A Feature I'd Love to Have

[Iron Buzz]

I doubt the company reps are reading this, but one feature that I have often wanted on a metal detector, but have never heard of before, would be the ability to discriminate on depth... or, rather... lack of depth. I know that the size indicator is just a guess, and I also know that I have found a few very nice coins on, or very near, the surface. But given that, there are many situations where I would be willing to take the risks and use a feature that would let me ignore targets from 0" to whatever depth I may indicate (probably 0"-2" in most cases).

 

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[A#1]

That does sound pretty dern useful really.

Eliminate them screamin beer cans.

 

[LawrencetheMDer]

I think that is a great idea, but I imagine that the feature would have to rely on the same output or limitations as the current depth gauges on the detector.

 

[Iron Buzz]

I think that is a great idea, but I imagine that the feature would have to rely on the same output or limitations as the current depth gauges on the detector.

Yes, I'm sure it would be based on that, and be using the same assumptions based on the assumed size of the coin and the strength of the signal.

 

[Tom Slick]

Tesoro used to have "Surface Blanking". You could adjust it so you didn't hear shallow targets. Worked only so-so.

 

[oneguy]

If you really KNOW your machine you can get a pretty good idea of the depth of a dime sized target. Of course large cents and halves can/will be the "wildcard(s)", etc. Back when I used to coinshoot exclusively I'd leave almost all the shallow coins for the other guys as I was trying to focus on the coins I wanted which usually are the deeper ones. Time is valuable so digging shallow clad/zinc was wasting precious time (imo). Learn your machine as best you can...…….

 

[oneguy]

almost forgot..... You can also raise your coil off ground to the point the signal disappears...that can help, especially with those beer cans and larger pieces of crap. Raise your coil above ground and if target still bangs at 12+ inches...most likely large crap/can.

 

[Iron Buzz]

If you really KNOW your machine you can get a pretty good idea of the depth of a dime sized target. Of course large cents and halves can/will be the "wildcard(s)", etc. Back when I used to coinshoot exclusively I'd leave almost all the shallow coins for the other guys as I was trying to focus on the coins I wanted which usually are the deeper ones. Time is valuable so digging shallow clad/zinc was wasting precious time (imo). Learn your machine as best you can...…….

You're missing the point. I sometimes don't want all that chatter. I know how to know when its a surface target. I just want the ability to discriminate it out.

 

[smokeythecat]

No, no, no! My 18th century button was 1/2" deep today! My one gold coin was ON TOP of the beach sand!

 

[Iron Buzz]

No, no, no! My 18th century button was 1/2" deep today! My one gold coin was ON TOP of the beach sand!

As I said, "I know that the size indicator is just a guess, and I also know that I have found a few very nice coins on, or very near, the surface. But given that, there are many situations where I would be willing to take the risks".

I found my first 2 cent piece laying right on top of the soil on a farm field, too. I would not be using this feature in a place like that. Obviously you would have to be able to turn it on or off.

 

[Esotericvalue]

I will be the first to say it, "first world problems" I am just happy there is quality equipment to use that let's you be very selective as a general rule of thumb, surface chatter us just part of travelling the road

 

[Iron Buzz]

I will be the first to say it, "first world problems" I am just happy there is quality equipment to use that let's you be very selective as a general rule of thumb, surface chatter us just part of travelling the road

It isn't really a "first world problem". In fact, any detector that already has a depth indicator has everything it needs.

 

[cudamark]

I'd rather have a machine that would accurately I.D. aluminum in all venues, land and sea.

 

[Iron Buzz]

I'd rather have a machine that would accurately I.D. aluminum in all venues, land and sea.

I think we'd all rather have that. I don't know that its an "either-or", though.

 

[Iron Buzz]

I will be the first to say it, "first world problems" I am just happy there is quality equipment to use that let's you be very selective as a general rule of thumb, surface chatter us just part of travelling the road

I was thinking about this some more... pretty sure that unless you own it to detect landmines in your streets, just simply owning a metal detector is a "first world thing"

 

[63bkpkr]

Interesting and who knows if any of the detector companies read detecting threads and are "mining" them for inputs for new possibilities?.............63bkpkr

 

[Tahts-a-dats-ago]

Garrett's GTI 2500 has a feature that is somewhat akin to what you're seeking. They call it surface elimination.

"Surface Elimination This Search Aid is for use where quantities of metallic trash are present on the surface or at shallow depths. This function eliminates detection of objects of all sizes to the specified depth. Use the MENU touchpad to display Surface Elim on the screen to turn on. It will be turned OFF at the factory settings. If you desire to use this Search Aid, press the (+) and (-) touchpads to set the desired elimination depth. This depth (to 4 inches beneath the coil) will be shown on the Upper Scale and on the Imaging Grid."

Page 43 of the manual: https://www.garrett.com/hobbysite/hbby-manuals/1525000_gti_2500_manual_english.pdf

I don't know how well the feature works. I haven't had my GTI 2500 long and haven't tried using that feature.

 

[dokc]

my whites XLT has a depth trigger, I love it and use it all the time. when you get near your target you pull the trigger and it gets louder as you get over the target and then will show you how deep the target is. I wish my NOX had this feature!

 

[Javadroid]

My mother-in-law asked me once if my metal detector could tell how old a coin was...
That would be a handy feature...

 

[Iron Buzz]

My mother-in-law asked me once if my metal detector could tell how old a coin was...
That would be a handy feature...

Of course you answered in the affirmative, I hope!