How accurate is the TID on the xterra 70 ? meet a feller at a totlot using an xterra 70, he claimed that the TID was spot'on 100% of the time for example pulltabs always read as 12 and $1 cions always 31 ect , and that he never dug any pulltabs is this guy for real or just pull'n me leg ? is the xterra TID really that good ?
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X Terra 70 TID how accurate ?
- Thread starter trueblue
- Start date
Jackpine Savage
Active member
Don't know about tot lots, but out in the field deeper targets including tabs can read up or down on the TID depending on the soil and condition of the target. Best to dig it all at any new site for a while to see how it reads the targets there. Of course that goes for any detector.
Tom
Tom
BarnacleBill
New member
Keep something in mind, he's probably relating to a Tot-lot. Tot-lots are not exactly the most challenging hunting environment. The X70 like many TID units will tell you what the target is telling the detector. That doesn't mean the target always tells the truth to the detector about what it really is. Throw in ground minerals, hot/cold rocks & gravel, iron etc and this can skew things a little.
But relative to other TID detectors it is pretty stable and consistent with it's ID of targets that are themselves consistent. It also has a special mode (Stability) to improve it's ID capability in hotter grounds.
However I have noticed some hunters get caught up in a hyper-sensitivity to consistent ID. If they are walking along and find 10 square tabs that ID at 16, then they become convinced that's what the square tabs should always read at. Next thing you know they find one that ID's at 18, and now in their opinion the detector is wrong and inconsistent. With a little examination of the square tab they might see it is thicker or made of a different alloy which yields the 18 ID. The detector get's it right, but the user can't accept that the detector knows more about the target than they do. The users that fall prey to that mentality are going to miss a lot of good targets.
Next time you see this fellow, if you take and put four fresh AA alkalines in your pocket you might ask if you can take her for a spin if you're willing to pay for the gas. Then pull the AA's out to cover the miles you're going to drive. A little thoughtful wampum can go a long way. Also bring some targets to bury in the Tot-lot to do your own testing.
Along with the ID stability, the counter side is the notch out abilities. If square tabs at ID 16 is bothersome, a simple wave of the target across the coil and push of the accept/reject button is all that's needed. No going into complicated menus and getting lost in what's accepted or rejected. It has immediate feedback with clear indication of what's in and out ID wise.
HH
BarnacleBill
But relative to other TID detectors it is pretty stable and consistent with it's ID of targets that are themselves consistent. It also has a special mode (Stability) to improve it's ID capability in hotter grounds.
However I have noticed some hunters get caught up in a hyper-sensitivity to consistent ID. If they are walking along and find 10 square tabs that ID at 16, then they become convinced that's what the square tabs should always read at. Next thing you know they find one that ID's at 18, and now in their opinion the detector is wrong and inconsistent. With a little examination of the square tab they might see it is thicker or made of a different alloy which yields the 18 ID. The detector get's it right, but the user can't accept that the detector knows more about the target than they do. The users that fall prey to that mentality are going to miss a lot of good targets.
Next time you see this fellow, if you take and put four fresh AA alkalines in your pocket you might ask if you can take her for a spin if you're willing to pay for the gas. Then pull the AA's out to cover the miles you're going to drive. A little thoughtful wampum can go a long way. Also bring some targets to bury in the Tot-lot to do your own testing.
Along with the ID stability, the counter side is the notch out abilities. If square tabs at ID 16 is bothersome, a simple wave of the target across the coil and push of the accept/reject button is all that's needed. No going into complicated menus and getting lost in what's accepted or rejected. It has immediate feedback with clear indication of what's in and out ID wise.
HH
BarnacleBill
How accurate?,that depends on a few factors,one is how hot the ground is,the hotter the ground the more unreliable the meter,the other big factor is depth,the X-Terra as with most/all detectors will id a faint target at the edge of detection with a lower meter id than it actually is,the fainter the target the worse this becomes, the X-Terra in particular will id small low conductive targets at depth as low digit iron such as -2,-4,these minus will be jumping to positive numbers and once you see this start digging as it's a good non ferrous target.
Another factor is iron next to the target,if there even a small piece of iron a few inches from the target then all bets are off with the meter id, just place a silver coin next to a large nail and sweep over it a few times,what's the meter showing? Not silver numbers that's for sure , if you have been cherry picking silver using the meter in an iron laden or trashy site I hate to tell you that you have missed many targets .
Another factor is iron next to the target,if there even a small piece of iron a few inches from the target then all bets are off with the meter id, just place a silver coin next to a large nail and sweep over it a few times,what's the meter showing? Not silver numbers that's for sure , if you have been cherry picking silver using the meter in an iron laden or trashy site I hate to tell you that you have missed many targets .
