How can you tell the depth of an item?

[thebadger108]

I have a bounty hunter fortune hunter. It does not have a depth meter. I have read that if you get a target and turn down the sens.. and it still is pinging.. Its probably withing 2-3 inch. Is this true? Does anyone else have any tricks of the trade they wouldn't mind sharing? Thanks in advance.

 

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[DonDigger]

If your BH pinpoints fairly accurately you could use a probe to check for your target. Graduate your probe every inch with a file and when the probe hits the target you will have your depth. This is how we did it "way back when" with BFO's and TR's. Best probes are made of brass rod sharpened to a small but rounded point and a nice rounded handle that is easy on the palm of you hand. Check this video out.

 

[Igyjastabay]

When you locate the target lift the coil slowly off the ground. If the signal disappears right as you lift it is a deep target or a small shallow target.

 

[OWK]

As others have already suggested, if you "air test" your detector, you will know within an inch or so, how deep it will detect.

If when you find a target in the field, you lift your coil an inch at a time, while continuing to swing, you'll know where it quits detecting, and based on your "air test", you will have an approximate depth.

 

[bootybandit]

You probably won't be digging more than 6 to 8 inches, regardless what the target is

 

[DonDigger]

Only problem with the air test method is the actual size of the target. A larger object will detect from a higher point than a small object will.

 

[ecoast]

just dig it out---then you'll know how deep it was

 

[Ism]

You will learn to tell depth after enough use based on size footprint and signal magnitude.
You can lift the coil but after you get good, you won't need to most of the time.
You can also use all-metal (if your detector has it) to gauge size and depth.

 

[cudamark]

Get a good quality pin pointer. They'll detect down a few inches without having to cut a plug first. Between your detector and your pin pointer, you should be able to determine depth before you dig.

 

[NiagracountyNY]

Lift the coil up off the ground over the target..the sooner the signal vanishes,the deeper,or smaller it is.With practice you will get a rough idea.Even gauges arent 100 % .