Ok, Need DeLeon and Cortes users in here.,.

[MatthewS]

Ok,

Got my Deleon back from Tesoro and still trying desperately to learn the language here. I called and actually spoke to Vince Gifford again to clarify some things I didn't understand. The conversation was helpful but we got into the theory of operation on the target ID a little bit and I understood what he explained but in practice it doesn't seem to work that way.

Now some things to take into consideration before you answer;

1: The machine has been calibrated to my soil in my test garden, it's the most common soil I get up here and because it's in my test garden it's the best way to know what I'm actually getting on the TID per target in this soil.
2: My test garden is free from foreign metal, I've checked it more than once in AM mode.
3: Everything is planted at 4"
4: No radio interference.

Now Vince explained how the TID works with two channels and a comparator to manipulate the information displayed and work with the discriminator. Basically as stated in the manual when the VDI and the bar graphs are sporadic, or multiples are shown, or the information in general doesn't agree it's assumed to be an odd shaped piece of iron, etc. He explaines loosely that this is because if I were to put that coils output on a o-scope the target response to a silver dime for example will be linear. An odd shaped piece of iron will look more like a sine wave, or 'S' and the detector lets you know you've got a non-linear target when the information doesn't agree on the TID. This all sounds great in theory and it clears a lot up for me. So I hit the test garden with this new information to 're-learn' the machine.

I tested a silver roosie at 4" and when pinpointed directly over the target the response showed non-linear with the VDI bouncing all over the place and not agreeing with the bar graphs. The coin was dead flat and so was the coil. I tried all different sweep speeds. If I were to trust the information in the manual, I would not dig this. No matter what I did, I could not get even a semi-locked VDI number or a single bar display on the TID. AM mode bypasses the discriminator, but the TID remains functional. I get the same results in this mode as well.

I tried this with a V nickle, same thing. The only solid lock I got was a silver quarter @ 95 on the TID. This is very frustrating to say the least. I bought this machine to 'upgrade' from my prism 5, and the experience is becoming very discouraging. The Prism is at least bouncing around in the expected range for these targets. The retune of the Deleon is so damn fast that I can't pick out the number that stays the longest and it's all over the place. Is this a common occourance with your Tesoro TID machines?

I hate to mention this but i've been following neswipers (member here with compadre) youtube videos. He recently upgraded to a minelab x-terra 305. When he hits a target he get's minimal bounce and probably 75% of the time the VDI number locks repeatedly after every sweep. This is kinda what I was hoping for from the DeLeon. Am I expecting too much? What good is this TID machine if the numbers and bars are all over the place regardless of the target? I am an audio guy by trade, but I don't memorize sounds as easily as numbers. One thing the DeLeon had that attracted me that the prism did not was a VDI readout. My hope was to test coins on edge and flat and try and use all the information available to make a good target determination. However the retune is too fast in AM to determine the sound very well at it's highest peak, the bar graphs are everywhere, and the VDI won't lock. So I don't have anywhere else to go with this but either sell it, or dig every single thing that beeps.

This is not what I expected for $500.00 and I'm really praying someone can alieviate my situation with some wisdom. Thanks in advance.

- Matt

 

[BarberBill]

Which coil are you using and are there any other targets close to your test targets? I've found My DeLeon is quite sensitive and targets in close proximity can cause the jumping you describe. In the field some target masking can cause this. Also, are you absolutely sure you have no electrical interference? I have several areas where em interference causes the problems you mention. Mostly thought my D locks on solidly with full bars at 95 with dimes, copper pennies and other silver or clad coins. Does the same with nickels and zinc coins. It does wander and jump around a good bit on odd shaped junk and foil etc. but does a better overall job of detecting than the prizm IV I traded for it. You are correct that it does retune very quickly, a feature of all the Tesoros I've used, however mine holds the bar and number for a fair bit of time on solid signals and especially if you quit moving the coil. Slow retune making pinpointing difficult is one of the reasons I traded the Prizm. Hope this is somewhat helpful.
HH
BB

 

[MatthewS]

Which coil are you using

The 9x8 elip that it comes stock with.

and are there any other targets close to your test targets?

