|
1. Are most metal detectors
basically the same?
2. How deep do metal detectors
detect metals?
3. What types of things will a metal
detector help me find?
4. What is discrimination?
5. Can a detector be set only to
respond to gold?
6. What is operating frequency
7. Are there any good places left to
hunt?
8. What is the difference between
"two filter" Classics and the higher end "four filter"
models?
9. What will target ID displays or
meters do for me?
10. I want to go metal detecting with
friends and family. Will more than one detector
interfere with each other?
11. What about all these different sized
search coils? Do I need accessory search coils?
12. What about a carrying case for my
metal detector?
13. Do I need headphones?
14. What about rechargeable batteries?
15. Where can I use a metal detector?
16. How do I recover the target once I
decide to dig it up?
17. What kind of Warranty comes with
White's detectors?
18. What is sweep speed?
19. What about the after market devices
that are said to add depth to my detector, do they work?
20. I want to go nugget shooting once a
year, beach combing once a year, and the rest of the
time I want to coin and relic hunt. What model of
instrument should I be looking at?
The answers...
1. Are most metal detectors
basically the same? [Top of page]
Metal detectors are like cars, they have many different
technologies, features, and performance characteristics
for their intended use. There are five basic types of
metal detectors:
- General
Purpose-Coin/Relic/Treasure
- Gold Prospecting
- Underwater & Salt Beach
- Cache Hunting/Deep
Searching
- Industrial & Security
Some metal detectors are designed specifically for one
type of searching. For example, gold prospecting
detectors are designed to be extremely sensitive to
small pieces of gold. General Purpose models are
typically not designed to detect metals as small as a
grain of rice, however, offer far superior trash metal
rejection compared to prospecting models.
When purchasing a metal detector, it is important to
consider what type of metal detecting you will do most
often, and prioritize according to your typical usage.
2. How deep do metal detectors
detect metals? [Top of page]
The most frequently asked question and unfortunately the
most difficult to answer! Most general purpose models
are factory equipped to search for coin &jewelry sized
metals at depths of 8 to 12+ inches depending on metal
size and alloy. To significantly and consistently detect
beyond 12 inches requires larger accessory search coils,
and/or to give up attempts to eliminate trash metals.
The 15" search coil responding to all metal alloys can
detect larger metal items (coin jars) at depths up to
four feet. However, sensitivity to single coins is
greater with smaller search coils. White's TM 808 can
detect 55 gallon drums at 16 feet, car-sized metals at
20 feet. However, it is not likely to respond to
individual coins or pieces of jewelry. Detection
depth varies with many factors:
- The size,
shape, exact metal alloy, and orientation of the
object in the ground.
Objects of a greater surface are detected at greater
depths. For example a coin lying flat exposes a
greater surface area than a coin laying on its side
and will be detected at a greater depth.
- The size of
the search coil. Search coils come in a wide range
of sizes and shapes- 4", 6", 8", 9.5", and 15".
There are also differences in the configuration of
the coils inside the search coil producing different
shape search patterns. The larger the search coil,
the deeper it can detect larger metal items.
However, it is more difficult to use in trashy areas
with less depth to small metal items. Smaller search
coils provide better separation in high trash and
better sensitivity to small metals.
- Soil
conditions and the amount of minerals in the soil.
The higher the soil mineralization, i.e. the
presence of magnetic and/or conductive properties,
the more difficult it is for a metal detector to
cancel the interference these soils produce.
Detection depth is reduced in severe grounds. Depth
may increase or decrease with subtle changes in the
soil conditions, more noticeably with the entry
level models. Soil mineralization varies widely
around the country &around the world.
- The
experience and skill of the operator. There's no
substitute for experience. Knowing how to operate
your detector and understanding the signals will
significantly increase depth.
- The metal
detector used and the selection of settings,
particularly All Metal or Discrimination.
3.What types of things will a
metal detector help me find? [Top of
page]
All metallic objects. Example: gold, silver, iron,
nickel, copper, brass, aluminum, tin, lead, paper, or
stone figures.
