Any advantages of Spectra V3 (over a Garrett 2500 w TreasureHound)?

[diggingems]

Hello, I posted this msg in the MD Brand Comparison forum, to compare a Garrett 2500 to a Spectra V3, and someone suggested that I post this here as well. I received some good answers to my post from people who owned the Garrett 2500 but little input about the Spectra V3. (I somehow sense that the V3 has some unique advantages of being able to separately control more features. Does the Garrett lack something compared to the V3, even though it has its own multiple programmed modes to choose from?) Anyone with a V3, are there any exclusive features that you can't live without? Thanks in advance for any input; here is my previous post:

Hello Everybuddy! I am brand new here, and I don't own my first metal detector yet. I have been reading here for the past few weeks, and just joined this forum today.

I am 52 years old, and I've had the bug of "finding buried treasure" since I was a baby and learned the phrase (no joke!) Over the past year, this has been suddenly surfacing, more and more. Feel free to laugh, but it only recently dawned on me that "treasure hunting" is a real thing that one can do, and that it is done with a "metal detector." To a woman my age who doesn't get out much, that has always been just a faceless, gray metal thing with an ugly rod, that only interested people like, welders.

Now here I am. For the past month, and after 52 years, I just solved the mystery of, how to find buried treasure. Suddenly I've been reading and watching online videos about everything I can about this subject. In my impatience, I bid on a White's XLT on ebay last week, and then I was glad when I didn't win it because - I wasn't ready. So to satisfy my desire for now, I recently bought a handful of books and magazines on ebay and Amazon; can't wait til they get here.

However, I do know, since my XLT bid, that I want a good detector, and one that will eventually pay for itself. I don't want to "start out small" like some suggest because I know I'll use the one I buy. I am single, and with a night shift schedule, I don't socialize much where I enjoy myself. Last summer I went to a few local parks to get out a little, and it wasn't much fun just to walk around by myself in the park. If I had a metal detector then, you would have had to drag me home and throw me in the tub.

I know with my curiosities about the past, natural detective traits, technical background and weird combination of interests, I will enjoy this field immensely. I mostly want to find jewelry, coins and relics, and eventually or occasionally, gold. (I work in the jewelry field and study many gemstones, to a mild degree, so it compliments my work too.) I want to do it for the sport, and for the profit, both. I want to keep some finds, and sell some. I want to get some fresh air, take walks and be in nature, and learn about the history and geography of my area. (Tennessee is a beautiful state!) I want to meet people who have similar interests. I have the perfect schedule too, and I can devote 2 - 3 days a week for metal detecting.

I don't have much money in my bank account at the moment, but I am planning to buy a really good detector, soon. I want to get one that I won't outgrow nor regret, so I'm sacrificing and stretching my budget to do it. I have catalogs for both, but I am undecided between a Garrett's 2500, or a White's Spectra V3. If you own one of these and have compared them before your purchase, can you tell me why you bought the one you did?

My biggest question is what the technical difference is between these two; which one has the leading edge?
The Garrett looks like a friendlier screen. Does it technically do any less than the White's?
(I only have basic understanding of discrimination and ground balancing, with no experience.)
Do you have to use 2 coils at once, on either machine, for any reason? (Forgive my ignorance; that isn't clear to me on the Garrett's "Treasure Hound" feature.)
Or, is switching between modes cumbersome on either?
(I'm hunting for coins, yet I don't want to miss a ring. What about a little chest? I want to find it all. Which ones does this the best, or is the smoothest?)
I read the Garrett will sense your swing, and or speed, and then detect accordingly; that feature would be really nice. Does the Whites do that?
The Whites has wireless headphones. Are the hard-wired headphones any bother?
The Whites have some better rechargeable battery feature; (not clear on this detail).
Can I just get an extra set of rechargeable batteries for the Garrett, and take them along?
The Whites is lighter; I read that makes a difference. Does the Garrett ever feel heavy?
I am very left-handed, and need to know if either machine is designed more for right-handed people (like number pads placed to the right on keyboards, and baseball mitts). By the picture, I wonder if the Whites armature is more for right handed people.
I'm really leaning toward the Garrett 2500, for a number of reasons, and one is that friendlier face. Yet, I can get used to the Whites quick enough, if it has a significant edge. I think the Whites might be a little more $ too, so I want to know how it's better than the Garrett, to sell me.

