Question for Garrett guys

[Nashvegas]

I'm new here and just got a 250 last week. Been having fun with it. Trying to learn the machine. My question is: if I'm getting differing signals when I turn 90 degrees, (for instance I'm getting a signal for a coin one direction, and then I turn 90 degrees and reswing and it says iron), does that mean it's junk such as nails? Every time it did this in a particular yard today, I dug up a nail or aluminum siding pieces. I started ignoring when it gives those different signals. Is it dumb to ignore them?

 

[Javadroid]

You are right that this is a pretty sure sign you've picked up metallic debris, canslaw, etc. When signals jump like that, it's usually junk. However - there are plenty of experienced folks that will tell you they dug and found a nail or can, then scanned the hole and picked up a clean coin signal. Meaning, the signal was jumping because there were two finds in close proximity and the detector was alternating signals between them (the junk and the coin). Most often, my experience says pass unless you are in a "dig it all" frame of mind. Love to hear other opinions on this.

 

[JeremiahEdward]

I don't want to say definitely that that is the case, but I can say that 100% of the time I dug those signals, it was junk.

 

[digger460]

That's metal detecting! The first time you dig up a piece of junk and rescan the hole and pull out a coin, like Javadroid said, then it will really get you thinking should you dig all. Would be interesting to know how many of those signals that the real veteran hunters, didn't dig, and passed up something good. It's really I guess knowing your machine, and listening to what it's telling you. I'm sure I've passed up some goodies with my ATpro, but I am still learning. "Is it dumb to ignore them?", at the beginning I'd say yes. You wouldn't learn anything if you did Get out there and study grasshopper. HH

 

[Nashvegas]

Thanks guys. Very helpful.

 

[Driftwoood]

I'd agree with the prevailing wisdom of beginning metal detecting in general and especially learning a new detector... when you get a signal, study it, pay attention to exactly what you are hearing, dig up the signal and make a mental note of it. After a while, you will be 'tuned in' to your machine. It's surely a good idea to dig it all for a while (except for maybe those low grunts like nails and such. Sometimes the signals you are describing are indeed iron, but might be horseshoes, ox shoes, fixtures like hinges, hooks, etc. which are -in my opinion- pretty cool artifacts.

Here's a good example: When I first got into detecting (also with the Ace 250), I got a signal like you describe... one way, I got a little 'hi-low' and the other way just iron grunts. I passed up the signal. Later on, after digging many sweet items from the site, I went back to that same signal and decided to just dig it anyway (might have been getting bored). It turned out to be a very deep silver plated NY Militia button from the War of 1812 era with a few nails nearby. Glad I dug it!

Good luck!

 

[Geobound]

I used my AT Pro for almost 6 years before switching to a CTX, and I can safely say that I dig almost every signal...........and still do.

The difference is the tone it makes.

I'm pretty sure I've missed a few targets because I was convinced it was crap, but I also know that I've walked away from a target thinking it was crap, only to go back a few seconds later and pull a coin and junk (as mentioned) out of the hole.

The best advice I can give you is don't fixate on the number. Let your ears do the work, and then look at the number. Believe me I know its hard to do......I mean really hard, but practice it a few times and see.

American coins are different than Canadian so I can't tell you for sure what to listen for, but a pop top (for an example) will give you that nice high tone followed by a little grunt at the end. The grunt is telling you that it's junk and you can likely move on.

Plant a quarter and then a few feet away plant a pop top (say 4-6 inches down for each), and then swing your coil over and hear the difference.

Also when checking a target don't be afraid to raise your coil up off the ground a few inches to see if you can still hear the loud "bing".

If you hear the bing at 3 or 4 inches off of the ground, then you've either got a surface find or junk.

Use your handheld pinpointer on the ground to see before you dig.

If your handheld pinpointer goes off right away than feel for the target (good or bad), if it doesn't go off then it's likely a deep target and junk.

Like I said I'm the type of person that digs just about every confusing signal, and every repeatable signal. If I'm in an area where I know that I just found canslaw at say 77, and then a few feet away I get the same number........well I will likely pass on it.

It's not always junk, but I'd say more often than not you will be glad you passed on it.

Early in the day I dig everything, as the day wears on and I want to quit on a coin find then I become more selective.

I hope that helps?

 

[Nashvegas]

thanks again guys. Some good ideas here.

 

[Phishfindr]

Wow...Best thread I've read recently. I totally agree with everyone who said dig everything until you master your machine. And then you can decide if it's a 'Go", "Maybe" or "No". I am still learning, and often confused by weak or mixed tones. So I just stop and sweep, and sweep. And then move 90 degrees and sweep. Something is definitely down there. Good, bad, or ugly. But I've found some cool stuff even though it sounds iffy.

