Frustrated!

[AlbaGuBrath]

Christmas brought my very first metal detector, a White's DFX. This is a hobby I have wanted to take up as long as I could remember, this is the first time (kids grown and flown the coop, mortgage paid off, car payments gone) and having saved up all year that I have been in a position to follow what I expected to be a enjoyable, interesting and exciting pastime. I did not expect it to be the most frustrating, hair pulling and bad temper inducing experiences I have ever endured ( bar teenage kids of course )

So why the frustration?

I am by nature a patient person and take things slow and carefully, I fully understand anything new is a learning curve, so, having been out in the garden practising since I got it, reading this and other websites and I am going to order the suggested books. I began to understand its workings, I also began to realise something was not right. Is it me? Is it the machine? Is it the area I'm practising in? The problem is this, I fire up the machine, go through all the initial sequences, air balance etc. I find the detector has no hum, has a constant reading of +95 on the bar chart and screams intermittingly whether on the ground or not. I tried the suggested quarter and ring pull on the ground, both have so far registered as everything from a penny to a silver dollar to trash to no reading at all. I thought maybe it was because they were on the surface and too close to the coil, so my wife buried a quarter in a marked out area, she pushed it under the ground to a depth of around 4" with a screwdriver so as to leave no tell tail signs of where its location was. Out I went DFX in hand and although I knew it was my quarter it was going to be a find after all, I felt quite a buzz.............Now I know the more experienced of you have already worked out what happened next and you're right, neither could I find it but my wife only had a rough idea where she punched it underground. So as you can all see, I'm losing treasure not finding it. The only time I have heard a constant tone from this machine is when I found a rusty circular saw blade about two inches below the surface.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I turned to whisky but it didn't help. Should I take up golf? Also, as it's raining today and I want to keep practising is this thing waterproof?

Thanks for reading this far
Fraser

 

[Chibuya]

Alba, you have an awesome machine and an awesome attitude! Sounds like you have a very supportive wife as well. Good for you both!

Good hunting!
Stacey

 

[hollowpointred]

awesome! glad to hear you are back in business! that sandman really knows his stuff

 

[Farmercal]

Great News AlbaGuBrath, now get out there and find fome loot!

 

[whitesid]

In answer to the headphones, I'm not using any, I was going to use my free $200 dollars from White's to get some. Is this a good idea? What else should I get? They don't sell golf clubs or whisky.

first of all congrads for get it working.
im my mind i think you should get a pinpointer, if you dont already have one. if you do then get head phones.

 

[Night Stalker]

Way to go Alba! Glad to hear that you've figured things out! You have top-of-the-line detector, and one to be proud of that will last you a very long time. Learn it's language and you'll dig far less trash targets than with a cheaper brand or model. Those bells and whistles are their for a reason...learn what they mean and you'll have it made (and so will your back and knees).

Congrats and post some pic of your future finds....which I'm sure will be many!

 

[AlbaGuBrath]

UPDATE/u]

Well, I've had a couple of days practising in the garden, it's a 1/3 of an acre so not a bad size for practise.

I get the point about the knees and back now!

The machine is working like a dream and finds so far are 2 X Quarters, 2 X Dimes and 2 X Pennies (The quarters do NOT include my own). I am now able to distinguish quite well the sounds and readings from the machine and have even managed to predict three times (one quarter and two pieces of foil). I agree the DFX is a highly complex piece of equipment, but I also believe (with the help and advice of sites like this) the hard work and study will be well worth it. I'm impressed greatly with the after service provide by White's. I rang them to inform me of my progress with the machine and as well as the book they have sent (which I mentioned earlier in the thread) they have also included a DFX educational DVD).

I have ordered various accessories, including the pinpointer, headphones and travelcase.

I reckon if I keep up this learning curve, in a week or two (providing the travelcase arrives) I'll be up for a trip away. So if anyone fancies company for a long weekend hunt, I'm willing to travel pretty much anywhere in the US (I love hotels and travelling) and will share expenses. If anyone's up for it drop me a PM.

At the end of the day, all credit lies within the answers to my questions posted on this thread, I am very very grateful for your patience and very sound advice.

HAPPY NEW YEAR. I hope 2007 brings much luck to you all.

Fraser

 

[ThTx]

Alba,

Whenever you're ready to try for Jim Bowie/San Saba mine, just let me know. Got a great new machine coming with a two box attachment. Been doing a little research on the Bowie mine. Question: Does it really exist?