tone ID question

[Downdeep]

This may sound strange....

My friend with a minelab safari has told me that his machine provides a tone ID independently of his readout. Such as the readout may say one thing, but the tone ID can/may tell him something different. Do they really do that? I believe our machines are set up to generate a tone BASED ON the vdi reading. If the machine misrepresents the visual ID, it will also misrepresent the audio ID, correct? I haven't used tone ID and am trying to figure out if there is a benefit to using it other than not having to look at the display for ID of a target, using the sound to alert me.

 

[Monte]

I believe our machines are set up to generate a tone BASED ON the vdi reading. If the machine misrepresents the visual ID, it will also misrepresent the audio ID, correct?

If you have a DFX or XLT operating in Tone ID, then you are somewhat correct that the audio Tone ID and the VDI reference (and target Icon) will tend to be in harmony.

But, you not only mentioned VDI (I take to reference the numeric read-out) but you referred to "visual ID" and asked about a misrepresented Visual ID and Audio ID. Since this is the V3 Forum we have to take into account some of the differences between the new White's and other models they offer. The Vision/Spectra V3 operate differently compare with non-digital detectors, and a prime example would be the topic of US 25

 

[DavefromCt]

I have the minelab etrac ( I bought before I knew about the v3 ) and although its a good machine and deep, I will be selling it for the reason you mentioned: With tone id on, mine has been sounding off with tones that don't comply at all with many many targets. The vdi also jumps all over the place and doesn't like to settle in. When I was testing my etrac another detectorist came over with an mxt and we were comparing different target readings (my buddy also did this with me with his dfx) and the white's machines gave much much better id on the targets, both with the vdi number and the signagraph bar...and this is only with one or two frequencies at their disposal. I thought maybe there was a problem with my etrac but I read on other forums how theirs also jumped around excessively and they ended up digging a much higher percentage of junk than normal. Anyway the etrac is a good machine for those that don't mind those problems but I feel the v3 is much better performing in that respect.

 

[Downdeep]

Thank you for the info. All of that is somewhat what I thought, but liked hearing confirmation. Monte, did you read my other thread about moisture?

I passed on my xlt to a new owner to get my V3. I miss my xlt, but not because of good or bad qualities, but because I new it well, but I have a new great detector to learn! Actually, I think experience with the xlt will help make learning easier on the V3 as a lot of it already makes sense.