May I ask a dumb question?

[WHADIFIND]

I think I've decided on upgrading to an AT-Pro. I've been borrowing a friend's on a couple hunts. I've found a wide range of targets, even a few silver rings. I've got a pretty good handle on the ID numbers that each show.

I've only been back to this hobby for a few months now and I still haven't located a single piece of gold jewelry. I know that is just something that can be expected. With ANY detector. But, can someone shed insight on whether gold shows up above say, 80 on the ID? Or does it only show up below? I thought a solid piece like maybe a school ring would show up as 80 or above.

Just as an aside, I got a funny hit the other day. with the AT-Pro. It rang up as 95-98. Consistently, repeatably, and very solid. I know that sometimes a large, solid piece of aluminum will show like this. But, this was hitting like a small coin. I ran the detector over and over trying to guess what would do this. Never seen it before.

It was a small watch battery! LOL

HH!

 

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[james-florida]

I own an AT Pro and have found it somewhat difficult to use as it falses so much that you have to concentrate really hard on the sounds and it is difficult at times to pick out the good signals amidst all the falsing. However, I like it due to it's versatility as an all terrain machine.

Does it do a "ghost" signal one time, then you can't find it again? Or does it give constant false signals and you dig to no avail?

My bounty hunter does the ghost type signal about every 20-30 swings. It will do the "deep" tone one time and when stop and check I'm unable to find it again. It may just be in my mind but it seems to do it more when the batteries are getting low.

 

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[WHADIFIND]

I own an AT Pro and have found it somewhat difficult to use as it falses so much that you have to concentrate really hard on the sounds and it is difficult at times to pick out the good signals amidst all the falsing. However, I like it due to it's versatility as an all terrain machine.

I know what you're saying. Although I haven't used the machine much, I did notice that it can require a bit more concentration. Especially, in trashy or highly mineralized areas. However, I also noticed that, with a bit of concentration, I'm able to separate bad and good targets close to each other. I can't tell you how many times I found a decent target near something that would normally be discriminated. I figure, someone else hit the bad target, allowed the machine's "wisdom" to prevail and moved on.

The all terrain aspect is an excellent selling point but I know I'll be doing most of my hunting on one. So, I want to be sure this machine is going to fill the bill for me. So far, I think I like.

Thanks!

HH!

 

[WHADIFIND]

If you have some gold rings put them into a plastic bag and bury them 4 or 5 inches and check it that way to see.

As a beginner myself I say "dig everything" it's how you learn........everyone here will tell you the same.

Good luck!!

Well, that was part of my dilemma. No gold. I had many, many rings the first time around, but they're all gone. So, I have nothing to test on.

But, anyway, "dig everything" at least in the beginning, is the absolute best way to learn. Trouble is, it's also the most tiring and these days, I simply HAVE to keep that in the equation. Not as easy as it once was, ya know?

HH!

 

[roadrunner]

Hello whadifind.
Well,i just picked up an ADs Groundhog from a yard sale for $10.00.
Works perfect so far.Person new nothing about it,so just wanted to get rid of it.
Someone added a rest to it.The only thing wrong with it,it is missing the BAT cover.
Since it is an Arizona machine,and we have hardly no humidity,it is pristine inside.

Anyway,just downloaded the instruction manual from Garrett,so now it is time to read,and practice.
Oh ya,i am a newbie,and this is my first detector.
If its ok,i will ask in the forum here,or PM you for some helpful tricks,and hints.
Oh,you just gave me the good advice on the vlf,switch to tr mode to see if it is a coin.So,your advice is still welcome.

 

[Mortamus]

Welcome

Start digging!*

 

[roadrunner]

Thanks,i joined in Jan actually,but looking for a job,or work meant i could not look for a MD for a while.Been looking at ebay,but did not like what i saw.Or 2 high priced for used.

 

[Mortamus]

You cant beat ten bucks....
New face of America...resell it...
Great recycling ...let us know what you find.
It's way too hot to go mding here 115 here today with 7% humity.

 

[WHADIFIND]

First thing I would do is to get some targets together. Learn out to ground balance the machine. Bury the targets in plastic bags at the same depth. Spread them out so you can compare between them without interference.

Then, learn how each one SOUNDS. Pay attention to the sounds most of all. The meter, if it still works is just a visual aide. Try both modes and compare. You'll notice that on the TR side any mineralization will make it very unstable. But, the VLF side can be ground tuned and will be much smoother.

The trick between the switching is when you can check the signal under VLF and then be able to check it under TR. Some ground makes that very tough to do.

Under the TR side, experiment with the discriminator until you find the point where nickels are still found. Any more than that and you lose a lot.

Also, while you're learning, dig everything! At least for a while. But, try to decide what the target is BEFORE you dig. That way, you'll start to figure out which is which. When you get better at it, try burying one of your test targets, say a quarter, at deeper and deeper depths to hear what really deep ones sound like. The deepest will be just a whisper and will barely even make the meter move. My record was a wheat cent at 14 inches. Was hearing good that day!

That ought to be enough to get started. I wonder, does it have a 10 inch disk?

HH!

 

[roadrunner]

7-1/2,co-planer. The meter works great,and the plastic cover is like new.There is not a single smudge,scratch,or anything.Looks like it came out of the box.The side decals,and the decal on the coil is a little ruff,because the person had it outside leaning under his roof,on his shed.
I wil see about posting a pic.
I also went to the site mentioned with the catalogs.
When i posted before i said it had an extra arm rest on it,because it is being held on by hose clamps.
Well,it actually came that way because it is the Master Hunter.
Has the master toggle swith,instead of the button in the handle.
I have a bunch of targets i am practicing with right now,bench testing to get a feel.
Downloaded the guide from Fisher-gold prospecting with a VLF,from the Dave,guy maybe,the owner.
Anyway,still checking it out.
My area i live in is full of the copper mines,ect.Have some old ghost towns,and old mill sites,ect to visit now.
I also have 5 books to read,or look at.2 by Garrett.
Garrett Guide to Treasure.
Treasure hunting pays off.
Both by Charles Garrett.

Mortimus,it is 113 today.Had to go out and work on some plumbing on the back of a house this afternoon.
Had to wear light weight gloves just to pick up my wrenches.

 

[mariposagold]

Danglangley, I'm open to any groundhog tips you want to share. I have yet to determine mine works correct. I'm contemplating sending it to Garrett for a checkup when I have the money to do that.

I have all sorts of tricks to give but they are all on this OLD groundhog.. Like, if you hunt in VLF and locate a signal then flip over to the TR side, if it's a coin, the sound will get noticeably louder. If not, it's usually not a coin. Now, who am I going to give that advice to these days? LOL

Thanks for the response.

HH!

 

[CRUSADER]

Dig everything & never wonder. But a clue is low, because of the low conductivity, however, you are making a mistake looking at the numbers at all.

 

[QuarterMaster]

I run my ace350 and never look at the screen unless I am pinpointing or looking at depth (only for a general idea). If the beep is constant and repeatable I dig it pull tabs be dammed!