Question From a Pre-Newbie

[davidnraleigh]

I am so new to this great hobby, I don't even have my own MD. I've borrowed one from a friend and haven't even had a chance to hunt anywhere. Hoping that will change this weekend. My question is... "What is Ground Balancing"? I've seen this referred to in a number of posts, but I have no idea what it is or what it's purpose is. Any guidance or explanations will be much appreciated as my borrowed MD has that feature on it. Thanks!

 

[1320]

Tell us what machine you will be using....you may not have to worry about ground balancing!

In a nutshell, detectors can detect mineralized soil. Balancing the detector eliminates this problem.

There is more to ground balancing that what I've posted...just trying to keep it short.

Jamie

 

[Farmercal]

Welcome to this forum. If you have the instructions for that detector you can easily look it up, if you don't have the manual you can look it up on the manufacturers website. But basically GBing is setting the detector up to compensate for the ground conditions to achieve maximum depth in detecting. Most detectors are ground balanced by holding the coil a certain distance from the ground and moving the coil up and down while adjusting the GB knob to achieve no change in the sound or pitch. Hope this helps. Also, if you could post what detector you are using, someone familiar with that machine will most definately chime and give more specific instructions. HH

 

[davidnraleigh]

Thanks for the quick replies. I don't even know what brand or model my borrowed MD is and I'm pretty sure my friend no longer has its manual. I have told my wife that an MD is what I want for Christmas, more specifically a Garrett Ace 250, which seems to be one of the best entry-level MDs for newbies such as myself. Thanks again for your welcome and for your guidance/advice.

 

[Night Stalker]

Good choice, I've haven't heard anything negative about the Ace 250 so far, everyone seems to like it very well and for the price, it can't be beat considering all the features.

Welcome to the forum by the way.....HH

 

[diggummup]

Thanks for the quick replies. I don't even know what brand or model my borrowed MD is and I'm pretty sure my friend no longer has its manual. I have told my wife that an MD is what I want for Christmas, more specifically a Garrett Ace 250, which seems to be one of the best entry-level MDs for newbies such as myself. Thanks again for your welcome and for your guidance/advice.

Find out what kind of detector it is.It's quite possible you may not have to do any ground balancing.Or rather the machine may have it preset with no ground balancing knob on the machine at all.Welcome to the forum and let us know what kind of machine it is when you get the chance.With that info. i'm sure someone will be able to help you out,with or without the manual.

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Everyone has given a good short explanation of Ground Balancing, it is a good option to have on the detector as soil, mineralization and targets react differently when wet or dry. You should be able to get the instructions from the internet or post the brand name and model here, maybe someone has used it and can offer help! Get out and use that borrowed detector, if you are still not sure about the hobby afterwards then consider a Bounty Hunter for $100.00. If you are content with the hobby then get that Ace 250 and it has a larger and smaller coil, just make sure you get the coil covers as they will help preserve your coils on that Ace. My friend has an Ace 250, great little machine and lightweight, he is hard on it and has cracked his stock coil twice and it is still ticking, LOL! If you are extatic about the hobby and have some extra cash, then consider a White's MXT, easy to use and is a very versatile machine, many coils available for this machine as well and make it a good choice! Just my opinion and let us know how you are going, just get out there and try it! HH, Mike

 

[davidnraleigh]

Thanks for the welcomes and the advice, everyone. I hope to go out tomorrow for a maybe a few hours. I'll check on the brand/model of my borrowed MD and report back. I'll also report back Monday on the results of my first outing. Hope everyone has a great and prosperous weekend.

 

[willrich]

after a long day of metal detecting Ground Balancing becomes pretty unstable after quenching the thirst with a few beers, that's when ya really need a good stable platform to just rest and relax and thank the good earth for giving up her bounty.