I am planning to call a dealer I have selected when I am ready, but I wanted to ask here first, for opinions of owners. I know when I call the dealer I'll be buying, and this is part of my preparation work. You don't have to answer all my questions, but I just threw my thoughts out there hoping for any opinions on one or all.

Sorry for such a long post but I appreciate your reading if you did; and I thank you so much in advance, for your input.

Diggin' Gems

 

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[old_goldchaser]

I would like to make a suggestion. Before you sink a large amount of money into one detector, I suggest you buy an inexpensive one to see if you are going to like this hobby. Swing a coil for a while, then if you decide that you DO like this hobby, then that is the time to spend the bigger bucks if you want, on a more expensive detector. Also, you might decide that the less expensive detector is all that you need. A decision that many folks make.

There are a number of detectors that have great features comparable to the more expensive ones that will let you decide the way you want to go. And by doing it that way you will end up with 2 detectors and have one to use and one for a backup. Something that many detectorists like to have. If you are deciding between a whites or a garrett, you might try the garrett ACE 250. Fairly inexpensive and has some good features. Whites has comparable detectors near the same price. The Prism series I believe though I am not familar with the less expensive detectors in the whites lineup. I have a DFX now and have owned the MXT and in the garrett lineup I own the 2500 and have owned almost all of the Master Hunter series at one time or another. My first detector was a garrett groundhog. Gave it to my brother years ago and he still hs it.

Anyway, its up to you. If going to the better/most expensive fight away is best for you, then go for it. Good luck and welcome to the hobby.

 

[U.K. Brian]

You really have to decide what your going to be doing with the detector.

If its hoard hunting then that could push you in the direction of the Garrett.
If you want to work the wet sand for rings then the Whites will do it well and the Garrett won't as its single frequency.

The 2500 is fairly expensive, heavy and has gadjets you don't need. A nice deep all metal mode is really all it has going for it over the cheaper/lighter 1500 model.
The V3 in my view is flawed and hard work. Go on to any Whites forum and there's people crying out for a book to tell them what to do.

I would not suggest going for a near bottom of range machine because you could be disappointed or outgrow it in no time. On the other hand get to complicated and its easy to spend more time adjusting than detecting and if you don't do things right you might find your finding less than the kid next door with a cheap machine.
Why not download the handbooks for any detector that interests you and see if the instructions put you off ? The more complicated detectors have either Pre Set positions on the controls or inbuilt programmes to get you going. Then you can advance at your own pace.

At the moment in Europe the Whites DFX is a bit of a bargain buy as the V3 has pushed it out of its top slot. It gives the choice of using either single frequencies or two at the same time (which is what you need for wet sand). Preset programmes so you could be out detecting successfully the first day. They are a little mild but then its up to you to tweak them up to suit your sites.
If you have a local club you should find out what they find successful in your area and they may let you handle the detectors. Weight is not to important if the detector is well balanced but if you suffer from something like tennis elbow then there's lots of lightweight machines today like the F75 and T2 that are easy to use but will grow with you and offer similar performance to the older/heavier designs.

 

[old_goldchaser]

Hi Brian, how is the weather over there right now.
I was an air force brat and lived in Middleton Stoney north of Oxford for about 4 years. Anyway, loved the country and wish I was over there now to do some detecting.

