Sniffer XR71p Kit on eBay (Delta Pulse clone)... Anyone Build One??

[nuggethuntr]

Hi guys...

I've been a lurker here for some time, but decided I might as well jump in and ask some questions.

Has anyone purchased the kit on eBay for the XR71p (ships from Bulgaria) and built the detector? If so, how were your results in testing and in the field? For those who don't know what this detector is it's a pretty close version of the Delta Pulse deep-seeking PI detector - and similar to the Maxi-Pulse (and Plus), and Pulse Star detectors that use a PVC frame (1 meter up) to support the coil wire... at a mere fraction of the cost - about $270. Of course, one has to assemble it and there would still be the added cost of building the large coil but that shouldn't be too much.

I know that Darren in NC built one of Gary's PI units with apparant success, but I think that kit needs to be built from the ground up – PC board and all. I don't know if I'm quite smart enough for that

The XR71p has the PC board assembled and tested and supposedly all one has to do is solder the knobs, etc. on and mount it all into the supplied control box. I think I could handle that. I'm just not sure how deep it actually goes and performs in the field.

I need a deep seeking detector to work a cornfield (for caches) that I found was a popular camping site for thousands of immigrants. I got permission from the landowner last spring and so far with the limited time I've been able to hunt (with crops and all) I've found several indications that this was a heavily travelled area - horseshoes, uncut musketballs, campfire rings, etc. I just don't know if the XR71p is the answer ie. worth the trouble to build. Oddly, the soil here has a lot of black sands in it, so I think 2-box units would be out (perhaps someone can correct me on that). I rented a magnetometer but it went wild. The rental place has no other detector to try.

I need to decide something soon as I’m running out of time. Planting season is just around the corner and I told the landowner I’d stay out once crops were in.

If nothing else, perhaps I can work out something with someone who owns a reliable deep seeking unit?

Your thoughts would be much appreciated

[rwd mo]

Nugget hunter: Did u ever get a responce from anyone for the pulse detector? Was gonna maybe build one myself but didn't know which kit was the best or if some one would make one up for you. rwd mo

[nuggethuntr]

Hi rwd mo,

So far, nothing.

I did find a couple of posts (I think in the GeoTech forum) that referenced the Sniffer XR71p kit, but those two people couldn't handle the project for one reason or another and were getting rid of the kit. This reinforces why I wondered if anyone had successfully built and used one from the kit.

One of my main concerns (other than whether it would work in my ground conditions) was that the kit had no warranty or guarantee (understandably) and it shipped from Bulgaria, so once I bought it - I was pretty much on my own. However, I recently discovered that there are several guys on the GeoTech forum who have built the XR71p from scratch, so for now I'm guessing that would be the best option if we have problems with the kit for some reason. My next step is to ask on GeoTech what one of these guys would charge to assemble the kit for electronically-challenged guys like us. At least this might ensure that things are put together correctly.

Whatever I find out, I'll post here for you (and any other interested parties

nuggethuntr

[steaua581]

Hello,
I have built the Delta Pulse also named Xr71 Sniffer. There is also another version a bit more powerfull wich is DBP2010. All above projects are besically the same...just have different freq and some mods.
Things you need to know before you start building such project. I personally researched for few months because of the information spread out on project forums.
Basically you need to know that precision components must be used 5% capacitors,1% resistors...even for some componets 0,1% tollerance.Reason being Amplification factor. Also need to know that you need to solder correctly ...use less heat on transistors since they go faulty quick,otherwise if you make short you mess some other componets and for shure you will give up.
I made my first Delta Pulse and it was a mess...then i made a second wich came out ok...And now i made a third from wich i learned a lot from previous faults. Its also needed an osciloscope so you can verify certain freq and an multimeter.
I detect with my Delta pulse a helmet size target at 1,50,1,60 Meter in air with 40cm coil.Coin at 35 cm. It is really powerfull and sensitive.A galvanic roof at 2,5m with same 40cm coil.You can build your own 1x1m 2x2m or greater coil. I am building a 1x1 coil right now. Also the wire used for coils must be magnet wire for good sens and good detection.
There is also the posibility to add discrimination to it. but it will work like on most detectors for few inches in ground correctly since there is no detector in the world to discriminate more then 50-60cm in ground...even if comercial claims are spectacular.And most PI"s out there are just copies of Delta Pulse/Sniffer Xr71...or based on same caracteristics.
So basically you can order a complete kit, or you can buy components separatelly and make own PCB but you need patience and some skill.
I am planing to enclose nicely my unit and meaby i will also sell some for the ones interested.
So if you decide for building your own i say go for it...its worth to give a try..
There are some who sold their Professional PI"s and remained with Delta Pulse wich does basically same as a 3000 USD unit...course if done corectly.
Do a search on youtube for delta pulse and see some nice work...

