newbee , need help

[GroundScanner]

Hello Ya'all , I am new to the hobby and have a V3i and trying to learn the basics 1st . So i have been doing air tests and not inpressed at all . With my At pro , air tests is great . I can't say that about that about the V3i plz help lol

 

[Larry (IL)]

Air tests are useless comparing detectors especially if you are doing air testing in a house where there is electrical wiring and other EMI sources. What you need is a test garden with coins buried in YOUR ground. We also need more specific information on what programs you are testing, is it a new or used unit, have any changes been made to the factory programs etc.

 

[jalon]

Air tests are not a good measure of any metal detectors depth!!! Trying to compare a machines capabilities in the air is a worthless waste of time! Right out of the box your V3i will out-deep and out perform most detectors on the market. There is no substitute for experience and reading your manual.Get to know your V3i and leave the AT pro at home so that you will get a good understanding of the detectors programs and functions. Your sensitivity settings are about all that you need to adjust early on. RX gain about 10, Disc sens about 80 and AM about 70. if it chatters too much lower the Rx and or the disc sens just a bit until it smooths out. Go hunt and have a good time. Your detector will prove itself in the dirt, not in an air test!
John London

 

[GroundScanner]

Thank you John ,

 

[GroundScanner]

So to get more depth , i use rx gain to move sensitivity up ?

 

[GroundScanner]

Larry i mostly want to eliminate iron and thats it . And go for C and J.

 

[GroundScanner]

It is a new V3i never used . Brand new from whites. i have been changing things but the restore it back to factory.

 

[GroundScanner]

thanks guys for the tips

 

[Larry (IL)]

I would not worry about any program changes for the first 20 hours of use with one exception, if you use the factory C&J program, turn on the VCO to aid in pinpointing. If you would use the HI Pro program, it has the VCO on already and tweaked for just about maximum depth in most grounds. The only fine tuning you should be doing while learning the V3i is the Discrimination Sensitivity, up or down, for stable operation. Just get out and hunt and have fun and read everything you can on the V. The V3i is the most advanced detector on the market and it will take you a while for it all to soak in.

 

[GroundScanner]

Thank You Sir. Will try that.

 

[Larry (IL)]

I might add the the very first post at the top are reference links with TONS of info if you have not yet looked at them. Even you experienced users should check in on the link, Rob has been expanding the data bank with a lot of good stuff.

 

[5900_XL-1]

So to get more depth , i use rx gain to move sensitivity up ?

You will find that lowering the filters should improve your air tests. I suggest you go to 5 bandpass filter, Rx@15 and lock track engaged for your airtests. You should hit a quarter near or above 10 inches. I get that in the house when testing with the V3i laying on my waterbed. If you stay purely with the stock settings with the 10 filter, you will just see 7 or 8 inches on the quarter. Testing it outside on a non metallic surface would be the premium test but I've never taken the time. All these test numbers are using the 10"D2. Smaller coils will be relative. Hope this helps. martin

 

[firstring]

I "ve got both the V3i and the AT Pro. Both are great machines for MY PERSONAL styles of hunting. Both are designed to to do what they are built to do. both have available the different coils that may be needed for those special sites. Now that leaves this very important question for you - what are you expecting the machine to do? What are your preferences? What styles of hunting are going to do? Tough choice here for you. Research the stuffing out of both, look for RESULTS (posted pictures) from users that you expect to get. Be reasonable here. You can't expect to find much Civil War relics in Hawaii and I don't think you will find many rings at salt water beaches in Colorado.