VX3, my first impressions

[txquest]

Well, I finally did it, I talked myself into buying a top end detector. I dealt with Chuck at Indian Nations. He, along with Whites have got some special prices going on, so if you are on the fence about a new purchase, give Chuck a call. I got the new machine and put it together. I was somewhat concerned about the weight, since it was about a half a pound heavier than my current detector, but the VX3 is so well balanced I really couldn't tell much difference. I spent about 2 hours reading and re-reading the manual. I was real impressed with the manual. easy reading and if you have a basic understanding of metal detecting, the concepts, settings , etc. are easy to understand. Then I spent some time with the manual and the machine running thru all the programs and settings. It took a little bit, but it turned out so easy, even I could do it. The only problem I am having is remembering the "short cuts". Time and experience will solve that. I tested the machine on three different sites. The first was a tot lot with typical wood shavings that averaged about 8 inches deep. I used the stock coil, also a 4x6 DD coil, and the pre-set coin and jewlery program. The machine performed smoothly with no problems. I was impressed with the amount of info. the machine was giving with the depth of info. I found the usual cheap bling bling, but also several coins. Attached are three dimes, two were found on the rubber liner under the wood chips approx 8 inches, the other about 4 inches, the kennedy half was also about 4 inches. What was really impressive, I was getting good signals, that were deeper than the rubber liner, and yes I didn't cut the liner to dig them. My next site was old camp ground that I have pounded with other detectors in the past. The site has yielded several old coins. I hit the 1894 quarter at about 6 inches using again the pre-set coin program with the stock coil. The third site was the toughest, an old hotel that had been torn down several years ago. This site gave me the most problems. The ground was so litered with trash, I could not even ground balance the detector. I had to drive to the city park, ground balance on clean ground, leave the detector on, and drive back the hotel site. I know that is not exact science. Any way even using the 4x6 coil, it sounded like a machine gun. I will have to work on that one. Anyway, I am real impressed. This machine will take a learning curve to get really good at using, but it is certainly doable just be patience and have fun. Txquest

 

[Aurium]

Very nice finds. Glad you're enjoying the new toy.

 

[TIM CLARK]

Congrat on the new detector

 

[Schultzie]

Two silvers on your first outing... that's great! Keep up the good work. For future reference, you can shut off your detector and turn it back on and pull the trigger twice and it will keep your last settings... your don't have to leave it on. Good luck!!!

 

[Larry (IL)]

You are off to great start Craig.

 

[ak_1234]

If you turn autotrac off (so it's running in locktrac), you don't have to keep the machine running to keep your settings. It will remember the settings for you when it is next turned on. With autotrac on, it will automatically rebalance when powered on, but not in locktrac mode.

Also, if you had autotrac on when you went to the other field, it had probably changed its settings by the time you got back to the hotel. If you were in locktrac, then it would have stayed. Don't know which setting you had, but if you had autotrac, that may explain some. But, I suspect adjusting your sensitivity settings would have a bigger positive impact for you.

And congrats on your finds!

 

[lukeaa]

Next time you do a tot lot, put it on the Coin program and you will find all of the quarters and dimes. Then put on the C&J program, and go across the same area from a 90 degree different angle and you will pick up all of the pennies that you missed with the Coin program. I like missing the pennies.

 

[mickfin]

Yes i just got a VX3 it is a asum unit, Mickfin