Out with a new vaquero

[recshooter]

Went out this weekend with my new vaquero, I was happy enough with its performance. I know how to groundbalance and all that. My friend had an old abused radio shack detector (he had to tape the battery wires to the post to even make it work). We tried to compare them and he seemed to pick up everything I did. I don't think I sold him very well on the Vaquero. We are both very green...there is a reason I paid about 300 more dollars right?

 

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[Phantasman]

Your post doesn't say how you picked up the same targets. If in the ground, were you able to still pick up the target while raising the coil higher than your friend? The V is quite deep. You also didn't say what model Radio Shack unit. If it's the 3300, this unit IS pretty good. Does you friend have a Lifetime Warranty? Does he have the coil choices. Can he supertune like the V? Does his batteries last as long?

The V is well worth the price, plus it's resale value beats most units.

 

[recshooter]

Naw we didn't do all that..yeah I know the Vaq. is a lot better machine. LOL I guess I was just whining cause it was the first day out and we didn't find much..just was a tad bit down. I'm still not clear on the tone sounds on disc. and my pinpointing isn't exactly pinpointing right now. Couple of good sites didn't turn up much. I guess really I was just ill at my own inexperience. I think he had a Radio Shack discovery 2000 or something like that. We weren't really testing them officially, more like "put your coil over here and see what it says."

 

[dahut]

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Naw we didn't do all that..yeah I know the Vaq. is a lot better machine. LOL I guess I was just whining cause it was the first day out and we didn't find much..just was a tad bit down.

First, NO detector can find what isnt there, no matter how much it costs.
All the SuperTuning and hyper sensitivity and razor edged DISC in the world can't change that.

You are new and it is time to face the first of many lessons - you wont find much in the beginning. Heck, Ive been doing this for years and sometimes I get skunked. But, aside from a lightning strike of luck, you have things to learn before you see results. So relax and enjoy your time out in the fresh air right now. Listen and learn.

BUT, before you head out next time, DO some real testing at home. Put targets on the ground and get to know the responses they make. Here's how to get started.

Put a dab of bright paint (nailpolish) on the DISC dial where nickels break up. Then do the same at the point where screwcaps cut out. Now you have a passable TID detector!
Next test all common coins and pieces of jewelry you can round up. Dont forget to learn how iron (large and small ) and foil acts, too.

Where do these things cut out on the DISC knob? Did you notice that foil has no linger? It fades quickly as you raise your coil (My first detector was Tesoro Silver Sabre II. I could eventually ID a pulltab with it, with near perfection. But, I had to learn this over time).

Next place a rusty nail and a dime 8" apart. Now one inch at a time, bring the dime towards the nail. Eventually you will "blank" the dime with the nail. Make a note of this. Try it at NO, LOW, and COIN DISC settings. Then do it with a pulltab and your dime.
Now you are learning about target separation and masking.

Practice ground balancing until you get it down, blindfolded. Then try the more refined Power Balancing. See if you like it.

These are the things you will need to become adept at if you want success. Begin learning them now. I still bench and practice test my detectors almost daily.

Finally, here for your edification are:

"Dahut's Secret Tips to Success...for Newcomers"

1. Equipment is NOT the answer.

That is The BIG LIE in detecting, foisted off by makers and other detectorists. Quality equipment is a must, but it is not the solution. The other, more crucial element is MINDSET. We tend to be techno-dependent, expecting gadgets to do all things for us. Guess what? People were finding treasures before detectors came along. The difference is they knew what to look for and had some idea where to find it. You should do the same. Do buy a quality detector, of course, then consider it merely the means to an end. As I like to say, "Know Before You Go."

2. Dig, man dig!

You wont find anything if you don't and you won't learn what your machine is telling you, either. Your goal is to become an "object recovery specialist," not good at merely locating things.

3. DO NOT rely on a meter, display or DISC knob twiddling.

There is a mountain of hype that claims this detector or that detector can tell "trash from treasure." DO NOT believe it. There is A LOT of junk out there and most of it masquerades as good stuff, especially to the newcomer. You will find trash and plenty of it, so start developing a cavalier attitude to it early on. When in doubt, see, TIP #2 .

4. Turn the Sensitivity down to start.

Dont expect to find stuff halfway to China, as most good things are within the first FOOT, usually less.
That's the good news.
Here's the bad news: SENSITIVITY (gain) increases cannot "suck in" what isn't there to start with. Rather, gain that is set too high only results in false signals and lots of frustration.

5. Set time limits.

a. Plan to detect for a certain amount of time, as often as possible. Like any activity, good practice makes you better.
b. DO NOT detect longer that you should - set a limit on that, too. Remember you have a job and a family and friends.

