V3i and the Bigfoot

[DFX USER]

I was thrilled to obtain a Bigfoot coil/loop for a DFX a couple of weeks ago after a relentless search for one. After receiving some advice from Mike Hillis about using it on my V3i rather than on my DFX I decided to give it a try. It's awesome! I went out last weekend for only a couple hours to test it and practice with it. I used it with all 3 frequencies and as Mike advised, it worked normal with the 2 lower frequencies and it basically tripled the vdi numbers on the highest frequency. When getting a hit I just had to remember to check the dominant frequency before determining if I had a good target or not. If the high frequency is the dominant frequency for a particular target, then you just divide the vdi number in your head by 3 and it is very accurate. For example I dug nickels at a vdi of 58 and also 62. I got the feel of it last weekend and liked what I saw.

I went out this morning at 8:00 to a local county park that I had hunted in several times before and I know of other MD'ers that have also hunted it. Didn't really expect to find a whole lot but wanted to really give the coil the once over to see just how good it was. Someone in an earlier post described it as a "quarter rake" and they weren't kidding. I was hunting in a park that get's hunted often and I found 52 quarters, 18 dimes, 10 nickels and 69 pennies. Actually I started skipping pennies to save time. A fair number of the quarters were 6" deep but I didn't really find any deeper than that. I was still amazed at it's depth and even more so with the quantity of hits. The pin pointing is dead on and very easy to use. I love the coil and cannot believe it is not back into production. I'm going to the UK in April on a hunt and I cannot wait to use this coil over there. A buddy went with me today and he too has a V3i. He wants a Bigfoot! If you know of one that is available please let me know.

 

[Mike Hillis]

n/t

 

[Larry (IL)]

The Bigfoot is expensive when you can find them, but worth every quarter. Nancy and I used to go "cladding" on the weekends years ago and it became fairly common to have a $50 day with the Bigfoot. Our interests, and health, have changed and we have slowed down our style and hunt for deep silver now but quarter picking the sports fields and tot lots is still a fun way to spend a day.

 

[CyberSage]

The Bigfoot is in fact a Quarter rake! $10.00 days are not uncommon. My best ever was $21.00. The Bigfoot excels on ringsl. I used to do really well with the DFX/Bigfoot combination. As a matter of fact I still have my DFX, and the Bigfoot stays on it all the time. I have used it on the V3, but prefer it on the DFX. Don't try and use Correlate. Use only best data with the V3 or you will miss all high conductive targets. Single frequency 7.5 Hz is very accurate, but crimp style caps sound like quarters.

Jack

 

[mickfin]

Say can i use my oll 6.59 Big Foot on my V3i using 7.5 I think the VDI# will be quite off , But will it hurt it??? Mickfin

 

[Larry (IL)]

You will just have to give it a try Mick. I don't know if the ends are the same or not, or if they are wired the same. If the ends are the same I really don't think you would damage the V by trying it. If by chance you did smoke the V, it is still under warranty....... Call this number to get a sure answer: 1-800-547-6911. Since it is a single frequency coil, you might as well use your Eagle W/Bigfoot, the Eagle is no slouch in the clad and jewelry department.

 

[mickfin]

Thanks Larry I hunted in 7.5 with the V3i and used my oll 6.59 Big Foot the VDI #s wear off but it went 6 " Like on the Eagle,
Mickfin,

 

[Larry (IL)]

We learned something new today, thanks Mick.......... and the XLT Bigfoot coils sell for less than the ones for the M6, MXT, DFX too.

 

[mickfin]

I got one of the New Old Big Foots 6.59 wear Whites changed wear the Cable gos in to the coil,
Hay Larry N magic , I used Magics program with my 5.3 and found a 1918 Merc Magic i can give you 1/2 got a Hacksaw LOL Mic

 

[TIM CLARK]

Ok I have the big ft. coil for my XLT if I run it on the V3I in the 7.5 only how do you ground bal. it.

 

[Larry (IL)]

Do the same as on your XLT, 45 degree angle.

 

[DFX USER]

Agreed. 45 degree angle with the front tip of the BigFoot towards the ground. Your blue color bar will not zero out like the other 2 frequencies but it will still be balanced.

 

[dktucson]

What is every one using for loop selection? I have tried mine but like it better on the DFX. Any one have any suggestions on the use of the Hot foot coil i have one and haven't used it much

 

[Tom Slick]

I use a Hotfoot coil quite often. It's great in competition hunts and nothing works better in the very trashy areas. At only 2" wide, it can get between most everything. The depth is limited to only about 3" but can can also be a benefit as it keeps deeper trash items from masking shallower items. The HotFoot can be ran on 3 frequencies or single. I prefer 3 Best Data, with the filter set at 10 high, Recovery delay a very fast 25. Disc. Sens 75-80, A/M Sens at 50-55. RX Gain 8 and I use the following Disc accept numbers.
+8 - +18
+23 - +24
+26 - +30
+32 - +36
+50 - +94

 

[earthmansurfer]

I use a Hotfoot coil quite often. It's great in competition hunts and nothing works better in the very trashy areas. At only 2" wide, it can get between most everything. The depth is limited to only about 3" but can can also be a benefit as it keeps deeper trash items from masking shallower items. The HotFoot can be ran on 3 frequencies or single. I prefer 3 Best Data, with the filter set at 10 high, Recovery delay a very fast 25. Disc. Sens 75-80, A/M Sens at 50-55. RX Gain 8 and I use the following Disc accept numbers.
+8 - +18
+23 - +24
+26 - +30
+32 - +36
+50 - +94

That is very interesting. Thanks for the post. Would this coil do well in iron trash also? I asked on another thread about the best coil in iron (DD I thought). A lot of the targets I hunt are within 3" to 5", a bit out of the range of this coil. It is interesting that it basically cuts out the deeper targets due to it's range but allows you to then scan above the trash as well as in between.

BTW - I lived in Mesa AZ for 11 years and still go there from Germany every so often as I have family and friends. I feel bad for you having to hunt in the heat but a short drive away and you can find gold I believe and, there is no winter in Mesa! Good luck to you.

 

[Rob (IL)]

Since the coil is no longer made and expensive was why it wasn't mentioned. It's also hard to find one.

 

[Tom Slick]

Yes, Lots of nugget hunting here. I spend time at the beach in California quite it bit and water hunting in the summers isn't bad. You're right about no winter. Fall to spring it's usually in the 70's to 80's, and like they say, it's a dry heat and I don't have to shovel it off my driveway.