Your best tip for someone starting with the CTX

[amberjack]

I wish I could have a long tone to place in just one tone box, but that's a different thread isn't it

a tip are yes get the 6" coil

AJ

 

[TrpnBils]

I would also suggest understanding and interpreting target trace, enabling pitch hold, for the most part keeping the detector at auto + 3, and more generally digging those iffy signals.

Interesting that you mention pitch hold. You don't see too many people advocating for that for either the Etrac or the 3030. What makes you recommend it over the other modes? FWIW I keep mine in smooth all the time, which is different than what I did with my Etrac. I've always wondered what kind of benefit pitch hold would have though from a practical standpoint (I know what it does, just never saw a situation where I thought I would benefit from it). I've tried a few times, but what always sends me back is that it never fails....I'll get an iron false and the pitch will change to a high tone. When that happens I would end up spendimg a bunch of time chasing a false when it would have been an obvious false in any other mode.

 

[GKMan]

Good Suggestions from a lot of folks! I was hoping that we could come together and put some of our best tips out there and I think we have. Thanks to everyone that has responded with their best advice to make others using the CTX successful.

Rather than rehash a bunch of thoughts regarding Pitch Hold.. Here is an old thread we could revive if we wanted to discuss it in depth.

A question for GKMan and others using pitch hold
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?86,1983337,1983775

 

[Paulie]

Buy Andy Sabisch's book "The CTX-3030 Handbook" or take Andy's bootcamp class!! Starting to play with programs...bins etc is not recommended, as it will only serve to frustrate you even more. The CTX is such an amazing instrument...almost like a musical instrument...you have to learn your notes first, before anything else!

 

[trojdor]

I've got a test garden laid out with targets thats on top of my list, coins, civil war, colonial and other various artifacts.

Time with the machine is most valuable, it has made me more confident with the CTX.
HH

That's basically the same advice I've been giving for decades...

The only thing I'd add and emphasize now, (with all the youtube videos and forum threads) is:
Occasionally...push yourself away from the keyboard, dust off your detector, and get outside and play in the dirt with it.

If it's valid to compare a detector to a musical instrument, it's valid to emphasize that you need to practice, practice, practice.
...but don't forget the most important aspect of 'why we detect'...and that is to have FUN.

HH,
mike

 

[amberjack]

and like I always say know your prey.

AJ

 

[Kieth-Tx]

Since someone already mentioned getting the 6" coil....here is my tip.
If you are hunting the water or dry land and you take a break...then you start hunting again and your not getting any signals....make sure you turned your machine back on! LOL Yeah...it happened to me. hard to see the screen in 5' water.;-)
Kieth-Tx