The MXT and Gain stability. I would like to hear your opinions

[Topo]

Hi guys and gals

I would like to hear your opinions about the Gain adjustment on the MXT, my situation is that on the last months I've been playing around (some times fooling around ) with the modes and Gain adjustments on the machine, I really want to know this detector. I use Relic alternate mode most of the time and the 6x10DD coil. Here are 2 adjustments that I use:

Adjustment 1: Gain as high as possible, making sure to have a stable threshold (hummm), for me is around 10 and +1

Adjustment 2: Gain at +3, making sure I don't get false high tones and backing up the threshold to reduce ground noise


Now my experience with both adjustments are that I think I'm losing some deep targets on the mixed-mode range with the adjustment 1, being more easy to identify those targets (most of the times whispers) with a more stable machine (adjustment 2), but I have to say that for coin sized objects on the range of 5 inches deep, the hot +3 gain is a killer.

what's the behavior of your machine and how do you make your adjustments?


cheers!

 

[Larry (IL)]

Which gain setting to use is a personal preference and use what works best for you. If your main concern is depth, your coil selection is most important. If you don't need the separation of the 6X10 much better depth can be gained with the D2 or stock coil.

 

[Topo]

Hi Larry, Im thinking on a D2 for that extra depth. I have done tests between the 6x10 and the 9.5 and Im getting better depth with the 6x10, I have to say that I have the old 9.5

 

[Larry (IL)]

I think the D2 would be a good choice, in some ground the DD style coils works better than the concentric.

 

[Topo]

yes, I think that's my case, with the soils around here maybe I would do better with a SEF or a D2 than with a concentric 12". That must be the reason why a more stable setup seems to sometimes do better here

 

[srf2112]

Topo, I simply try to run my gain as high as possible while still maintaining stability. Thanks to Jeff Foster's book I've learned how do this AND properly ground balance my machine. Unless I have other considerations like metal structure interference, tight areas, etc., I try to use the deepest ( largest ? ) coil I can run for an area that I can ALMOST max out the gain on. For example, at a local park I can run my 6x10 maxed out all day long with no problems while I can use my D2 with a gain of +1 to +2. In this case I go with the D2. I also hunt Relic/Alternate mode 99% of the time with Disc at 2 or lower and a slight thresh hum. To summarize I get the GB and stability set FIRST and let that determine my gain setting AND use a coil that allows the gain to be as high as possible while not being completely maxed all the time. Kind of like working both sides against the middle. If it's always maxed it makes me feel that I could be using a bigger ( deeper ) coil. BTW- The D2 is an awesome coil and I swear it separates nearly as good as the 6x10. You make a good point as far as hearing faint signals with a "cooler" running machine but since I've learned how to properly set up, and maximize, my MXT I get solid accurate signals to 7-8" inches with the 6x10. Not sure I want to dig deep enough to find a "whisper" from the D2. LOL. JMHO
HH
Scott

 

[Topo]

Topo, I simply try to run my gain as high as possible while still maintaining stability. Thanks to Jeff Foster's book I've learned how do this AND properly ground balance my machine. Unless I have other considerations like metal structure interference, tight areas, etc., I try to use the deepest ( largest ? ) coil I can run for an area that I can ALMOST max out the gain on. For example, at a local park I can run my 6x10 maxed out all day long with no problems while I can use my D2 with a gain of +1 to +2. In this case I go with the D2. I also hunt Relic/Alternate mode 99% of the time with Disc at 2 or lower and a slight thresh hum. To summarize I get the GB and stability set FIRST and let that determine my gain setting AND use a coil that allows the gain to be as high as possible while not being completely maxed all the time. Kind of like working both sides against the middle. If it's always maxed it makes me feel that I could be using a bigger ( deeper ) coil. BTW- The D2 is an awesome coil and I swear it separates nearly as good as the 6x10. You make a good point as far as hearing faint signals with a "cooler" running machine but since I've learned how to properly set up, and maximize, my MXT I get solid accurate signals to 7-8" inches with the 6x10. Not sure I want to dig deep enough to find a "whisper" from the D2. LOL. JMHO
HH
Scott

Brilliant description Scott!

Just curious, when you adjust your gain at max with the 6x10DD in your area, you still have a continuous threshold sound?

Thinking on this subject of gain stability, today I went out to hunt . I began setting my gain at the point where threshold begin to make a little chatter (not making high tones or false signals, just little chatter) making sure to have a continuous "Humm" of the threshold with the coil stationary (it was about +1). I realize that seems to be a little easier to detect targets on the mixed-mode, that when pinpointed the meter indicates 10 and 11. At one of those situations I found an old wood staple at 10 inches. I have to say that this terrain was a farm some years ago, so it is common to find some metal particles on this soils.

Every hunt I'm learning something new about this machine, impossible to get bored


I agree, the MXT edge is such an amazing book. lots of info about the MXT and about metal detecting in general

 

[Topo]

I forgot to say that I don't take things for granted, I will continue to play until I feel that I really know this detector

 

[Larry (IL)]

......That is the RIGHT way to do it Topo.

