New to me XL Pro

[Scottowl]

Tried out this machine a bit after work tonight. I must be doing something wrong?
I re read the manual, and headed to the park.
I began by setting a threshhold on the tuner.
Next I set the disc to the nail line on the dial.
Then I set the signal balance to preset.
all through this I was holding the coil up of the ground a foot or so.
I raised the coil and pushed the trigger ahead until it beeped.
I let go of the trigger, and lowered the coil to the ground, and pulled the trigger back until I heard another beep.
As soon as I heard the beep, I let go of the trigger, and it returned to center.
After doing this, I started sweeping the coil. It was very erratic, and sometimes the threshold disappeared.

On some signals, whren I pinpointed, the target seemed 2 feet wide!
I was having a tuff time finding any targets.
So, what is the proper way to ground balance?
Anything else I'm missing?
I did find a clad dime at 6", a inch long aluminum wire, and a lead bb sinker down about 4"
What are some other things I can start thinking about?

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Well, for starters, this machine is not a vintage machine. Still very much current. So you might want to float this question on a forum specific to Whites, or the general forum, etc...

2nd: A lot of what you're asking is (IMHO) sound-specific. And as such, can not be answered in printed text. It is impossible to explain the note of C minor, in printed text, for instance. It can only be heard. Not read about. So too is it the same for md'ing: When it comes to "beeps" and "threshold disappearing" and "eratic", etc.... are all issues which involves sound in some way. So often-time, the solution is to hook up, in person, with someone prolific with that particular machine. Choose a spot with a lot of easy clad and signals to choose from (even if only a modern park). You know, like trade off flagged signals to cross-listen to, etc..... Watch what he's doing, how he's swinging, how he's isolating, what he chooses to pass vs chase, how he pinpoints, etc.... Sometimes that's the ticket for the light-to-go-on

 

[david bull]

Are you in the geb/disc mode?Make sure you ground/signal balance with the trigger pulled (in geb/disc).

 

[Hombre]

Tom,

...The XL Pro, previously named 6000 Pro XL was talked about from day one on this forum that originally was named the "Analog Forum", now named the Vintage Forum. A little confusing comparing vintage to "current" analog technology, Any analogies? In all due respect this type of question is perfectly suited on this forum, since this particular model of White's is the reason this forum started, look back in the archives if there is any doubt.

...A lot of Monte's and Digger's posts about this model go way back to around the year 2006/07, up until the time they quit posting about them several years ago. I read everyone of them, and studied and experimented with that tuning advice. Now, about the time they... (Finds) changed servers a couple of months ago, they had a glitch in the computer program that when a person typed the neat characters like ½...¼....¢... ¾ etc. by pressing the ALT button while simultaneously punching in the numbers. This messed up the Archives and I like to read those old informative posts from back then. Sadly to say, a lot of big portions of Monty's posts and everybody that used these characters are gone. Anything written even way back in time, the early posts are messed up.... anytime that you used the characters.... anything written in the post after that is POOF gone.

This is for Scottowel,

...The following set-up tips is how I have been tuning my 6000 Pro XL since 2007

(1) Before turning it on, I adjust my SIGNAL BALANCE past PRE-SET to about the 3:00 o'clock position (HOT setting), make sure that the coil is pointed away from any EMI sources and about one foot off the ground. Turn it on in G.E.B. DISC mode set to HOT ROCK ACCEPT. Sometimes I can get away with a higher SIG BAL setting with the small 6½" BullsEye coil, this hot set up lets you swing the coil a lot slower in sweep speed. Not 2 filter Tesoro slow speed but at a much more relaxed swing speed.

