Trust my ears??

[wharghoul]

There are a ton of posts out there regarding where to set the FE line on the Etrac, and there is always one person that chimes in that they only hunt by sound. They say "If it sounds good, I dig it?"

Really?? So you guys that live by that mantra, you don't even care if the cursor is stuck in the bottom right?

I need help, I haven't made any good finds yet and I'm losing confidence by the day.

 

[etracjoe]

Dont be too discouraged it does come with time. I personally started out with coins mode with the sensitivity at auto +3 with the upper right corner opened up for big silver. This is the easiest way I found to start out. And just dig any repeatable high tone. Then I started to get used to it a little and opened it up using Andy's coin program. This is when I included digging more of the low repeatable tones. Basically you dont need the area below fe line 27 open unless you are relic hunting or you like to hear all that noise. Some people even say that the etrac performs better opened up but for now I will stick to the disc patterns. After learning is the time to play with all the features. I did learn that it may help while starting out to use 4 tone conduct because multi tone may be too buisy for a newbie. Hope this helps, good luck and happy hunting

 

[montanagold]

I have had way to many good finds that were bouncing all over the place on the SE as well as the trac so listening works great. Granted on the Trac I found that I could ignore anything that was reading say 20 because it tended to be falsing. Keep in mind that its not just about high tones, soon you will be able to tell how big, deep, and all of the other good info just by listening. Most of the time all I need is headphones and the pinpoint button.

 

[jdeiana]

Could be where you are hunting. My best finds were in my first week because I had a good spot. I have almost cleaned out "my spot" and am finding much less even though I know much more about the machine. Time to find another hunting area for me, and maybe for you. A lot of it is where you hunt. The etrac is good but it can't pull the goodies out if the goodies aren't there. Researching spots is important.

 

[NebTrac]

With my limited 150 hr. experience let me just say what I know. I use Andy's Old Coin program. everything below the 27th line is disc. out and of course some of the top. With Andy's program you will get a lot more falsing off of nails, barbwire, fencing staples, large iron etc... With stock coin program you get less. However... What I am looking for when I hear a good tone is a repeatable signal when I do a ninety. If I get that I continue to circle. I always dig a 90degree repeatable signal. I also look at my depth meter and also watch the conduct. numbers as I circle. You can have a good target down there with or without iron in the mix and be off center of it and get lousy numbers. Even sick signals (weak) but are repeatable as you circle goof up your readings.

Learn to play with the signal. Try not to hurry your dig (I have to calm down most of the time and play with that signal). When I'm at an old farmsite I dig a lot of iffy signals. I was in the location of an old abandoned town. Last used in the early 60's. I dug probably 20 holes and not one coin. I dug 1 smashed thimble as a reward for 2 hours work. What did I come away with this experience. I believe I did not pass my coil over any coins....digging the iffy signals that I did pretty much assured me I was not missing anything and just hadn't passed over any good targets.

Learn to trust the machine but more importantly you'll gain confidence in your own ability. I think the others have real good advice. Research, look for somewhere maybe few or no one has hunted. Heck even hunt for clad for a while. My first outing with the E-Trac was in a park and all I dug was 1 clad dime and 4 clad pennies. I do not know if any advice I give is worth anything, but let me just offer encouragement to you and to say I hope you stick with it!!!

NebTrac

 

[Southwind]

It really depends on where I'm hunting. Sometimes I use the factory coin pattern sometimes I use an open CO and FE only rejecting 26 and above.

I don't see how listening to the tone is going to be any more accurate than watching the numbers. Both give the same information it's just one is by sound the other by numbers. A solid high tone will give a solid high CO number. A broken high tone will give a bouncy high number. It just depends on how you prefer to get your information. Via sound or display.

 

[Hotcz70]

I am used to the cursor movement on the explorers...and what it is telling me.

The screen on the E-trac and movement of the cursor is completely different when it pertains to placement of said cursor.

#2..I can't see the cursor anyway because it's so small compared to my SE and EX2

I 100% dig it if it "sounds" good. I do not dig lower conductor hits though for the most part.

The lowest type of hit I dig is a pulltab because I chase old injuns...and some can hit there.

Not tryin to tell you to hunt this way...and whether it's right or wrong...just tellin' ya it's exactly how I hunt.

On each and every deep silver coin or Injun' I've dug at the 10" depth range,,,the numbers were worthless to me as well.

The only reason I'm even mentioning the numbers is because I see them by accident when glancing at the screen to look at the depth meter.

My honest personal opinion is that if you would try a few hunts and hunt by sound alone...that your finds would increase.

Stick with coin type signals that repeat on each and every sweep as you circle the target. If it breaks up at all...move on.

I hunt with the E-Trac in the stock coin program while making ONLY 3 changes....1) bump the gain...2) max the variability to mimic my explorer...3) switch to manual sensitivity 26...and that's IT...no other changes other than dropping the threshold to a slightly audible hum.

Do I miss silver dollars if they're there because of the black bar at the top right?..yep...but I don't worry about it because I will go right back over the spot with my EX2 or SE and find a silver dollar if it's there.

