings. Once he figured out the CTX was not an upscale ETRAC, and learned how he could implement the various functionality to his benefit at his sites, we were able to come up with a combination of settings that suited his sites, style and personal preferences. And if you ask him, I think he will agree...... there are way too many variables in functionality and possible settings to say that a program that works for him will work for you. They are a good place to start, if you know what it is each function represents. But unless you can adapt that program to your sites, your style and your targets......you're not going to be maximizing the potential of your CTX 3030. With that said, I'm glad to see you were willing to make changes to the programs you downloaded. But don't stop there..... keep tweaking the Sensitivity (did you try a negative offset?), change the audio response to see if one of the optional settings will improve how you hear the targets. You might find that simply changing the pitch of the tones in your Combined audio profile will make those coins "jump" out at you. But you'll never know unless you try.

The way I hunted with it was if I found a high tone that was repeatable (hit every swing), then I would turn 90 degrees. If it would hit every swing at 90 degrees, I would dig it. That is basically what I was doing with my Etrac. Repeatable signals at 90 degrees were getting dug.

If a target provides the same tone, coming from the same exact location, regardless of what direction I am sweeping.....I'm digging it. The ETRAC does not have the functionality of the CTX. That is one of the reasons we swept it from various directions. If you are using Ferrous Coin separation and hit two targets at the same time, rest assured that both targets will provide their images on the screen, and the coin target will provide the TID.

JMHO HH Randy

 

[Digger]

You've hunted enough with Evan to know exactly what I'm talking about. Even if the two of you were hunting the same site at the same time, I'd almost bet there are a couple tweaks that are different between your detectors. Addressing our personalities, whether it be a faster sweep speed or hearing sounds differently than the other person, are enough to make the difference between a "great day to be outdoors" and a "successful hunt in the great outdoors". JMHO HH Randy

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

You've hunted enough with Evan to know exactly what I'm talking about. Even if the two of you were hunting the same site at the same time, I'd almost bet there are a couple tweaks that are different between your detectors. Addressing our personalities, whether it be a faster sweep speed or hearing sounds differently than the other person, are enough to make the difference between a "great day to be outdoors" and a "successful hunt in the great outdoors". JMHO HH Randy

Very true! Ask Evan about the buffalo nickel I dug that he said was trash! lol Sometimes its just the way your holding your mouth when you go over it! lol

 

[PokerShark]

This pretty simple and the engineers will tell you that nothing is absolute with so many variables involved. Now I know when you start talking about absolutes and variables some people haze over as if they are back in Algebra I class again so let me put it another way........ If you are in a new strip club that has several dozen girls, 5 different beers on tap, a larger stage and strobe instead of stage lighting - it will not look the same to you when you compare it to your favorite club down the street! Even if the same girls work each club they are going to look different. Sally will not look or dance the same at Sleaze as she does at Smut right down the street! She's the same girl, in the same town, and even on the same night, but not everything is the same. Does that help????

Point is, stay out of strip clubs and expand your mind a little. You are clearly stuck in a rut! A CTX is NOT an ETRAC, nor is an ETRAC a CTX. One question: Do you really think Minelab would spend research and development funds to develop a new detector that is exactly like the other detector just so that they can call the old detector bad? Really now, here on planet earth that does not happen if a technology company wants to stay in business. Innovation, advancement, and best of breed technology is how tech companies survive. And don't kid yourselves, ALL the detector companies are TECH COMPANIES.

Have you ever noticed how Microsoft, Apple, Samsung, Ford, IBM, and other tech innovators eat their young? What was the latest and greatest last product cycle is now total junk and the new super deluxe gadget is the new thing. Everything before it was total trash - LOL! That is just the way tech works folks - out with the old and in with the new as the gear evolves. I think some of you think our detectors should still have meters on them, a Victor Victrola is the ultimate in entertainment, and silent films were the pinnacle in theater. All else is just waste and a ripoff - yeah, right!

Heavy sigh - I'll keep my CTX thank you very much and the doubters can try to keep home alive for their vintage gear. I loved my Commodore 64, but I eventually had to quit playing games and make a living with my computer hobby....with a real computer!

The Shark

 

[mblemmy]

I at first was having a lil trouble pinpointing with the ctx. after using the etrac for years. on the vid you posted it appears you are doing the same... if you are not over the center of the target the vdi numbers are going to be lower. you dug it and it appeared to be only a inch or so deep whereas your depth showing on the ctx screen was showing 4 inches. you were not centered over the coin. the ctx in my opinion is deeper and will hit harder than the etrac on the sides of the stock coil than the etrac. so be sure to pinpoint than check the numbers. you will love this machine !!


good luck !!

