Monte,
Thanks for the info on ground balancing. I've talked to various dealers/users over the years about this and gotten varied suggestions/information. There is a lot of confusion out there about it (myself included) and I think you may have hit the nail on the head about the Owner's Manuals. I'm one of those people who looks over the manual even when I'm using a loaner and I find them to be pretty poorly written regardless of manufacturer. I think they just tend to slap together a manual as an afterthought before they release the detector.
I can say without a doubt that this detector either loses ground balance at times or has some type of issue that gives similar symptoms. It does not do it all of the time, but it has happened way too many times to just be chance or my imagination. It seems to be worse in hot weather (I'm in TN). I can also say the turning off the detector, waiting a few seconds and turning it back on takes care of it. I have no idea why - it just does. I usually do this with the coil sitting on clean ground. From what you said, this is probably a useless requirement and simply turning it off and on would do. However, SOMETHING definitely resets when I turn it off and back on - maybe the processor just needs clearing? idk.
I see you are pretty much a White's guy. I just bought my first one (a used DFX) this past weekend. Wish me luck, it's a lot more complicated than what I'm used to. Although I am sort of looking forward to messing around with the settings. If you know anyone with a good relic program for TN - PM me. I have used XLT's on a number of trips and lately an occasional MXT, DFX, and VX3. As far as comparing the Tesoro to the higher end machines, I guess the best analogy I can give to compare my experience with the Tesoro to using White's, Minelabs, F5's etc is like going to a Chevy dealer and buying a Malibu vs. a Corvette. The Malibu and Corvette both run an internal combustion engine so what is making the wheels turn is the same technology and the added enhancements on the Corvette only come into play under the right conditions. The detectors have a VLF wave signal - only so much you can do with it. The detectors have chatter (feedback) and ground conditions and the cars have traffic, stop lights, and the speed limit.The Corvette looks cooler, has more features, more horsepower, better handling and under the right conditions will run circles around the Malibu. However, the Corvette is more expensive and difficult to maintain due to it's complexity, and on a daily basis you won't get to work any faster in the Corvette than in the Malibu. This has been my experience hunting with or beside the ID machines. Sometimes they are better - even much better, but mostly - no - about the same - at least in my casual (drive to work) experience. Of course, at the end of the day, it's just one guy's opinion based on one guy's experience.
There is certainly a deafening silence of independent hard data available on how any metal detectors perform under a variety of defined conditions. Seriously, it's 2012 and the independent "scientific" testing available is generally some dudes Youtube video?!!!!
I do think the sensitivity adjust on this detector really helps it compete with the higher end detectors better than some others would. You can turn up the juice to whatever it will stand. Kind of like having the same motor in the Malibu vs. Corvette but without the better suspension, steering, tires, and brakes.
This reminds me - to add to my review: Pay no attention to the sensitivity # on the dial. Just turn it as far right as you can get away with.
Waxing nostalgic - the DFX is actually my 2nd White's detector. My uncle gave me an old White's back in the 70's. I suppose, technically, It was my first detector. I only used it in the yard and field behind the house a few times. I don't remember the model but it weighed a ton (at least to a 10 year old boy). I don't count it because I didn't really use it.