Mick in Dubbo
New member
Coins because of their constant shape and make, will generally read the same. However there are several things that can throw them off. Having another target next to it, being at an angle in the ground, being corroded or otherwise damaged, mineralisation in the ground and if they happen to be deeper than 6 inches they can start to show lower numbers. I've had a shallow $1 coin read 24 on the X-Terra, They normally read as 32. It had a bit of corrosion on it. a coin will normally read as it's regular number or lower. The only time that it will generally read another notch higher, is if it is on edge or at a steep angle, or there is something of higher conduciveness next to it (I haven't seen that as yet).
This fellow would be right about 80% of the time. It just comes down to whether you want to get as many coins as you can, or would rather just trust the meter. Please trust the meter!
That way you'll leave some for me.
Mick Evans.
This fellow would be right about 80% of the time. It just comes down to whether you want to get as many coins as you can, or would rather just trust the meter. Please trust the meter!
That way you'll leave some for me.Mick Evans.
well that bloke you are all talking about is me, and yes i have found that at the tot lots i have done the tid is accurate from one side of town to the other, thats because all tot lots have about 6-10 inches of pine bark on them am i right?. But get me in a spot that has heaps of iron and old trash (old house sites from 1860) things change in a big way. I am learning my detector from experience and not from reading forums, but after a recent outing with trueblue i am confused so maybe its time to ask for help. HELP
The TID is pretty darn good on the X-70. That said, you will need to use your ears and get to know your machine by doing a lot of digging. Pay attention to the TID and the sound the target is making before digging and make some notes. A solid TID is almost always a good target. If you only dig the solid TID targets you will be passing over other good targets. As mentioned before, the angle of a coin, depth, proximity to another metal object and other factors can throw the TID off. On questionable targets, I like to guess what they might be before digging. I can usually ID a pop top by the sound and TID. 95% of the time I'm right, the other 5% it's a coin or other target. There is no perfect detector that will ID everything correctly 100% of the time. By spending time learning your detector you can eliminate a lot of digging. You might be missing some good targets, but if time is a factor, you'll get most of the good ones. Be sure to invest in a good set of headphones. It really makes a big difference in being able to hear what your detector is trying to tell you.
Good hunting, John K
Good hunting, John K
The absolute only way not to miss a good target is to dig ALL beeps. One way, two ways, some ways etc. Well most of us don't have time for that. This is where TID comes in handy. Is it 100% correct - NO. Are detectors fooled - you bet. The more targets you dig the better your odds. If you ONLY use a good and steady TID and/ or beep you WILL miss good targets. Granted not too many though. But you will miss some. This is why "beep dig" hunters come up with nice finds. But they also dig the most trash. It's a gamble. I have had non TID units but prefer the TID. This helps me cherry pick some sites when time is limited or when the digging is hard. I don't like manually adjusting my disc to see where the target falls out. Just having a TID is another tool. But it's not the solve all tool. I guess I like something to look at while I'm hunting. This is why I like the beach to Bikini watch. Here is how I use TID and where I rank it among all the indicators that tells me to dig.
1. I get a beep
2. Does it repeat? Even if it doesn't I don't give up.
3. Does the beep sound good? High, low or in between tone.
4. I use the pinpoint feature to "size" the target - Is it coin size?
5. Then lastly I investigate the TID
6. Is it iron? If so I skip it.
7. What does the site and my gut tell me - dig or skip?
8. Do I have time to dig?
9. Is my beer getting warm?
All this takes about 10 seconds per target.
As you can see the TID is down on my list.
If you want to find what your missing simply set the detector in all metal and cover up the TID. Set your tones to 2 and dig all the high tones.
1. I get a beep
2. Does it repeat? Even if it doesn't I don't give up.
3. Does the beep sound good? High, low or in between tone.
4. I use the pinpoint feature to "size" the target - Is it coin size?
5. Then lastly I investigate the TID
6. Is it iron? If so I skip it.
7. What does the site and my gut tell me - dig or skip?
8. Do I have time to dig?
9. Is my beer getting warm?
All this takes about 10 seconds per target.
As you can see the TID is down on my list.
If you want to find what your missing simply set the detector in all metal and cover up the TID. Set your tones to 2 and dig all the high tones.
Mick in Dubbo
New member
G'day downunder.
Welcome to the forum.
