X-1 probe tips & tricks....????

[oneguy]

Got an X-1 comming soon. Do you guys have any tips or pointers, anything I need to know, etc., that might help out a new X-1 user? I hunt in mtc, open screen with 27 on down blocked. Also curious what kind of depth you guys are getting with the X-1...??? My Pp's seem to get about 1 "........

Anyways...got one comming and looking forward to it but any tips/pointers would be appreciated...

Thanks......

 

[duggr]

I haven't used My X-1 that long but I like that on shallow targets 1-3" I can switch to pinpoint mode and
Pinpoint the target before digging....No need for a probe!

 

[Surfinsafari]

The only PITA about the x1 is you get signals from the side of the probe so you will spend time chasing targets, sorta like you do with a PP but at least the TID numbers let you know you are after the "right" signal. Mine is very sensitive to the supposed "halo effect". When I am sure my target is out of the hole and I am scanning handfuls of dirt, my X1 will sound off and seem to "get it" when it realizes I dont have the actual target in my hand. I just figure the ground has taken on some metal salts and my probe will scream for as second and the seemingly say...oh !@#$.

 

[Nock]

When you get it set up and are using it , always remember to switch off when you are finished using it ,otherwise you will think you are hunting with the detectors coil but the probe is still on. Hope that makes sence.

 

[Dale(Ia)]

When you get it set up and are using it , always remember to switch off when you are finished using it ,otherwise you will think you are hunting with the detectors coil but the probe is still on. Hope that makes sence.

Yes, that is certainly a problem sometimes....................I hate it when on the odd occasion I have forgot to switch it back.......& suddenly realize no signals & had to backtrack the last 50 ft! DUH!!!

 

[oneguy]

Keep em coming......these tips really help and If and when I happen to come acrossed these situations I'll now know what's going on......

Thanks again.....!!!!!!

 

[hunter_46356]

I've only been the owner of an X1 for about a week. I've still been carrying a TRX but really don't see the need anymore. No more chasing a signal that's not your target. If you've done everything right before you pop that plug, when you open the hole and sweep the X1 through it, you will know if your target is a good one and where it's at. Surfinsafari mentioned he's noticed problems with the X1 being over sensitive. Remember it is nothing more than a one inch coil and what ever setting your using on your main coil is what it's using too. If you running your sensitivity at the high end it may be more than it needs to do it's job in the hole. You can easily reach over and drop the sens with a touch of the button. You can drop the sens, use pinpoint mode, check the screen and numbers, and even change your program if you want. I think once you experience it and get some time under your belt your gonna wonder how you ever did without one. I'm already worrying about mine crapping out cause they are hard to come by for the Etrac anymore. Hunter

 

[RoadKillDave]

What I do when that happens is use pinpoint on my e-trac and it causes the X1 to pin point and really zoom in on the target in the hole.

 

[oneguy]

so far....not impressed but I wasn't impressed with the etrac in the beginning either....lol. Been playing with it at the "ol trashy ballpark" here in Podunk. What I tried today that helped was scan hole with ProPointer first and if it appeared I was chasing a nail off to the side of hole I'd switch program over to "trashy park" pattern from my usual open screen with 27 on down blocked out. That seemed to help some? I was chasing some real iffies today as the place has been pounded by myself and others, few GOOD targets. Another problem is I don't use the screen much anymore and part of that is because 80% of the time I can't see the sob anyways so when I did glance at screen I couldn't see it half the time anyways...... I'll keep playing with it and it'll come in time hopefully.

 

[hunter_46356]

Trashy ground is were the X1 should excel if you've done everything right to start with especially pinpointing. I run in normal pinpoint mode and it's usually spot on. If you use normal and open the hole and the target is in the side I've found a lot of time these targets are junk, but not always. Important too is watching your depth meter. Dig down close to that depth before you scan with the X1. If you don't get a signal in the hole check the plug. If your running high sensitivity and your plug is narrow the X1 may pick up the target but your're not be able to locate the target unless you switch to pinpoint. You don't have to look at the screen the X1 should sound like the target your Etrac first sounded on. Give it a few more hunts and if things don't click I'm sure you won't have any trouble selling it if you want to.

 

[oneguy]

no problems PP'ing...especially last 2 hunts as I was using the 6" amongst the trash. I've found on a lot of the deepies is if a coin on edge your PP can be off an inch or two down deeper. I always try and cut a small plug usually no bigger than 4" dia. just to try and save our hobby and because of that some of my deeper finds have been in side of hole usually on edge if in the side. I'll try your using the x-1 in PP mode. Like I said...I'll get it after some time, it's just a little different, especially having to keep the thing moving, not used to that part.....

keep any tips coming though as the do help and help me speed up the learning curve....

 

[pilot]

The way I use it is...when you get a signal with the Etrac and pinpoint with it, the first thing I do is wiggle the x1 in that area and if the target isn't too deep you can get an exact location. If the x1 doesn't pick up the signal I will then dig a plug and recheck with the x1. If I now get the signal with the x1 I then get the garret pp out and check the hole with that. If no signal with the garret then I dig out some more dirt check the hole again with the x1 and if no signal this time use the garret to pp the target in the dirt pile. If I still have a signal in the hole with the x1 I check again with the garret and if the garret gives a signal now you know to be careful with your next scoop of dirt to prevent scratching the target. Even if the Etrac says the target is deep I still check the pin pointed area with the x1 first. Anyway That is how I do it. I have found when I use them together like that recovery time is about as short as is gets!

 

[Dale(Ia)]

so far....not impressed but I wasn't impressed with the etrac in the beginning either....lol. Been playing with it at the "ol trashy ballpark" here in Podunk. What I tried today that helped was scan hole with ProPointer first and if it appeared I was chasing a nail off to the side of hole I'd switch program over to "trashy park" pattern from my usual open screen with 27 on down blocked out. That seemed to help some? I was chasing some real iffies today as the place has been pounded by myself and others, few GOOD targets. Another problem is I don't use the screen much anymore and part of that is because 80% of the time I can't see the sob anyways so when I did glance at screen I couldn't see it half the time anyways...... I'll keep playing with it and it'll come in time hopefully.

Chasing "iffies" has gotten me some of my best finds! I've gotten to the point that I rarely dig the "nail" signals anymore...............it will come to you with time

Dale (by the way................I dug five "Half-Dimes" last year..............most were VERY "iffy" signals!)

 

[oneguy]

(by the way................I dug five "Half-Dimes" last year..............most were VERY "iffy" signals!)

I've had a pretty good run on the barbies lately and a few of them were real iffies......I can almost imagine how iffie the half dimes can be.....

good job sniffing those out....!!!!!!