Target number questions on Xterra 70

[Elton]

Hi All:
I have an issue I need help with please...
I have been using my X-70 in a very littered park. I have also gotten some teens wheat cents and some Silver Merc's.
Two nights ago targets were reading 32 on Zinc pennies. 36 on most of the Wheats and 38 on Silver dimes. Today I found it was reading 30 on Zincs,
34-36 on copper cents and 36 on the one lone Silver dime...Is this a ground change???? Dryer maybe, or can there be that much difference on coins.
If I had not dug the 36 bye bye Silver dime..I had just about decided to only dig 38 and or 42 signals as that was Silver readings and Quarter readings the last time out..Help !!!!!! Oh yea..I am using the standard 7.5 Frequency coil..... I do not have a 3KHZ.. Are the number fluctuations normal or am I swinging it to fast, or to slow, or what. Thank you for you return posts in advance

 

[Digger]

Elton, If you take a look at the TID chart I prepared when the X-Terra was first introduced, you will see that the numbers can vary. And you can prove that to yourself by airtesting a handful of coins. Some dimes just read different than another dime. Some pennies will read differently from others, etc. When I prepared those charts, I scanned over 100 old coins. What I found is, when a dime reads 36, it will consistently read a 36. Another old dime might read 38. But it will always read a 38. Blame it on individual coin wear, mineralization, depth, inconsistent metallic content.... who knows? All I know is that I don't rely on one specific number to represent all coins of a given denomination. I look for a consistent reading, and use those numbers merely as a guide as to what I need to be looking for when I open the hole!

I'll repost that chart below.
HH Randy

 

[Elton]

Nice chart..I took the liberty of copying it. pretty easy to see it's dead on where it should and could be.
Thank you Randy

 

[Bugar In. USA]

Iv'e experimented and dug several good numbers that were bouncers, just never set still very long, and every one was some kind of junk target, but then again SOMETIMES, you do get fooled, ya just gotta digit to find out

 

[James/Washington]

consistancy when deciding to dig a target. I have not used the Xterra 30 or 50. I have used the Xterra70 for well over two years now and I can tell you that if you use consistancy to determine if a target is worth digging, then you are going to be missing a LOT of good targets. I have found, at least where I do my detecting that the ground is moderate and the area has mainly newer coins but I find that coins and also jewelry both tend to register different numbers. Most of the time, the targets register exactly what Digger's example shows. It is right on, MOST of the time. But due to SO many surcumstances that I will not even try to get into here, a good target can jump up to three notches and sometimes 4(at least on the Xterra70)and still be a good target. I ALWAYS dig targets with a reading that jumps as many as three or fout segments and have really found some goodies.

As time goes by and your knowledge of the Xterra70 increases, you will also begin to understand what I am trying to say here. I have NEVER and will NEVER dig ALL targets and I also understand that I WILL pass some good targets this way, but where I hunt there is so much trash in the ground that if I were to dig ALL tatrgts, then I may as well leave the detector home and sift every inch of ground! I trust the Xterra70 to give me the nunbers and sounds and and through my experience with the detector, I will decide weather to dig or not. That HAS to be the way it is and I trust the Xterra70! Through time and experiance, you will find your "comfort zone' with the detector and also your preferred settings. Practice, practice, practice!!! I hope I have made some sence in my post.

 

[Digger]

First of all, you couldn't have used your X-70 for "well over two years". They weren't introduced until 18 months (and a day) ago, on March 10, 2006. But regardless, you have apparently used it enough to develop habits that work well for you. And if they are working for you, stick with them.

Having tested the X-70 for several months prior to it's release, as well as using it nearly exclusively the past 21 months, I've definitely encountered different results with "jumping numbers" than you apparently have. Personally, I typically hunt in 4-tone, all metal, use Prospecting for sizing and pinpointing, and base most of my "digging decisions" on the audio response. But, when I do check the TID for target confirmation, I limit my digging to those targets with a two or less notch segment variance. An exception would be an isolated target (such as a coin on edge or an odd shaped piece of jewelry) in an area with little or no modern trash. I seldom hunt areas with large amounts of modern trash. But in all my hunts with the X-70, I have never dug an individual coin that had an inconsistent TID number, (bounced more than 2 notch segments) with the exception of those being partially masked by another target.

As many of us have said..... learn your detector, find settings that work for your sites, and practice, practice, practice! HH Randy

 

[bfodnes]

Have to agree with Digger. Consistency matters more then numbers.

The Terra loves round objects but nrs can easily be different on two identical coins at depth.

At the edge of detecting depth it is jumpy and reads lower then normal but I have found that digging jumpy signals up to 6" deep is a waist of time if it is not for unmasking purpose. Goes even for the small DD coil....seems like 8" is regular with this small coil and I dare say it. Its so obvious that many more must have noticed it....Coins also keep the ID nrs better when in a opened hole.

