Great info. I've used my large loop twice (lengthy sessions) and couldn't figure if I got significantly greater depth but the increased ground coverage was remarkable -- no surprise with the size of the loop. It shined during what might be called exploratory hunts, i.e. walking through large woodsy expanses seeking any signs of life, so to speak. I downed the sensitivity during such reconnoitering runs. Then, when I hit iron, I upped the sensitivity and slightly reduced iron readings, but not all the way. Iron readings are like fingers pointing toward the good stuff. I can't believe how many folks totally tune iron out -- and lose massive amounts of sensitivity toward hard metal readings.
Using the large loop in high FE (iron) areas, like homesteads and farms, I was surprised to see the large loop's ability to ferret out good readings among FE. Technically, the large head should be more heavily impacted by the masking effect of FE. Instead, I nabbed hard metal items (mainly buttons) missed by the smaller factory loop, although they weren't overly deep. It sure seemed the big loop had an enhanced ability to see through soft metal to find the hard metal. Kinda weird. Also, I was surprised at the relative ease of centering a find, using the logo on the loop. I've developed this technique of backing the head (swinging it slowly) toward a reading to center on it. Still need a hand locator.
The arm strain with the larger loop is a considerable factor -- and I'm a fairly strong soul. Of course, I'm talking five or six hour hunts.
Outside of some always-appreciated one-piece Colonial and Federal period buttons, I haven't hit anything big with my larger loop but it seems a winner when it comes to hearing what's down there.
