newbie Ace 250 sensitivity question

[kenozaguy]

I've read posts here that say many people are running with the sensitivity too high and recommend using 4 0r 5 bars as the limit. Does that number include the tiny triangle shaped bar on the left or just the bars following it? Thanks!

 

[hobbes_lives]

I'd suggest that you should set you sensitivity based on the ground conditions of the area that you are hunting. Set the sensitivity as high as you can without getting false signals. For me, in the conditions around Central Florida, I can run the sensitivity one notch below full with the stock and 9"x12" coils, and maxed out with the 4.5" Sniper coil. In areas with more mineralized ground, this would not be so.

 

[BigCatDaddy]

Ther are 8 total bars. If you max it out and then back it down 4, you're there. Remember, Sens. is a two-headed monster. The higher you run it, the more Sensitive it is to targets, good and bad. Too much and it will tell you a bad target is one worth digging. The only time I boost mine over 4 bars with the stock coil is if I get a weak, bouncy signal on a deep target. Just not worth it to be chasing "ghost" signals.

 

[kenozaguy]

Thanks for your help and suggestions. As they say, practice, practice.

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

[quote BigCatDaddy]Ther are 8 total bars. If you max it out and then back it down 4, you're there. Remember, Sens. is a two-headed monster. The higher you run it, the more Sensitive it is to targets, good and bad. Too much and it will tell you a bad target is one worth digging. The only time I boost mine over 4 bars with the stock coil is if I get a weak, bouncy signal on a deep target. Just not worth it to be chasing "ghost" signals.[/quote]

I also usually run at about 4 or 5 bars, however there are areas where I can as high as 7. Usually these are areas where there are old rotted leaves, such as a dense upland forest. Unfortunately this type of area adds more and more topsoil each fall, so most deep coins only date back to the early 20th century. I need all the sensitivity I can get in those conditions.

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

[quote hobbes_lives]I'd suggest that you should set you sensitivity based on the ground conditions of the area that you are hunting. Set the sensitivity as high as you can without getting false signals. For me, in the conditions around Central Florida, I can run the sensitivity one notch below full with the stock and 9"x12" coils, and maxed out with the 4.5" Sniper coil. In areas with more mineralized ground, this would not be so.[/quote]

You must have a little clay in your area. I lived near DeLand and I ran it all the way.
I get false signals here in WV and I have had to go down 3 notches. What ever makes it run smooth.

 

[NM5K]

I agree. I run it as hot as I can get away with for the ground
I'm on.
This past weekend running the stock coil in Oklahoma, I
was running it flat out max, and had very little chatter at all.
It's actually quieter out in the country than it is here in Houston.
I usually can't run it quite that high around here with the stock
coil.
It will let you know if it's too high with constant chatter.
The machine was working very well up there on that red dirt up
there. Lots of rocks, but they are mainly sandstone, etc..
Don't seem metallic or "hot".
Solid hits, and easy pinpointing. I did notice a tad bit of "ground hum"
if you were hugging the ground real close with the pinpointer on,
but I consider that fairly normal. I get that here too..
MK

 

[tab-nabit]

I normally start out at 4 bars. Detect for a bit to see how the machine reacts. Then adjust accordingly raising the sensitivity if possible while keeping the machine stable one bar at a time. I'll put up with a few false signals/digs here and there, but might run the sensitivity back down a bar or two if they become to annoying.
The 4.5 coil helps in trashy areas. It's reasonably priced and works well.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Everybody seems to have answered your question but I'll throw my two cents in. Four bars is the given for most areas with a moderate or low amount of mineralization. If you have low to no mineralization then you can run it higher ( but in junky areas it will beep on everything). Start out with four and work your way up according to your particular ground conditions. Remember, sensitivity is not a depth control as it is often confused as. When you increase the sensitivity you not only make your coil more sensitive to the target you hope to find but more sensitive to every piece of junk that was ever lost including any mineralization present.

Bill

 

[ziphius]

I've been having great luck with rings in wet salt sand since I cranked my sensitivity to the max. I have to listen to a little more pinballing, but I'm also getting more 'peripheral' hits off to the side which has resulted in two more rings than I might have detected otherwise. Plus, I'm getting some added depth (about 2 inches, based on my bench tests). - ziphius

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah that works if you can put up with the racket.

Bill