Here we had iron coins during both world wars and silver coins often was dropped with iron coins. My explorer never found a iron coin or pocket with silver/iron. The terra 70 and small DD just did it with copper and iron coins in the same hole. As for round objects, it also likes steel bottlecaps to some degree with my settings but I love that as they are similar to iron coins that masks the good ones on the same droppings. I dont think I will remove this 6" DD in a long time.

I am now very satisfied with the 70, very very,, my primary detector...

 

[Jackpine Savage]

with the exception of those being partially masked by another target.

That would be about... say... 90% of whats left around here

to quote a well known detectorist

You'll never know for sure......unless you dig it! HH

The Savage motto:
when the gridding is done and there ain't much left.. wander about aimlessly for the rest.

 

[Clad 2 Meet U]

Sized and Laminated the chart to fit in my back pocket. I use it everytime I hunt now. Thanks!

 

[Beale]

Thanks for the number chart, it is very helpful. I am also going to borrow "Clad 2 Meet U" idea of sizing, and laminating it, Beale.

 

[Elton]

I am going to adopt that laminating idea as well..Thanks guys, "Once again my questions have been answered".

 

[James/Washington]

You are correct, I have not been using the Xterra70 for as long as I thought I have!!!!!!!!!!! My mistake! Man, I would have swore I have, though!! I apologize for that error. I do know that I have really enjoyed the time I have spent with it. I did get it early on as the serial # is X70 00034. Where I use it, it is always trashy! I mean really trashy!!! The parks here are just loaded with trash but the school grounds are a little less so. Lets get back to the numbers. When I get a hit on a target and it is shallow, there will usually be no varriation in the numbers. A quarter will hit 42 just as many times as I run the coil over it and a dime will hit a 38 almost every time but sometimes a 36 and a penny (copper) will hit 36 but sometimes hit a 38. Now the deeper the coins get, the more the numbers jump. At 6", a dime or a copper penny may jump from 32 to 38. A quarter at 6" to 8" will jump but usually from 40 to 44. In the trashy parks, I auto ground ballance, use pattern 2 and adjust to accept 8 thru 14 and 30 thru 46, sensitivity is as hot as I can run and 4 tones. In the school grounds, I adjust to accept a few more numbers. I usually will not dig the 30 signals as they are mostly zinkers and they aren't worth digging. Keep in mind that where I hunt the area is very new and most towns weren't even incorporated until the late 1910's to the 1920's. The parks and schools, except for a couple of schools, from the 1950's and later. If I were to hunt an area that would have older coins, then I would change up my settings to match and probably go to all metal. That is what I love about the Xterra 70 is tha ability to be able to adjust. I will hunt this winter but when it gets warm again, I feel that I will send the detector to Minelab for a check-up, just for piece of mind.

Folks, this is the way I hunt and this is the types of numbers that I get from my detector. Your numbers and the way you hunt could differ from mine a bunch. I have put in a lot of hours hunting and experiamenting with different settings and digging many 'iffy' targets to try to learn as much as I can about this detector. That is what I like about this forum. I learn just about as much from reading as I do hunting. Now if I hear that everyone gets solid lock on numbers, then maybe I need to send my detector in for a check-up, but I do not expect that. Heck, it could have a problem and I just don't know. This is the way I have used it since I got it and I love it. No one else down here has an X70 to hunt and compare with. Happy hunting to all and keep on postin'!!! Thanks, Digger for your input. I appreciate everything you have to offer and value your input. Your knowledge is greatly appreciated. I sure wish I could hunt with you a couple of times. I will NEVER profess to be an expert at this, but I sure do love to hunt!

 

[Hard 2 Find]

Hi James, It takes a good person to admit his mistakes. This is what makes this forum special, people willing to do that. I have been a member of this forum since February of this year. I enjoy reading and learning from the other members of this forum. One of the nice things about it, is that the members are not trying to out do each other, but are willing to share their knowledge. There is one person in particular, I can't thank enough for all his help over the last several months and that's Digger. Randy, you are a great asset to this forum! Thanks again Digger! To all you members, thank you for all your help! Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[Brian in Oregon]

about your machine being off. Mine does the same thing on coins,varies up to three notches..............

 

[Digger]

Sometimes we become so comfortable with our "toys", it seems like we've had them forever! As to the number variances, I can't explain it. But if what you are doing works well for you, stick with it. If there is anything that I have learned in my 35+ years of detecting..... this hobby is an art, not a science! And if you ever get up around Kansas City or Omaha, give me a shout. It would be a pleasure to hunt with you. HH Randy

 

[Elton]

Digger you really speak the truth about our members..They are great people who spend a lot of time helping people learn about, and how to operate their detectors too the fullest possible satisfaction.I have been helped so much by so many and it's really appreciated.