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XT-70 Prospecting Mode-All Metal Motion or Non-motion??
- Thread starter HumblePie
- Start date
BarnacleBill
New member
It is motion.....but just barely. By that I mean that many use this mode for pinpointing, because even a very slight amount of motion allows you to shape & size a target. If you look through some of the prospecting posts you'll see the use of the term zip-zip, which I believe BT coined.
As an example considering a standard Steel BB which is 0.177 cal. Now take some lead shot about half that diameter ~ 0.080 inch and bury it at 2 inches. In Coin & Treasure mode, (a motion disc mode with an audio response similar to many detectors with a saturated audio), you'll hear a response similar to the diagram on the left. Prospecting mode will give a "zip-zip" response as in the diagram on the right.
[attachment 83818 ProspectAudio.gif]
Now the question may be why? It's because the Prospecting mode allows you to hear "more" of the Ground signal with a constant threshold, and a bit of a wavering sound. But it's not just a matter of increasing the the gain and creating a "high gain" mode. Just boosting gain will lead to a detector that in mineralized ground is very unstable and possibly unusable. The signal is being processed in a completely different manner and the quick "zip-zip" helps distinguish weak good signals from the ground noise. Using C&T mode is being a Framing Carpenter as Prospecting mode is to being a Cabinet Maker.
If you look in the FAQFAQ at BT's posts, then do a search for his other posts you'll see what the X70 is capable of in experienced hands for prospecting. And one thing he preaches when in heavily mineralized ground with the X70 is to "SLOW DOWN!". Give the detector a chance to process the Ground, and that's why he can find specie gold at 8 inches, while many others, including those with the big money PI's go home empty handed. As Steve Herschbach has pointed out many times, the 5% who are experienced, get 90% of the gold.
HH
BarnacleBill
As an example considering a standard Steel BB which is 0.177 cal. Now take some lead shot about half that diameter ~ 0.080 inch and bury it at 2 inches. In Coin & Treasure mode, (a motion disc mode with an audio response similar to many detectors with a saturated audio), you'll hear a response similar to the diagram on the left. Prospecting mode will give a "zip-zip" response as in the diagram on the right.
[attachment 83818 ProspectAudio.gif]
Now the question may be why? It's because the Prospecting mode allows you to hear "more" of the Ground signal with a constant threshold, and a bit of a wavering sound. But it's not just a matter of increasing the the gain and creating a "high gain" mode. Just boosting gain will lead to a detector that in mineralized ground is very unstable and possibly unusable. The signal is being processed in a completely different manner and the quick "zip-zip" helps distinguish weak good signals from the ground noise. Using C&T mode is being a Framing Carpenter as Prospecting mode is to being a Cabinet Maker.
If you look in the FAQFAQ at BT's posts, then do a search for his other posts you'll see what the X70 is capable of in experienced hands for prospecting. And one thing he preaches when in heavily mineralized ground with the X70 is to "SLOW DOWN!". Give the detector a chance to process the Ground, and that's why he can find specie gold at 8 inches, while many others, including those with the big money PI's go home empty handed. As Steve Herschbach has pointed out many times, the 5% who are experienced, get 90% of the gold.
HH
BarnacleBill
Thanks Bill for very sound advice. I've been prospecting silver ore for 20 years with my Garret Goldstinger (12 inch coil), and have decided to try some gold hunting this autumn. I've been considering upgrading my detector to either the XT-70 or the F-75 for better sensitivity. I realize that several dedicated prospecting units are quite able, but I like the idea of a lightweight detector suitable for prospecting but that also offers other features...just better value for the money. The XT-70 comes highly recommended, whereas there is little information regarding the F-75 for nugget hunting. It's purported good depth and sensitivity are the attractions for me. Would you be willing to offer your view on which choice might be most suitable? Many thanks...Jim.