Regards
Marius

[nuggethuntr]

Thanks for the info, Marius

Sounds like you "tamed the beast"!

From what I'm learning the XR71 is a pretty solid unit. I too, have seen a couple of places where people got rid of their high-dollar detectors and kept their XR71s.

I knew building one from scratch would be a bugger, would take a lot of time to figure out, and most likely would look like someone ran it through a combine (like your first attempt) - which is why I was interested in the kit (90% of it was done).

Anyone who builds one of these from scratch has my utmost respect

It'd be interesting to see what results you get with your 1 x 1 coil...

nuggethuntr

[cw0909]

these look pretty good,at the link but def not for a beginner,wonder if you could find a jobber
close to where you are,someone that has lost work load due to economy and new tech, like a
tv shop,the tv repair guy would have all needed equipment,and is schooled in reading schematics
and wiring harness ect.

http://md4u.ru/?page=pimd&lang=en

might want to move this here,you might get a little more response
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php?board=87.0

[steaua581]

these look pretty good,at the link but def not for a beginner,wonder if you could find a jobber
close to where you are,someone that has lost work load due to economy and new tech, like a
tv shop,the tv repair guy would have all needed equipment,and is schooled in reading schematics
and wiring harness ect.

http://md4u.ru/?page=pimd&lang=en

might want to move this here,you might get a little more response
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php?board=87.0

hello,
thats what i though too..when i wanted to build the Delta Pulse and i have contacted an electronist here in my country who was working as part time job at Tv repair shop . He build an Delta pulse for me but i had to open it myself and change all capacitors to 5% tollerance because he used 10% tollerance...also used wrong resistors he supposed to use metal film 0,25 watt. Also all IC"s must be a certain type to work in circut. So basically not everyone does such project unless he knows few basic things like the use of components on a Op Amp circuit. And how the amplification factor works. So i would say an repair man wich never did an project like this (just reading schematic) will not do it...and you will just spend money on useless project.
You should ask if they know how to use an osciloscope...and if they do and have one, might be a sign he has the knowlege to finish your project based on the oscilograms.
Also parts for such circuit are more expensive and harder to find because they are precision components...i had trouble myself finding some of them....just few supplyers have like mouser...etc...

regards
Marius

[frank1fm]

Hello to everyone.I always visited this website but never joined.I am familiar with the Sniffer kit on ebay.Please bear in mind that I have never owned a metal detector until just recently.I am totally unbiased.After literally weeks and weeks and hours and hours on youtube I finally bought the Grizzly Twins IB and PI detector from Bulgaria.It is two detectors in one.Now I know everyone has their favorite detector,I didn't.I took a gamble and prayed it performed like the demo videos.I bought it for only one specific job,that's right,only one.There's a small cache of buried gold coins 90miles from where I live and to date no one has found them,in fact,I don't even know if any one has even looked for them or if someone has found them and kept it a secret.I've been to the area to verify the story and the historical record is correct.The cache is buried in less than 3ft. of soil.I didn't have thousands to spend on the high end PI detectors but needed something that I know would give a hit on a target up to 3ft. deep.I've only had it a week and have done only a few basic tests.It's been so windy and cold where I'm at that I always had to cut short the tests.Now this is very,very preliminary,but so far this detector has exceeded my expectations.I placed a few pennies in a round tin that is about 4inches in diameter.I buried the tin 3ft. deep on the beach at the Atlantic Ocean.I switched the detector to IB mode(inductive balance) with the large DD coil for IB and slowly swung the coil over the target.I got a very strong reading,very strong.I then changed the coil for PI mode(a different coil is needed) and swung it over the target.The detector went off like a firecracker.Very,very strong signal.It also came with a 3ft.X3ft. square frame for larger deeper targets which I haven't experimented with yet.I haven't gone detecting on the beach or woods yet.Am waiting for better weather.So all I can say now is that it performed for the reason I bought it.I'll let everyone know of it's maximum depths and the size of the targets soon.A break in the weather is coming so I'll be able to find out it's limits.