"New SE Owners" Try this ---

Ron B

Hero Member
May 11, 2007
961
4
Trinidad, Colorado
"New SE Owners" Try this ---

SE Users!
A few things the old man has learned swinging Little Miss S E around town (s) ---

(1) Pinpointing can be a MAMA with the SE. Begin learning with the smallest coil you have. I like the 4.5 x 7 Excelerator.

(2) Bear In mind, SENSITIVITY changes with the size coil you are using. I find myself increasing sensitivity - on the smaller coils, reducing - on the larger. No matter which coil you are using, the more sensitivity, the deeper the targets you'll get. Same is true for gain. With the small coil, I run Sensitivity-32 --- Gain 8. You'll get a lot of noise at first. Your machine is telling you to slow your swing down. I don't think there's any more mineralized soil anywhere greater than what we have here in Colorado. Be sure to run "NOISE CANCEL each time you turn your machine on or change coils.

(3) If you don't have one, invest in a Sunray's attachable probe for the SE. You'll need the upper rod for the SE but it usually comes with the setup. Cost is about $150 but worth every penny. Increasing Sensitivity-Gain also effects the probe. When you begin experiencing a lot of noise all you need to do is slow your swing down. The depth of the probe is limited, usually around 3 inches in discriminate mode. If you find a target your main coil picks up but your probe won't; try jiggling the probe very fast above the approximate area. You should hear a sound-good in both directions. Digging a hole should help. I'm finding myself using the PROBE PINPOINT less and less. It's one step in recovery I'm finding I don't always need.

(4) Same is true with your main coil, if you find a target, getting a good sound swinging both directions but faint try rapidly moving your coil side to side over the area of the target. This will help you pinpoint the deep target better.

(5) Quarters, pennies, and dimes are fairly easy to know the sounds of with the SE. If you are not finding nickels, you are wasting too much time looking at the screen. You will need to dig a few pull tabs to find gold or nickel. Depth of the object affects the accuracy of the screen. No machine made is able to tell you what is 4 inches or more down. You must dig to find out for sure.

(6) Lastly, for now --- I like first working a trashy area with a small coil. Then, coming back over with a larger coil, having removed a lot of the trash on first and subsequent runs. If it is a really good area, I'll go through all of my coils progressing to a larger coil each time.

Remember, whether your swing a SE or a Garrett when you are out there hunting you're going to run into a lot of curious people. Many can be downright rude. Try smiling, saying hello. Give the kids your junk rings and clad quarters; you'll be surprised how this makes the MD'ing experience a lot more fun. I keep a supply of rings and quarters in a side pouch just for those occasions when kids come running up, asking what I'm doing. It's really cool seeing the smile on their faces when they receive their gifts.

Hope my experience (s) helps!
GRB
 

vpone

Bronze Member
May 1, 2007
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828
central pa
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Primary Interest:
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Re: "New SE Owners" Try this ---

GRB - awesome post !

vp
 

Sandman

Gold Member
Aug 6, 2005
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Excal 1000, Excal II, Sovereign GT, CZ-20, Tiger Shark, Tejon, GTI 1500, Surfmaster Pulse, CZ6a, DFX, AT PRO, Fisher 1235, Surf PI Pro, 1280-X, many more because I enjoy learning them. New Garrett Ca
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Re: "New SE Owners" Try this ---

No matter which coil you are using, the more sensitivity, the deeper the targets you'll get.

This is not always true as a larger coil also sees more ground minerals. By increasing sensitivity you are allowing the detector to null out the deepest coins as their signal is lost in the process. All the rest of your statements ring true. Nice post that will help many.

Pinpointing is easier if you think of the sweet spot as at the tip or heel of the DD coil.
 

OP
OP
Ron B

Ron B

Hero Member
May 11, 2007
961
4
Trinidad, Colorado
Re: "New SE Owners" Try this ---

Hello Sandman!
Nice to meet you!


Thank you kindly for reviewing my noviced comments!
I'm attempting to pass along some of my hard earned experiences regarding the Minelab Explorer SE and nothing I say should be taken as fact or for granted. But, some of what I've learned is definitely working for me and and actual viewer-reader results may vary.

Regarding PinPointing ---
I tried the "heel-Tip" suggestion and, it works. The problem I have with the procedure is pinpointing wants to lock in on the strongest transmission often directing me further away from the intended target. I prefer centering. By raising my coil, swinging side to side I'm able to guess-ta-mate approximately where the "good" target is listening to a "good" sound received in both directions. If I have trouble pinpointing in Pinpointing Mode I move to the side, rehit "PINPOINT" and start over, locking in on where I think the good target lies.

The SE can be conquered and Little Miss S E is mine! :)

GRB​
 

DetectorBase

Full Member
Dec 31, 2006
230
2
Montana
Detector(s) used
Minelab Explorer SE w/SunRay X-1, X-5 and X-8 / Whites XLT / Whites GM3
Re: "New SE Owners" Try this ---

Nice post!

I like to do the opposite with #6. I like to work a site with my 8" first, then come back with the 5".

Also, #3.. I couldn't agree more. SunRay X-1 rules.

Thanks!
DB
 

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