Anyway, I do have to take a minor point with you. Regarding you saying he shouldnt go for a low end machine first. My opinion differs on that point, , only in that if he does go for the low end, then discovers he doesnt like the hobby, then he isnt out much money. If he finds he does like it, and outgrows that first one, then he can easily go for the better one and then he will have a spare of the first one...or one that he can let his wife or kids use and get them going in the hobby. There are good points to going that way. Your point though is also good...but I just dont agree.

Also, the DFX transmits, I believe its 16 frequencies...not just the 2. It simply uses the the 2 best or most powerful of those transmitted, and analyzes the harmonics generated. and uses that information obtained. A point not generally known. I have a link here somewhere...lets see...that explains it. Ahh..found it. http://www.kellycodetectors.com/whites/dfx-kinfo.htm

Where I do agree also is to stay away from the V3 for now. It seems to still have some bugs as well as simply being so complex as to have, as you say, peope screaming for a book or far better manual from Whites.

If you dont mind me asking, what area do you live in over there? Me, I live in NE Colorado out in the middle of the high plains. Windy country.

----------Edited for brevity------------------

I would not suggest going for a near bottom of range machine because you could be disappointed or outgrow it in no time. On the other hand get to complicated and its easy to spend more time adjusting than detecting and if you don't do things right you might find your finding less than the kid next door with a cheap machine.
Why not download the handbooks for any detector that interests you and see if the instructions put you off ? The more complicated detectors have either Pre Set positions on the controls or inbuilt programmes to get you going. Then you can advance at your own pace.

At the moment in Europe the Whites DFX is a bit of a bargain buy as the V3 has pushed it out of its top slot. It gives the choice of using either single frequencies or two at the same time (which is what you need for wet sand). Preset programmes so you could be out detecting successfully the first day. They are a little mild but then its up to you to tweak them up to suit your sites.

 

[Oldhunter67]

DigginGems,
As 52 year old female I commend you on your choice of hobby. We have had many women who have become great Treasure Finders. At this point ( a beginner ) I suggest the Whites Prizm 6T. At 599.95 you will get a lot of detector for you money and will keep you hunting without having to get into the mechanics of the machine. It has automatic tuning and a VDI meter plus you can descriminate without alot of hastle or use the all metal mode. It also shows you the depth of your find. It comes with a 9 1/2 inch coil which is good for 80% of the detecting you will do..a small 4x6 DD coil is available to for getting around in a very trashy area. I do own one and I have metal detected since the early 70's and have owned top of the line Whites and Garrett machines. This one is just plain easy to use..easy to understand and you dont have to have a degree to understand the internal controls. Once you have spent a minimum of 1-2 years with this machine you can branch out to whatever machine you want but I WOULD not buy the very best machine out there for now..It wont give you, since you are a beginner, and better chance of treasure than a lower priced machine..You have a learning curve ahead of you and read you should..the forums, books on metal detecting and of course history..I always say that treasure hunting is 90% history reading and 10% recovery if you want the older coins. Keep us posted on you success..you wrote a nice piece and I hope you will enjoy our hobby as much as I do..

 

[diggingems]

DigginGems,
As 52 year old female I commend you on your choice of hobby. We have had many women who have become great Treasure Finders. At this point ( a beginner ) I suggest the Whites Prizm 6T. At 599.95 you will get a lot of detector for you money and will keep you hunting without having to get into the mechanics of the machine. It has automatic tuning and a VDI meter plus you can descriminate without alot of hastle or use the all metal mode. It also shows you the depth of your find. It comes with a 9 1/2 inch coil which is good for 80% of the detecting you will do..a small 4x6 DD coil is available to for getting around in a very trashy area. I do own one and I have metal detected since the early 70's and have owned top of the line Whites and Garrett machines. This one is just plain easy to use..easy to understand and you dont have to have a degree to understand the internal controls. Once you have spent a minimum of 1-2 years with this machine you can branch out to whatever machine you want but I WOULD not buy the very best machine out there for now..It wont give you, since you are a beginner, and better chance of treasure than a lower priced machine..You have a learning curve ahead of you and read you should..the forums, books on metal detecting and of course history..I always say that treasure hunting is 90% history reading and 10% recovery if you want the older coins. Keep us posted on you success..you wrote a nice piece and I hope you will enjoy our hobby as much as I do..

