Pinpoint Problem

[Warriorwon]

This is the something that I'm finding difficult,once I get a solid ID. If I feel like I need a better pinpoint I hit the pinpoint and move ever so slightly and watch the bars.Some times I get a solid signal that won't stop. I can move 6" any direction and still full bars and solid signal. Even if I lift the coil up 8" still solid signal. So, I back off try it again going out of pinpoint and back in(with the ID still reading the same) and get a solid signal 6" from where I got the solid signal the first time. After this I have to start over and find the target again and forget the pinpoint.Operator error I guess but what is causing it. I thought at first that the movement was to fast so have made every attempt to move ever so slightly,slowly.

 

[John (Australia)]

Warriorwon you didn't mention what mode you were searching with, but if it was not all metal you may have been over a target when selecting pinpoint, which results in continuous full bar display. The comment of being 6 inches away from where you first thought the target was makes me think you were picking up a strong signal with the edge of the coil.

 

[Angela (Australia)]

Hi Warriorwon,
A few questions: What mode are you working in? What ground are you in, sand or dirt? When you use the pinpoint, by sweeping a little quicker over where you believe the object to be, and listening to the tone, it increases and decreases in pitch as you swipe over the object. At it's strongest pitch, you will be directly over the target. But to get the accuracy sweeping that little bit quicker helps. By moving your coil from different directions, you can use your mind's eye to verify the location of the target, the possible length and breath of it. (I might add it's easier in my opinion to work this method in dirt than sand conitions, unless the object is closer to the surface in sand.) It takes a bit of practice, but I think you're almost there. If the object still gives the same depth reading even when you lift your coil, it could be deeper and larger than you think. A drinking can in the beach sand will give a good strong signal, may registered 7 or 8in deep, but in actuality be over 12 or 14in down, or more. You dig and wonder where the hell is it! Is the target overloading at any time you do your sweep? Sometimes large targets will overload when you come at it from different directions. Or if the object is quite dense in make-up, such as an axe head, it can read deeper, and seems to be larger in the ground than it is. You might pick it up with the edge of your coil, sweep and get the impression it's bigger than it actually is. Just a few tips that might help you work it out!
Cheer Angela

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

The other's tips to you are great and may hold some clue to your problem. If not, I suggest that you try what I always recommend as a first step with ANY new machine. Get a blanket and lay it out in a clean area outside, without a lot of crap in the ground and away from the house, etc. Set numerous metal objects out on the blanket, separated by enough space to detect them individually. Coins of different denominations...a nickle, a quarter, a penny...some gold rings, a little trash...the stuff you'll be finding. Now practice sweeping each one to see how they ID, what they sound like, etc. Then practice pinpointing each one. It's easy when you can see them. Practice it until you have it DOWN PAT...it won't take long. One thing you need to get down is the technique and the speed at which you do it. If you moe to slowly or keep it in pinpoint too long, the machine can get "saturated" and it may be necessary for you to "detune" by killing the pinpoint, moving off of the target, re-engaging pinpoint, and coming back in on the target. Also, lifting the coil a few inches can help if the target is close to the service. One other thing you need to watch for that has caught me in the past in your equipment. Keep your digger behind you, well away from the coil...over your shoulder even, while pinpointing. And your shoes...do they have metal eyelets or a steel shank? That can be a real problem. For that reason, the shoes I wear to detect have NO metal in them. That drove my Sovereign (when I had it) nuts because when I had steel shank boots it would null every time I swept anywhere NEAR my feet. Just some things to try and help you sort it out. The Quattro is one of the most precise pinpointing machines I ever used...that graph is the bomb and I had some targets that were so deep with mine that I could barely get a rise on the graph at all...like barely off the bottom. But you COULD see it and hear it.

 

[Warriorwon]

Wow killer advice y'all! I can see that this might be a combination of things.
First sorry I didn't mention that I am usually in coin or coin jewelry mode. I have both cross saved for the audio differences.Around here(Kentucky)we have a good mix of red clay and rich soil.(makes the regular noise cancelling very necessary)
I might be hitting my pinpoint to fast because of the multiple targets that I am encountering. I'm using mostly my 5" Sun Ray and if I find a penny next to a silver target I work the coil till I have the silver target strong. In doing so if I get off the target which was a 37 on the ID I pickup the 34 so I might be hitting the pinpoint to fast over the target trying not to lose the ID I want.Second dang I didn't even consider that I wear steel toes every where!(Occupational Necessity) That doesn't account for the ID not changing but it would cause me to get the constant signal if I'm pulling the coil back towards my feet!Also I sometimes use my digger as my walking stick something else to consider.
Angela, I'm just working out the kinks in my ability the machine is doing a killer job. Most of the clad that I'm finding are 2" to 6" although I have dug some clad at over 10" but for the most part fairly shallow.(That's gonna change thanks to Mikes tip on the sensitivity setting) I've been able to pick up on your point about the length and breath of the targets. If in pinpoint I can move several inches and still have full bars yea its a can and the audio will confirm this. I haven't had trouble with overloading on any targets however I have had trash IE. aluminum storm window frame pick up on the ID from about 4" away only to swing around the target trying to separate it and expose it with my foot from under the leaves.
Again wow Lady and Gents for all the excellent pointers. Gives me a lot to consider and implement.
Mike I will take you up on the practice exercise with the blanket that can only improve my skills good point.
Can't wait to get out there and put all this into practice!We are finally getting some normal temps for January around here after setting record highs most of the month so far.It will really have to get cold to stop me now I'm STOKED!

Thanks
Rik

 

[Joe of South Jersey]

I have read some very sound advice here. I would like to hit on a couple of the points.

Lifting the coils and then hit pinpiont works in most situations. Because the Id will not reset until you hit next target.

Listening for the higher pitch in the tone(ramping in volume)to center the target or X-ing.