So how are the Nokta people doing?!?

[Stoof-tabsallday]

Either we are declining or people are so tied up with hunting, they don't have time to post.

What's your Nokta? Where have you been hunting? How have you been doing?

Something..... Anything....?

 

[Monte]

... as are all my detectors, but it has been a hot summer around here. We had some winter snows in the mountains and spring rain storms that caused a lot of very dense weed growth that choked us out of an old CCC and POW camp, and a farm and ranchland ghost town down low, and three ghosted gold mining towns in the hills. Temperatures have been hot and conditions mostly dry which left us with hard-packed ground.

It was 93° on Wednesday for a 'cooler' day, 100° on Thursday, back to 93° yesterday, with a 'chilly' day of 89°/90° forecast for today, then 8 days of triple-digit heat to 103° from now to two weeks from today, and all will be mostly clear skies. My oldest son & I have been slaving away with a lot of wood splitting and tractor work mixed with hand labor to build a 12X20 woodshed out of my former carport, get twelve raised bed planter boxes built and situated, then filled with dirt and garden mix. We took a break yesterday, and today we are headed out ... with detectors ... to do some pre-season deer scouting in a hunting zone he had never seen before, and I haven't traveled it for about forty years.

And when I say "with detectors" that includes my Nokta FORS CoRe, one of my FORS Relics, one of my Makro Racer 2's, and he will have his FORS CoRe along as well. I'd take more but we will also have a few firearms with us [size=small](predator control)[/size], some grub, water and as-always my best buddy 'Miss Rikki." As I stated, it has been hot, dry, and very brushy but we hope to stumble upon a new-to-us old-use site to get some detecting time in today.

Either we are declining or people are so tied up with hunting, they don't have time to post.

The metal detecting hobby has, overall, declined since it initially peaked about '83-'86 or so, and while we have had a few roller-coaster highs along the way, like all good rides it eventually ends with a low and slows to a stop. I am making reference to the USA metal detecting market as a whole, because while there still is some solid interest and activity for Gold Nugget Hunting, Beach Hunting, and my favorite activity of Relic Hunting older sites, Coin Hunting has declined.

The mass-market of Coin Hunting just isn't anything like it used to be. Not much being lost due to changes in pocket-carry, attire, and a huge slump in human activity at parks and schools, etc. Internet dealing, huge discounts, and the loss of so many local dealers to provide exposure to the hobby and hands-on consumer assistance has also declined to a point close to extinction in most market areas. Metal detecting clubs have also dwindled in number, and those remaining struggle to hold a good membership count and work hard to figure out much activity and speakers of interest. Combine that with more and more cities banning metal detecting from public parks and such, and yes, you will see that the detecting hobby is declining.

To the rest of your question, I also think some have been able to get out and enjoy detecting, if they have had favorable weather, but I also know quite a few people have been backing off on a lot of Forum activity for a few reasons. One is that some feel their finds haven't been up to some supposed standard of results, and some find their posts get buried due to a few forum posters who seem to post all over the place at a high post-count. Either there isn't any good discussion relative to some people's posts, or the 'woodpeckers' [size=small](those who tend to peck at the keyboard frequently on multiple forums and/or post a lot of fluff or non-sense)[/size] get to be annoying for many Forum readers. I know because I hear that in some discussions or in e-mails I receive.

So, let's just hope that Fall Weather, still two plus months away, manages to arrive a little early to provide a relief from the heat. I know many of us will welcome more comfortable hunting weather and get out more other. Oh, and I also know that many of those who got started in this hobby during the hey-day, from let's say 1975 to 1995, seemed to be older than me [size=small](I was a detector dealer or worked with other dealers or manufacturers and monitored activity)[/size] at the time, and were in their latter 40's or just retired or about to be retired. Where are those people now that it is 21 to 41 years later? How many stayed active in this great sport?

Yes, we do have some younger folks who enjoy the metal detecting hobby, but very few who are still, active at it and have been involved in it for very long. I started my 52nd year of detecting in March of this year, and while I still try to get out as often as I can, my health sure isn't like it used to be and my more limited mobility results in a bit less hunting time and effort. I have some better days, but I have too many 'typical' days, and I know for a fact that health decline and age have really cut in on the number of people who have been quite active detectorists in the past.

In many other countries their hunting opportunities can be much different that what we have here in the USA, both their access to hunting sites, and the types of site environments they have the opportunity to search. Add in a language difference and how many have an interest in writing for, or reading things on, Internet Forums can differ greatly. So most of the regular activity yo see on the Findmall or other detecting forums tends to be made up by USA posters and a few folks from other English-speaking countries, and the Nokta and Makro brand models haven't been around as long as all the 'old timers' so some folks are slow to catch on to the excellent design and performance they offer.

