Single most error by detectorists...In My Opinion is.....

[Elton]

....Sensitivity... I use the Fisher line, and Tek T2 detector.

Several people I have met recently out in the field had the T2, F75 and cameo LTD F75.

Let me tell you. They were not "loving" the detectors.

I watched one guy set up his machine while getting ready to detect. He turned his sensitivity up to 85 in a trashed out park. Plus tried to GB the machine sens up, and over metal targets. Well like he told me it was sounding off every 6" to a foot..chattery, and not finding much..

I guess it wasn't...... Guys & Girls turn the Sens down when starting a new area..build it up gradually as you get the feel. Saturation will cause you many problems in the field.

A good point to start is preset, and or lower... Next in high trash areas go to all metal for GB on the Fisher 75 and T2 line of detectors.. Find a cleaner spot to GB.. If this can't be found, and there are many areas it can't be found..Leave the machine in preset GB....... As you get the feel for the area and find cleaner areas Fast grab GB as you can get it to work. Then GB again in all metal...it will carry over to discrimination mode.

A lower amount of Sensitivity can, and will, give you better results many times in an area. Less chatter, and cleaner Id's on the meter.. There are few areas where full, or, near full Sensitivity ( gain) can be used.........Give it a try....... you will be surprised at the results .....

 

[slingshot]

The opposite is true for the Tracker IV. Sensitivity has to be at least 90% or you won't find anything over 3".

 

[dewcon4414]

Even on the beach here in Florida where you may be able to really crank up my SE there is a point of diminished returns to depth. The more sensitivity you use the more weak undesirable sound you get. That requires the processor to pick out good from bad..... not an easy task especially in trash or bad soil. My recommendation is to always find a deep target and do some adjusting in the field as well because situations change even from season to season.

Dew

 

[BarberBill]

I agree pretty much with every thing posted. I've done quite well with several detectors with the sensitivity at less than maximum. If one knows their machine well and the ground permits, a higher sensitivity can be useful, but not always the best way to go IMHO.
BB

 

[reltolbert]

I don't have those problems with my E-Trac.

 

[Elton]

and lots of little zips and squeals.........as you detect..

 

[scubadetector]

The BIGGEST error I see ALL the time is how FAST people walk and swing their coil in an arch up and down. Even in the water if your making regular steps your going WAY too fast. I absolutely CRAWL along the bottom. I never wear fins and I overlap my swings and keep my coil on the bottom at all times. I absolutely love how peaceful it is and how well I can concentrate because of no cars, no people and no bothers of any kind. Again just my 2

 

[salmonriverhotrock]

Using my BH Pioneer 505 in trashed out locations, I find myself naturally keeping the Sensitivity/Gain turned all the way down and most times, the discrimination is down as well so to not miss Nickles for instance. I agree in this thinking for a standard concentric or elliptical coplaner coil as it will be much more sensitive to ground mineral/iron effects.

With my White's GM V/SAT, the same will apply to the elliptical coplaner coil but when I use an elliptical DD coil, it's a whole other world. I've read where a DD coil can be up to or around 70% less effected by ground and that is where I can pour the coals to that machine, sometimes turning the Gain almost or all the way up.

I'm not familiar with those machines you mentioned but could it be they were running Concentric or Elliptical DD coils? Just a thought.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Elton,I agree with lots of trash less sensitivity is better.Most of us including myself need to turn this knob to the left(Sovereign to the right) more often.HH Ron

 

[BR549]

I always start with the sens high and lower it if need be.
Ground balancing is critical and trying to balance it over metal aint gonna cut it.
I have watched people over the years trying to manual ground machines.Some but not all is a hoot to watch .

 

[Jerry-Wi]

People trying to learn something new often over analyze things. Often this leads to paralysis by analysis. This is why a good beep and dig machine is a good place to start for a beginner. Sometimes you just have to turn the thing on, go with the faults and go swing. The fine detail stuff will come with experience.

Jerry