Prizm V Question: Ground Balance?

[Harasmada]

Hello all,

I have Prizm V, and I'm still learning how to use it. I've gone to the beach many times now, and every time I get close to some really wet sand, I end up digging a hole 2 ft deep and wide, only to keep seeing the same signal at the same depth (typically 0" - 2"), but no item! I've done this many times now where I find something, and as I get deeper in the near-shore sand, the pinpointing goes crazy nuts with a signal, but I just can't find anything. I was thinking that it's probably an issue with ground balance, but I'm not sure. Does anyone have any ideas as to how I could improve my pinpointing near water? Is there any way to confirm it's ground balance, and if so, how can I fix it or deal with it? I just want to finally find something near water (or in it), but not have to dig for half an hour.

Thanks,
Harasmada

 

[luvsdux]

You've left out one important detail. Are you talking about freshwater beaches and sand or Saltwater? If you are talking about saltwater the preset ground balance on the Prizm will always be a handicap on wet salt sand. If you are pinpointing and finding targets well on dry sand and/or other locations, then the salt is probably the problem. If you are hunting saltwater locations regularly, you may need to research which machines handle the salt well and trade or add one of those.
HH
Bill

 

[Harasmada]

Aha! Salt water, my firend. I would think that there would be some way of searching salty ground with the Prizm V.

Harasmada

 

[luvsdux]

You might get in touch with White's and see if the Prizm can be adjusted to the salt environment. However, if you start reading postings on all the forums, you'll see this problem brought up quite often and not just with the Prizms. Good luck,
Bill

 

[YankeeDownSouthAdv.]

someone told me to turn down the sensativity, but not sure if that will help, i have run into the same problem with my prizm V....sand just fine, soon as you get next to the wash of the sea, wet area it rings like a banshee....i have turned down my sensativity but can't recall if it helped, cause didn't find much ..lol....six

 

[khouse]

You have to reduce your sensitivity while increasing your discrimination. That's all you can do in the wet salt sand. You may be down to 2 or 3 bars of sensitivity and discriminating everything up to nickels.