Hi old_goldchaser, Brian and Oldhunter,

Thanks for all of your suggestions and input. I wound up buying a Garrett 2500 from Kellyco the other day, and it came yesterday. (Arrived in 36 hours!) So it’s Christmas in March here!

I’m a fairly conservative person but I went ahead with this model because I didn’t want to get anything that I would outgrow. I know myself well, and when I have a keen interest in something that continues to grow, I know it’s more than a passing thing. To me it was more conservative to get it all now, because I am sure I’ll like the hobby for numerous reasons.

I didn’t mention that I have an electronics background and have been in the computer field also for 28 years; most people say I’m a geek (as a woman, wish they didn’t). I normally tend to pick out the geeky objects without realizing it at the time, but this time I wanted to pay attention and avoid doing that (unless the geeky one, the V3, had some great edge). I just want this toy to be a toy and get me outdoors, and not too heavy on the figuring out part that could feel like work.

I had watched a number of videos and read many articles about these two detectors, (and some others), and I feel good about what I bought. The White’s V3 video makes it look great and like a snap to use, but the more I heard about it elsewhere, the more I realized I didn’t want that one. Your input reinforces what I had been sensing – technical difficulties from users, not enough documentation, bugs, etc. A manufacturer’s support and documentation is a big feature to me, and I really liked that about Garrett too.

I read that the Garrett 2500 was heavy, (and it is), so I also ordered a chest harness with it – that was a great idea! Weight won’t be an issue with this harness at all.

I live on a branch of the Tennessee River, where the embankment dries up about 50+ yards during winter. I was hoping to start out by detecting along that embankment, but when the UPS man came with my pkg he also brought the rain. The embankment turned to muck before I could get to it. So all I can do for the time being is study this toy for all its worth. I’m going to take my time and learn it well. It might be a few days before I can get out there in some dirt.

I love watching people’s videos, reading their stories and posts on what they find, big or small, and how they experiment and share ideas. I really appreciate that this is a great field in which many people make their personal contributions. Thank you all again for yours.

Diggin Gems

 

[old_goldchaser]

diggingems

Glad to hear you got the one you really wanted. Nothing wrong with the 2500. I have one and enjoy using it. And getting that chest harness was a big plus for you. They do help alot. The only problem with them is they tend to get in the way when you dig a signal. Suggestion. If the one you got doesnt have a quick release, install some kind so that when you dig a signal you can release the cord and get it and the detector out of your way when needed for digging. Many times, it isnt necessary, you can dig one handed and for a signal that is near the surface, its a quick dig. Otherwise you do need to get the harness cord and the detector out of the way...especially if you use a pinpointer. Too much can be in the way. Sometimes you will wish you had two extra pairs of hands.

Suggestion, do alot of air testing before you go out with different items so that you learn the sounds. Of course, in the ground there will be some difference. But you learn the sounds of the 2500. Learn the sounds more than watching the display. The display use as backup...learn the sounds that your detector makes on targets. Alot of air testing works. Also plant yourself a test garden. Scan an area in your yard or wherever you plan on putting it with your detector to make sure nothing is there. Then plant a bunch of targets at different depths. Junk targets as well as silver and clad coins. Mark a map of where they are, and if you want, mark the locations themselves. Someone suggested golf tee's which isnt a bad idea.
Then practice in your garden.

Use the rest of your yard as your training ground. Thats the best place to learn your detector. No distractions. Noone coming up asking if you are finding anything, etc. The minimum that is usually said that you need, is to put in 10 hours minium to START learning your detector before you go out in the field. Its worth it, believe me.

