How do you tell size of targets?

Echoplex

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Feb 28, 2015
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Cans will tone off of a much larger area of your coil than coins. In fact most cans will beep before the edge of your coil has crossed over them. So if you're getting a high tone under the entire area of or coil, it is probably something big. Or if you are getting a high tone that is difficult to center over before you pinpoint, it is usually something large, like a can. Coins are pretty tight under the coil, especially if they are under ~4 inches or deeper.

Also, 50-tone makes it much easier to distinguish cans, IMO, as they sound wonky or lopsided. But I still much prefer 5-tone at this point for what I do.

Either way, more time with the machine will get you the skill to distinguish.
 

swagman

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Nov 9, 2014
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First do a slow sweep across target in 2 directions and see how long the tones last, coin should be shorter and then try lifting the coil while sweeping, a can will go much higher because of the size. You can try various things like this while pin pointing also.
 

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charlives

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Jan 16, 2012
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Great comments, guys! Thank you, I'll try these!
 

bc5391

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Sep 23, 2016
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I found a 10 inch pipe at 36 inches, the Nox screamed like it was on the surface, had no idea what I was digging, until it was unearthed. I had been over this area many times with my Noka,Whited GMT and garret ATX, none of which even whispered to me.I'm sure if the pipe was down 60 inches it would also have found it, the pipe was used in the 1800's for mining( blowing away the sides of mountains in search for Gold
 

Ammoman

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Oct 12, 2015
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Sometimes a Deep can will fool ya. I normally lift the coil and sweep it back and forth as the coil is going up. If your getting a pretty strong signal and your 18 inches to two feet above the ground then chances are its a shallow can. If the signal starts to go weak within a few inches after you start lifting, chances are its a coin or other small object.
 

HighVDI

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Feb 16, 2017
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A shallow silver dollar can mimic a crushed can too. People often preach to dig what you think might be a can for this reason. I'm guilty as charged though! Lol.
 

flgliderpilot

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Apr 28, 2015
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3 ways:

1) Width of tone edges:

BEEP <----------------------------------> BEEP (CAN)

BEEP <--> BEEP (COIN)

2) The height above the ground... raise your coil off the ground... if you are 15" off the ground and still getting a hit it's NOT a coin.

3) This is the MOST effective method... are there other cans nearby? If so 1 & 2 are a good confirmation of the obvious. If not, consider that it could be a phone and dig it.

Knowing the maximum depth of your machine on small items helps you avoid things like cans, lawn chairs, and street signs.
 

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