I edited out the little bar at the top right like everyone else does...and it made my E-Trac much less stable and smooth for me...and I started digging iron...so I edited it right back in

Where the E-trac shines for me is it's "smoothness" of operation.

Don't lose confidense...because the E-trac is AWESOME...and you are hearing this from a person who moderates the Explorer forums and who uses the Explorers as his #1 machines

The E-trac is more than capable of finding 10" deep coins right out of the box...hunting by sound alone...set up exactly as I described....but there are a ton of talented guys here who can help you set it up anyway you want. Give it some time friend...if there are any deep old coins there...the E-Trac will sniff 'em out for ya'.

 

[jbow]

99% of the time I hunt in auto+3; a slightly enlarged "relic" pattern; Ferrous sounds and 2 tones. the 2 tone setting stops the falsing for me and I keep the digital screen up because the conductive numbers are so reliable almost every target with the CO number between 43 and 47 is a coin if the ferrous number is between 10 and 17, sometimes a little lower or higher. CO number 32-34 stands a good chance of being a bullet, 12-33 is almost always a minnieball if you are in an area where they are. Brass cuff buttons read just like a square tab coat buttons read just like a pullring tab.

The ferrous/2 tone thing really helps to point out the non-ferrous among the iron so you can stop and take a closer look. I pick a lot of masked targets out that way but only in 2 tone, 4 tone falses for me.

I also like to use Conductive sounds and multi-tones with more discrimination. You should try both ways and see how reliable the CO number is.

Anyway, using the ferrous/2tone setting should help you to tell if the site you are hunting holds any targets... but you have to either use the "relic" pattern or IM 28 (everything ferrous 27 and above accepted), I prefer the relic pattern because I want to hear all the low iron tones. The high non-ferrous tones seem to hit better to me that way... you can't miss them... then just check the numbers, dig and see what it is... you have to dig to learn.

Julien

 

[wharghoul]

Thanks Guys/Gals,

I've got some notes jotted down and I'll be heading back out tonight. I've been searching a 2 acre plot on the side of a church, it's not the original structure, but the property is right in the middle of an area that was settled in 1755.

Wish me luck,

Brad

 

[etracjoe]

Good luck and let us know how you make out!

 

[Goes4ever]

I have to agree with everything said here EXCEPT the part about if a signal breaks up move on. I dig all those deep broken signals, I even did a full dig video the other day and it was an indian about 8" with iron in the same hole, the signal was jumpy bouncing all over, FAR from soild and repeatable. Coins will NOT always give soild repeatable signals even on the etrac. I will continue to dig deep iffy signals, if you choose not too, I promise you'll miss good targets

 

[DirtDean]

If you dig two way signals only, you will miss some goodies!

I got a signal yesterday at an old park....it sounded decent (little choppy) from one side, turned 90 degrees...silence. Co #'s were high (42,43) and Fe #'s were bouncing.
What the heck, so I dug it as it was only bout 4 inches deep. I spotted the end of a big round headed rusty bolt as soon as I flipped the plug. I pulled it out then scanned the hole with the X-1. E-trac started singing! Bout an inch down and right next to the bolt, I pulled out a copper memorial. I scanned the bolt again and it nulled completely!

Most say they would have ignored that kind of signal (choppy and repeatable from only one direction) This is where the etrac shines by seeing past the iron to the good stuff.

That same day I dug another copper memorial with the same type of signal, only there was a large rusty nail pointing right at the coin in the hole.

I'm not saying to dig every questionable signal but if you're ONLY digging good sounding two-way signals, you will pass over some goodies.

My best find for that day was a 190? Indian penny at about 4 inches deep. It rang in at 12-40 (solid) one way and sounded all garbled from other directions. There was a piece of foil paper right next to it in the hole....

Just my two coppers...HH everyone!

 

[Goes4ever]

excellent post DirtDean, that is EXACTLY what I am talking about!

 

[NiagracountyNY]

If you go over those iffy signals with all metal u will be able to hear both targets..I always have all metal set up in quickmask for these exact type of signals..I have found this works great for me and eliminates most iffy signals.good Luck and happy Hunting!!

 

[Hotcz70]

ALL that's left in just about ANY park I hunt are "iffy" hits...unless it's clad.

I should have clarified this in my previous response...because I just RE read it...and got confused myself

His original post states he is "losing confidece". I was merely stating for him to stick to repeating signals to RESTORE some of that confidence in the machine.

If he continually chases iffy or iron hits and starts digging too many nails or too much trash...then I'm sure what confidence he has left will diminish as well.

Once he has some confidence back in the machine then SURE,,,start tryin' some iffy hits...cause that's where the good coins are still hiding.

One of the main things I get asked on the explorer forum is about this VERY subject..and it is no different for the E-trac.

Once you have some confidence in your machine...whether it's a Minelab or any other machine...then you should start tryin' some tougher hits if you want to find the previously masked coins. That is hard to do for most users though...because they get discouraged when more experienced hunters are finding good stuff all the time...and get in a hurry.