Down to 8 inches, if a coin is flat to the coil, your TID will be accurate. After that or if it is near the metal, then this can throw your numbers off a bit. If I'm in this situation, I'll actually move the coil past it away from the ground, just to see where they show up on the meter. If you make a mental note of that, while hunting closeish to the metal, then quite often, when you pass over a coin, the detector can average the reading out between the 2 targets. The idea, is to simply be aware that your numbers can be off a bit. it's best to listen to how the signal sounds when you go over it. I'm a bit rusty at the moment, both with hunting around play equipment (not much opportunity here in Dubbo) and I have played with my X-Terra a huge amount lately. I've been using a few other detectors.
If a coin is on edge, then it can give what sounds like a short rapid hit. Play around with a coin over the coil at different angles and see what happens. I love the X-Terra's audio as it gives you a pretty good idea of what is under the coil without having to consult with the meter. It's not perfect, but good enough. Generally, if you are getting a good steady reading or only bounces a bit, then a target is worth looking at. You'll figure out the common trash pretty quick and can avoid those numbers, if there isn't normally good targets in that range.It will just depend on the place you are hunting.
If you have any specific questions that you'd like to ask, then fire away. If I can't help you on a specific point then I'll tell you, but there are plenty of experienced and helpful folk here that can also help out.
Don't be a stranger. Being able to talk to other like minded folk here really adds a great dimension to the hobby and can add some personal satisfaction by being able to contribute. Just remember, that by asking questions, you are contributing in a positive way. Other folks that may not have though about what you asked or may not have known, will learn something new. I have learned heaps from reading questions that other folks have asked and answered. Also, it's a great way to share experiences and have a few laughs on the way.
All the best.
Mick Evans.
Welcome to the forum.
Down to 8 inches, if a coin is flat to the coil, your TID will be accurate. After that or if it is near the metal, then this can throw your numbers off a bit. If I'm in this situation, I'll actually move the coil past it away from the ground, just to see where they show up on the meter. If you make a mental note of that, while hunting closeish to the metal, then quite often, when you pass over a coin, the detector can average the reading out between the 2 targets. The idea, is to simply be aware that your numbers can be off a bit. it's best to listen to how the signal sounds when you go over it. I'm a bit rusty at the moment, both with hunting around play equipment (not much opportunity here in Dubbo) and I have played with my X-Terra a huge amount lately. I've been using a few other detectors.
If a coin is on edge, then it can give what sounds like a short rapid hit. Play around with a coin over the coil at different angles and see what happens. I love the X-Terra's audio as it gives you a pretty good idea of what is under the coil without having to consult with the meter. It's not perfect, but good enough. Generally, if you are getting a good steady reading or only bounces a bit, then a target is worth looking at. You'll figure out the common trash pretty quick and can avoid those numbers, if there isn't normally good targets in that range.It will just depend on the place you are hunting.
If you have any specific questions that you'd like to ask, then fire away. If I can't help you on a specific point then I'll tell you, but there are plenty of experienced and helpful folk here that can also help out.
Don't be a stranger. Being able to talk to other like minded folk here really adds a great dimension to the hobby and can add some personal satisfaction by being able to contribute. Just remember, that by asking questions, you are contributing in a positive way. Other folks that may not have though about what you asked or may not have known, will learn something new. I have learned heaps from reading questions that other folks have asked and answered. Also, it's a great way to share experiences and have a few laughs on the way.
All the best.
Mick Evans.
Gday to you too Mick,I have heaps of questions.On one of my first outings at an old pub site, i had been there befor looking for bottles a long time ago, anyway, i hit a target that gave an iron signal but with a high audio pitch with it, i had dug a couple of old coins and some iron the same day so i knew the tones associated with them i also know that large iron targets give confusing tones but this one i wasnt shore about, so i thought i better dig it, Lo and beholed it was a coin, i then waved the coil over the hole and got a mixed signal and dug down about another inch and found a 4"x4" piece of iron, Did i actualy pick up the difference in the tones, is the xterra that good? Or was it just tin arse beginers luck. dont ask me to explane the find in detail couse it was about six months ago. im gonna hit that spot again now i know not to trust TID. Happy Hunting
Rifleman,
You said
"Be sure to invest in a good set of headphones. It really makes a big difference in being able to hear what your detector is trying to tell you."
Please help me with a question of headphones.
What can you hear with headphones you can't hear without?
I'm aware of the ability to hear a lower threshold, but what else?
Are there tones I can't hear without them?
I haven't been wearing headphones but if it really helps I'll start.
Thanks,
Ron
You said
"Be sure to invest in a good set of headphones. It really makes a big difference in being able to hear what your detector is trying to tell you."
Please help me with a question of headphones.
What can you hear with headphones you can't hear without?
I'm aware of the ability to hear a lower threshold, but what else?
Are there tones I can't hear without them?
I haven't been wearing headphones but if it really helps I'll start.
