What is your main search coil?

[triplehooked]

Well, I finally have a SE pro headed my way. I don't even have the machine in hand and I already have coil questions. Obviously the machine comes with a pro coil and although it has decent reviews, many of you folks have reported more depth and better stability with both the X12 and the 10X12 SEF coils. I'm looking to switch to one of these coils as my main search coil for lighter trash sites, and a X5 for the high trash areas. I know, crazy to think of this before I even try the machine with the pro coil, but if it allows you to run hotter and obtain greater depth, why not? My goal is to not start a coil war, just to gather opinions as to what people use/prefer and why. It would be nice to hear from those who have used both coils, too! I'd love to purchase both and see for myself, but the wife would have me in the dog house for sure. So I have to decide between the two. BTW... the X5 is already a must have for me and next on my list....lol... I have some high trash areas calling it's name.... Thanks for any and all advice.

T

 

[MNCoinhunter]

I just traded my 10X12 for an X-12, but I have'nt had a chance to try it yet .... still frozen in up here. I think the 10X12 would be the one to get ... more stable and quieter than the stock coil. But the stock coil is a killer ... I will never trade that.

 

[ExpIInut]

Bought an SE when they first came out and got rid within a couple of weeks - this was down to the original Slimline coil it came with - have got a BRAND NEW SE sat here still boxed (got at good price ) - its got the Pro coil with it - neither will get used as I'm doing too well with my old XS and X-12 coil.

 

[triplehooked]

ExpIInut, How long have you had the X12 on the XS and what kind of depth/separation are you getting with it. I know depth is relative to the mineralization of the area, but how does it do in say light to medium trash? That's a big coil to separate out the junk. Thanks for the info.

Dave, I know what you mean, here in Michigan it's snowing as I type....not cold enough to ice fish though. That's probably why I am on here at 330 am .. Keep us informed as to what you think about it compared to the SEF coil. Opinions vary of course, which is why I'm not pestering Bryce on this one as I know he loves his SEF...

I know this may sound silly, but the reason why I'm looking into changing coils right off the bat is due to many of the sites that I hunt are one shot deals. ie... side walk tear outs, homes for sale (permission from the realtor/owner of course), old home demolitions (sadly), and some places that will only let me dig on their property in the early spring and late fall. I want to make certain that I will be getting the best depth/separation that I can in that first shot. Don't get me wrong, I love to hit the local fairgrounds and parks to play in pulltab land. It was definitely a grin to have pulled my first buffalo nickel last month out of a heavily pounded fairground area with my last detector. But that's where the X5 will come in with the SE..



BTW....I've read Bryce's post on coils (yep, all of em', man does he find a lot of good stuff or what!! ) and they definitely helped me narrow down the field, your time and effort is much appreciated Bryce.

 

[ExpIInut]

"ExpIInut, How long have you had the X12 on the XS and what kind of depth/separation are you getting with it. I know depth is relative to the mineralization of the area, but how does it do in say light to medium trash? That's a big coil to separate out the junk. Thanks for the info".

I have had the coil since 3rd week in January - depth is very good even on small targets (14" on broken 20mm cannon rounds is easily obtained - sounds like they're on the top) - as regards separation I'm not even going to bother with a smaller coil unless I can find an 8" version here in the UK - I'm confident of searching even the trashiest of ground and picking out the good stuff.

Basic settings as follows (on all sites regardless of junk quantity)
Conductive tones
Gain 10
Limits 10
NO iron mask - you need to hear everything
Sensitivity 24+ even if chattering - I never use auto as iffy signals that I dig, that yield good targets WILL disappear on occasions due to the targets depth

The most important thing is learn to LISTEN - if I get so much as a hint of a low conductive tone amongst the higher pitched squeals, and regardless of what the signal turns into after removing some soil. KEEP digging - its not foolproof but 8 out of 10 will be non-ferrous items.

This set-up is not to everyone's taste but works for me - if you check out the photo I've posted all these items were found using the above settings some are tiny................