I'm merely giving my opinion for you to take your time...get some confidence...restore some confidence.,..whatever the case may be...before tryin' too many "iffes". Once you get some confidence though...start chasin' some iffy, cruddy hits...and some of them will pay off.

Here are a few links pertaining to "iffy" and iron hits to further explain.

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?19,1072331,1072503#msg-1072503

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?19,1071721,1071833#msg-1071833

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?19,1135574,1136469#msg-1136469

 

[onemore]

If you want to restore confidence, be more selective with what you dig for a week or two.

Once you feel better about it, then start experimenting with the 'iffy' signals. And yes - trust your ears more than the screen on the deeper targets.

Last Sunday I had a beautiful sweet tone, 11-14 ferrous 45-46 conductive numbers on a very deep silver-tone target in one direction. To me, I thought it was a quarter. But as I studied it from different angles, it completely nulled out at 180 degrees - I mean it was a solid null. However, from 90 degress, it was inconsistent, all over the place. This for me usually means partially masked coin with iron or a coin on an angle.

Turned out to be a hand-made silver men's ring, just a plain band - it actually fits me perfect... you can see the ripples and folds of how it was made. Given where I found it (multiple large cents and half dimes out of this area), I date it at mid-1800's. My guess is that it was on an angle as it was very near the root of a large oak tree.

Some would think that signal was trash and talk themselves out of digging it. You have to have a level of confidence to dig the one-way repeatable signals.

 

[wharghoul]

I'll keep at it....I'm down, but not out.

In the last 1-2 years, I've logged at least 500 hrs. between a CZ70, Cortes, and for the last 3 months the Etrac. In that time, I've only got 2 good coin finds...and even those two finds feel a little cheap. By that, I mean that they were both less than 3" deep. They were both sitting on top of big trash that preventing them from sinking.

Judging by what I read on here, I may be the most futile etrac user on the planet. I'm 99% sure my lack of finds has to do with location. I can count on one hand the times I've dug a signal over 6" deep that had a chance of being a coin (conductive over 40). I'm convinced I live in a freakish area that all the coins sink too deep for a detector(really hope I'm wrong). I've spent whole hunts where I only dig good signals and I've spent hunts that I dig everything over 6", regardless of the numbers. So, I go out everytime thinking this "will be the breakout hunt" and I always go out with a specific plan in mind.

I have the full compliment of SEF coils to go along with the pro coil and I think it says something about my area that my deepest finds have come with the smallest (6x8 SEF) coil. There is a ton of iron.

I would love nothing more than for a couple of you guys that really know your stuff to come down here and show me what I'm missing. The invitation is open, I've got permission to hunt some pretty old spots and I'd be thrilled for someone to find these goodies. At this point, it isn't even about ME finding an old coin, I'd just like to see one come out of the ground.

Thanks guys for listening to me b*tch and moan, I guess I just needed to vent a little bit. Actually decided not to go out hunting tonight, think I'll just stay in and watch Justice League with my 5 yr. old daughter. She's a Superman fanatic.

Best of luck to all and thanks again for all your feedback,

Brad

 

[Goes4ever]

I'll keep at it....I'm down, but not out.

In the last 1-2 years, I've logged at least 500 hrs. between a CZ70, Cortes, and for the last 3 months the Etrac. In that time, I've only got 2 good coin finds...and even those two finds feel a little cheap. By that, I mean that they were both less than 3" deep. They were both sitting on top of big trash that preventing them from sinking.

Judging by what I read on here, I may be the most futile etrac user on the planet. I'm 99% sure my lack of finds has to do with location. I can count on one hand the times I've dug a signal over 6" deep that had a chance of being a coin (conductive over 40). I'm convinced I live in a freakish area that all the coins sink too deep for a detector(really hope I'm wrong). I've spent whole hunts where I only dig good signals and I've spent hunts that I dig everything over 6", regardless of the numbers. So, I go out everytime thinking this "will be the breakout hunt" and I always go out with a specific plan in mind.

I have the full compliment of SEF coils to go along with the pro coil and I think it says something about my area that my deepest finds have come with the smallest (6x8 SEF) coil. There is a ton of iron.

I would love nothing more than for a couple of you guys that really know your stuff to come down here and show me what I'm missing. The invitation is open, I've got permission to hunt some pretty old spots and I'd be thrilled for someone to find these goodies. At this point, it isn't even about ME finding an old coin, I'd just like to see one come out of the ground.

Thanks guys for listening to me b*tch and moan, I guess I just needed to vent a little bit. Actually decided not to go out hunting tonight, think I'll just stay in and watch Justice League with my 5 yr. old daughter. She's a Superman fanatic.

Best of luck to all and thanks again for all your feedback,

Brad

what area do u live at?

 

[wharghoul]

Grand Bay, AL

About 1 mile inland

I guess I need to extend a little more effort into finding someone around here to hunt with. I only hunt late at night due my hectic schedule so up to now I've been a loner.

 

[wharghoul]

Ok, I replied once and then it disappeared? weird...

Anyway, I live in Grand Bay, AL. About 1 mile inland and about 25 miles southwest of downtown Mobile.