 

[Calabash Digger]

I started with a ace 250 and made my first silver find with it. A mint 1902 barber quarter still remember like it was yesterday. I didn't keep the ace 250 long before I went up to a at pro , as soon as I could save some money I made the switch and since then have moved on up the ladder . Ive heard about the 90 degree turn and let me say this before I start it can work in clean ground out in the open on coins etc. When you put a coin in close to a nail a lot of times it will be masked , you might be getting a good signal one way and then turn 90 degrees and it turn to junk then you say its junk and walk off. I have many videos up from my test garden and you will see me talking about the merc dime surround by nails. That target can only be hit one way and if you use the 90 degree turn its gone. I'm a specialist at digging in thick iron on relic sites that date back to the colonial times, I will say this that the 90 degree turn is useless in those situations. I will also say this if your using the 90 degree turn to make a dig or no dig decision your MAKING a major mistake. I also test detectors and have a extensive test garden and can show its a major mistake. Take your ace put a dime on the ground and put a nail 1 inch from it long ways see if you can hit the dime and and move the nail out till you can hit the dime and then do the 90 degree turn on it . Please comeback and post what happens. Some will go a long ways to not dig any junk and in doing so they will miss a lot of great targets. Bottom line that 90 degree turn doesn't work in iron or trash it can be very misleading. Welcome to tnet and hope you make many great finds and become one with your machine.

 

[Geobound]

I started with a ace 250 and made my first silver find with it. A mint 1902 barber quarter still remember like it was yesterday. I didn't keep the ace 250 long before I went up to a at pro , as soon as I could save some money I made the switch and since then have moved on up the ladder . Ive heard about the 90 degree turn and let me say this before I start it can work in clean ground out in the open on coins etc. When you put a coin in close to a nail a lot of times it will be masked , you might be getting a good signal one way and then turn 90 degrees and it turn to junk then you say its junk and walk off. I have many videos up from my test garden and you will see me talking about the merc dime surround by nails. That target can only be hit one way and if you use the 90 degree turn its gone. I'm a specialist at digging in thick iron on relic sites that date back to the colonial times, I will say this that the 90 degree turn is useless in those situations. I will also say this if your using the 90 degree turn to make a dig or no dig decision your MAKING a major mistake. I also test detectors and have a extensive test garden and can show its a major mistake. Take your ace put a dime on the ground and put a nail 1 inch from it long ways see if you can hit the dime and and move the nail out till you can hit the dime and then do the 90 degree turn on it . Please comeback and post what happens. Some will go a long ways to not dig any junk and in doing so they will miss a lot of great targets. Bottom line that 90 degree turn doesn't work in iron or trash it can be very misleading. Welcome to tnet and hope you make many great finds and become one with your machine.

There is some sage advice right there.

The CTX helps take the guessing out of it by showing you that there is possibly two targets below, but I realize that not everybody has one, that's why I say you have to use your ears and not so much your screen.

As I said earlier I have probably skipped over a few good target as the day is getting long, and my arm is getting short, but for the most part I dig any good sound.

Our Canadian coins (the newer ones) often ring up as iron, so you get used to digging good and crap targets all the time.

The Garrett machines are good at giving you the high tone and then the grunt sound if there is iron there, so you will have to decide what to do.

Keep in mind that iron sounds can be great too.

I seldom post my finds on this forum as 99% of my coins are Canadian and I'm sure of little interest to American's (not being rude, but if you have little chance to find them then you have little chance to be interested in them), but I did find this "Saturday Night Special" earlier today, and it came up as iron.

 

[digger460]

There is some sage advice right there.

The CTX helps take the guessing out of it by showing you that there is possibly two targets below, but I realize that not everybody has one, that's why I say you have to use your ears and not so much your screen.

As I said earlier I have probably skipped over a few good target as the day is getting long, and my arm is getting short, but for the most part I dig any good sound.

Our Canadian coins (the newer ones) often ring up as iron, so you get used to digging good and crap targets all the time.

The Garrett machines are good at giving you the high tone and then the grunt sound if there is iron there, so you will have to decide what to do.

Keep in mind that iron sounds can be great too.

I seldom post my finds on this forum as 99% of my coins are Canadian and I'm sure of little interest to American's (not being rude, but if you have little chance to find them then you have little chance to be interested in them), but I did find this "Saturday Night Special" earlier today, and it came up as iron.


View attachment 1483639


View attachment 1483640

Sweet pistol! And let's not forget that vintage cotter pin!!

