Prism IV questions from a beginner.

[PRISMIVuser]

Entering the hobby again after 20 years. Years ago, I was always disappointed with the Garrett detector because I had to dig everything. More trash than I could stand and I soon lost interest. I have been working with the new Prism IV for a couple of days. Found some coins, but still trying to figure the thing out and how well it can really discriminate. I bought the Prism IV thinking that it would do a better job of discriminating.

Question 1: When the arrow says copper penny, quarter of half/dollar, are those coins actually there or am I possibly getting chatter or false signals? How reliable

It seems I get false signals and need to set the sensitivity lower perhaps.
Question 2: How low can you go with the sensitivity?

Basically give me all the info you can on this model please.

 

[brnn53]

The first thing I would do would be to build a test garden. Bury likely targets at different depths and mark them with a golf tee or the like. Make sure there is plenty of swing room between the targets and then experiment with sensitivity and discrimination and learn the readings for those targets. Write down the locations and what items are there or else it is easy to forget. Bury everything from pull tabs, nails, clads, silver, and gold if you can stand it. It takes practice for any detector especially a new one. Good luck!
Mike

 

[Treasure Nut]

I have my Prizm IV for two years now and it has been doing very well for me.

Due to the high mineralized soil in my area, I hunt with the sensitivity all the way down and still can reach a dime 4" down. On the sandy beach my sensitivity is higher. The ground conditions determine how high I can increase my sensitivity.

But living here in Canada, I must dig everything as Canadian coins show up as junk from copper down to iron, and that has help me make some other great finds. Using the Prizm in the U.S. The I.D. is very accurate in determining the coin underneath the coil and can cherry pick if I want.

Don't get discouraged. Having a test garden, as brnn53 explains, helps you learn more of your Prizms' potential.

 

[andreak77]

This is sort of tricky. It depends on the area that you are in and the type of ground you are hunting in, such as, Are you hunting in a area where there is the possibility of many close together targets or is there a lot of ground mineralization? Generally speaking if you get a reading that jumps from penny, to dime, to nickel to quarter it very well could be junk. When confronted with this situation, instead of passing it over as junk, go into pinpointing mode and attempt to "separate" the targets. If there is more than one target in that particular area pinpointing may just be the ticket. If you are unable to "separate" the targets in pinpoint mode then it is possible the target is junk or it could be two different targets right next to each other but it is completely up to you to decide whether to dig or not. Also listen the the tone that you are receiving, it should be steady and consistent. You could also try Turning the sensitivity down just a little.
Sensitivity can be tricky. Think of it like a dimming light switch. When you barely turn the knob up, there is little light, making it difficult to see, when it is on all the way the room is completely lit. But running with your sensitivity wide open could cause the detector to become unstable, by this I mean, false signals and very chattery. In areas where there is high mineralization, turn it down until it is stable. It's also like a teenage boy at 6:00 am, very sluggish, not very responsive but when he sees a cute young girl he's runnin' wide open, very sensitive, very responsive. Hope this helps!!!

 

[PRISMIVuser]

Thanks

 

[PRISMIVuser]

Thanks for your response.

 

[PRISMIVuser]

Thanks for all the advice.