They are laid out in a strip. I have 6 buried and they are all 2 feet apart. I was only sweeping +/- 6" over the target like I am pinpointing. I too have noticed the edge sensativity of the coil so I'm careful about that.

I've found My DeLeon is quite sensitive and targets in close proximity can cause the jumping you describe. In the field some target masking can cause this.

Yeah. Usually when I get a hit, I go to AM mode and pinpoint the target, then I sweep a circle around the object to make sure I don't have other targets close to it. At least thats how I've played it for testing.

Also, are you absolutely sure you have no electrical interference? I have several areas where em interference causes the problems you mention.

If I do, I must be the one producing it! I've not had good target ID lock anywhere I've tried this thing. It's one of the reasons I sent it back to Tesoro. Apparently they think it's just fine. And I leave the cell phone in the car.

Mostly thought my D locks on solidly with full bars at 95 with dimes, copper pennies and other silver or clad coins. Does the same with nickels and zinc coins. It does wander and jump around a good bit on odd shaped junk and foil etc.

Yeah.. see whats odd is that I get much better locks when the target is out of the ground. I'm getting the impression they are not calibrating this thing with in ground targets but rather in air on a bench. It's been my experience that in soil targets respond differently. This thing behaves that way consistantly unless it's a large item hittin 95. I sent them more than enough dirt to calibrate this thing, So I would think my soil wouldn't have an effect.

but does a better overall job of detecting than the prizm IV I traded for it. You are correct that it does retune very quickly, a feature of all the Tesoros I've used, however mine holds the bar and number for a fair bit of time on solid signals and especially if you quit moving the coil. Slow retune making pinpointing difficult is one of the reasons I traded the Prizm. Hope this is somewhat helpful.
HH
BB

See, the prism smokes this thing in every area so far and it's really upsetting. I didn't want to be part of the 'whites crew' for the rest of my life. The V has multi tone PP and it couldn't get any easier to use. Maybe this one just isn't for me... :sad:

- Matt

 

[Hightone]

It's a shame your having such a hard time. First, how old is this test garden? It takes a year or so before the soil packs and the coins start causing an aura. Make sure you're swinging fast enough, a full swing side to side should be about 2 secs. Sense setting should be around 7 to 8. If you drive your sensitivity at maximum, the stability can falter.

Dan

 

[BarberBill]

I hadn't thought about the sensitivity until hightone mentioned it, but I generally run about 7 or 8 also as that seems to give as much depth as I need generally. I don't know of anything to offer other than what's been done unless you send it in again or can get together with someone with another and compare. All told, I like mine and have made some nice finds with it.
HH
BB

 

[Furious T]

I seldom run mine with sensitivity over 5, and for parks and the like, 2 to 3 goes plenty deep enough. Anything higher than 4 or 5 and targets closer than 1" dont register properly and I have to lift the coil.

 

[Monte]

Got my Deleon back from Tesoro and still trying desperately to learn the language here.... There is a lot to learn regardless of the make or model. You have the right idea, however, and that is to LEARN the detector and not rely on all the frills.

Now some things to take into consideration before you answer;

1: The machine has been calibrated to my soil in my test garden, it's the most common soil I get up here and because it's in my test garden it's the best way to know what I'm actually getting on the TID per target in this soil.... How do you now it is "calibrated" for your test garged and surrounding area? Do you mean both the All Metal Ground balance and the Discriminate mode's GB have been tweaked to your soil?

Have you checked the GB since receiving the DeLe

 

[Bleaver]

My DeLeon ID

 

[froggy38383]

I agree with the comments made by Bleaver, I use a DeLeon for coin shooting and it works well. Not as deep as the Cibola which I also own.

I like the bit of extra information that the ID gives.

 

[bhcarl]

i have been useing my deleon for about four years, it locks on a solid 95 no jumping around, something dont sound rite about yours, sorry i couldnt help more