BarnacleBill
New member
Jim,
I've never used an F-75 and you are correct there's very little info on it for prospecting, especially over highly mineralized ground. Whereas the X70 is a proven gold getter under a variety of conditions. The two features that the X70 has, that may make it more suitable to the task, is an Iron Mask in a dedicated Prospecting mode, and the Auto Ground Tracking. The Auto Ground Tracking in particular works very well, and is mentioned by many as helping in rapidly changing ground that is found in highly mineralized areas. And of course coil selection..X70=8.. and an almost 2:1 price differential make the X70 pretty attractive. One decent sized nugget at today's gold price and the X70 is paid for.
There are going to be enthusiastic users of both detectors that believe both can leap tall buildings, save the world etc. But I would more heavily weigh what other Prospectors are using under conditions similar to yours for the best advice. I'm not a Prospector, but I have to deal with that blasted Basalt on a regular basis!
Good luck in your decision and I wish great gobs of gold on you!
HH
BarnacleBill
I've never used an F-75 and you are correct there's very little info on it for prospecting, especially over highly mineralized ground. Whereas the X70 is a proven gold getter under a variety of conditions. The two features that the X70 has, that may make it more suitable to the task, is an Iron Mask in a dedicated Prospecting mode, and the Auto Ground Tracking. The Auto Ground Tracking in particular works very well, and is mentioned by many as helping in rapidly changing ground that is found in highly mineralized areas. And of course coil selection..X70=8.. and an almost 2:1 price differential make the X70 pretty attractive. One decent sized nugget at today's gold price and the X70 is paid for.
There are going to be enthusiastic users of both detectors that believe both can leap tall buildings, save the world etc. But I would more heavily weigh what other Prospectors are using under conditions similar to yours for the best advice. I'm not a Prospector, but I have to deal with that blasted Basalt on a regular basis!
Good luck in your decision and I wish great gobs of gold on you!
HH
BarnacleBill
Idaho-Marke
New member
I had a MXT, but I didn't like the threshold and weight, but I bought the MXT because it was a proven gold hunter and coin shooter. I found some galena with it and the rest of the time it was a coin shooter. The F-75 came out without a threshold, lighter weight and back lit screen for night hunting. I bought an early one because it too was supposed to be good for nugget shooting. Loved the F-75 coin shooting and the time came for nugget shooting with Gerry from Gerry's detectors in Rye Patch, NV and still, months after owning the F-75 there were no nugget shooting field reports.
Again, the threshold issue came in and since it was costing me $$$ for this Extraordinary Expedition I didn't want to risk getting skunked with my F-75 and I wasn't wild about swinging the heavy MXT anymore so I got me a XT-70, with a small high coil which if you have been doing your homework tells you this is one fine nugget finding combo.
Day one I'm swinging the trusty XT-70. The guy swinging the MXT finds the first nugget. A tiny thing. I find the next. So small, I am in wonder of the XT-70 and the MXT. Day two comes along and I'm up with the sun and come off the hills when I can't see anymore and find a few more tiny nuggets. Thank you God. So many get skunked here, I can feel Him smiling down.
Day three, up with the sun again, but this time I air test the F-75 on a small, make that tiny nugget I found the two days before. I get the whole camp involved and based on feed back from the group resolve to use the F-75 this final day. Double the foot print I liked. I could cover more ground and faster too as the F-75 is designed to be used with a faster swing. Suits me just fine
I used both machines balls to the wall. Pushed them right the their limits and both machines were excellent. If I had a larger coil for the XT-70 I think I would have used it for the same reason I liked the F-75; more ground covered. The main advantage of the F-75 is the faster swing. Gerry teaches "low and slow" which is why he gets the gold, but I ended up with the most nuggets at the end of the trip because I (or at least I feel) had a machine that suited my personal style rather than try to conform myself to my machines personal style. Did I sacrifice the deep ones for speed? I don't know. Did I have fun? That I did.