4.What is discrimination? [Top of page]
Discrimination is the ability of a metal detector to
tell the difference between different types or alloys of
metals. This allows you to selectively dig up only those types
of metals likely to be of interest to them. There are
audio (speaker/headphone) types of discriminators and
visual (meter, LCD) types. Most higher end models have
both types. The idea is to increase the odds in favor of
digging valuables, and decrease the odds of digging
trash.
5. Can a detector be set only
to respond to gold? [Top of page]
No. There are too many variables with exact alloys and
sizes to pin it down tightly enough to dig only one type
of metal. For example, a large piece of gold may read
high on a display or audio discrimination scale and a
small piece of gold may read low on that same scale.
Gold with some copper, silver, or platinum within its
natural alloy will indicate differently. And other
metals with similar electrical characteristics may read
identically. Lead and aluminum are the most difficult
common trash metals to eliminate. Even with the most
sophisticated detectors available, expect to dig some
trash. But a good discriminator increases the odds in
your favor.
6. What is operating
frequency? [Top of page]
Frequency in a metal detector is referred to in kHz.
(kilo hertz). It is the number of times the signal is
transmitted and received by the detector every second.
For example a metal detector operating at 6 kHz will
transmit and received 6,000 times per second, and at 50
kHz 50,000 times per second. As a rule, lower
frequency detectors offer better sensitivity to copper
and silver and better overall detection depth and trash
rejection. Most general purpose models operate at lower
frequencies. Higher frequency detectors are more
sensitive to small metals and natural gold. However,
they have difficulties with discrimination against
nonferrous (not-of-iron) metals. Their sensitivity to
small metals makes them tedious to use around trashy
areas. Most gold prospecting detectors operate at higher
frequencies.
7. Are there any good places
left to hunt?
[Top of page]
Nobody gets it all. Just because an area has been hunted
before doesn't mean a person with patience and a modern
detector can't still find the "good stuff" just about
anywhere. Spending time with research can still turn up
places which may never have been searched. Seasonal
changes such as storms, frost heaves, and erosion, can
also renew areas, particularly beaches.
8.What is the difference
between "two filter" Classics and the higher end" four
filter" models? [Top of page]
Two filter (Classic Series) and four filter (Pro,
Quantum, & XLT) are terms used to describe the amount of
electronic circuitry a metal detector uses to deal with
both discrimination and ground mineral elimination. A
two filter model will work great in low to medium ground
minerals and offer faster response between close
together targets in trashy areas. Two filter models are
user friendly, lightweight, and less expensive. Four
filter models typically detect deeper in mineralized
ground, have superior audio discrimination and depth,
and offer more advanced features.
9. What will target ID
displays or meters do for me? [Top of
page]
Many models have displays that indicate the likely
identification of the metal detected. This is in
addition to the audio discriminator. Once an audio
signal of interest is heard the display will give a
second, independent, opinion about whether the target is
a good target, or trash. You dig less trash with an ID
display. ID displays are a very accurate measure
of a targets "electrical phase".
Unfortunately, many different metals have the same
electrical phase. The Target ID will increase your odds
of digging good alloys and decrease your odds of digging
trash alloys. If, in a given area, a particular
indication consistently turns out to be trash, such
indications in that area are likely to continue to be
trash and can be ignored.
10. I want to go metal
detecting with friends and family. Will more than one
detector interfere with each other? [Top
of page]
Yes. Like models operating on the same frequency will
interfere with each other if operated within 100 feet.
To search with a partner nearby, at least one of the
instruments requires the frequency shifting feature. The
Classic III®, IDX Pro®, XLT®, QXT Pro™, and DFX® all
have this feature.
11. What about all these
different sized search coils? Do I need accessory search
coils? [Top of page]
The standard equipment search coil is ideal for
all-around searching. A person may want to use a smaller
search coil for extreme trash (lots of close-together
targets). A person may want to use a larger size for
increased depth. Larger search coils 15", are
recommended for larger targets (jars of coins) at
extreme depths. Remember, with a 15" search coil,
sensitivity to coin sized targets decreases.