 

[digger460]

I started with a ace 250 and made my first silver find with it. A mint 1902 barber quarter still remember like it was yesterday. I didn't keep the ace 250 long before I went up to a at pro , as soon as I could save some money I made the switch and since then have moved on up the ladder . Ive heard about the 90 degree turn and let me say this before I start it can work in clean ground out in the open on coins etc. When you put a coin in close to a nail a lot of times it will be masked , you might be getting a good signal one way and then turn 90 degrees and it turn to junk then you say its junk and walk off. I have many videos up from my test garden and you will see me talking about the merc dime surround by nails. That target can only be hit one way and if you use the 90 degree turn its gone. I'm a specialist at digging in thick iron on relic sites that date back to the colonial times, I will say this that the 90 degree turn is useless in those situations. I will also say this if your using the 90 degree turn to make a dig or no dig decision your MAKING a major mistake. I also test detectors and have a extensive test garden and can show its a major mistake. Take your ace put a dime on the ground and put a nail 1 inch from it long ways see if you can hit the dime and and move the nail out till you can hit the dime and then do the 90 degree turn on it . Please comeback and post what happens. Some will go a long ways to not dig any junk and in doing so they will miss a lot of great targets. Bottom line that 90 degree turn doesn't work in iron or trash it can be very misleading. Welcome to tnet and hope you make many great finds and become one with your machine.

Now ya tell me. I had also heard that when you hit a target, do the 90 degree dance, and if you lose it, move on. The old saying "If I had a nickel everytime I moved on because I lost the signal......"ARRGH!!

 

[Geobound]

Sweet pistol! And let's not forget that vintage cotter pin!!

I wish I could like this one twice, as it actually made me laugh out loud!

 

[Calabash Digger]

even the mighty ctx gets confused sometimes .. lol That 90 degree turn is one of those metal detecting myths and it needs to be busted! Not saying you cant gain some info from it but a lot of times it misleads and you right off to the silver coin or a find of a lifetime behind. Try this bury a silver coin in the ground at 5 or 6 inchs and do a complete circle all the way around it while swinging your detector over it. What does the signal do? Even in clean ground I find that sometimes it changes a lot.

 

[vferrari]

I do the 90 degree turn for just the opposite reason. It may sound like trash one way and not the other. If it sounds good one way, then like Calabash said, could be a masked keeper and will make a dig decision but not the other way around (i.e., need it to sound good both ways to dig). I use a multitone machine that gives you a little nuance on tone "quality" (scratchy, distorted), that and the turn, and other factors go into a dig decision unless I have the time and the site compatible with digging all targets.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

IMHO, Calabash Digger is right! I have a old test bed of various items, some alone, some co-related items and some masked by iron.

If I'm Relic hunting in a good spot, even with lots of iron present, I dig every signal. Do I get my fair share of iron and junk...yes I do, but the great finds make up for the nails...etc.

In my Artifact Recovery Service my clients want everything...so I dig everything! Iron relics can be really cool!

Lastly, when looking for gold jewelry that comes in many configurations you have to dig all the low/mid tones to be successful. Again when looking for gold you will definitely dig junk!

Just my two cents worth on the subject.

GL & HH

 

[Calabash Digger]

I posted a video on my channel called the myth of the 90 degree turn to dig or not to dig channel is calabash digger on youtube. this is the link yo it.

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

I think the answer to this is what is the goal for your hunt on any particular day. I used an Ace 250 with a standard coil all of last year, sport fields and for lots. I only dug the solid signals after 90 degree turns and passed on any iffy signals. Eventually I literally could tell exactly what coin it would be and dig a precise 2"x2" hole to remove 90% of the time. 10% I would be fooled with a piece of aluminum or some other trash. Now I hit very old sites on the woods and dig all one way iffy signals with a DD coil and the ratio is now 90% trash (bullets, rusty nails, chunks of metal) and only 10% good targets. But I'm ok with only finding 2 or 3 cool old finds (IHP's and silver coins) digging all vs $3 or $4 worth of clad and the occasional lost jewelry item. Both styles of hunting with different goals in mind are fun, however the dig all for a beginner could be frustrating.

 

[Calabash Digger]

I started with a ace 250 and found my first silver with it.. As you climb the ladder of machine and some might not do this as they are happy with what they got ,the tones of the machines become more nuanced and give a lot more information on targets. I went to the pro from the ace and in zero mode it had a lot more info in the tones than the ace had. Dig all for the beginner is the only way they will really ever learn their machine. I understand not all are hardcore hunters and some just want to go out and dig a few signals good ones and no junk and they will take the trade off. Just remember what I said as you climb the ladder the info that the machines provide will increase from the tones. The machine I use now will sound a different tone for penny ,dime ,quarter, half, dollar coins etc so they become very nuanced and a one way target will thus become more easily disernable as whether to dig or not to dig .