WHADIFIND
Gold Member
I've been around this hobby a long time and ya know, I still have some difficulty figuring out mineralization problems with a detector. So, if I may, a few questions for anyone who understands better than I.
1.) Just how is it that mineralization affects a metal detector.
2.) Does highly mineralized ground get worse when wet?
3.) The ground I'm hunting is self tuning to about 92 on a ATPRO. Is that a lot?
4.) Is it feasible that when out on a muddy day, the mineralized mud paints a coating on the coil and causes the detector to malfunction? Or lose effectiveness?
5.) I know that the Garrett Groundhog works better in VLF mode when hunting such ground. The TR side is just too flaky. What about the ATPRO? Is it basically a TR only detector?
6.) I tried testing a hole in this ground. I used a clad quarter. Made sure there were no signals then cut a plug about 4 inches deep. I put the quarter in the hole and loosely tapped the plug back in and tried. The quarter completely disappeared! So, I lifted the plug and with an open hole tried again. I could see the quarter but the detector couldn't! I laid the quarter on the surface and it had no problems. I went to a near by park where the ground is only showing about 67 for mineralization. It could see the quarter fine . Even as deep as 15 inches! My question, is this typical for mineralization? I suppose there are different types of mineralization but, this seemed a bit extreme to me.
Any and all comments welcomed. I'll get this thing figured out yet!
Anyone else think an ATPRO doesn't work well in high mineralization?
Thanks!
HH
1.) Just how is it that mineralization affects a metal detector.
2.) Does highly mineralized ground get worse when wet?
3.) The ground I'm hunting is self tuning to about 92 on a ATPRO. Is that a lot?
4.) Is it feasible that when out on a muddy day, the mineralized mud paints a coating on the coil and causes the detector to malfunction? Or lose effectiveness?
5.) I know that the Garrett Groundhog works better in VLF mode when hunting such ground. The TR side is just too flaky. What about the ATPRO? Is it basically a TR only detector?
6.) I tried testing a hole in this ground. I used a clad quarter. Made sure there were no signals then cut a plug about 4 inches deep. I put the quarter in the hole and loosely tapped the plug back in and tried. The quarter completely disappeared! So, I lifted the plug and with an open hole tried again. I could see the quarter but the detector couldn't! I laid the quarter on the surface and it had no problems. I went to a near by park where the ground is only showing about 67 for mineralization. It could see the quarter fine . Even as deep as 15 inches! My question, is this typical for mineralization? I suppose there are different types of mineralization but, this seemed a bit extreme to me.
Any and all comments welcomed. I'll get this thing figured out yet!
Anyone else think an ATPRO doesn't work well in high mineralization?
Thanks!
HH