(2) Ok, now that you have the Mode switch set to DISC. mode adjust the TUNER to a comfortable threshold level., now it's time to find a spot of ground with no metal in it to Ground Balance. At this point I will pull the mode switch trigger to all-metal pinpoint mode and find a patch of clean ground. Once found, I start with the coil about a foot above the ground, Then I toggle the AUTO TRAC "AIR" switch.. which beeps immediately. Then I lower the coil to within 1" of the ground and toggle the switch to "AUTO"and wait for the beep. Then I sweep the coil over the ground about 1 inch above and back &forth across the clean ground long enough to establish a good ground balance, about 10 to 20 sweeps. The XL Pro has a slow AUTO-TRAC circuit. Then I "Lock" the AUTO TRAC switch in the middle position. Forget what the manual says about waist high setting the ground balance, place coil about 1" above the ground, pull trigger switch to all-metal and start raising the coil, the should be no rise in threshold sound when lifted off the ground. Then start with the coil about 8" above the ground still with the trigger pulled to pinpoint all-metal and lower the coil to the ground. What is the threshold doing? if it stays neutral or spot on, you are good to go, release the trigger and hunt in G.E.B DISC. It may take several attempts at playing with the AUTO-TRAC to do this if you want a positive off-set ground balance like the way I like to run. I keep playing with the AUTO-TRAC until I like the setting then "Lock" it. I've done this so many times that I am usually done with the ground balance in one minute or so, probably sounds more complicated than it really is. You can tell by threshold 'fold over' in all-metal pinpoint mode when checking ground balance if you have too much SIGNAL BALANCE dialed in. Just back off the SIGNAL BALANCE and start the sequence of AUTO-TRAC again. I know it sounds like a lot of fiddling around but it is worth it to get the best performance from this old rod.

I got these tips and put to use back in 2007 when I first bought my 6000 Pro XL... they were still available from Monte and Digger before the computer glitch and I have been using them ever since!

 

[HaroldILL.]

Hombre knows how to tune these White's analogs to the Gill's!

 

[Scottowl]

Some things I've learned so far:
.The wide pinpoint sometimes means more than one target.
.Turning down the gain decreases the chatter significantly. I ran at 12 o'clock and found dimes at 5", with a positive audio and a steady, accurate needle.
.This thing is sensitive. Found a .177cal cartridge at 6", with a good audio but a bouncy needle.
. While the trash is not its strong suit, it will perform if you inch the coil around. I will play with geb norm after I burn up a couple sets of batteries.
. If set up right, I think it will be quiet until it passes over something. It will tell you what it thinks it is pretty accurately up to 5"+. What more do you want?!

I don't yet have supreme confidence in it, and I don't see it being my #1 detector, but I do see possibilities. I see why the relic guys like them, as they seem to love lead(BB split shot down there about 10". It was a choppy nickel type signal. I was hoping to see a gold ring!)

The signal balance knob seems sensitive. Do you recommend spraying tuner cleaner in there?

 

[david bull]

Pinpoint puts the detector in the all metal mode,so you will pick up targets that don't show up when sweeping your coil.Try to locate/center the target in the disc mode by xing it before pulling the trigger to pinpoint.If it pinpoints off to the side, you are probably next to another target that is disc'ed out.You need to re-ground balance anytime that you adjust the signal balance.Hope this helps.

 

[Scottowl]

I was missing that detail, ground balance in all metal mode.
What was trigger forward for?
And is spraying some tuner cleaner a good idea or not?

 

[david bull]

When in geb/disc, pulling or pushing the trigger puts the detector in the geb/norm mode.To use tuner cleaner you really need to dis-assemble the detector and spray only the pots and switches.Try to avoid spraying the PC boards.Spraying from the outside would be pretty well fruitless.

 

[Daniel A.]

Keep in mind that every time you adjust the signal balance up or down you need to reground balance.

 

[Scottowl]

These are some great tips.
I have them saved, so I can get a print out.
Thanks for the input!!!

 

[HaroldILL.]

Now your tuned to the Gill's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TC-NM]

Tried out this machine a bit after work tonight. I must be doing something wrong?
I re read the manual, and headed to the park.
I began by setting a threshhold on the tuner.
Next I set the disc to the nail line on the dial.
Then I set the signal balance to preset.
all through this I was holding the coil up of the ground a foot or so.
I raised the coil and pushed the trigger ahead until it beeped.
I let go of the trigger, and lowered the coil to the ground, and pulled the trigger back until I heard another beep.
As soon as I heard the beep, I let go of the trigger, and it returned to center.
After doing this, I started sweeping the coil. It was very erratic, and sometimes the threshold disappeared.

On some signals, whren I pinpointed, the target seemed 2 feet wide!
I was having a tuff time finding any targets.
So, what is the proper way to ground balance?


