X1 Probe on Etrac.

[Neilo]

I have recently bought an Etrac and have fitted my Sunray X1 probe to it from my old Explorer 2. For some reason when I use discriminate mode on the probe it blanks out the target. If I turn on pinpoint mode which is all metal, it finds the target with no problems. It seems as thought the probe is out of alignment in discrimination mode. When I used it on the Explorer there was not problems at all. Whether the extra power of the Etac is upsetting it I dont know but I did try to lower the settings but this didnt make any difference.Seeya Neilo

 

[Ralph Sun Ray]

Neilo,

The X-1 is the same for all Explorer versions as well as the E-Trac. There can be a slight difference in screen placement from coil to probe on some targets, however, unless you are using a very tight discriminate pattern on the screen there should be no problem. Also, if a discriminated target due to interaction with the soil is coming through the pattern with your coil as an accepted target, once you cut a plug and disturb the "aura" of the target, the X-1 will usually correctly ID the target and null it out. You will see this a lot with nails that are acting like good targets. To correct any screen placement problem you can edit any desirable targets back in using the probe for editing the targets back into your pattern using a small cursor (if you are using a tight pattern) and then checking in an air test that the target comes through with both coil and probe. Sensitivity settings should be very low when doing this to avoid screen splatters. In general tight patterns are not desirable as too many deep, problematic targets, as well as co-located multiple targets can "skip" through the pattern and either not be detected or give a very "clipped" response. A more open screen is the better way to go for deep targets especially in heavily mineralized soil where target response distortions may occur.

Ralph (Sun Ray)

 

[Neilo]

Ralph thanks for your reply. The coins were only in ground less than an inch deep. I actually tried the coins out of the ground on the surface and it made no difference it blanked them out when using the probe. Today I rescanned the coins with the probe using edit to accept them. The probe is now working fine. I was surprised how much difference there was with silver coins, to the readings acheived when using the coil.With the coil the silver coin had a number of 13-47 but when it is scanned with the probe it has a number of 1-50. No wonder it was blanked out. Thanks for your help seeya Neilo

 

[Erik in NJ]

The coil and probe reading should be quite similar - maybe you have a defective X-1.

 

[Ralph Sun Ray]

Neilo,

I am assuming you were scanning a quarter with the coil by the numbers you quoted. That seems a bit too far off with the X-1 vs the coil. However, if it was a half or dollar the variance can be greater. Also, if not scanned properly you can get several different readings with the coil or probe so when you accept for the pattern, there will be a difference. It may even null out when swept with the coil after the pattern, especially a tight pattern. I always open up the upper right corner of the screen some (when in Coin Mode) as the silver dollar will null out with the coil and probe in the factory pattern. I open it just enough to make sure the silver dollar will be picked up by coil and probe easily. Also, when scanning for a pattern it is best to scan with the coil off the ground as there can be other metal or ground interference which can change the placement, especially with the coil since it sees more ground area.

Ralph (Sun Ray)

 

[Neilo]

Ralph I was scanning a 1917 Australian florin which is quite a large silver coin it is 1- 1/8 inches in diameter. the ground is very neutral and I also noise cancelled and checked for any metal in the ground, the coin was scanned on the ground surface.The area I did the scanning was my back lawn well away from any electrical interference or metal structures. This coin had the most variance. Most other smaller coins came in very close to the original positions. The probe is definately more sensitive on the Etrac than the Explorer there must be more power being pushed through it. thanks seeya Neilo