New to detecting

[minelab305]

Hello

I first better introduce myself and this is my first post. My name is Simon from the UK Yorkshire and am completely new to the Hobie other than find a gold ring once when I borrowed my friend detector. That's what got me interested, although I am sure it will be along time before that happens again..

I have purchased a Minelab x-Terra 305 and used it for the first time today. I loved it! The "pin point" function was a great little feature. My question is that most finds where registering on the target id as -4 as my discrimination was set to AM (All Metals) I did find a few 38-40. Can anyone tell me what the Target id's mean? Please. Is there some kind of Chart that shows you what they mean like Steal - Silver - Tin - Gold etc.

The mine lab also has some preset discrimination setting 1-3 and bar along the bottom , I cant find any where what these bar relate to is which metal.

Your help would be appreciated. Thank you

 

[David]

Simon, if you are not going gold prospecting then the 305 is a very good choice for coins and gold rings.

Look at FAQFAQ for more information.
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?55,496344

 

[minelab305]

Hello David

Thank you David for your reply.

Your right I am not gold prospecting, correct me if I am wrong but I don't think there is much gold in the UK laying around in the ground, are government sold it all.... I am just looking for Roman coins and other little treasures. Anything that is interesting and a relic.

Being new to detecting, I don't have anything to compare the Minelab 305 too. But so far on my first outing I was impressed, especially ease of use and controls.

 

[Beale]

Welcome to the site! Nice to have you on! Good choice in a detector. I wish you good luck with it, and many finds, Beale.

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

G'day Minelab 305. Welcome to the forum.
I bought the X-Terra 30 when they were first released and it was the first detector that I was really successful with. You'll find it has the easiest leaning curve around and it holds it's own very well with most detectors out there! The 305 is a better detector with the inclusion of several more features over the 30.
If you read through the instruction manual, look up about excepting rejecting targets to learn about the notches at the bottom of the screen.
If you are getting -4 hits but pulling coins up, then they are either made of iron, which some Roman coins (check with your local club for details) or the coins you are pulling up are surrounded by a fair amount of iron.
It's a good idea if you can play around with both junk and good targets in your back yard. Just check the ground is clear of metal in the spot that you choose before you start, as if there is other metal present near a target, then the detector can give you a different reading than if it hit the target that you want. You will notice that coins and rings will give you a good slid sounding signal most of the time, where as junk will sound choppy eta. There are always exceptions and some solid junk will give good signal as well ie pull tabs and screw caps, but with time and experience, you can figure these out to a degree.
Don't mind digging up rubbish, as it's just part of the hobby. After you get a bit of an idea of what things sound like, try and guess what a target is before you dig it as this will improve your skills. Also watch how different targets bounce around on the screen (or not) as this gives some good clues as well.
Good luck with the new beast and have fun.
Mick Evans.

 

[Furious T]

Simon, Good advice from Mick. Any time I get a new detector I spend a fair bit of time waving it over as big a range of coins I can collect and also include any rings, gold and silver of as many different sizes I can. By making some notes as you go as to what numbers register on these items, you will gain experience as to what to expect. As Mick said, practice of bits of rubbish too and make notes of your detector's responses. A minus number on the XT usually means iron. It's also good to practice with a couple of targets very close to each other .e..g. a one pound coin within an inch of a 5p coin, a one pound coin next to a bottle cap etc. Remember that responses from coins and other things that have been in the ground for some years may not be the same response you would get if you threw that article on the ground and waved your detector over it. Any'ow, getting out and using your detector and having fun is the best experience you can get. Best of Luck, Sapper.

 

[minelab305]

Thank you for you great advice Sapper and Mick

Like I say I am totally new and my first outing as a lesson in itself. I really enjoyed it and learnt allot already. I found a load of nails, a part off a plough and a horse shoe. Even so i was interesting.

Thank you again for the advise.

Simon