XLT and the Bigfoot coil

[bklein]

I've had an XLT for some time but never really used it much. I started to learn it and then decided to get a used CTX and learn that instead.
I went up to my local park and compared the XLT to the CTX and other detectors I have. It really did well with one custom preset someone before me put in.
I came across a local ad for a Bigfoot coil for the XLT and bought it. Its been a couple years and I never really gave it a go.
Now I try and am having ground balance trouble like I read many have had. So first question is - how to start off with it. Do the settings that a preset have affect the success of ground balance?
What should I do to get over this hump and then maximize its performance?
I normally hunt beaches - where the XLT isn't the greatest at - but there are a few local parks where I could give it a try.
I want to evaluate it and decide if I should keep both or let them go.

 

[Detector Man]

its been many years but i recall a couple things

you MUST turn on the absolute value in the menue. (this is a must do thing) absolute value is used ONLY with big ffoot and must be turned on

and the other thing is when you ground balance i "THINK" the front of the coil must be touching the ground at a 45degree angle ....hopefully someone will see this and either confirm it or correct me.

 

[bklein]

Yes, the 45 degree thing is supposed to work. It did when I bought it - after a few tries.
But no luck since - unless I cheat by holding the coil differently. I'm wondering if the AC Sensitivity or Preamp Gain setting have an effect on how the balance does.
It does detect without a successful balance - it uses some kind of defaults. I've read that the absolute value is to get the useage of the full length of the coil and it doesn't really play a part in the balance - but I'll try that again just in case.
I was just trying default presets, which probably do not have absolute value enabled.

 

[Detector Man]

my recollection is firm on absolute value....it must be on(manually by going thru the menu) and its only to be used with the Bigfoot coil. After you get it going , you could save the program with the ABSOLUTE VALUE on and name the program BIGFOOT if you want to
I dont believe you should mess with any other settings (if they work for you)
Good Luck !
FYI: i found my oldest coin recently with my XLT 1847 Large Cent from Hawaii.....found in central California... only 100 000 minted.

 

[sandbandit]

I've been using the Bigfoot coil on my XLT for a very long time. According the original instructions that came with the coil - first do an air balance with the coil held up at waist level, then do a ground balance with the tip of the coil firmly touching the ground at a 45 degree angle. Make sure there are no conductive targets in the area of soil where you are attempting to do the ground balance - it throws it off. Hope that helps.

The XLT / Bigfoot combo is killer on grass fields - good luck to you!

Richard
San Diego

 

[bklein]

I tried and tried but couldn't get the ground balance to succeed. The coil works on the XLT pretty well though - sensing a quarter like in 4 inches or so.
I see though that if you tweak up preamp gain and AC sensitivity the coil is sensitive to movement of the cable and will sound off if you pinch the housing any.
Does yours do this? If not, I'm thinking I'd need to pry apart the housings and tape something down - one of the adjustment wires or a wire to the inner cover shield.

 

[sandbandit]

I noticed with my Bigfoot coil that it is a little sensitive to bumps and sometimes makes noises and/or scrambles up the VDI display if you hit something with it - maybe that is what is causing your sounds too?

The only unusual thing is that all of the VDI depth readings are approximately doubled when using the Bigfoot coil - if a coin is down 2" it will read about 4" deep on the display.

Personally, I wouldn't open up the housing - it sounds like it is working O.K.

 

[sandbandit]

My Bigfoot coil is very sensitive to being bumped - it tends to scramble the VDI display on my XLT if I hit something. Also, the depth readings are doubled on targets - if the VDI registers a target at 4" deep - it is actually only 2" deep.

I wouldn't open the housing for the coil - you'll probably do more harm than good. Hope that helps.

Richard
San Diego