Question from a minelab guy

[MrMikeJackie]

I have been doing ALOT of research looking for a machine that goes "deep" on coins. I know all about the variables. I have a site that has produces 4 coins so far in the 10+ inch range, barely. Two with a Whites DFX/12" cc, two with CTX3030/17" dd. I know there are plenty more coins there.
In my research I have come across the Tesoro Cibola as being an extremely deep machine on coins. I'm looking for an honest response as to its capability when set up correctly. No VDI or other nonsense to get in the way. I want to be able to hear those deep whispers that are impossible on today's digital machines. Anything at this site over 6" deep is a good find, coin or relic. I've cleaned it out over the past 3years, but am certain there are still plenty im just not picking up on my machines.
P.S. Please don't suggest the Sand Shark, as I've tried PI there already. Too much iron.
Thanks, Mike

 

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[Terry Soloman]

The Cibola is a deep machine when using bigger coils, but if you are not getting them with the CTX, I would go with the Outlaw and the big 12" coil.

 

[Bill G]

I would say Tejon with 12" coil maxed sensitivity if you can run it that way stable ground balanced neutral then 1/4 turn negative. About the deepest you will get on a Tesoro.

Cibola is a good detector and fairly deep in the right ground but is a fixed ground balance detector. Will not be as deep if ground is not right and the ground balance is off.

The Outlaw is a great detector but not as Hot as the "1 Tejon, "2 Vaquero and the Cibola. The modded Cibola with a 10 turn ground balance is a diffrent story and is a very Hot machine.

Happy Hunting,
Bill G

 

[MrMikeJackie]

I would say Tejon with 12" coil maxed sensitivity if you can run it that way stable ground balanced neutral then 1/4 turn negative. About the deepest you will get on a Tesoro.

Cibola is a good detector and fairly deep in the right ground but is a fixed ground balance detector. Will not be as deep if ground is not right and the ground balance is off.

The Outlaw is a great detector but not as Hot as the "1 Tejon, "2 Vaquero and the Cibola. The modded Cibola with a 10 turn ground balance is a diffrent story and is a very Hot machine.

Happy Hunting,
Bill G

I like stories, please share. What of this modded Cibola you are referring to.

 

[Bill G]

I like stories, please share. What of this modded Cibola you are referring to.

A modded Cibola is a Cibola that has had an upgraded 10 turn manuel ground balance added to it instead of a factory 3 3/4 turn manuel ground balance like on the Vaquero. From what I have heard this mod really makes the Cibola a Hot little detector and it really boost the all metal on the detector. Some say it makes it Hotter than the Vaquero. Maybe someone that has had this mod done will chime in on the subject. Of course this mod voids your lifetime warranty on the detector. The Cibola circuitry is pretty much the same as a Vaquero the difference being it dose not have a manuel ground balance in it's stock configuration.

Happy Hunting,
Bill G

 

[Terry Soloman]

If you are hunting in All Metal OR, just discriminating Iron, which is what you have to do with the Mod - then why not run a PI? If you want to discriminate in iron rich soil, you need a multi-freq, or a lower freq VLF like the Outlaw.

WARNING!!! - MY opinion may not jive with YOUR reality.

 

[DiggerinVA]

Tejon!!! Deepest Tesoro out there....probably 10x12 for max depth but I prefer the newer 11x8. I have 10" silver dime and 12" nickel in my test garden and Tejon hits them fine.

 

[DiggerinVA]

One thing I had not considered is the Epilson series has the spoked 10x12 concentric available for them so they may be the route to go.....these would include the Outlaw, Banadido, Eldarado, etc.

 

[MrMikeJackie]

Hmmm, Tejon. Would I want a machine running at 17khz for high conductive, deep coins? I could see it banging on the nickels and gold however.

 

[pinenut]

Does it depend on where Mr. Mike will be hunting?

Does high mineralization render the higher frequency (14kHz & 17kHz) machines less effective, than the lower freq. machines? (Just asking, but that's what I suspect.)

Seems I'm having consistently better results with my lower freq. Outlaw (10 kHz), and with it, digging coins at least as deep as with my other Tesoros. Nothing extremely deep with any of them, but I hunt in somewhat trashy, often mineralized places, and I don't use big coils on any machine.

I know many folks claim the "H.O.T." series Tesoros (Cibola, Vaquero, Tejon) are super deep, but I'm thinking that depth is best observed in very mild soil and light trash, where big coils can be used to good effect.

One of these days I'll get the chance to try my bigger 10.5" concentric on the Outlaw, but it'll need to be somewhere other than the trashy spots I've hunting. Mineralization, pulltabs, a couple bottle caps and a bullet shell or two all under your coil at the same time...and you use small coils and hunt shallower...