Congratulations on getting started. Once you decide for sure that you want to continue in the hobby, then you can look at getting a spare. They ALWAYS come in handy. Either as a backup in the field, or to have in case you have a friend or relative that wants to try their hand at it. Its always nice having someone along as company and as a bit of a competition sometimes. Can make it more fun.

Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress. And those river banks can be good places to hunt as you mentioned but usually only where you know there has been human activity. Otherwise, rather than relics or coins, you can dig alot of junk.
Unless you are prospecting..which is another matter all together.

 

[diggingems]

old_gold,

I never thought of that when I bought the harness, but fortunately it does have a quick release - like a little bungee cord that unlatches at the detector end. I tried it out and it's perfect.

I wanted to get out there yesterday but I overslept, and the time change didn't help. (I have a night shift sched, but I'm working on sleeping earlier on my days off so I can do this). Maybe today I can go outside and play, if it's not too chilly and rainy.

 

[old_goldchaser]

Its little details like that, that can sneak up and bite you, so to speak. Glad that you do have that quick release for the harness. And its in the right spot, right at the detector.

The weather yesterday was terrible. And more of the same this morning, but its supposed to turn warm this afternoon. Will see. I want to get to one spot that is just foundations and do some digging there. Also, I want to go to a couple of spots and do an initial photo survey and record. Both spots are abandoned homesteads. One was abandoned back in the 50's and the other I believe was abandoned back in the 30's but is in better shape than the 1st..which is somewhat surprising. But it was taken care of for a long time by the folks who owned it but lived on another homestead. I guess they had tried to rent it or something...hard to get renters that want to live 40 miles from anywhere. Dont know...

Hope you are able to get your sleep schedule adjusted. That can present a problem I know. Combine that with the weather and other things that can happen.

Sounds like you have a clear plan and purpose. Let us know when you do get out and what you find.

old_gold,

I never thought of that when I bought the harness, but fortunately it does have a quick release - like a little bungee cord that unlatches at the detector end. I tried it out and it's perfect.

I wanted to get out there yesterday but I overslept, and the time change didn't help. (I have a night shift sched, but I'm working on sleeping earlier on my days off so I can do this). Maybe today I can go outside and play, if it's not too chilly and rainy.

 

[U.K. Brian]

Hi Goldchaser

I'm in the West at the moment (Wales). Use to move every five years or so so have lived /detected most parts. When I ended up needing to drive a few hours to sites I would move to the next area and keep travelling times (and costs) down.

On the frequency matter Whites them selves have made a point of saying that harmonics transmitted mean nothing.
I think in their Engineers report on the new V3 they say that they could claim any amount of frequencies transmitted but they can't claim any more (2 for the DFX, 3 for the V3) than the machine can actually processes or use.

 

[treasurehound]

Welcome to the forum. I didn't know if you knew it or not but you have a Whites dealer right beside you. Near Alcoa. I live near you as well in Lenoir City and many others in the Maryville/Knoxville area. We all belong to the metal detecting club called SMARTS and a lot of us hunt together. I hope you can visit the club sometime.

 

[old_goldchaser]

I used to have a girlfriend that lived in Cardiff. I met her over in Majorca on holiday. The relationship didnt last long as I had to travel from Oxford to see her but I did enjoy the area where she lived. Went camping in Wales several times as well. It was one of my favorite places in the UK. The coast was beautiful as well as the countryside. Visited several of the old castles there around Cardiff as well as that big one in the city itself.

Had not read what you say about the frequencies. I need to get hold of the engineer reports I guess. That makes sense, but not sure why the harmonics wouldnt make a difference if the detector can recover and process them. To my mind, that wouldnt be a difficult matter though the engineering could be problimatic and might not be cost effective in a hobby machine. The harmonics (harmonic frequencies) are generated/reflected by the target/targets not necessarily transmitted by the detector. Yea, makes sense as to what claims they can make. But, if seems to me that if they transmit the 16 frequencies, they should be able to process the two or even more of the strongest reflected frequencies/harmonics unless there is some kind of problem with developing it because of patent issues on the technology. Which is very possible since Minelab utilizes the multifrequency technology quite well.

