DFX Question: Does it need service?

[Neil in West Jersey]

While I am waiting for a White's tech to call me back, maybe I should ask here.

When ground balancing, how steady should the threshold be? It seems that many times I will get a slight increase or decrease in the pitch.
When Ground balancing in single frequency mode, I always get a target signal and a VDI even if the ground is clean.
Should I get a depth reading from the ground? It seems like I always get a depth reading of 9.5 inches or so after ground balancing on clean ground.

I just got the machine serviced by the Southeast service center I was told that the pc board contacts were cleaned and the microprocessor was reseated. While the machine is definitely better, I still have the issues above.

[Sandman]

Well for starters I would reset the thing to factory settings and go to a different area away from your home as maybe something near your house is effecting it. It should ground balance with the coil about hip high and near the ground then see what it is doing. If the tone is changing, I would send it in to Whites again after changing batteries.

Good Luck,
Sandman

[rjw4law]

I agree with the Sandman. Once every two or three years I usually mail mine in to Whites for a general check up....during my non hunting season.

[Neil in West Jersey]

FYI, here is what White's said...

Dear Neil

At normal and above sensitivity and gain settings, a bobbling threshold is normal. So long as it is simply fading and coming back, everything is fine.

Upon ground balancing, an initial beep and display scatter is also typical and normal.

As far as the depth reading giving some measurement of ground, typically that is only seen in grounds that contain some mineral/metal traces. Red clays, salt water, or farm fields/lawns were nitrate fertilizers are used. You may want to see if it does it with a different optional search coil. Some coil types are more sensitive to such trace metals.

Sincerely
Steve Howard
White’s USA