PRO Black Sand Settings???

[seahunter34]

I'm still researching possible shallow saltwater CTX black sand settings for an upcoming Treasure Vacation and had purchased online those little laminated CTX program guides from England. Sure enough one is titled "Beach Black Sand". I'm surprised to see some of the recommended settings on that card.

What do you guys think? For saltwater the black sand card recommends to use discrimination Pattern 1- should one discriminate in black sand? The CTX would have less to process in Pattern 2?

As for Target Separation the card says Ground ON, but GB enable OFF. Why wouldn't one want to manually GB in saltwater black sand?

The author also suggests using the Pitch Hold Response in black sand?

Any insight as to why the above selections have been put to print?

 

[Digger]

What do you guys think? For saltwater the black sand card recommends to use discrimination Pattern 1- should one discriminate in black sand? The CTX would have less to process in Pattern 2?

As for Target Separation the card says Ground ON, but GB enable OFF. Why wouldn't one want to manually GB in saltwater black sand?

The author also suggests using the Pitch Hold Response in black sand?

Any insight as to why the above selections have been put to print?

Both Patterns are totally flexible, capable of being easily altered by a user. I understand there is a default setting. But without knowing whether or not the "author" had used the default values or tweaked his, is not mentioned.

I don't know why he wouldn't have enabled GB. But as I've said many times (when folks ask about certain programs) ....we all have different styles of hunting, we all hunt different types of sites, we hunt for a variety of targets, and we each have different settings that work the best for us, at the specific sites we hunt. The best thing to do is try various settings, choosing the combination that works best for you. With that in mind, the manual says: "Ground Balance (GB) allows you to easily adjust the detector to suit detecting in highly mineralized ground. In these conditions, correctly adjusted Ground Balance will help to find deeper targets that might be hidden by ground noise, as well as helping to stabilize target IDs. Ground Balance is best used in conjunction with Coin-Ground Target Separation. Ground Balance should not be enabled in most detecting conditions where ground mineralization is mild. This includes most beaches, parks and sports grounds." It also says: "DO NOT Ground Balance at the beach – leave GB disabled. In highly mineralized ground it may be necessary to repeat the Ground Balance process. If you are unable to successfully Ground Balance, disable GB before continuing." I would point out that black sand beaches are not likely mildly mineralized. And it is my understanding, when Minelab refers to "beach" in the CTX manual, it is referring to a mild - moderately mineralized beach.

Pitch hold is another one of those settings that has more to do with how we hear and can interpret the audio response. Maybe this guy figured out that Pitch Hold, combined with his other recommendations, allows the CTX to "ignore" the audio response from the black sand. Pitch Hold provides a continuous audio response (basically replacing the Threshold) instead of the normal variations in target response. The audio tone comes from the strongest target signal, and stays at that tone until another target is detected. Personally, I don't like Pitch Hold for the types of sites I hunt and the targets I seek.I like monitoring the Threshold when using some discrimination. And I prefer the "quiet" in between targets when hunting in less congested areas. I've found that listening to a constant tone is annoying to me. But as I said, that is just my opinion.

If you have questions regarding the Program guide you purchased, I'd suggest writing the guy who wrote it and see why he selected those specific settings. Not to question the settings....merely as a learning tool. If you get some answers, I'm sure other forum members would appreciate your sharing it. HH Randy

 

[seahunter34]

Digger you make some good points. I'm trying to guess which CTX settings will work for me at a known gold producing black sand Caribbean beach I have to travel to. Selection of settings should be based on their stated functions? Perhaps not? The more I research this the more confused I get. On the beach forum here it was suggested I test with a nickel- DUH!

Perhaps I should bring a gold ring on a string there and quickly test different settings to see if a difference is made in black sand?

I have emailed the fellow in England to enlighten me on his recommendations. If he responds I'll share. I will test his settings in the field- just in case he really knows what he's talking about!

 

[Digger]

Perhaps I should bring a gold ring on a string there and quickly test different settings to see if a difference is made in black sand?

Exactly! Even though the settings recommended by the fellow in England were for black sand......it might not be the same where you are going, or for your style of hunting. If you hear from him, let us know that he says. And when you get back from your trip, show us pictures of all that gold jewelry you're bound to uncover! HH Randy

 

[seahunter34]

So far the fine English Gentleman has not responded. If he doesn't respond, then I'll take his black sand suggestions with a grain of salt. If he does I'll pass it on here. I will post gold find photos here too upon my return- possibly even while on my trip- if I get the chance to. Leaving tomorrow for 2 weeks.