Pinpoint

[gjkozy]

Hello,

First I would like to say Hi to everyone who shares this hobby and to tell you that I am new to detecting and this group. I just purchased a used Minelab E-Trac because of the research I've done on buying a detector. I have watched videos on youtube and purchase a book specific to the E-Trac, but I have one stupid question.

When I detect something, where under the coil is the object?

Also when I use the pinpoint mode, I have no idea where the object would be located under the coil either.

Would it be center of the coil?

 

[Illinoismic]

Right under where the shaft connects to the coil

 

[roadapple]

It's generally in the center of the coil. There is another wiggle method by goesforever.com. , He is listed at the top of this page/ or just Google goesforever.com. Welcome Aboard Best of Luck !

 

[gjkozy]

OK, got it. Thanks for both methods and it certainly takes the confusion out for a newbe.

 

[Goes4ever]

this is from my personal site, a video explaining how to pinpoint
http://www.goes4ever.com/pinpointing-with-the-etrac.html

 

[ironsight]

gjkozy,
As others already mentioned, other than the PP method G4ever uses, the target should be smack dab at the coil's center.

There's basically 3 ways of pinpointing,
-The method G4ever mentioned which i also use at times.
-The detector's PP function
-The wiggle method
I use all 3, which one?.... depends on the target-junk-depth situation and to some extent the size coil i'm using.

I use the wiggle method a lot in dense junk areas where a good target could be nearby said junk, basically works great for isolating the target from nearby junk.
Unlike the detector's Pin Point function which is basically all metal mode (ignores the discrim. pattern), it can usually home-in on the good target better with the (if used) discrim. pattern still intact.

For cleaner sites or real deep targets with no interfering junk around it, i'll typically use the detector's PP function and call it a day. Its dead nuts accurate for deepest of the deep targets especially if performed using the standard 2way sweep method described in the owner's manual.

I'll sometimes use the method G4ever describes in the video for shallow to around 6" deep targets usually at cleaner sites but will also work at junk ridden sites if you can get a decent 'bead' on the target. One advantage like the wiggle method is the discim. pattern (if used) is functional. I usually use this method with a small coil.

You might want to experiment with all the PPing methods and start out using the one you're most comfortable with.

 

[ironsight]

Forgot to mention the wiggle method i mentioned are 90 deg 2way wiggles to pp the target. The target should be below the intersection of the 90 deg 2way wiggle's midpoints. Very useful for isolating nearby targets when using an open pattern.The closer the targets the tighter the wiggles.

 

[OCDfinder]

Who else gets a good pinpoint, pull a plug, and nothing.... AND has learned you will be chasing a larger piece of aluminum can. A really smart can piece that will evade the 2nd attempt after another strong pinpoint.

The dismembered round tops are still smarter than me. Actually I still chase'em outta spite...ruin their "park" life with a nice relocation to the dump.

 

[ironsight]

You can usually tell if its a large piece of junk like an aluminum can or can slaw by the detection width or by raising the coil. They're almost always dead giveaways.
If you want to pinpoint a large object more accurately, what works for me is to raise the coil then pinpoint being careful to keep the coil level.

Aluminum screw tops typically ring in at or near the coin area, just got to dig em though. In most cases i know it'll be a screw cap but not always. One time i was sure i was gonna dig up a screw cap and it turned out to be a large silver ring, coins too.

Check that depth indicator, i've yet to dig a screw top deeper than 3 or 4 inches except at one park where it was recently filled in. Being a relatively new cap style, aluminum screw caps are large, light so they sink in the soil slowly only a few inches deep at best. Most screw caps are shallow enough to use a screw driver to pry em out.