One last thing. The XT-70 and F-75 are multi-purpose machines. If you want to get serious about nugget shooting, a gold specific machine is the way to go. On this trip a mine lab GP4000 or something way out of my price range got a target. We all gathered around and had an opportunity to try and pick up the target. I don't know which machine I was using at the time, but I do remember a few inches of soil had to be removed before I could get even the weakest signal. That was an impressive display of power. Nice nugget too!
My advise, get the machine that suits YOUR style and pocket book. I coin shoot most the time and nugget shoot once or twice a year so I have an XT-70 and F-75. If you plan to camp out for weeks at a time nugget shooting, perhaps a gold specific machine is the way to go. You just can't go wrong with either the XT-70 or the F-75 in my opinion if your situation is similar to mine.
HH
Marke
Again, the threshold issue came in and since it was costing me $$$ for this Extraordinary Expedition I didn't want to risk getting skunked with my F-75 and I wasn't wild about swinging the heavy MXT anymore so I got me a XT-70, with a small high coil which if you have been doing your homework tells you this is one fine nugget finding combo.
Day one I'm swinging the trusty XT-70. The guy swinging the MXT finds the first nugget. A tiny thing. I find the next. So small, I am in wonder of the XT-70 and the MXT. Day two comes along and I'm up with the sun and come off the hills when I can't see anymore and find a few more tiny nuggets. Thank you God. So many get skunked here, I can feel Him smiling down.
Day three, up with the sun again, but this time I air test the F-75 on a small, make that tiny nugget I found the two days before. I get the whole camp involved and based on feed back from the group resolve to use the F-75 this final day. Double the foot print I liked. I could cover more ground and faster too as the F-75 is designed to be used with a faster swing. Suits me just fine
I used both machines balls to the wall. Pushed them right the their limits and both machines were excellent. If I had a larger coil for the XT-70 I think I would have used it for the same reason I liked the F-75; more ground covered. The main advantage of the F-75 is the faster swing. Gerry teaches "low and slow" which is why he gets the gold, but I ended up with the most nuggets at the end of the trip because I (or at least I feel) had a machine that suited my personal style rather than try to conform myself to my machines personal style. Did I sacrifice the deep ones for speed? I don't know. Did I have fun? That I did. One last thing. The XT-70 and F-75 are multi-purpose machines. If you want to get serious about nugget shooting, a gold specific machine is the way to go. On this trip a mine lab GP4000 or something way out of my price range got a target. We all gathered around and had an opportunity to try and pick up the target. I don't know which machine I was using at the time, but I do remember a few inches of soil had to be removed before I could get even the weakest signal. That was an impressive display of power. Nice nugget too!
My advise, get the machine that suits YOUR style and pocket book. I coin shoot most the time and nugget shoot once or twice a year so I have an XT-70 and F-75. If you plan to camp out for weeks at a time nugget shooting, perhaps a gold specific machine is the way to go. You just can't go wrong with either the XT-70 or the F-75 in my opinion if your situation is similar to mine.
HH
Marke
Bill...your logic is unassailable, straightforward, sensible, and easy to understand. I also entirely applauded your response to the fellow with the hot rock question. We folks are very fortunate to have you on this forum. Most kind of you to make this effort for me. Many thanks...Jim.
Hi Marke..You also responded over on the F-75 forum, so I got extra lucky with this additional information. Do you recall how you had the F-75 set-up when on site, for example, did you stick to the All-Metal mode or did you occasionally check some signals in JE discrimination out of curiosity. Do you remember roughly how deep and large was the nugget the Minelab 4000 located.
Finally, can you describe the size and depth of gold you found with the F-75? Questions, questions...but I'm learning thanks to people like you who have first hand experience at nugget hunting with these units. Many thanks...Jim.
Finally, can you describe the size and depth of gold you found with the F-75? Questions, questions...but I'm learning thanks to people like you who have first hand experience at nugget hunting with these units. Many thanks...Jim.