Sooner or later it has to happen - your new gear has to be taken out and put to work. SO it went with my Eagle II SL-90.5... today was it's maiden trip.
My partner Hal had been hinting around that he wanted to try my Tesoro Golden uMax. It became pretty obvious when he got his latest detector, an Eagle II SL. Hal is one of those guys that is always looking for the next, "just right" detector...
"... But, I dont like this durned Eagle, now that I have it" he told me. "It's too complicated. I'd like to give something simpler a try, but something that still offers some ID features. I know you'll never part with your Garrett GTP 1350, but... will you trade me your Golden for it?" Old Hal doesn't beat around the bush much.
It's true - I like Garretts and Tesoro's. And I especially like the Golden. It's a very underrated instrument, deceptively simple, yet VERY capable. Often enough, it's talked down by those who don't really get to know it. It's kind of the "red-headed stepchild" of the detector world.
But I'd had mine a long time - I reckoned I could stand to have a go with something else for awhile. And the Eagle seemed at least a fair trade for the Golden. Finally, I had wanted to try a "programmable" Whites since I sold my last Sweet Home unit, a Classic III, modified by BIll Crabtree.
I made up my mind.
"Allright, Hal, why not? If you're sure you want to, that is. If you don't like the Golden, we can just swap back. If you DO like it, then we'll call the deal done. How does that strike you?"
So, the deal was done. With a final heft, I handed over the Golden. I was pretty sure he'd like it and I'd never see that particular Golden again. That, as they say, was that.
Now that I'm committed, what do I think of the Eagle II SL? Well, it's a little soon to say after just one day, but there are some things that stick out.
Physicals
This thing is NOT a Golden. It is quite a bit heavier, and while it balances pretty well on the arm, you know it's there. It's a tad awkward, too, with that big box hanging out on one end and the coil stuck out there on the other. I admit to not being a big fan of the included arm strap set-up, either, but it does make it all work together.
SO it's a bit of a clunk (remember, I've been using Tesoro's and Garretts for years), but, it feels solid and pretty tough. I dont feel like it needs babying. Once you get the hang of it, you find that the thing to do is NOT grip it, but rather work out a hold where it "floats" in your hand. Hey, if nothing else, I'll buff up a little swinging this baby!
Controls
The controls are right there and pretty easy to access with a thumb or finger. The trigger for pinpointing and mode switching is also right at the fingertips.
It has all the usual controls: DISC and VOL and SENS and quite a few others that seem rather mysterious at first glance. But all in all, there is little to do but turn it on, do a little thumbing and coil bobbing to balance it and then get going.
Complicated
However, at first meeting, you wouldnt know that. Hit the "ON/OFF" button and straight away it goes into the air/ground balance mode. Until you know that and do the little required balancing exercise, you are just standing there with a box strapped to your arm. And so it goes throughout - until you read and figure out what is happening - and why - it is kinda useless.
This is a far cry from the Garretts and Tesoro's Im accustomed to. Why, I can talk a novice through start up with a top of the line Garrett in less than 5 minutes.
But with the Eagle, you had better do your homework before you take it outside.
The other thing that got me confuzzled at first is that many of the functions are buried, and accessible only through the many controls on the panel. BUT, this isnt obvious by simply looking at them... you gotta learn it first as they dont have all this stuff written on them. For example to switch between, say, Coin/Jewelry and Beach Hunting modes, you have to pull the trigger and then use the "AIR" button to access that option. The "AIR" button? I thought you used that to ground balance the thing.... where's the "Mode" button??
And so it goes; until you learn this stuff, it can be a head scratcher. I see what Hal was talking about.
Once you learn it, it's no big deal.
Depth
This is what everyone worries about the most. I can sum up the depth capacity in just one word: Plenty.
More than enough, actually.
I pulled many things from the normal limits of digging with a Predator type shovel. I also learned later that there are several types of functions and advanced adjustments that affect the sensitivity in different ways. I get the sense that when I finally figure out the subtleties, it will have all the depth that I could likely want.
Coil response
I was surprised to see that the large 9.5" coil had a rather narrow response window. Rather than covering a large "bubble" area, it was more focused in the middle of the coil. You still need to overlap your sweeps! Conversely, It also has a nice edge response at faster speeds, which makes it good for hunting sand and bark chip lots.
It reminds me a lot of the 8" brown coil Tesoro used to use, before the 8 x 9 spider unit hit the scene. That was a sweet coil and this promises to be as good or better.