6. Set Recovery Goals.

Make it a certain coin, or artifact, a maybe a specific quota of coins, etc. Then work to achieve these goals. My goal for the summer season is to find a nice mans ring - yours can be whatever you want it to be.
Some say that this is "just a hobby, and goals are for work." DO NOT believe that crap, either. THAT is minimalist bunk. Achievement and success at ANYTHING is utterly dependent on your ability to push yourself beyond the mundane, to go beyond the easy frontiers.

7. Carry your detector with you as much as possible.

You never know when a chance to detect will come along. But dont leave it in your car, long-term - EVER!! We're talking about sensitive, costly electronic instruments here.The heat and jostling is murder on them... and break-in thieves know what they are worth, too.

8. Learn about your area and what you might actually find.

Do a little research about every possible place you might consider detecting, from the local park to vacant lots. Like I hinted at in Tip #4, it does no good to take your detector to a barren parking lot. I tried it once...I'm right on this, trust me. You have to go where something worth finding exists.
Here's an example. The park in my city was once an old home/farm place, then a housing area through the 50's and now a modern park. The old goodies and other stuff are NOT where the hard hunted modern play grounds are - and few know it but me. Get the point?

9. Talk to your friends and family about your new hobby.

Include the strangers you meet too, like folks in the checkout line or bank tellers. Ask if they know any old places, or good modern places, where lots of people have been active. Make up some simple personal introduction cards on your computer, naming you as "Joe Schmoe, Detectorist." People respect credentials like business cards as something serious. Being a dedicated ambassador of the hobby will open doors for you.
a. DO NOT be a "treasure hunter," however. Want to really get people stirred up, for all the wrong reasons? Mention the word "treasure" to them in earnest and see what happens.

10. Plan to do all sorts of detecting.

You are new, and this hobby has lots to offer. Dont imagine yourself only "this sort" of detectorist or "that sort." Try it all, with whatever instrument you own.

11. Learn the Detectorists Code of Ethics.

And practice good recovery techniques, ALL THE TIME. Few things will sour you on this hobby like being ticketed for leaving holes behind you or getting busted on private property. I learned this last one the hard way, at the wrong end of a shotgun - don't repeat my mistake

12. Get a durable carry bag at the thrift store and keep these things in it (my bag cost $3):

+ Extra headphones - A broken set of phones will ruin any hunt. Simple folding digi-phones make a nice back-up.
+ Extra batteries for your unit(s) - Likewise, a set of dead batteries is a real fun buster.
+ 2 Digging Trowels - NOT the crap from WalMart or Target's garden section. Get purpose built tools.
+ An inexpensive sand scoop. There are a surprising number of easy-digging sandy spots to hunt. You'll thank me one day for suggesting this one.
+ 2 recovery aprons - Most home centers sell nail aprons for a $1. They'll do nicely.
+ 1 10" probe - I make mine from a 3/16" piece of brazing rod epoxied into a section of old broom handle. Use this to probe for coins beneath turf areas.
+ 1 10" long screwdriver - For "popping" the coins you probe from the turf. I heated mine and hammered it into a 'spoon' shape.
+ 1 6-10" full-tang knife - Just plain useful. Cuts roots, plugs and slits in grass, etc. Carry it on your belt when hunting, but try to avoid worrying the "straight" people with it.
+ Garden gloves - ones you can manage dextrous work in.
+ Super glue and duct tape - you don't need this explained, right?
...You can have more in your bag, but you'll need these things, sooner or later.

BONUS TIP #13: Determine to Have Fun!"
copyright, DDH/Dahut, 2006

 

[Sandman]

Super post Dehut!!!

 

[recshooter]

Thanks for all the info I really appreciate that. I read all about Tesoros on here and other places. Even read the owner's manual online before I bought it. So after all that research you think you got it all down. LOL well there is so much that can't really be written down. There are so many variables with everything...sort of like you get the theory perfect but putting it into action in the real world takes a little practice. Plus you know I'm new so I'm always wondering if there is something wrong with my new investment that I don't know yet. LOL I was even worried today about the presets on the disc dial. I had it a little past tab and I was still picking up tabs..I guess nothing is in reality quite as exact as you think it is when reading. Then you ask somebody with "brand x" detector and they say "oh mine never picks up a tab when I have them disced out", that makes me, the new guy, think something is wrong. Oh well practice makes perfect right?

maybe someday when I know more about it I'll make some exhaustive faq for newbs like me

1. There is nothing wrong with your disc knob!

2. Pinpointing...takes practice

ok theres two

 

[Tykit]

DavHut's tips surely nailed it. Here is another tip for practicing, it's quick and easy to do in doors. Get a cardboard box, turn it over and put a coin on it, then cover the coin with books at least 3" thick to start with. The top book will represent the surface of the ground. Run the coil over it and see what response you get. Add more books. Put a nail between the books. Do it again with a gold ring, gold chain, pulltab. Keep changing the sensitivity and the discrimination settings. The responses should be about the same when detecting in mild soil.