What's your Nokta?

My Nokta Detection Technologies models include:

My original FORS CoRe w/'OOR' DD coil mounted, and the 7X11 DD in a Nokta detector bag mounted on a lower-rod for quick coil change.

My FORS Gold + w/5½X10 DD coil mounted, and 5½" DD coil on a spare lower rod and accessories in a Nokta detector bag.

My FORS Relic w/5½ DD round coil mounted and ready-to-grab for the trashier sites I most often hunt.
A FORS Relic w/5½X10 Concentric coil mounted and ready-to-work the low-to-modestly littered sites.
My R-P [size=small](Revised-Prototype)[/size] Relic w/7X11 DD mounted and ready-to-handle open area, sparse-target sites.

[size=small](For the record, these are backed up by my Makro Detectors Racer 2 w/'OOR' or round 5½" DD and a Racer 2 w/7X11 DD, as well as a Gold Racer w/5½" DD and Gold Racer w/5½X10 DD.)[/size]

Oh, I can't forget that I also use a Makro Pinpointer and Nokta Pinpointer.

Where have you been hunting?

Due to higher heat and day-long work around here, combined with limited access to favorite sites, I have only been getting in limited urban Coin Hunting early and late when I am able to.

How have you been doing?

So-So, since most locations have also been dry and hot and there is limited activity at most of them, unless I make a drive to a bigger city. But that's 70+ miles away and they require a permit to hunt their city parks and schools.

So, I'll just do what I can where I can and hope for favorable weather to arrive early this year. That, and try to get away more often, just as I will in about an hour as we'll leave by 5 AM in seqrch of deer, other game, and new places to get some detecting time in. Many other places out west and elsewhere have had some high summer heat that I am sure has limited some detecting time for others so I am not alone on that front, but I think it has been a combination of several factors, and I do hope all of us have better opportunities in the near future.

Monte

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

Glad to hear Monte!
Luckily I still have many sites to hunt but I can see how after that long you need to travel further.

It's been a hot one here too. I've been limited to 2 hour or so hunts starting at about 7pm. Still very hot but no sum shining.

But I'm glad to hear it's going OK and I hope you have many more years of detecting ahead of you.

I'm still at the learning stage with my relic. Added to this is my racer2 so I have alot to learn still.

 

[dbado1]

It's too hot to hunt much here in sunny AZ. Gonna give it a shot this afternoon with the Relic. I went exploring to find an old rail spur last weekend and was successful! Didn't have much time left to swing after finding the site but recovered a few buttons that I didn't deem worthy of a post.

I have been doing more internet detecting (living vicariously through others) lately due to the heat. I sure am thankful that we had such great testers/developers (Monte,Keith) of the Relic and, therefore, avoided the mess associated with the White's MX-Sport. It has become addicting to read and follow the various threads on different sites regarding the MXS and just watch them implode. What a mess.

Hopefully, I will have a productive outing this afternoon and have some pics to share. HH

Dean

 

[OregonGregg]

Us Nokta people are doin good. Still have my Fors CoRe and its a keeper.

 

[dbado1]

I got out this afternoon and met up with a number of guys from the prospecting forums and swung my GPX. Scored one little nugget. Sorry no Relic love today. Met a great bunch of guys though!

Dean

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

Was too hot today to get out. Tried to go out early evening but it was a sauna out there.
Getting ansy.

 

[garys relics]

Monte, you are 100 percent correct about metal detecting state of affairs. Most parks around my area are off limits, and the battle fields gone to shopping centers and houses. I started in 1975 and it seemed like detectors were everywhere. Now the fields are empty, and not much left to find when you can get out. My spirit is still there, but the knees are not! It it nice to see what you guys find , good hunting to you all. Gary

 

[eSCANZ]

I got my Nokta Fors CoRe piggy backing around NZ at the moment - I absolutely love it and the people that have been using it are finding deep silver & are also impressed with the CoRe's over-all performance - Best of all, they have an international support that works -

 

[Wheat Cent]

I am still here but would gladly sell my fors, cause I don't personally like it. Mostly due to the depth being centimeters and the vdi being way off because it is not calibrated for the us.

 

[Monte]

I am still here but would gladly sell my fors, cause I don't personally like it.

