DFX in Trashy Area

BioProfessor · Apr 14, 2007

I have just ordered a White DFX E-Series detector. I am buying it to use in trashy ground on a trip to Europe where I will try and find some Roman material. I recently found the site where our county fair has been held since the 1830's. It has been held at the site every year except for the 2 years they had the Sioux uprising in the area and 18 of them were hung in Mankato. This area is the most trashy area I have ever tried to hunt. In the main fairground area, it is not unusual to get more than five strong hits per swing. Now that's trashy. My current detector is a Garrett Infinium LS that I bought to use on the beach this past winter. When I try to use it on this site, it is pretty much impossible. At least for me. Pretty much what I expected though since it is a PI machine and has virtually no discrimination.

I wanted to examine the site with the LS and just see what I would find. I worked the area for about 4 hours today and dug only the "strong" and "crisp" signals. Signals that did not break up. Signals that remained consistent when the swing direction was changed. I ignored those signals that were real "screamers" and saturated the detector for several seconds after passing over the target as well as those signals that disappeared with the "Iron Check". I used the standard 10"X14" coil as well as the 3"x7" Power DD coil. The photo shows the treasures for the day. Most were found at a depth greater than 10".

What I am doing next is to take the White DFX to the same area and use the preset programs and see if the type of items producing "diggable" signals changes. I also want to use some of the pro settings to see if I can get rid of the main types of trash. I think you can also "teach" the DFX to ignore certain signals.

Anyway, this is a simple experiment that may or may not be of interest. I hope there is enough interest in the effort to generate some comments for me that will help me improve my searching technique and success. I am new at this and really do appreciate any suggestions you have to offer. Tell me if I am screwing this up and need to change something. I want the effort to at least give good data.

Thanks!!! From my short time on this forum, I have learned a great deal. In my opinion, this is the best forum for metal detecting. Everyone seems very knowledgeable and willing to help. I really do appreciate it.

BioProfessor · Apr 17, 2007

Geez, what a bunch. I didn't think people who metal detect could be THAT hard core. What did they do before the DFX? Gotta wonder. I guess if White discontinues it, they will all have to go to the White's factory and commit suicide or something. Their life will be over.

Charlie P. (NY) · Apr 17, 2007

Also, I noticed that many times the signal is audible when I swing on a target in one direction but when I swing 90 degrees to that, I get no signal. Is that a sign of some type of metal or target? I also noticed that sometimes when I pull the trigger to get a pin point on the target, the signal disappears completely. Any ideas on this?

You're miles beyond my little analog Minelab (Oops! Hope I don't get banned

) for display technology, but with my Musky a perpendicular sweep that no longer registers means trash 95% of the time. Can also mean a deep coin on edge or a ring . . . so If it's a SOLID beep in only one of the perpendiculars (but back-and-forth in both directions, but not back-and-forth in the perpendicular) and is deep (over 5") I'll dig it. My only depth "reading" is to lift the coil as I sweep. Can slaw usually is strong in only one swath unless it's shallow.

GAR · Apr 18, 2007

I belong to the DFX forum, I have only posted once. I read a lot of the posts and have gotten some good information there. I don't understand why they would ban someone for mentioning another detector for comparison. But, maybe thats why I only visit that site once every month or two. George

BioProfessor · Apr 18, 2007

George,

I got some good information myself. Problem is, it looks like everybody only visits the site once a month. It does not seem nearly as busy as this site.

Daryl

Michigan Badger · Apr 18, 2007

Great thread Doc. I’ve been at this game for a little over 40 years now so here’s my minus 2 cents.

I'd say most of the important comments have already been offered but I'll add some thoughts of my own.

1. The best sites are usually the sites with the most trash.

2. Few people today have the patience to hunt them properly.

3. These sites require a very slow search speed and it helps to setup a walking line and move it over after each pass. I use two posts with a string tied between them. I set it right in the middle of a trashy site that has produced a good find or two. I walk both sides and then move it over a couple feet and walk it again overlapping coil swings. Many targets are missed due to a lack of thorough coverage. If you read the articles here with any regularity you'll read again and again how somebody found another great find near where they made a great find sometime in the past. It has been my experience that the best and oldest finds are usually in proximity to each other.

4. Depth is often not the major issue. The real biggies in this game are target separation, research, and knowing your machine. Depth only becomes a major issue if landfill comes into the picture. If the site was covered with topsoil and leveled then the depth of a machine is number one. If a site was never filled, few coins will be deeper than 5 inches. I dig with a plugger tool and 95% of my Barber dimes, rings, etc., are at 3 ¾ inches deep. As a rule deduct at least 50% from all depth claims offered on the various online forums (for some you need to deduct 90%).

I could add more but this is too long already.

HH,

Badger

borninok · Apr 18, 2007

AgileMJOLNIR,
Read your 15 Apr posting and opened the site that you gave. I was pleasantly surprised when I got to Episode 110 starring Bob Buttafuso. Bob runs Centreville Electronics here in Manassas, VA and is a certified White's dealer/repairman. I bought my DFX from him last September and was in his shop yesterday. Told him that he was mentioned in TNet, and he showed me some of his finds! I can only hope to find even half of the spectacular finds that he showed me. He has been great in helping me understand the DFX. Just wanted to pass this on.
Thanks,
Mel

borninok

AgileMJOLNIR · Apr 19, 2007

Thats great to hear!!! You should tell him to come on over sometime and join the party. Maybe post some of his DFX finds? I am sure a man of his credentials could offer some fantastic advice especially for the DFX users on this forum.

borninok · Apr 19, 2007

I talked to Bob about just that, and he said he used to drop in now and then....don't know if he is a member still or what.

BTW, I just bought the new 12" coil from him. Went home, put it on the DFX, and re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-checked my back yard. Still hoping to find a pot of Union/Confederate gold, ya know. Immediately....zing.....a new find!!!.....ok, it was just another beer can that the construction guys buried real deep when they built my house......ha/ha

I am glad you are sharing your knowledge and expertise on this forum. Those of us who are new to MD'ng or even the DFX, we can learn so much from you all. Even just in this thread alone, I have learned a huge amount of knowledge. My thanks to you and the rest of the forum members.
--Mel

borninok

GAR · Apr 19, 2007

Doc: You are right about the posts on DFXonly, new posts are almost insignificant as far as a forum. it seem as though it is not visited very much, myself. I only go there once every six to eight weeks for that very reason.

Agile: It is a crazy thing to be banned from a site for mentioning another brand in the sense that you did.

If you would like another site try Friendlymetaldetecting.com it is a good site also with a lot of good people some of which are here.

George