I also appreciate the dark color of the coil. I know that sounds kinda goofy, but aside from listening to the audio, you spend most of your time watching that coil go back and forth. I was very happy when Garrett switched from their hollow, white coils to the dark, epoxy sealed "Rhino Tuff" versions. It really helps to have a dark, solid sealed donut swinging there in front of your eyes all day long. Thanks, White's!
Audio response
Lets face it this is what you live with the most. Most astute detectorists will tell you that the audio tells them the most when they are hunting.
The Eagle has 3 separate, selectable audio choices.
The first, audio "A," is a single tone response, with adjustable threshold. I'm old school - I like a threshold.
The second, audio "B," is a monotone, silent search option. No sound 'til you hit a target - then "beep."
The third, audio "C," is always my favorite: TONE audio. I just don't like detecting for long with a single tone beeper. I want tones, dangit!.
Thats why I like the Golden and the Garretts.
In the monotone/threshold mode "A", I am reminded of the 1266X, same sort of fuzzy edged audio. It reminds me of a guitar with just a little distortion. played through a tube amp. When I get a good clean audio response in mode "A," I switch to mode "C" to listen to the tonal range of the signal. Then I look at the VDI, which has it's own adjustable gain to ensure it tracks with the deeper signal resonses. When everything adds up, I dig.
SO what goodies DID turn up today? Here they are:
[attachment 107463 DSCF0018.JPG]
Here you see the usual suspects and a few gleanings. The stuff on the left is typical of all the "junk" finds - it's not everything but sums up the total. Old jar lids, fuses, part of a U-joint, tabs, screwcaps, bits of lead, copper flashing... most of the stuff you'll find around old house lots that ave been cleared.
[attachment 107464 DSCF0019.JPG]
Here's the gleanings. A wheatie or two, some Memorials and clads round out the coins. Also is a thimble, Marked Compliments of Fairley Transfer CO," and a Williams shave stick base, dated 1910. Down in front is a "Princess Pat" rouge lid lid and an Army Eagle coat button - fitting I suppose for the first day out with the Eagle.
Most of this stuff is just the sort of thing you'll find around old house lots that have been cleared. For his part, Hal found a few similar odds and ends and a nicely engraved sterling silver spoon with the Golden. That spoon turned the trick... you don't find too many pretty chunks of silver like that.
As I said earlier, I don't think I'll be getting that particular Golden back.
Thanks for reading.
My partner Hal had been hinting around that he wanted to try my Tesoro Golden uMax. It became pretty obvious when he got his latest detector, an Eagle II SL. Hal is one of those guys that is always looking for the next, "just right" detector...
"... But, I dont like this durned Eagle, now that I have it" he told me. "It's too complicated. I'd like to give something simpler a try, but something that still offers some ID features. I know you'll never part with your Garrett GTP 1350, but... will you trade me your Golden for it?" Old Hal doesn't beat around the bush much.
It's true - I like Garretts and Tesoro's. And I especially like the Golden. It's a very underrated instrument, deceptively simple, yet VERY capable. Often enough, it's talked down by those who don't really get to know it. It's kind of the "red-headed stepchild" of the detector world.
But I'd had mine a long time - I reckoned I could stand to have a go with something else for awhile. And the Eagle seemed at least a fair trade for the Golden. Finally, I had wanted to try a "programmable" Whites since I sold my last Sweet Home unit, a Classic III, modified by BIll Crabtree.
I made up my mind.
"Allright, Hal, why not? If you're sure you want to, that is. If you don't like the Golden, we can just swap back. If you DO like it, then we'll call the deal done. How does that strike you?"
So, the deal was done. With a final heft, I handed over the Golden. I was pretty sure he'd like it and I'd never see that particular Golden again. That, as they say, was that.
Now that I'm committed, what do I think of the Eagle II SL? Well, it's a little soon to say after just one day, but there are some things that stick out.
Physicals
This thing is NOT a Golden. It is quite a bit heavier, and while it balances pretty well on the arm, you know it's there. It's a tad awkward, too, with that big box hanging out on one end and the coil stuck out there on the other. I admit to not being a big fan of the included arm strap set-up, either, but it does make it all work together.
SO it's a bit of a clunk (remember, I've been using Tesoro's and Garretts for years), but, it feels solid and pretty tough. I dont feel like it needs babying. Once you get the hang of it, you find that the thing to do is NOT grip it, but rather work out a hold where it "floats" in your hand. Hey, if nothing else, I'll buff up a little swinging this baby!
Controls
The controls are right there and pretty easy to access with a thumb or finger. The trigger for pinpointing and mode switching is also right at the fingertips.