Sorry to hear an excellent detector isn't working out for you. Keep in mind there is no such thing as a 'perfect' detector, but I will say that I believe each of the models I have in my personal detector arsenal are very close in the price range and features they offer .... and that especially includes the Nokta FORS CoRe. I still have mine that I got in January of last year, and it is going nowhere. A few friends have also added a FORS CoRe to their arsenal, or even trimmed a lot to only have their CoRe and one or two others, mainly Makro racer series units.

My oldest son [size=small](44)[/size] also acquired a FORS CoRe to become his main-use detector, and used the ;OOR' coil most of the time, and the standard 7X11 for open areas with less trash. Before he had been using a couple of White's better models, just as I used to, but noted the strong points of the CoRe. We usually hunt very trashy areas and deal with a lot of iron, especially nails. He knows that my primary-use model is the FORS Relic, but I still use the CoRe and he's fine with it right now.

Mostly due to the depth being centimeters ...

I will admit that at first that was a minor annoyance, but it didn't take long to deal with it because like almost any make or model detector, Coin Depth is simply a 'best guess' and is quite often useless when hunting very littered sites anyway. I go by the audio response, audio Tone, and can easily guess potential target depth via the audio report and when Pinpointing [size=small](to include sizing and shaping if needed)[/size]. I very seldom use Coin Depth read-out on any detector I use. Usually we will note Coin Depth to be most accurate to only about ±4" or so, and since in urban grassy areas I usually pop most coins and jewelry out with a rounded-off screwdriver, coin depth just isn't such a big deal.

... and the vdi being way off because it is not calibrated for the us.

The CoRe, and other FORS series or Makro Racer series models, tend to have a Target ID breakdown that works quite well for most US Coin Hunting applications. Each detector on the market can have some variables when it come to TID ranges, but the CoRe does okay. Most ferrous trash registers at '40' VDI and below. Most US 5¢ coins will register ±1 or 2 numbers from '56' while a modern Zinc 1¢, as well as most Indian Head and early Wheat-Back 1¢ coins from 1909 to about 1920, fall in or close to the '82' numeric TID number. Higher-conductive US silver coins are going to have a read-out higher than '82' and as we know, discarded trash can fall in any conductivity range and be annoying.

I really have enjoyed using my FORS CoRe and continue to do so. However, it might be that you are interested in having a greater numeric break-down in the TID range, and if so, perhaps you ought to consider the FORS Relic. Along with a few added search modes and functions, such as Iron Volume adjustment, the Ferrous range is reduced to '20' and below which broadens the non-ferrous zone for a little better spread of many conductive targets we usually search for.

The FORS Relic is my #1 all-purpose detector, and I keep three different sized coils mounted on each one to best handle a variety of site challenges. That said, the Relic is well supported by a complement of my CoRe and Makro Racer 2 models for all of my Relic Hunting as well as Coin & Jewelry Hunting needs. My 'specialty' tasks can be handled my the FORS Gold Plus and Makro Gold Racers. All of these models have a very functional TID for US Coins.

Monte

 

[Scottowl]

Your post raises 3 questions for me. Please consider the detectors I use, mostly in a park like setting, or private yards.

You mention sizing on the pinpoint. I have only experienced that where I can hear it on the XL Pro. Do you feel the Relic has similar characteristics?

You say the coin depth can be ignored generally, and I agree in my limited experiences. I do use it as a pinpointing tool. How is the pin pointing ability on the Relic?

How does the Relic react to the aluminum shards that plague us? Can you size and classify targets by audio response alone?

I assume that the Relic would be your choice if only limited to one detector. You can see the detectors I have, and know where each one is best used. What model would be best for my situation?

OK, that's 4 questions. I never was any durn good at math, but I am thinking of shopping for a used detector this fall, after most people put them away until spring.

 

[After-1-]

I just received a CoRe in the mail today,5''coil -stock coil---and the biggest coil I have ever owned, Just put the machine together and turn it on,check a dime on the floor ,without headphones to hear it work , had the manual and did some reading,need to read more and maybe give the CoRe a couple min run in the AM before work tomorrow.--------------- Well made machine--------------after1-------------

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

I think you'll love it!!
Haven't had the pleasure of swinging the core, but I've used my relic quite a bit. Truly awesome machines.

 

[After-1-]

When I first saw a picture of the machines,I always thought to have the screen and buttons on the side would be crazy. Now that I have one to personalty hold I still don't know -------------Yes I need help ------I think the heat is baking my brain---------after1------------

 

[dbado1]

Once you learn the machine you won't even look at the side screen while hunting. Good luck! You made a great purchase!!

Dean

 

[Wheat Cent]

He traded for my fors, so now ive got a original racer. Which im somewhat interested in testing. But the core is amazing on relics, i found a lot of bullets in heavy iron.

