CTX 3030

[Waynos]

Yesterday I got my dream machine a minelab CTX3030!!!
I know I am in uncharted territory coming from Fisher F2 to AT Pro and now my first minelab ever the CTX3030.

I am going to use the presets to start with so I can get better aquainted with the machine.
Once my local dealer gets an Andy Sabicsh book I will get it and study over the winter and hopefully be more productive in the spring.

So far I'm impressed with the overall balance of the unit..on my first use I swung it for 3-4 hours with no arm fatigue.
I know there is a huge learning curve but like any machine if you take the time to learn it you will be able to know what it's telling you.

If anyone has any useful newbie advice it will be greatly appreciated.
NH

 

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[DeepseekerADS]

Scratchy tones, move on, they're trash.

Solid tones, dig them Don't get addicted to the FE-CO numbers, don't even look at that until you're more comfortable with the sounds. Pretty soon you'll be pretty darned comfortable with the CTX linguistics

And stay with the stock settings for say about 10 hours of hunting or more. More is better

 

[Waynos]

Awesome thanks for the tips!!
Really looking forward to being able to dig with confidence.
On my first hunt I dug a 57 wheat penny and a pair of toenail clippers lol
I had no idea what I was doing and was happy to get any coin on my first run.

 

[Scrappy]

I think the CTX is a great machine. My advise would be to learn the machine well and dig all tones. Its no Ferrari like the Deus so nice easy swings is the way to go. As far as settings go I max out the sensitivity (Auto) and run wide open. Being what it is and not the fastest machine, it's important users hear iron instead of discriminating it out. I cant tell you how many coins Ive found mixed with nails or other iron. Like previously said, dont bury yourself in the numbers. Although the readings are very accurate 90% of the time, I've found coins and relics that were wayyyy off the mark in the readout. Have fun with that CTX and good luck!

 

[DeepseekerADS]

As Scrappy says, this machine is a slow swing.

Swing slow sweet CTX, looking for coins to bring home, swing slow sweet CTX, the treasures are just hiding below......

 

[Dan(NM)]

Go over to you-tube, Minelab put out a series of videos on the CTX, that's a good place to learn how to navigate the controls on your machine. There's quite a few informational videos as well. Also, go get yourself the CTX 3030 Survival guide, handy little booklet for leaning how to adjust all the controls. I just got my CTX 3030 this past week and have used it 3 times and already feel very comfortable with it. I run an open screen, auto sens, deep on in combined mode. I set my tones so that iron is very low and then stepped up the tones to 4 very distinct levels. I'm already digging good targets mixed in with iron. Go extremely slow and listen from repeatable tones and keep an eye on the cursor, you can't trust the numbers on deep stuff, but, on the shallow targets it's rather accurate.

 

[Agent Green]

Scrappy is totally right, get used to the machine the numbers will come. I just received The CTX 3030 Handbook, Andy Sabisch.. only about 25 pages in.. it gives a much better explanation than the stock manual. You can do a search for VDI numbers for the CTX for coins, ect, it helps. Take a peek here or other "metal detecting forums" and look for exhange2 programs (ie...gone hunting program) for the CTX. You can drop and drag these into the exhange2 program. I modified and downloaded some awesome hunting programs. If you have other question search the forum or send a question.. GL & HH

 

[Waynos]

Thanks everyone!! This information will help a lot.
I was going to add the gone hunting and the coin harvester and use those to get comfortable..meantime the Andy Sabicsh book should arrive at my local dealer on Tuesday for purchase..