 

[MNCoinhunter]

ExpIInut, How long have you had the X12 on the XS and what kind of depth/separation are you getting with it. I know depth is relative to the mineralization of the area, but how does it do in say light to medium trash? That's a big coil to separate out the junk. Thanks for the info.

Dave, I know what you mean, here in Michigan it's snowing as I type....not cold enough to ice fish though. That's probably why I am on here at 330 am .. Keep us informed as to what you think about it compared to the SEF coil. Opinions vary of course, which is why I'm not pestering Bryce on this one as I know he loves his SEF...

I know this may sound silly, but the reason why I'm looking into changing coils right off the bat is due to many of the sites that I hunt are one shot deals. ie... side walk tear outs, homes for sale (permission from the realtor/owner of course), old home demolitions (sadly), and some places that will only let me dig on their property in the early spring and late fall. I want to make certain that I will be getting the best depth/separation that I can in that first shot. Don't get me wrong, I love to hit the local fairgrounds and parks to play in pulltab land. It was definitely a grin to have pulled my first buffalo nickel last month out of a heavily pounded fairground area with my last detector. But that's where the X5 will come in with the SE..



BTW....I've read Bryce's post on coils (yep, all of em', man does he find a lot of good stuff or what!! ) and they definitely helped me narrow down the field, your time and effort is much appreciated Bryce.

When I was considering the trade, I did ask Bryce about the differences between the X-12 and 10X12 ..... and his advice was to try the X-12 on spots where I had already been with the 10X12. From that statement I get the impression that the 10X12 is once again the more stable and quieter coil. I guess I will find out soon enough. And I will be happy to let you know how it works up here. Good luck !

 

[triplehooked]

Well I'm gonna take it that I need to buy both coils and tell the wife that Dave, ExpIInut, and Bryce said so..... Lol....from what I've gathered, it looks as though the X12 may reach a tad deeper, but the separation is a little better on the SEF...but that's just a guess....which is why I asked about them. It's a chunk of change to throw down on a X12, sounds like you got a good deal, Dave. 20mm isn't that big of a size, and to have a solid hit at 14" on a broken round is pretty darn good. I'm kinda swaying towards the SEF for now due to monetary issues as I have a shooter coil and a water machine to budget in yet...but we'll see what the classifieds hold when I'm ready. Thanks for the responses so far.

 

[MNCoinhunter]

No problem. And as I said before, the 10X12 is probably your best bet to start with.

And I do believe that the X-12 is actually 12.5" ... just to get down a bit deeper ..ha-ha !

Best of luck !!

 

[ExpIInut]

Just done a quick conversion - I paid the equivalent of $236 dollars for a used once X-12 as opposed to $215 for a new 10 x 12 SEF

 

[ExpIInut]

20mm isn't that big of a size, and to have a solid hit at 14" on a broken round is pretty darn good.

This is the sort of round I meant - any bigger and we can get em deeper

 

[triplehooked]

Ok I see what you mean. When you said rounds I was thinking bullets, not shells. I bet those are a cool conversation piece. Have you ever found any live rounds?

 

[Jim Vokes NY]

Just something that works wonders for me on Trashy Sites! Use what ever coil you feels works the best but set the Discrimination to ONLY find SILVER. Yes you will miss some of the copper etc. but you will find a lot more Silver! Discrimination should be one of your 'tools' to use in certain situations and not "one fits all" set up..

"Remember the larger the coil, the deeper it goes and the more trash you will dig."

"In old areas like "cellar holes", sidewalk construction, older homes etc. there will be a number of coins hidden by targets of other metals as well as ferrous targets."

"If you aren't digging some trash, you are missing coins!"

Just sayin...

 

[chuck ky]

that's the method i used with the sovereign but i now have an explorer II and i haven't figured out the best way to do that. i try blacking out the screen then using a quarter and dime to open the silver area but sometimes it works and sometimes other areas open up too. its like some type of interference is opening areas where trash would be.

 

[Jim Vokes NY]

The explorer has the ability to allow you to set up a discrimination template. Set up a total black screen then choose a small block size and open an area in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Save the template and then go at it. Good Luck!