12. What about a carrying
case for my metal detector? [Top of page]
For everyday use, the gun style detector bags are
recommended. The detector and accessories can be
installed and removed easily, without taking the
detector apart. Shock-proof cases are intended for more
serious storage and travel.
13. Do I need headphones? [Top of page]
Headphones will increase battery life, increase privacy,
and increase your ability to hear signals clearly
against background noise. They are of benefit to those
even with good hearing. Crisp sound is typically more
important than wide frequency specifications. In most
cases, higher impedance headphones(100 ohms) offer
crisper sounds.
14. What about rechargeable
batteries? [Top of page]
Rechargeable batteries will save you money if you use
your metal detector often, at least once or twice a
week. If you use your metal detector once a month,
rechargeable batteries will not likely save you money.
Rechargeable batteries do offer the same metal detection
performance- most models use a voltage-regulated system.
15. Where can I use a metal
detector? [Top of page]
You must have permission to search both private and
public property from the owner or person in charge of
managing the property. In most cases you can locate the
owner, or available permit system, through City Hall or
the county seat. If the area is city owned contact
the Parks and Recreation Department. If it is a
State or Federal Park contact the superintendent or
grounds keeper. Known and marked historical sites,
historical parks, and historical monuments are typically
off limits to all metal detecting. Start with your
own yard. Valuables can be found anywhere people have
congregated, gathered, lived, sat, walked, played,
camped, picnicked, traveled, or fought. Any place
inhabited before 1965, is likely to have the older
styles of collectable coins.
16. How do I recover the
target once I decide to dig it up? [Top
of page]
Care must be taken to use the appropriate digging tool
for the terrain, and not to leave unsightly excavations
or holes. There are hundreds of digging tools designed
to minimize the impact on grass and vegetation, and
avoiding damaging the items found. Sand scoops are all
that is needed in some areas. In others, a hand
gardening trowel or spade. Challenging ground conditions
may require more sophisticated tools. Some areas
may have rules on the type and size of digging tools
allowed. Make yourself aware of these rules; respect the
laws and restrictions in your area. Unsightly holes left
unfilled are dangerous to people and livestock, and are
detrimental to the continued use of detectors.
17. What kind of Warranty
comes with White's detectors? [Top of
page]
White's warranties standard models from all defects in
materials and workmanship for two years transferable
parts and labor. White's two year parts and labor
warranty often offers more warranty coverage than
"limited lifetime" or extended years of coverage. One
must read the fine print carefully when comparing
warranties. Labor and high wear parts are the most
likely areas of cost in repair service.
18. What is sweep speed? [Top of page]
All modern detectors require some movement (sweep) of
the search coil in order to respond to Every model has
an ideal search coil sweep speed, usually between two
and four seconds per pass. Experimenting to find the
ideal search coil sweep speed allows optimum detector
performance. A first time user typically has to practice
to find their in learning. Practice makes perfect. The
desire is to sweep the search coil evenly with the
ground in smooth even swings. Overlap each pass by at
least 50%, always keeping the search coil in motion.
Recognizing where the beep is on each pass and
shortening the passes to zero in on the location
(pinpoint) takes some practice as well.
19. What about the after
market devices that are said to add depth to my
detector, do they work?
[Top of page]
A well-designed metal detector has all the usable
detection depth (gain) built into standard features. The
only way to significantly increase depth is to maximize
the standard features or use a larger search coil. There
are many aftermarket devices that can make it easier to
hear the metal detector, giving the impression of
greater depth. Their degree of success depends on the
individuals hearing abilities.
20. I want to go nugget
shooting once a year, beach combing once a year, and the
rest of the time I want to coin and relic hunt.
[Top of page]
A general purpose would give you the best all around
performance. Only when beach or prospecting consumes the
majority of your search time would it be wise to look at
a model specifically for that purpose. Although
prospecting or beach models offer increased performance
for their purpose, they are not as effective as a
general purpose models for coin and relic hunting.
|