It has all the usual controls: DISC and VOL and SENS and quite a few others that seem rather mysterious at first glance. But all in all, there is little to do but turn it on, do a little thumbing and coil bobbing to balance it and then get going.
Complicated
However, at first meeting, you wouldnt know that. Hit the "ON/OFF" button and straight away it goes into the air/ground balance mode. Until you know that and do the little required balancing exercise, you are just standing there with a box strapped to your arm. And so it goes throughout - until you read and figure out what is happening - and why - it is kinda useless.
This is a far cry from the Garretts and Tesoro's Im accustomed to. Why, I can talk a novice through start up with a top of the line Garrett in less than 5 minutes.
But with the Eagle, you had better do your homework before you take it outside.
The other thing that got me confuzzled at first is that many of the functions are buried, and accessible only through the many controls on the panel. BUT, this isnt obvious by simply looking at them... you gotta learn it first as they dont have all this stuff written on them. For example to switch between, say, Coin/Jewelry and Beach Hunting modes, you have to pull the trigger and then use the "AIR" button to access that option. The "AIR" button? I thought you used that to ground balance the thing.... where's the "Mode" button??
And so it goes; until you learn this stuff, it can be a head scratcher. I see what Hal was talking about.
Once you learn it, it's no big deal.
Depth
This is what everyone worries about the most. I can sum up the depth capacity in just one word: Plenty.
More than enough, actually.
I pulled many things from the normal limits of digging with a Predator type shovel. I also learned later that there are several types of functions and advanced adjustments that affect the sensitivity in different ways. I get the sense that when I finally figure out the subtleties, it will have all the depth that I could likely want.
Coil response
I was surprised to see that the large 9.5" coil had a rather narrow response window. Rather than covering a large "bubble" area, it was more focused in the middle of the coil. You still need to overlap your sweeps! Conversely, It also has a nice edge response at faster speeds, which makes it good for hunting sand and bark chip lots.
It reminds me a lot of the 8" brown coil Tesoro used to use, before the 8 x 9 spider unit hit the scene. That was a sweet coil and this promises to be as good or better.
I also appreciate the dark color of the coil. I know that sounds kinda goofy, but aside from listening to the audio, you spend most of your time watching that coil go back and forth. I was very happy when Garrett switched from their hollow, white coils to the dark, epoxy sealed "Rhino Tuff" versions. It really helps to have a dark, solid sealed donut swinging there in front of your eyes all day long. Thanks, White's!
Audio response
Lets face it this is what you live with the most. Most astute detectorists will tell you that the audio tells them the most when they are hunting.
The Eagle has 3 separate, selectable audio choices.
The first, audio "A," is a single tone response, with adjustable threshold. I'm old school - I like a threshold.
The second, audio "B," is a monotone, silent search option. No sound 'til you hit a target - then "beep."
The third, audio "C," is always my favorite: TONE audio. I just don't like detecting for long with a single tone beeper. I want tones, dangit!.
Thats why I like the Golden and the Garretts.
In the monotone/threshold mode "A", I am reminded of the 1266X, same sort of fuzzy edged audio. It reminds me of a guitar with just a little distortion. played through a tube amp. When I get a good clean audio response in mode "A," I switch to mode "C" to listen to the tonal range of the signal. Then I look at the VDI, which has it's own adjustable gain to ensure it tracks with the deeper signal resonses. When everything adds up, I dig.
SO what goodies DID turn up today? Here they are:
[attachment 107463 DSCF0018.JPG]
Here you see the usual suspects and a few gleanings. The stuff on the left is typical of all the "junk" finds - it's not everything but sums up the total. Old jar lids, fuses, part of a U-joint, tabs, screwcaps, bits of lead, copper flashing... most of the stuff you'll find around old house lots that ave been cleared.
[attachment 107464 DSCF0019.JPG]
Here's the gleanings. A wheatie or two, some Memorials and clads round out the coins. Also is a thimble, Marked Compliments of Fairley Transfer CO," and a Williams shave stick base, dated 1910. Down in front is a "Princess Pat" rouge lid lid and an Army Eagle coat button - fitting I suppose for the first day out with the Eagle.
Most of this stuff is just the sort of thing you'll find around old house lots that have been cleared. For his part, Hal found a few similar odds and ends and a nicely engraved sterling silver spoon with the Golden. That spoon turned the trick... you don't find too many pretty chunks of silver like that.
As I said earlier, I don't think I'll be getting that particular Golden back.
Thanks for reading.