I've done some more twiddling with the $39 unit. The discrimination is pretty much either on or off. Even though there are two modes (and you can tell some difference) you really can't modify the discrimination to get rid of certain non-iron metals. So to summarize:
1) When set to VLF mode you are searching in all metal mode. The discrimination knob is disabled and does nothing. VLF mode is also the mode you use to set the ground balance. Depth is decent but it doesn't tell you the type of target (ferous vs. non-ferous).
2) When set to TR1 mode which is supposed to be the less agressive discrimination mode, pretty much all iron gets blocked with any discrimination setting over about 25%. This really ends up being the "set and forget" mode of operation for those who like to "dig almost everything". Put discrimination at 50% and all iron targets get blocked. But pull tabs, coins, bottle caps, and gold are allowed through. So you'll be digging more trash but you shouldn't miss any good targets.
3) When set to TR2 mode it is supposed to be more aggressive in discriminating between different types of non-iron targets. However, it really isn't worth the hassle. Even at 100% discrimination you still get pull tabs. Nickels start to break up at this point but are also still allowed through. There is no way to discriminate out pull tabs and pennies so I don't really see the point of this mode to be honest. The detector is also a lot less stable in this mode so you are constantly having to hit the red button to get it out of its locked up state.
I still haven't taken it outside yet. And quite honestly I'm debating whether or not I should take it back for a refund. For $39 it does work fairly well. However the discrimination is pitiful considering that they spent time adding multiple discrimination modes. I also fear that it will be a little too complicated for my kids or a guest to use. So that means I'm the one who will end up having to use it and I'd obviously prefer to use a better machine. I haven't had a case where I needed an extra detector so I'm starting to doubt the usefulness of having this unit around. I was considering buying one of these for my dad for his birthday to try and get him interested in detecting. But I think this unit would just confuse him.
Oh well. I had high hopes. If you are looking for a cheap detector that can get coins 4"-5" in the ground and don't mind digging every non-iron target then this machine may not be too bad. But there are a lot of other options for slightly more money that are much better. My Bounty Hunter Tracker IV runs circles around this thing at about twice the price ($89). And I've seen others mention cheaper units that are supposedly pretty decent.
If I find out anything else of interest after taking it outside I'll update the topic. Otherwise, take care!