 

[Monte]

Your post raises 3 questions for me.

Only three? Often my posts draw more than that. 

Please consider the detectors I use, mostly in a park like setting, or private yards.

Okay, the White’s Classic IDX, XL Pro and MXT in the order they were introduced. I’ll also factor in Urban Coin Hunting in parks and private yards, etc.

You mention sizing on the pinpoint. I have only experienced that where I can hear it on the XL Pro. Do you feel the Relic has similar characteristics?

You should be able to hesar the All Metal Pinpoint mode on the MXT as well, making sure you have a slight audio Threshold hum. The Classic IDX, however, might be a little difficult if you haven’t adjusted the internal [size=small](VR4)[/size] Threshold trimmer because the ‘mind-think’ at White’s for the Classic series was that they would be used by youth or older people, not frequently, and usually not with headphones.

Therefore, the Threshold audio was increased a bit higher so it might be heard with the standard speaker, and use of headphones and the Pinpoint mode can often be a little louder and that makes Pinpointing or sizing-and-shaping a bit difficult

Personally, I never had a problem trying to isolate a located target [size=small](Pinpoint)[/size] with any of the models you have, but I usually used the smaller sized 6½” Concentric coil so pinpointing and sizing-and-shaping the target was pretty simple.

That was with the XL Pro, the MXT, and much better with the Classic IDX after I adjued the Threshold trimmer, and even better yet after I had ‘Mr. Bill’ modify it to add the external Threshold control as well as manual GB control.

By the way, in the last quarter century, if I narrowed my favorite White’s models down the list would include your Classic IDX that was renamed IDX Pro; the 6000 Pro XL that was renamed XL Pro, and the MXT that was superseded by the MXT Pro/MXT All Pro; and I would have to add the XLT and current MX5 to round out my ‘Top 5’ White’s models.

You say the coin depth can be ignored generally, and I agree in my limited experiences. I do use it as a pinpointing tool. How is the pin pointing ability on the Relic?

That’s correct, I have never put a lot of trust in Coin Depth read-outs since the earliest days we saw it on very simple models. One of my favorite was the Tesoro Inca in ’83 and a few similar offerings where the All Metal mode didn’t have Sensitivity tied into it, therefore not affecting the Coin Depth results. I’ve always preferred to rely on my ears more and ‘best guess’ probable Coin Depth with most detectors.

I have used it more to assist with Pinpointing that depth analysis, and the FORS Relic [size=small](like the other FORS series models and Makro Racer series models)[/size] Pinpoints extremely well for me, and sizing-and-shaping is also handy.

Mind you I hunt in dense brush and abundant trash, especially iron, so I use the 5½” round or ‘OOR’ shaped smaller DD coils on all my Nokta and Makro detectors, most of the time, and in mild trash or mainly iron nail only junk I opt for a 5½X10 Concentric or DD coil, and these choices help Pinpointing and sizing. Still I can do ‘OK’ with the 7X11 DD standard search coil, I just use it very seldom by comparison.

How does the Relic react to the aluminum shards that plague us? Can you size and classify targets by audio response alone?

It will react similar to all other metal detectors in that it will respond to the annoying aluminum trash, but I don’t have a problem using the Relic to sort through it and Pinpoint it, and even ‘classify’ a good deal of it.

We just have to remember that if a hidden metal target mimics the size and shape and conductivity of a desired target, such as a coin, trade token, piece of jewelry, etc., it needs to be recovered.

I assume that the Relic would be your choice if only limited to one detector.

Absolutely correct!

If I had to grab only 1 detector from my personal arsenal to use and rely on for an entire year, it would be my Relic … as long as I can also have the 5½” DD, 5½X10 Concentric, and maybe even the 7X11 DD coils to see me through.

While the Relic is certainly my #1 detector for all-purpose versatility, I have to include the comment here than the FORS CoRe and Makro Racer 2 also provide the excellent feel, balance and performance afield that keep them right there, more-or-less tied for a very close 2nd pick. Even my ‘Specialty Use’ Gold + and Gold Racer could keep me happy if I had to limit myself to using them for both Relic Hunting and Urban Coin & Jewelry Hunting and a One-Only detector for a period of time.

You can see the detectors I have, and know where each one is best used. What model would be best for my situation?

My very honest answer, which I have asked myself in the past because all your current detectors were once in my personal arsenal all at the same time, is that IF I was limited to only one all-purpose model it would be the MXT Tracker, although I would really prefer the MXT Pro [size=small](which was renamed MXT All-Pro by changing only by adding an ‘All’ to the side decal sticker)[/size]. I would use the 6½” Concentric the bulk of the time and the 9” spider type Concentric for open are searches.

