I think that I've got manual GB, Auto GB and Tracking GB. But I'm having difficulty with Tracking Ground Balance Offset. I just don't see it. What am I missing? Surely it's not that hard. I just can't wrap my mind around it at this time. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance Terry.
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Tracking Ground Balance Offset
- Thread starter TerryETex
- Start date
What aspect of it don't you get Terry?
The toughest part for most folks is just in the initial understanding of how Xterra Ground Phase numbers work, with the higher number relating to milder soil. Once you have that part figured out the Offset feature is pretty simple.
Enter the GB menu, then press the Accept/Reject button to enter the Offset menu. It will allow you to enter either a positive or negative number. Whatever you enter will be like a simple math equation, in that if you enter +2 for instance, the machine will add 2 to the actual GB number, telling the machine that you want it to treat the soil as if it were 2 points milder than reality. Likewise, if you enter -2, the displayed number will be 2 points lower than reality, and the machine will respond as if the soil were 2 points more mineralized.
The toughest part for most folks is just in the initial understanding of how Xterra Ground Phase numbers work, with the higher number relating to milder soil. Once you have that part figured out the Offset feature is pretty simple.
Enter the GB menu, then press the Accept/Reject button to enter the Offset menu. It will allow you to enter either a positive or negative number. Whatever you enter will be like a simple math equation, in that if you enter +2 for instance, the machine will add 2 to the actual GB number, telling the machine that you want it to treat the soil as if it were 2 points milder than reality. Likewise, if you enter -2, the displayed number will be 2 points lower than reality, and the machine will respond as if the soil were 2 points more mineralized.
That's not how it works. You're not trying to hit any certain number. You're trying for an effect, and it takes some experimenting in your specific conditions.
Check out pg.23 in Randy's book for a pretty good description. And if it's still unclear, get back to us and we'll see what we can do to help clarify things.
Check out pg.23 in Randy's book for a pretty good description. And if it's still unclear, get back to us and we'll see what we can do to help clarify things.
For me, it totally depends on the tonal response that I get on a given piece of ground with the frequency that I've chosen to hunt with. Others may utilize it to try to squeeze additional depth, while others yet may employ it to help quiet a site that is somewhat noisy due to natural conditions.
I stated that for me it's totally about tonal response. Here, when coin shooting or field hunting long gone home sites, I'll hit it first with a 3kHz coil, and frequently I'll run two or three points positive (-2 or -3). On rare occasion, I'll encounter a site that has conditions that are so mild (and often lofty soil) where I've run a couple points negative in an attempt to gain some additional depth, but not to the extent that it adversely effects my audio.
I stated that for me it's totally about tonal response. Here, when coin shooting or field hunting long gone home sites, I'll hit it first with a 3kHz coil, and frequently I'll run two or three points positive (-2 or -3). On rare occasion, I'll encounter a site that has conditions that are so mild (and often lofty soil) where I've run a couple points negative in an attempt to gain some additional depth, but not to the extent that it adversely effects my audio.
OL, I just read through this thread. Came at a great time. I have been toying with the idea of playing with the GB offset. I run in pretty hot soil here in the northwest. GB numbers anywhere from 5-20. Usually on the lower end. Do you think it would be beneficial to set it a couple points positive or just leave it neutral. I'm uncertain if I will have any adverse effects in hot soil by doing this. Should I set up a test garden and experiment or just try it out on the fly. Thanks, Nick
It would depend on exactly what you're experiencing. If the problem is with tonal clarity, then I would find a target that you're pretty sure about and experiment with improving it over that target. You may well find that slight positive offset clears it up enough to be worth it.
If you're looking for depth, you might gain a small amount with a negative offset if ground noise isn't part of your issue. But again, only a slight amount, else you'll create a response quality problem.
Another thing t consider, is how it can effect ID. You may find that targets are a segment off one way or the other. That copper Memorial that was 38 might suddenly start showing up 36 or 40, so you may have to adapt to the machine some.
If you're looking for depth, you might gain a small amount with a negative offset if ground noise isn't part of your issue. But again, only a slight amount, else you'll create a response quality problem.
Another thing t consider, is how it can effect ID. You may find that targets are a segment off one way or the other. That copper Memorial that was 38 might suddenly start showing up 36 or 40, so you may have to adapt to the machine some.
I haven't been using an offset, maybe I should give it a try. I have been using tracking since I bought my 705. Rarely ever take it off, to me it doesn't make sense not to use it. You have the ability to constantly adjust to changing ground conditions as you hunt, why wouldn't you use it? If I'm missing something or my thinking is flawed please jump in and tell me, I'm all about increasing my odds of making good finds.
I don't think that you're missing anything by using Tracking Bill, but understand that what we're discussing is using Tracking Offset.
The 705 has the ability to maintain a user determined Offset while in Tracking, which can be a valuable tool in a variety of circumstances, and there is no other machine out there that has this option. It's one of many reasons that I continue to say that the Xterra is the most flexible detector on the market, and why I'll never be w/o one.
The 705 has the ability to maintain a user determined Offset while in Tracking, which can be a valuable tool in a variety of circumstances, and there is no other machine out there that has this option. It's one of many reasons that I continue to say that the Xterra is the most flexible detector on the market, and why I'll never be w/o one.
Well great! I know it was about using offset but since it was also about tracking I hosted to start a new thread, figured I would jump in on this one. I will be using an offset next time I'm out to see how the machine reacts to targets.
Thanks so much for the info!
Thanks so much for the info!
Old Longhair said:
Good luck Terry! We look forward to hearing about your results.
I encourage all Xterra users, especially 70/705 owners, to experiment. You have so much power in your hands because of all of it's features, that if you just set and forget you'll never fully realize what all it can do. That's not to say that it can't be a turn-on-and-go machine, because it can be, which makes it a perfect machine to grow into. But, if you want to get the most out of it you need to explore it and learn what different combinations give you the edge in various conditions on a variety of desired targets.
Above all else, if you only take away just one thing from all of my ramblings let it be this:
If what you're doing isn't working....CHANGE SOMETHING!
I encourage all Xterra users, especially 70/705 owners, to experiment. You have so much power in your hands because of all of it's features, that if you just set and forget you'll never fully realize what all it can do. That's not to say that it can't be a turn-on-and-go machine, because it can be, which makes it a perfect machine to grow into. But, if you want to get the most out of it you need to explore it and learn what different combinations give you the edge in various conditions on a variety of desired targets.
Above all else, if you only take away just one thing from all of my ramblings let it be this:
If what you're doing isn't working....CHANGE SOMETHING!
The amount of offset is not dependent on the mode you're in when you set it. It only requires that you be in Tracking to work. Otherwise, you can set GB either manually or automatically, and just bump it to where you want it for offset, and run fixed with Tracking off.TerryETex said:
I think you're a bit confused.
Tracking is desirable where there is variation, because it automatically compensates for the changes.
Tracking Offset allows you to offset GB and still automatically compensate with that amount of offset.
Tracking is desirable where there is variation, because it automatically compensates for the changes.
Tracking Offset allows you to offset GB and still automatically compensate with that amount of offset.