So , my comparison of a analog vs a screen machine.

[Dancer]

Both entry level machines ($250) I own both, and each has served me well. Simple air test, machine lay on Metal free surface. First the screen type, with stock 9" coil. With full sensitivity, all metal. This machine strained to get a quarter at six & a half to a shaky 7" Dropped an inch with added discrimination.
Beep & Dig model, 7" coil, 2 knobs. Sensitivity cranked, zero discrimination. Squeezed out a quarter very close but not quite 8". Add discrimination, depth starts dropping. My test at least a inch dropped with minimal discrimination. Not comparing brands, just my two different type machines. So pretty much what everyone else has tested too. Not written in stone, but with my two machines, they both were deepest in all metal no discrimination. The B & D slightly smaller coil went a little deeper. Just needed something to do with bad weather and all. Learned a little on my own.

 

[Jason in Enid]

its a false comparison. You can't compare based on "screen or no screen" when you are talking about completely different models, brands, types, etc. The presence of a screen would have ZERO impact on depth if all other things were equal.

 

[slingshot]

One thing that always stands out to me is that you can always operate a screen type machine at it's most sensitive setting (all metal) and NOT have to DIG every single target.

 

[dewcon4414]

Id say there are exceptions to that...... the CZ/Xcal/Sov. I never had to dig all targets, in fact in some cases they had better audio than ANY screen machine ive used in the water and i can use AM as well. Now ..... the CTX on the other hand has an exceptional smartscreen. I find myself able to gather more information about a target.

 

[Dancer]

its a false comparison. You can't compare based on "screen or no screen" when you are talking about completely different models, brands, types, etc. The presence of a screen would have ZERO impact on depth if all other things were equal.

I was only meant to compare my two machines. Had to trim one off the team. (Guess which) Watching the various comparison videos is where I got the idea. Many of these pit completely different models. I have a Pulse Induction that's not impressive to me with a air test. But in wet sand a different story.
Got any experience with a situation like that? Any input on this appreciated.
Dancer

 

[Jason in Enid]

Experience with what? PIs? Air-tests being useless? Yeah, that stuff is ancient history and has been rehashed to death over the years. I dont understand what "input" you are wanting. Every detector is different from every other detector. Even some same make/model machines can have widely differing abilities.

Best thing you can do is pick the machine that works best for YOUR targets in YOUR ground and use the hell out of it, trying to learn something every time you hunt. Screen or no screen has no change is abilities, but some people use the VDI as an excuse to stop digging certain target zones and then complain their finds drop off with that detector.

 

[Dancer]

Experience with what? PIs? Air-tests being useless? Yeah, that stuff is ancient history and has been rehashed to death over the years. I dont understand what "input" you are wanting. Every detector is different from every other detector. Even some same make/model machines can have widely differing abilities.

Best thing you can do is pick the machine that works best for YOUR targets in YOUR ground and use the hell out of it, trying to learn something every time you hunt. Screen or no screen has no change is abilities, but some people use the VDI as an excuse to stop digging certain target zones and then complain their finds drop off with that detector.

Way ahead of you. Sounds like ur having a bad time over something, so didn't mean to upset ya. HH
Dancer

 

[Nauti]

I used to use a Whites beach hunter,my favourite beach hunting machine.The reason i liked it so much was you could run it in all metal but it still gave an indication of what was under the coil using three different coloured lights.This gave the detector fantastic depth but also helped ignore a lot of junk....a bit like a cross between a discrim machine and a pulse induction.
Like you say,any amount of discrim will start decreasing depth but it also affects seperation between ferous and non ferous also......pulse induction is the way to go if you can put up with digging everything....personally i'm too lazy.