Thanks,
Ron
The ID system works best when there are no co-located items in the ground, mineralization isn't a big factor and the target is well within depth of a more accurate reading. Also surface corrosion on an item can skew readings. When conditions are less than ideal then it is time to not rely as much on it but the ID system readings still can roughly categorize signals, small foil shouldn't read like a high conductive coin and so forth. Some take extreme positions of either not trusting ID or always relying on it, there is some middle ground, just use common sense, experiment with digging questionable signals and see how the detector is responding to any given site.
Mick in Dubbo
New member
G'day Downunder.
You were spot on. If your tones are telling you one thing and your TID is telling you something else, then you can assume that you have 2 targets there. Try and maneuver around the the signal to see if you can isolate them.
I'm primarily a lawn hunter, but I have hunted such spots a few times. Do to the fact they are burnt down, will make them tough to detect. That said, if you are mostly dealing with nails, the the X-Terra will give you a good chance to find some good targets. I found an old gun powder flask at such a spot, a couple of years ago with my X-Terra 30 (Armed with the standard coil) A small DD coil would be the best choice in this sort of hunt though. The place I found the flask, was right in the middle of the burnt ruins of a weather board miners cottage. the fact that it was a large item, helped the detector to hear it through the large number of iron hits that I was getting. It gave a solid 32.
Something that Digger has said a while back, that makes a lot of sense; think of your discrimination in terms of a circle and not linear. Iron can often give a high tone and signal. this happens to most detectors. I don't know why, but if you dig a high tone and find iron, then it's nothing to worry about; especially if you want to dig silver.
I'd also recommend that you read Des Dunnes article on using the X-Terra. Digger put it into the FAQFAQ. It talks about the mixed tone visual information anomaly's that you came across. Hopefully, it could throw more light on the subject as well.
Good luck with the pub site. Hopefully you'll make some cracking finds.
Mick Evans.
You were spot on. If your tones are telling you one thing and your TID is telling you something else, then you can assume that you have 2 targets there. Try and maneuver around the the signal to see if you can isolate them.
I'm primarily a lawn hunter, but I have hunted such spots a few times. Do to the fact they are burnt down, will make them tough to detect. That said, if you are mostly dealing with nails, the the X-Terra will give you a good chance to find some good targets. I found an old gun powder flask at such a spot, a couple of years ago with my X-Terra 30 (Armed with the standard coil) A small DD coil would be the best choice in this sort of hunt though. The place I found the flask, was right in the middle of the burnt ruins of a weather board miners cottage. the fact that it was a large item, helped the detector to hear it through the large number of iron hits that I was getting. It gave a solid 32.
Something that Digger has said a while back, that makes a lot of sense; think of your discrimination in terms of a circle and not linear. Iron can often give a high tone and signal. this happens to most detectors. I don't know why, but if you dig a high tone and find iron, then it's nothing to worry about; especially if you want to dig silver.
I'd also recommend that you read Des Dunnes article on using the X-Terra. Digger put it into the FAQFAQ. It talks about the mixed tone visual information anomaly's that you came across. Hopefully, it could throw more light on the subject as well.
Good luck with the pub site. Hopefully you'll make some cracking finds.
Mick Evans.
A certain type of pull tabs read 12, but so do nickles and some gold rings so I dig 12. I think the advice to learn your machine is the best. As a rule I don't dig 24 signals because in 1.5 years every time I dug a 24 it was trash, almost always cans torn up by mowers. I am about to do the same with 28 because it is nearly always a rusty steel bottle cap. I have dug a zinc Penny that was eaten up that was bouncing between 28-30, but if I missed it I would of missed a zinc Penny. Keep it fun is the key for me. I hunted a very old park in the morning and had to choose my targets carefully. This park has had 100 years of festivals so it has millions of nails and lots of iron to deal with. The only way to not miss any targets would be to dig with a backhoe and sift. By the time I did about 1000 feet of the grass between the sidewalk and the street my knees were done, so I went to a sand park and used the scoop where I could "dig everything". I had lunch and hit a wood chip tot lot where I cherry picked a few items and crawled to my truck and went home.
I like the TID because it is another view of what is in the ground. It is not accurate every time, but I trust it for good advice. I have rarely dug a solid 42 that was not a quarter, or a solid 38 that was not a dime, but I did dig a solid 38 that was a silver toe ring.
HH,
cb
I like the TID because it is another view of what is in the ground. It is not accurate every time, but I trust it for good advice. I have rarely dug a solid 42 that was not a quarter, or a solid 38 that was not a dime, but I did dig a solid 38 that was a silver toe ring.
HH,
cb