If most of my Urban Coin Hunting focused on tot-lots or very trashy playground and picnic areas, or maybe included some urban renovation where iron nails were an added challenge, then the Classic IDX might get the nod. Again, it would have a 6½” Concentric mounted most of the time, and open areas might see the 8” Concentric used.

If I was limiting myself to only one of your current detectors, but most of the hunting would be in wide-open grassy parks and other areas where trash targets were well spaced and sparse in number and I wanted to take advantages of the moderate-to-fast sweep speed of the XL Pro, then it would use the 8” coil most of the time, but switch to the 6½” Concentric maybe half of the time.

But your final question: “What model would be best for my situation?” can also be taken as an open question of what detector, any detector, might be best for your Urban Coin & Jewelry Hunting needs, then I would refer you to my personal list of detectors.

The FORS CoRe bumped the MXT Pro from my #1 spot in January of 2015, and the original Makro Racer the next month added comfort and performance such that by March of last year I had parted with my MXT All Pro, modified IDX Pro, XL Pro and XLT. The CoRe and Racer handled both my Coin & Jewelry Hunting needs as well as Relic Hunting which I do the most of.

Currently, I think you could select a Nokta CoRe or Makro Racer and either of these more affordable models will work great for you. Or, if you would like to have a few more very functional adjustment features and search modes, consider the Nokta Relic or Makro Racer 2.

Am I biased a bit? I guess you could say that because I am always biased towards the makes and models that I have found to provide me with the best all-around performance afield, and these model do.

Monte

 

[Scottowl]

Monte, it is always great to get your take on things. I value your experience driven responses. Many times I get the benefit of someone's question that never occurred to me to ask.
You are the "Montepedia" of metal detecting!
The XL Pro is such a pleasure to run on ball fields and open areas, especially after slugging it out in the trash with the MXT. The IDX is kind of a cross between the 2. I have a 4" Snooper coil on it, and use the 9.50 BlueMax on the XL Pro. I also have a Bullseye and a 8" for the 6.59 machines. I am sold on the Eclipse 5.3 (6") coil for the MXT. The IDX may be slightly underpowered, but in heavy trash that is sometimes beneficial.
I have been reading articles and seeing videos of the target separation abilities of the Makro and Notka machines. That alone is enough to get my attention.
Will any model of these two manufacturers run as smooth and quiet as the XL Pro, or are they 'chatty', like an MXT?
I would be best suited to a FOS CORE or Red Racer price wise, if they have the same internals as the more upscale Relic or Racer 2.
My budget says Red Racer (used if possible!), but some people say its cheapest to buy only 1 time. Ahhh, what to do? lol

 

[Sonorguy]

Well I'm loving my Fors CoRe!, and as they say about any good machine, time spent is knowledge gained. I've learned what not to dig, and what to expect when I get certain signals. I thought the side mounted display was going to be a pain, but wow was I wrong. It doesn't matter at all to me, set it and forget it, and the other issue that had me worried was the balance and weight factor. I have had frozen shoulder and have tendonitis in both shoulders, but even on 5 hr hunts, and I mean straight 5 hrs swinging, no issue at all. This thing is perfectly balanced with the stock coil. I can't talk about the other coils because I don't have them. The other issue mentioned is the depth reading. but if It's deep or shallow, your audio will tell you. pinpoint is great, and I've found that if you just bury something with any machine and put a plastic disc on it, then close your eyes and pinpoint several times from every direction, you will learn quickly where dead on is. For me it's a tad in front of the coil mount on this machine. I hunt most of the time with my sensitivity up around 86, and I run mask at 10 in DI2 mode. this seems to be a winning combo in the hot soil we have here. my GB is 70-80 most places I hunt. chatter is just enough to tell me my machine is on. I turn off all light and vibration, and get a good many long hunts out of the 4 AAs. One thing I've learned though is always keep batteries on hand, because when it dies, it's when you least expect it. I know people complain about the 82 number, but if you have your mask down, you will learn what a bottle cap sounds like, and what a penny will sound like. day and night. Matter of fact, the thing I like most about this machine is that it tells the truth once you learn it. That said, I still feel like I have just started on my journey with this machine, because I need to do more hunting with other modes and settings, I guess I'm just so used to what I mentioned, and want to get the most out of every hunt. It's Seems to me though that the lower your ID mask is the more truthful your IDs will be. Jacking up you mask will just get you frustrated when first learning.
SG