 

[DiggerinVA]

Honestly, I'm with Terry here.....If you aren't getting them with the CTX and 17" coil; a PI unit is the next step. TDI maybe...I can hit my 10" dime with the coil 6-7 inches off the ground with GB turned off on the TDI.

 

[MrMikeJackie]

My depth with the 17" coil is not that much greater than the stock 11" coil as they are both dd's. More coverage for sure however increased depth is prob an inch to two inches max. I like the idea of an analog/cc combo, and was just wondering if one has more power than the other. Let's be honest, I'm sure all the non metered Tesoros have the same guts. However I'm sure one is tweaked just a little better than the others for depth.

 

[DiggerinVA]

Tejon and Vaquero are high gain units giving them a little extra power.....then the Tejon is powered by 8 AA batteries vrs one 9v on the other models giving it more power to begin with.

 

[civil_war22]

My modified Cibola with the manual ground balance was amazing on deep coins and brass. I know the minelab guys will roll their eyes but since I have a etrac I will say my modded Cibola would give the etrac a run for its money especially in the sense where the Cibola in some instances would mask iron out better

 

[MrMikeJackie]

My modified Cibola with the manual ground balance was amazing on deep coins and brass. I know the minelab guys will roll their eyes but since I have a etrac I will say my modded Cibola would give the etrac a run for its money especially in the sense where the Cibola in some instances would mask iron out better

No rolling of the eyes here my friend. That's why I'm reaching out to you Tesoro users. I'll take it from wherever I can get it.

 

[Bill G]

Hmmm, Tejon. Would I want a machine running at 17khz for high conductive, deep coins? I could see it banging on the nickels and gold however.

Straight from the FAQ page on Tesoro web page....I think the manufacturers know quite a bit more about this stuff than the mis conceptions that become quite often set beliefs among folks about VLF operating frequency on forums.

(Quote from Tesoro FAQ page below)

What is the best frequency for my type of hunting?Contrary to popular belief, there is no one best frequency for any specific metal or metals. Any VLF-style detector that is operating between 3 and 30 kHz will do a fine job for any type of hunting that is done. This frequency range gives good depth, target separation, and is not overly affected by ground mineralization.The ability to pick up good targets and separate trash from goodies is more due to the design of the detector, type of coils used, and several other engineering points that are brought up during the R&D phase. Comparing feature points of the detector model to the type of hunting you are planning to use it for will help you more than just comparing frequencies.

Happy Hunting,
Bill G

 

[Mach1Pilot]

I know it is a big step, but have you considered a Minelab GPX (any version)? It takes some experience to learn the nuances, but you will get the deep coins nothing else will hear... One of our customers (a Tnet regular) got his first large cent at around a foot 15 mins into his first hunt after we helped him get it set up.

The prices are down on them now, and there never has been a better time to pick one up.

 

[Bill G]

My depth with the 17" coil is not that much greater than the stock 11" coil as they are both dd's. More coverage for sure however increased depth is prob an inch to two inches max. I like the idea of an analog/cc combo, and was just wondering if one has more power than the other. Let's be honest, I'm sure all the non metered Tesoros have the same guts. However I'm sure one is tweaked just a little better than the others for depth.

I don't think that's completely true..they are all analog though.

 

[MrMikeJackie]

Straight from the FAQ page on Tesoro web page....I think the manufacturers know quite a bit more about this stuff than the mis conceptions that become quite often set beliefs among folks about VLF operating frequency on forums.

(Quote from Tesoro FAQ page below)

What is the best frequency for my type of hunting?Contrary to popular belief, there is no one best frequency for any specific metal or metals. Any VLF-style detector that is operating between 3 and 30 kHz will do a fine job for any type of hunting that is done. This frequency range gives good depth, target separation, and is not overly affected by ground mineralization.The ability to pick up good targets and separate trash from goodies is more due to the design of the detector, type of coils used, and several other engineering points that are brought up during the R&D phase. Comparing feature points of the detector model to the type of hunting you are planning to use it for will help you more than just comparing frequencies.

Happy Hunting,
Bill G

Not buying that one. Yes Fm/Am do the same thing, but one is better than the other for a reason and vice versa.

 

[MrMikeJackie]

I know it is a big step, but have you considered a Minelab GPX (any version)? It takes some experience to learn the nuances, but you will get the deep coins nothing else will hear... One of our customers (a Tnet regular) got his first large cent at around a foot 15 mins into his first hunt after we helped him get it set up.

The prices are down on them now, and there never has been a better time to pick one up.

Thanks Keith but a PI would do me no good at this location. Plus I couldn't see spending that kind of money for a few coins.