But I am still curious why, if they transmitt 16 on the DFX, they limit themselves to processing only 2 unless it is just due to patent issues. The technology is there. Just something to puzzle over I guess. I would love to talk with some of their engineers though. I used to work at an oil exploration company back in the late 80's, early 90's. I worked in the unit that deveoped new electronic systems used on the exploration ships. That was a fun job. Used to get to go out to the ships alot. At sea and in port. Fun..

Hi Goldchaser

I'm in the West at the moment (Wales). Use to move every five years or so so have lived /detected most parts. When I ended up needing to drive a few hours to sites I would move to the next area and keep travelling times (and costs) down.

On the frequency matter Whites them selves have made a point of saying that harmonics transmitted mean nothing.
I think in their Engineers report on the new V3 they say that they could claim any amount of frequencies transmitted but they can't claim any more (2 for the DFX, 3 for the V3) than the machine can actually processes or use.

 

[diggingems]

Welcome to the forum. I didn't know if you knew it or not but you have a Whites dealer right beside you. Near Alcoa. I live near you as well in Lenoir City and many others in the Maryville/Knoxville area. We all belong to the metal detecting club called SMARTS and a lot of us hunt together. I hope you can visit the club sometime.

Hi treasurehound, thank you for the welcome. I didn't go to the White's dealer because I knew I wanted the Garrett overall, and didn't want to ask someone to spend time educating me and then buy elsewhere.

I read about the club and that it meets on Mondays, which is a night off for me. I have some other things going on right now but I bookmarked it for when I'm ready, and definitely want to visit y'all sometime this spring or early summer. I was really happy to learn of it, because I would love to meet other people in this hobby and to go detecting with.

I do also want to figure this out a little first, and get my feet wet. (I would be the club dunce if I showed up at the SMARTS Club any time soon.)

Today I went out with my md for the first time, down to my friend's property. I headed out at 5:30 and before I knew it, it was already 8:00. I only found a lot of junk that helped me study, but it was nice to get some fresh air.

I got muddy and my gear flopped around. It will take a little practice just dressing and packing for these excursions, and carrying things right. I had to adjust the md and chest harness to better work together. I'm focusing on the ergonomics of what I'm doing so that this hobby will benefit my health, not hurt it; (had 2 lower back surgeries in the past).

When I got home, my arm felt like rubber just from that little time. (I'm kind of wimpy because I've been indoors too long, but I'll toughen up.) So I got online and ordered a beginner's stretching DVD, to limber up before I go out, and just to do daily anyhow.

Anyhow, on my first time out I found junk, fresh air and mud!

 

[U.K. Brian]

Sorry to keep high jacking your thread Diggingems but I've got hold of the Whites report which illustrates why twin/multifrequency didn't quite turn out to be as good as was first hoped.

They say that "all multifrequency detectors create a transmit signal that is composed of digital waveforms....as a side effect these digital waveforms also produce undesired harmonic frequencies....10's or 100's of them"

They go on to say that when you go beyond the marketing hype if a machine is transmitting more than one frequency the transmit energy has to be split amongst all the frequencies so a single frequency machine can squeeze out more depth than a twin or multi one. C-Scope managed to have Minelab adverts changed in the U.K. on this basis. (Minelab showed a series of pictures with the detection pattern going a fraction into the ground, the next had a twin frequency pattern that went a bit deeper and the third had Minelabs multifrequency reaching down twice as far).
Its not a patent thing with Whites as far as I know. I think they are pointing out that the large frequency figures that Minelab produce are no different than what the Whites machines are doing but Whites is being honest in stating the actual frequency number the detector processes, true frequencies.

Best of luck with the Garrett D.G. You will be bringing home the better finds soon enough !

 

[old_goldchaser]

My appologies too, diggingems, but sometimes you just never know what direction a thread is going to take. Though if we continue, we might should start a new thread.