Anything else I'm missing?
I did find a clad dime at 6", a inch long aluminum wire, and a lead bb sinker down about 4"
What are some other things I can start thinking about?

Hey scottowl,

I made a cheat sheet (1 sht.) from the manual that I put together. I take it with me in my pocket everytime I use my XL Pro. So here it is.



[size=x-large]XL Pro Quick Set-Up for General Hunting[/size]

1) Place MODE control to GEB/NORM, set SIG BAL to Preset position. Squeeze and release Trigger.

2) Hold coil at waist level, Squeeze and hold Trigger; adjust TUNER Clockwise until a Threshold sound comes up, Release trigger.

3) Push AUTO GEB (toggle switch) to AIR, wait for beep.

4) Lower coil to ground, Pull AUTO GEB (toggle switch), wait for beep. This is GND/AUTO TRAC. . . Leave here.

5) Squeeze and hold trigger and pump the coil several times off the ground listening for any dramatic change in threshold.

a. If there is no change to threshold, the detector is tuned and ready, Release Trigger.

b. If threshold changes when coil is lifted from ground, re-adjustment is needed. Release trigger and proceed to step 6.

6) If threshold changes when coil is lifted, turn SIG BAL counterclockwise toward BAD GND and repeat steps 3 and 4. Continue until little or no change in threshold is noticeable when coil is lifted.

IMPORTANT: AUTO GEB (toggle switch) must be reset after every SIG BAL adjustment. Failure to reset the AUTO GEB after a SIG BAL adjustment will result in improper ground rejection and poor performance.

The SIG BAL & AUTO GEB controls work in unison to tune out the effects of bad ground and maximize detection depth.

DO NOT adjust the SIG BAL when coil is in the air. Coil must be placed on the ground when adjusting.


Another thing I do before setting up the detector is to turn it on, place the coil on the ground, pull the trigger and sweep back and forth. This will give you an indication that there may be large targets such as alum. can, can slaw or a big piece of iron. Continue sweeping until you find a clear clean area, then now, you can tune your detector properly without the bigger trash in the way.

Hope this helps.

TC-NM

 

[david bull]

One thing to remember is that the target id works in all modes.I did some relic hunting today and set mine up as follows; geb disc,disc at salt,sens at 11 o'clock,hot rock accept,auto geb locked,stock 91/2" coil.This setup was for open field hunting with scattered square nails.The lower disc lets the iron grunt but not move the meter which lets me know that I'm in an area with possible good targets.Anything that moves the meter and locks from two directions gets dug(and some that blips the meter) as these are are nonferrous targets.The lower sensitivity helps eliminate iron "wraparound".Some iron,usually large or oddly shaped,will still break through.I dig these signals(one today was a cannonball fragment),if time permits.Keep in mind that this for open field hunting and would probably drive you crazy in a trashy area.

 

[HaroldILL.]

That's what is nice about having the Tone I.D. Mod. you can run lower disc. and listen to the tones even in the trashy area's! I love mine and will never sell as it makes the XL-PRO even better then it is! Whites really missed the boat not keeping the XL-PRO in the line-up and adding the Tone I.D. Mod. I bet it would have been their #1 selling detector if they did!

 

[Scottowl]

The cheat sheet will help me alot.
I seem to be doing things wrong.
You can tune the threshold up and down without re ground balancing. Is that true or false?
The pinpointing is coming around. Sometimes the lines are a foot or more long, but the intersection between the center of both lines is where its at.

 

[david bull]

Adjusting the threshold shouldn't affect the ground balance.Pulling and releasing the "trigger" should make the target smaller when pinpointing

 

[lint]

.Pulling and releasing the "trigger" should make the target smaller when pinpointing

''when your over the target '' just to make it a little clearer lol. ''Scottow'' I didnt read if you are hunting in ''geb disc'' just making sure . I realy dont know how much you know . Once you get the hang of it you can do it in seconds without thinking . I have 2 xl pros and one mxt pro. I love the mxt pro but it can get chatty after abit and always go back to the xl pro,,, and the threshold can go dead when going over some hotrock or some small iron or small anomalies depending how it is tuned . its not a bad thing .