Question for Monte

[slingshot]

I've really enjoyed your articles on 120-180 discrimination, as well as the masking articles. Maybe I've missed the answer to this one-if so I apologize. Could a LESS sensitive detector actually out perform other detectors since the electromagnetic field is not as deep and therefore would cause less masking if there were deeper and larger masking articles in the same matrix? I am reading many articles on the Compadre and even though others say it's not very deep, in a schoolyard or park setting I can see where it might outperform other detectors-but I wonder if the masking article would make much of a difference if it were at the same depth level.

 

[Monte]

Could a LESS sensitive detector actually out perform other detectors since the electromagnetic field is not as deep and therefore would cause less masking if there were deeper and larger masking articles in the same matrix? I am reading many articles on the Compadre and even though others say it's not very deep, in a schoolyard or park setting I can see where it might outperform other detectors-but I wonder if the masking article would make much of a difference if it were at the same depth level.

[size=large]... Slingshot, first, thank you for your kind words and I hope my offerings are of some benefit to others.

As for target masking, there are many factors that cause it, and the first to consider is mineralization. Forget all metal targets for a moment and just think of the issues the ground signal can cause in the ability for a particular make/model/coil choice to detect a target. You can take several different brand/models and compare them side-by-side in a 'lab environment' type of bench test and note that with similar size and types of coils they generate a similar 'depth' of electromagnetic field. But take them into the real world and compare them, side-by-side, and their ability to detect a target will often be quite different. There will usually be one or two that will be able to handle the ground signal and respond to the target, and another model or more that fails to 'detect' the same coin target.

Just yesterday I was hunting with a friend all day and while we both had a good day, each of us finding a Barber dime and a nice piece of silver jewelry, he did find a few coins that were deeper than I was able to detect them in the discriminate mode. We were using different detectors, and different sizes of coils. The same was the case on Friday evening when we hit a demolition site and I popped a Mercury dime and some wheaties, but he was plagued by a lot of 'noise' with his detectror. The Friday site was due to mixed ground and some associated trash, but yesterday there was less masking than normal. It was mainly a need to deal with higher mineralization.

Dealing with the mineralization is more a factor related to the type of circuitry design and ground signal processing. Yesterday's hunt at an old resort site converted to a hill-top park was difficult to hunt and get very decent depth with a couple of Tesoro's. It's somewhat mineralized, and the very dry conditions didn't help much. Te quick responding Tesoro's, even when properly ground balanced, just didn't cut it on depth and didn't signal on a couple of 4" and 5

 

[slingshot]

That is truly an outstanding and comprehensive answer-and I even understand it! The truth is-I've outgrown my "depth monster" days. I'm actually amazed at the # of rings that are shallow-as well as coins. And the thing that really sealed it was when, back in the '70's I found a silver dollar at a foot(I thought it was a beer can!) with the AH Pro- a metal detector that would barely pick up a coin at 5" in the air. I had even lifted the coil a couple of inches (I KNEW then it was a can-HA!) I'm sure the Compadre will fill the bill. Thanks.

 

[tabdog]

I know you've told us before, but it is finally starting to sink in.

I'm just kind a slow sometimes.

But, when I get it, I get it.

Thanks for your patience with us.

Happy Hunting,

 

[slingshot]

Yeah, and another point about sweep speed I just verified a couple of days ago. I was trying out a 4" coil on my Silver that I keep on my Royal Sabre( I use it as a trash machine) As I was sweeping I got the "click" sound that usually denotes iron but when I slowed down on the return swing I got a small, smooth repeatable signal. It was a nickel at 4" It was covered in a dark patina and had been missed by others. I'm really starting to slow the Silver down now. I can actually "gain" an inch in detection because the detector has time to process the signal. I wonder, Tab, how this would work on your Cibola?

 

[jmaryt]

unbelievably as it sounds,it appears that the compadre seems to be the better detector overall in the tesoro line!..from what you have described,the compadre by virtue of it's discriminating circuitry SHOULD be the superoir choice in trash!..that being said,that even if it's depth is limited because of it's low power design,one must ask the question,does this really matter?..if the compadre can get down 5 or 6 inches on a coin in high trash "on average"..why would one need any other detector!.for all intents and purposes,this tesoro should be the hottest detector on the market at a bargain price!..what's NOT to like?

 

[Jonny]

Monte, you are a weath of information and your post never cease to educate, you are master in MD'ing. Jonny