That part of the report you show below does make sense. A large number of generated harmonics can be a mishmash of subharmonics that would be just so much junk. Now, as to transmitting multiple frequencies reducing the energy and getting less depth than a single transmitted frequency can also make sense, but that could be compensated for by the addition of another transmitter circuit split off from the primary but using shared power though it would reduce battery strength. Though that could be the reason for the type of battery setups that minelab uses. <hmmmm>

That photo spread you describe of minelabs advert I have seen before. Still used here in the states. Wasnt aware they had to pull it in the UK. But it does make sense. I just have to wonder though, then how minelab handles the harmonics or if they do just like Whites in that they process only the single or 2 strongest frequencies and simply ignore the rest. Trying to make sense of thousands of sub harmonic frequencies of many multiple transmitted frequencies would be a mess. Hard to even wrap my head around that one. I cant even visualize the circuit needed to do that mirracle, now that I have really thought about it, with your help. Might not even be possible, at least not on a cost effective saleable basis. Something to think about. Could be, as you say, that Whites is at least being honest about it. From my experience with them, sounds right.

Thanks for the info.. You have given me alot of good info for me to think about. Thanks for one of the more interesting discussions I have had. I had forgotten how much I enjoy talking about the details in electronics. The kind of brainstorming we used to do at that exploration company.
If you come up with something else, dont hesitate to PM me on it. I guess we better let diggingems have her thread back.
Me, I am going to mull this info over and see if I can poke some holes in it or maybe add something to it. Who knows. But thats still whats neat about it. Thanks again. Will PM you too if I think of something or have something that could be of interst. Enjoyed it tremendously.

Sorry to keep high jacking your thread Diggingems but I've got hold of the Whites report which illustrates why twin/multifrequency didn't quite turn out to be as good as was first hoped.

They say that "all multifrequency detectors create a transmit signal that is composed of digital waveforms....as a side effect these digital waveforms also produce undesired harmonic frequencies....10's or 100's of them"

They go on to say that when you go beyond the marketing hype if a machine is transmitting more than one frequency the transmit energy has to be split amongst all the frequencies so a single frequency machine can squeeze out more depth than a twin or multi one. C-Scope managed to have Minelab adverts changed in the U.K. on this basis. (Minelab showed a series of pictures with the detection pattern going a fraction into the ground, the next had a twin frequency pattern that went a bit deeper and the third had Minelabs multifrequency reaching down twice as far).
Its not a patent thing with Whites as far as I know. I think they are pointing out that the large frequency figures that Minelab produce are no different than what the Whites machines are doing but Whites is being honest in stating the actual frequency number the detector processes, true frequencies.

Best of luck with the Garrett D.G. You will be bringing home the better finds soon enough !

 

[diggingems]

By all means, hijack this thread for me! I want to go back to a low profile for a while, until I can muster up some rare and ancient coin to photograph and post.

(Oh heck, I'm not fussy - I'd settle to have a little clad to report!)

 

[old_goldchaser]

No problems....suggestion. Head to your local kiddy park, put that 2500 in coin/jewlery mode and hunt away. Pay attention to the areas under trees. Also make sure you scan the sand pile/pit or whatever you wanna call it. Also go to your local elementry school and search in the play area. I have found rings..mainly junk ones...but rings...and an occasional toe ring, and lots of clads. Its good practice though and will help you learn the machine. For hunting in the sand pit, make sure you take you a good sand scoop since you wont really be digging and easier to just scoop up any finds there. Like I said, not much value but good practice. And at least the finds keep your interest. Dont feel bad. Spent 4 hours yesterday digging....alot of junk. I didnt find ONE keeper of anything. Filled up my finds pouch with.....JUNK. But thats our hobby. Today...heck...I might find a ring or two....or maybe a cache even if I am lucky....or not.

