Hey ScottNewMexico,
I've been having some pretty frustrating moments with my exp 2 as well. Couple nights ago, I decided to 'learn' the sounds, and while doing so, adjust the settings to fit me better. I changed the TH tone to 1, ferrous, fast and deep, th. volume 8, Audio 1, gain 6. This was at about 2 AM, just went outside, put some coins/jewelry, relics, etc on my sidewalk and went over each of them about 20 times. Getting used to the sounds and making adjustments while doing so. This was after a very frustrated hunt, very similar to the one you described. I was hunting a late 18th century house site, and had 0 finds. after adjusting and learning, I went back the next day and had a much better time. I found about 10 relics, random pieces of farm equipment.. hatchet head, a couple buttons too far gone to ID. Was running Iron Mask -10. Figured I would dig everything so next time I went I could stick to coin mode. Had one item, not sure what it was, some type of buckle. Found it at 18" under 3 large rocks. Now if that doesn't prove the power of this machine I dunno what does

Hope this helps, and hope you have better luck next time you head out.