Steep learning curve for V3

[hilltopdoc]

I guess buying a Spectrum V3 as a novice THer is like a layperson performing surgery but I bought it anyways. Having been short on time and long on rain here in Northeast Arkansas, I have only been to a couple of safe areas like my yard and an old field where a house once stood. I must admit I am lost. I turn on the machine and headphones and start sweeping. I cannot seem to lock on to any strong signals reliably. When i change swing speed or go in a different direction, I often lose my signal. When I do get a signal, it seems as if the only part of the coil that is working is the very base of the coil and not anywhere else around the loop. Today i found a set of keys at 1-2" and a nail.

I went by Lowe's hardware store and bought a fancy trowel with the cutting edge and some kneepads. These will make it easier for me to invest the time needed to learn about the detector, which is at least half of my problem but if there are any of you out there with constructive advice working towards mastering this monster, I will be back on here posting my treasures soon!

Hilltopdoc.

P.S. Last week, I found a 1902 IH lying on the dirty floor of an old farmhouse that I will hit again when I have enough tick spray and time.

 

[dave5710]

Hey Doc, I had similar problems with mine at first. I really wanted to wrap it around a tree, but I kept thinking that the machine was to expensive for that. I feel that the programs in the V3 are to hot for highly mineralized soil. I tried coins, hi-pro, and deep silver, nothing worked. I used the probe feature to test my soil and it said to use an RX of 15. HA! Have you tried Coin and Jewelry? I have had good luck with it. I have even raised the RX from the preset of 7 up to 9 and haven't had a problem yet. I figure start with a simple program and build on it. Try Coin and Jewelry and if you have good luck with that for an hour or two then adjust one of the settings for more depth, or recovery speed, or sensitivity etc. and see how you like that, you can always change it back. Don't let it get the best of you and don't try to master it overnight. If it were too easy it wouldn't be any fun.

Good luck, take care, and keep us posted.

 

[nw1886]

Your doin' the "trial by fire" thing huh? Wahoo...!!! (Ah it will be getting more comfortable for you in little stages and soon you'll be getting it down.) Guess the first thing I'd say is to start out in the Coin program, don't use any of the tone stuff and get your techniques down first. Isn't Arkansas a little high in mineralization? If you have the DVD, watch the heck out of that thang and possibly take the sensitivities down a bit and start in an area that you can think of as your schooling ground with little trash and no powerlines, underground utilities etc... If you have the wireless headphones, ditch them for a bit and go with the speaker for a while. This will simplify audio possibly for you at first. The Sweep Speed on the V3 is not as out of the box, good for most, as models past and that is something many are having to play with at first. (Explained very well on the video and online.) Getting out and finding the good stuff is great! Learning a fun machine like the V3 is too! Good luck and lots o help around here!

 

[woodchiphustler]

Part of mastering any craft is to do your apprenticeship first. Stick with it.

 

[CROCK of COINS]

Doc, Find a tot lot (play ground) with sand/wood chip.

Turn down the RX to 1 (coin or coin & jewelry)

Learn to OVER lap your swing and take your time.

You can put a coin down on the ground and do a test swing to see what you can learn from the V3

Learn to pin point that coin.

Have Fun...Pick up all the junk/foil and clean out the tot lot.

As you get the hang of it...it will get easy.

Have Fun

Jerry

 

[bud212002]

I am a newbie as well. Things can be found with turn on and go programs. I had to lower the sensitivity quite a bit, but have found a lot of clad in the little time I have actually hunted. I have more time in the living room with it than outside, which has really helped when I do get it outside. Find a Non-EMI place in your home, throw down some change, junk, etc... and learn its ways first. I don't worry about adjustments right now, I just want to find stuff, then when I get my skills down, I will rev it up to find the good stuff. I quess the good thing about being a newbie is that everything found is interesting. I spent 4 hours at my parents house Saturday and pulled only clad, but my boy and I had a great time, and that is what counts!!

 

[tab-nabit]

I really like some of the most simplistic detectors made, no display, very few knobs and adjustments, turn on and go style. To me, there is a fun factor involved in this. Some of the bells and whistle loaded machines I have/had at times sometimes are nice and at times weren't so great. I found myself grabbing the simplistic detectors more than the others most times.
The Vision - different - and has loads of preset programs - has lots of tweaks available, and I'm liking the wireless headphones more than I would have though. And color display. I'm having fun with it, so I'm having a fun factor involved with it. I still have a ways to go and have only used a few programs. Most machines I have had I'll generally start out with a basic preset program (if available), tweak it down on sensitivity a little for some stabilization, get a little feel of the machine then work my way up. Basic programs like the coin or coin & jewelery. Then I'll usually open up on some tweaks and venture in and out of some of the other available programs. A little at a time and just taking it easy.
Getting older and slower probably has a lot to do with it to me - but having fun with it and not letting any frustration get involved by patience and practice trying not to get to deep to fast - think I over did my lack of typing skills

 

[tab-nabit]

Should have added - can use a number of the programs which is versatile, and then the machine allows one to expand a good bit instead of being limited.