 

[srf2112]

Yes, Topo, I keep the threshold at a barely audible hum. Also, in my area, when I first set the gain sometimes there's a little audio chatter ( but no high tones ) but it quiets down and stabilizes steadier after I start swingingg the coil.
HH
Scott

 

[Topo]

......That is the RIGHT way to do it Topo.

Increasing the finds is where the fun relies

Yes, Topo, I keep the threshold at a barely audible hum. Also, in my area, when I first set the gain sometimes there's a little audio chatter ( but no high tones ) but it quiets down and stabilizes steadier after I start swingingg the coil.
HH
Scott

Many thanks for that info Scott!

in my area I'm able to max the gain at +3 without getting high tone either, but the threshold sound chatters a lot, I will continue to play with both settings. Your technique for picking coils for a site sounds very interesting

 

[srf2112]

Mind you Topo the reasoning behind my coil selection would be different if I had a different prevalent factor to consider, like trash. The site I'm at now is wide open and not too trashy so I'm just trying to maximize depth and coverage. If my spot was really trashy then my coil selection priority would be to pick a coil that deals with the trash best FIRST while the depth it gets would be secondary. Like Larry said, you have to have stability first and I think of this as another form of stability in principle. If you can't "see " it you can't find it. This is just my thinking and also MHO. Good luck.
HH
Scott

 

[bula]

Topo, for what it is worth I have the 6x10 coil & love it but I wanted more depth so I bought a 12" coil & tried it out. I didn't like the coil, it was hard to pin point with & didn't get the depth my 6x10 does. This I'm sure was because of the soil conditions here. I sold that coil & bought a D2 from Larry & in mineralised soil it is a great coil. I have not found anything deeper with it than I have with the 6x10 but I'm sure that is because I haven't came a cross a deep coin yet. The D2 does get better depth than the 6x10 in a air test so I have no doubt that it will go deeper. Last but not least it is a snap to pin point with.

 

[srf2112]

Yes Bula that coil will do you good. I love the D2 and since it's arrival coincided with my migration from tot-lots to open play fields and properties, it's become my daily driver. I definitely see a consistent pattern of deeper/stronger signals with the D2 over the 6x10. As you said, the pinpointing is great but I swear the separation is nearly as good as the 6x10. Since it's bigger sometimes it takes a little more work to separate good targets from trash but it's definitely worth it. JMHO
HH
Scott

 

[Topo]

Topo, for what it is worth I have the 6x10 coil & love it but I wanted more depth so I bought a 12" coil & tried it out. I didn't like the coil, it was hard to pin point with & didn't get the depth my 6x10 does. This I'm sure was because of the soil conditions here. I sold that coil & bought a D2 from Larry & in mineralised soil it is a great coil. I have not found anything deeper with it than I have with the 6x10 but I'm sure that is because I haven't came a cross a deep coin yet. The D2 does get better depth than the 6x10 in a air test so I have no doubt that it will go deeper. Last but not least it is a snap to pin point with.

Hi bula, the 6x10DD is my everyday coil too, amazing coil! On my soils it outperforms the 9.5 on depth and separation, so the 9.5 is collecting dust.
I thought about purchasing the super 12" too or the Jimmy Sierra's Hotshot for extra depth, but being both concentrics Im not sure they will be a good selection. The D2 and the SEF 10x12 look good

 

[srf2112]

Topo I have both the Super 12 and the D2. Although I haven't done any in-depth side by side comparison of them yet, I have hunted one location with both and the D2 (@ +2) and the Super 12 (@ and they seemed to perform pretty closely as far as depth and signal strength. The main difference was the 12" coil obviously struggled to separate targets where the trash was heavier. I also had to tinker with the gain a little more ( no big deal really) as it would get a little unstable at times while the D2 stays rock steady stable. If you have to pick one to buy, especially if your ground is challenging, I would definitely go with the D2. You won't be sorry and I hear Larry gives a good deal on them. Try and borrow a Super 12 to try out if you can. It has its limits here but it's definitely staying in my quiver. Hope that helps.
HH
Scott

 

[Topo]

Topo I have both the Super 12 and the D2. Although I haven't done any in-depth side by side comparison of them yet, I have hunted one location with both and the D2 (@ +2) and the Super 12 (@ and they seemed to perform pretty closely as far as depth and signal strength. The main difference was the 12" coil obviously struggled to separate targets where the trash was heavier. I also had to tinker with the gain a little more ( no big deal really) as it would get a little unstable at times while the D2 stays rock steady stable. If you have to pick one to buy, especially if your ground is challenging, I would definitely go with the D2. You won't be sorry and I hear Larry gives a good deal on them. Try and borrow a Super 12 to try out if you can. It has its limits here but it's definitely staying in my quiver. Hope that helps.
HH
Scott

hi Scott, I never used the super 12 but Imagine the tons of hotrocks it would get and as you said being a bigger coil it must have a hard time with masking targets.
I would be very interested to grab one of those deals, but I'm currently living in Europe and the customs and shipment taxes may be pricy