 

[TheGeorgiaCanuck]

You are right completely about one setting not being perfect. I run GH's settings and then after I've cleared a site, I'll switch over to ground/coin and manually ground balance with target hold pitch, then go over the site again. I invariably find more coins, that I missed before. Never think one setting is the end all, the same type of coin can and will give slightly different readings, depending on the soil, angle it's laying in the ground and how much trash or other coins are near it.

Not every coin is lying flat in normal perfectly clean ground.

 

[Gonehunting]

I haven't been on here in quite a while, but I do from time to time check out what's being posted.. Randy hit the nail on the head and drove it all the way through the 2x4.. The CTX is way to complex to depend on just one program.. If I was to open up my CTX it is full of 10 programs most no one else knows about or uses because they are my preferences. Made specifically for what, how, and where I hunt.
Now to address the CTX's "problem" of not being able to ID coins correctly, well if you have done any research on what the different settings will do to the machine you will know that the ferrous coin and ground coin will not ID the larger silver and some clad/copper memorials different than the other silver copper coins. It isn't a problem. The program that I first started using that most call GH settings was used to help me understand the machine better. It pretty much puts all of the better signals in a group on the twelve line, the CTX just seems to act more stable, from old fat copper to large silver. I never once said it was perfect at IDing, but that it would help a newer user(just like I was) to under stand and dig the better signals easier. If you want a more precise ID on all of those coins, switch to the 50 tone, in my experience, use the low trash separation. It will id larger silver in the 01(ferrous) range the coppers below the 44(conductive) range and give you a better ID. Now corroded zincs are the exception as with most machines. Any time you use the ferrous coin separation there is a possibility to get a "draw down" like mentioned earlier in this post. But you are still digging a good target that probably was missed by a vlf. If you are only digging new stuff, don't dig surface coins, listen to the tone, did it double beep but the id says deeper.. here the tone over rules the visual id.. if it double beeps its one of two things shallow or huge... raise the coil,,,, did it disappear? no then its huge, on the surface or both.. a detecting sense still has to be used with this machine. It's not going to magically make you a coin/relic finding star. If you are wanting the older coins use the depth id and look for 5 inch or deeper coins.. in Okla 5 inch is the level the older coins come in.. or if you are a tone guy run your volume gain down to 17 the deeper ones will sound quieter.. Depth.. I have dug quite a few coins over the 10 inch range, mostly in fields.. yards no.. just because there aren't any coins at that depth in a yard(here) unless the ground has been disturbed..
I went to a rally just this weekend(I was the only one using a CTX or a Minelab for that matter), and went behind all of the other brands including several that weren't even a brand anymore,,, with just a simple program that only ID'd Silver, copper pennies, and nickels and I found a lot that the others went over.. and these were no deeper than 6 inches. I dug only 3 pieces of trash(bottle cap 12-34, pull tab 12-12, and a electrical slug 12-40) compared to the handfuls I saw from the other machines.. Large pop cans, Vienna sausage cans and so forth. Most was because they were in too big of a hurry to just size the target before digging, which brings up knowing the machine.

If you are having ground interference then switch separations, lower the sens, noise cancel, or ground balance... if you are still having issue, have another brand come in and check.. still there??? probably going to be with every brand then.. vlf's and fbs react differently.. I ran into emi issue this weekend.. had to hunt in sens set at 7 still could dig the targets, just had to adjust. There is so many places out there to hunt, why complain about one particular spot, just move on if one or all of the above mentioned don't fix it..
Knocking the machine without a proper knowledge or experience with it, won't cut it. The machine is hands down one of the tops as far as properly ID coins/relics at depth in undisturbed ground situations. I haven't seen anything best it while comparing it to others..(users using their other brand machines).. now plowed fields.. well I think it has its limits but not much. This machine is so programmable that if you can't get it to your liking for digging coins and relics, well either build your own or pick another hobby..
I will step back in the shadows before the tomatoes start flying..

 

[chadwick]

 

[Digger]

No tomatoes here Evan. Great explanation of how we can evolve, if we are willing to learn "what does what" with the CTX. HH Randy

 

[Gonehunting]

No tomatoes here Evan. Great explanation of how we can evolve, if we are willing to learn "what does what" with the CTX. HH Randy

Thank you sir.. I know we haven't even tapped what this machine is capable..

 

[TheGeorgiaCanuck]

No tomatoes here Evan. Great explanation of how we can evolve, if we are willing to learn "what does what" with the CTX. HH Randy

Thank you sir.. I know we haven't even tapped what this machine is capable..

I learn something every week with this detector, I will not trade it for anything. BTW I just thought of something else to mention. Make sure you clean under the coil guard, if you get black sand, etc under there it will interfere with your detectors smoothness. Just got my 17" coil today, gonna test it out this weekend at a old park.

Looking forward to your next videos GH

 

[chadwick]

I HAVE A FEELING THIS TOPIC IS ABOUT TO DIE