Its the fun of it though because you just never know what you might find. At the lake one time I got a large signal. The lake was low at the time so I was out where it was usually water. Dug it up...was only a few inches under and got me a gas camping cook stove still in usable condition once I cleaned it up. Likely someone used it on their boat on the transom and started off forgetting the stove was on the transom..and left it for me to find. Just one of the many things you can find.

I have found all kinds of tools...an old metal tackle box, with tackle in it..lots of lead weights. Dont mind them so much since I do alot of fishing myself. Saves having to buy them. This weekend is shot though more than likely. Got a major spring storm looks like going to hit our area late Friday. Will make for a cold, windy and prob snowy weekend. I had been thinking of heading out to the local resevoir and hunging the beach area. The lake will be low still and I can hunt further out on the beach area..Not in the water though. Still too cold for that, even on a warm day like it was yesterday.

Anyway, keep the faith, go get some practice in at the kiddy parks..and let us know what you find.

By all means, hijack this thread for me! I want to go back to a low profile for a while, until I can muster up some rare and ancient coin to photograph and post.

(Oh heck, I'm not fussy - I'd settle to have a little clad to report!)

 

[TabWhisperer]

I'm fascinated by the Spectra V3 probably like a lot of people. Are there any owners that are struggling but may have missed the videos on You Tube? They seem like they would be a big help. I watched most out of curiosity. I think it is about a 17 part series.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdVZh_yCksM&feature=related

 

[Carl-NC]

Some clarification on frequencies...

MF detectors (DFX, V3, CZs, Minelabs) all use digital waveforms to create the frequencies. These waveforms are set up to produce dominant power at particular frequencies, but also produce lots and lots of harmonics (theoretically to infinity), though they usually don't amount to much power. However, by necessity, the available transmit power is split amongst the dominant frequencies so it is true that a SF detector can (theoretically) go a little deeper, but that depends on the design of the electronics and the signal processing. Some SF detectors are better than others.

DFX is set up with 2 dominant frequencies. It has 100's and even 1000's of harmonics. We could arbitrarily call it a 1000-frequency detector. V3 is set up with 3 dominant frequencies. Unlike DFX (or any other MF detector), V3 can be kicked into SF mode where almost all the power is focused on that frequency. And you can see the slight depth increase in that mode.

The advantage of MF is that you get extremely good response to a broader range of targets, generally better target ID, and salt rejection.

- Carl@White's

 

[old_goldchaser]

Answer this if you would, I hope you can anyway. What about the DFX supposedly transmitting 16 freqencies and analyzing the strongest 2 of the 16 to give you the best information. At least that is the perception that I have been given regarding it. IS the DFX transmitting those and not just harmonics and is the DFX analysing anything more than the two frequencies of 3 and 15.. or is that not so about the 16 frequencies being transmitted as such.

As to the SF having more more because of the power being split among the multiple frequencies, that can be adjusted by making more power available so that the same amount of power is available to the MF detector transmisions as is the SF detector.

Just my take...and likely wrong headed or I am missing something.

Some clarification on frequencies...

MF detectors (DFX, V3, CZs, Minelabs) all use digital waveforms to create the frequencies. These waveforms are set up to produce dominant power at particular frequencies, but also produce lots and lots of harmonics (theoretically to infinity), though they usually don't amount to much power. However, by necessity, the available transmit power is split amongst the dominant frequencies so it is true that a SF detector can (theoretically) go a little deeper, but that depends on the design of the electronics and the signal processing. Some SF detectors are better than others.

DFX is set up with 2 dominant frequencies. It has 100's and even 1000's of harmonics. We could arbitrarily call it a 1000-frequency detector. V3 is set up with 3 dominant frequencies. Unlike DFX (or any other MF detector), V3 can be kicked into SF mode where almost all the power is focused on that frequency. And you can see the slight depth increase in that mode.

The advantage of MF is that you get extremely good response to a broader range of targets, generally better target ID, and salt rejection.

- Carl@White's