Probably a dumb question about VDI?

[Phanntom]

This will probably appear like a dumb question to many here, but....

Most detectors regardless of brand have some form of VDI, either an analog scale or digital indicator that attempts to let us know what we might be looking at under the ground...pulltab, horseshoe, silver dollar etc. Is the numerical indication a constant, between mfg'rs and models?

In other words will something reading 45 on one machine, register very near the same on another machine? I understand that it's an electronic measure and things vary between machines. I'm trying to figure out if moving between detectors, I should make up my own chart listing what the reading was based on what was in the hole, for each detector or just assume they're close. I've been spending more time in my research lately refining that as much as I can, now I want to refine my skills with the detector, all in hopes of improving my results.

 

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[Mzjavert]

No. Whites machines VDI range from -95 to +95, Garrett AT Pro has a range of 0-99 with Iron in the 0-40 range, Tesoro ranges from 0-95 with Iron at 0 and silver at 95, Fisher F2 ranges from 0-99.

 

[TerryC]

The VDI is only a PERCENTAGE. If your machine says (for instance) that a certain metal is "5" on a scale of 1 to 10, then it is 50% of scale. That same metal will show "50" on a scale of 1 to 100.... 50% of scale. TTC

 

[Keppy]

Most detectors i have .........have no VDI i don't like VDI .....So i don't have to worry about numbers...

 

[gleaner1]

Now listen closely. The screen is to see battery life and all the wonderful settings you adjust to. That's it. After that it's all in the ears, so listen closely.

 

[Phanntom]

Now listen closely. The screen is to see battery life and all the wonderful settings you adjust to. That's it. After that it's all in the ears, so listen closely.

I do pretty much use my ears but got spoiled with my 6000di Pro SL...the vdi on it is very accurate it seems and was dead on for estimated depth, but my Prizim 6T seems to be less so and it seems like nearly everything shows up 40-45, or 85-95, once out of the iron range.

 

[Phanntom]

TerryC & Mzjavert....thanks for both your responses, both answer the questions very clearly.

 

[cudamark]

Oh, if it was only that simple. Some of you haven't played with an Explorer/E-trac/CTX3030 yet.......

 

[gleaner1]

I do pretty much use my ears but got spoiled with my 6000di Pro SL...the vdi on it is very accurate it seems and was dead on for estimated depth, but my Prizim 6T seems to be less so and it seems like nearly everything shows up 40-45, or 85-95, once out of the iron range.

M6.

 

[ticm]

Oh, if it was only that simple. Some of you haven't played with an Explorer/E-trac/CTX3030 yet.......

Or the V3i

 

[bill from lachine]

Better just to go by sound and knock out whatever metals you're not interested in....if you get a pretty solid 2 way signal dig it....you'll probably dig a fair amount of junk but you won't miss many keepers either.

Checking the screen or VDI is a bit like constantly checking the speedometer on your car when driving rather than concentrating on the road...more of a distraction than anything...IMHO opinion.

Regards + HH

Bill