One thing that I wonder about

[BarberBill]

It seems that many or most coil recommendations mention that larger coils are not as sensitive to smaller targets, but give more depth on larger targets. Conversely, small coils should have increased sensitivity to the smaller targets, but at the sacrifice of depth. If this is the case, why do Minelab gold detectors generally come with pretty large coils and several articles I've read suggest using large coils for prospecting also? An inquiring mind want to know.
HH
BB

 

[JOHNMARKHAM]

good question..
i have a excalibur 2 with a 10 inch coil on it, its been working great for me on the beach..
good luck
hh
john

 

[Jackpine Savage]

The reasons for using larger coils are varied and depend on several factors including the size and depth of the gold the area holds. Some use them for the increased coverage when scouting for new patches and may switch to a smaller coil once they locate a promising spot. In known deep gold areas you have no other choice than to sacrifice sensitivity to the small stuff for greater depth.

A lot of what you see in the US and elsewhere is re-hunting of old known patches with improved coils designs hoping that an extra inch or two of depth will yield the 'big one'. That's the dream and probably sells more coils than anything else.

Basically the size and depth of the gold generally found in the area determines the coil used. It's all about knowing the ground and what it takes for a chance to be successful.

Tom

 

[Larry (IL)]

I think the operating frequency is a major factor as well. The losses from the coil size should be regained by the higher frequency of the gold detectors.

 

[Pyledriver]

This isn't exactly nugget hunting, but I recently got the 10.5" high freq coil for my Xterra. I wanted to see how it would run in my normal areas even though I really bought it for beach hunting. Now I can't say how it would do on tiny gold, but I dug some itsy bitsy junk foil with mine at moderate depths (4-5"). This was probably the size of 1/8th by 1/8th inch or maybe a bit less. I too am not exactly sure how the big vs. small, depth vs. sensitivity always works out. I sometimes wonder if the misunderstanding is introduced by a lack of defining the word 'SMALL'. In other words 'the small stuff' in my mind would be that chunk of foil I mentioned, but 'small' to somebody else? It seems that there are so many factors to consider in each scenario! I haven't tried #8 lead pellets but I suspect that is the size of gold folks are calling 'small' in prospecting terms?

That's the great thing about this hobby....I don't think I'll EVER have it all figured out! Challenge is good!

 

[BarberBill]

Thanks for the thoughts. Maybe PI machines versus the VLF machines play a part in this as well?
BB