The reason I DO NOT rely on numbers........

Goes4ever · Mar 5, 2011

I have been thinking about this after reading many forums and people are too obsessed with the numbers on their etrac screen. Well here is the thing that goes thru my mind when detecting, the numbers everyone focuses on is based on “coins” so you got numbers for indians, wheats, silver dimes, old nickels….etc.

BUT…………how many things are made of various metals, and lost in the dirt that you would love to find are NOT just coins? :thumbsup:

So why then would you limit yourself to ONLY dig coin type numbers? :dontknow:

Just to name a few: tokens, jewelry, buttons, relics. These items vary so much and can come in ALL over on the number scale. So, I say if it is a solid smooth tone, hits from 2 ways, has a little depth, I am digging, the numbers are just a suggestion. :laughing7:

…….Any thoughts? :icon_scratch:

FooserPaul · Mar 5, 2011

Terry,

I think we would all agree... We've all been suprised by finds referring back to the numbers... Swing low and slow... if is repeats... Enjoy the journey and dig it!

The challenge is we all want silver and old coins... so thank you for reminding us all that there is lots of other goodies to recover :-)

Paul

Don in SJ · Mar 5, 2011

So true, even though I never use the numbers on the Explorer series, but dig the repeatable signals, dig what your experience with your detector tells you that yes there is "something" there in the ground. (Tone ID so, so important on first contact)

One example I use for those who think of numbers for the coins, is that my son dug a 1595 French Douzain, and it read in the FOIL range! Debased silver that is thin, like the Douzain would be passed up as junk by many many detectorists. My best example of "dig it all" and was one of my most valueable finds, was a Rev War Dragoon button and it was made of LEAD! But, regardless it sold for a hefty sum and yet how many would have not dug that reading.

I guess those who strickly hunt parks/playgrounds only, aka coinshooters, then fine, use and dig by the numbers, but for the most part, that is taking away the advantage of having a top of the line detector like the Etrac or Explorer.

I also think that those who went to Minelab products after using Whites with numbered ID are more likely to rely on the numbers, than say someone who converted from an older Garrett or most Tesoro's and such. I transitioned over ten years ago from using a Garrett GTA1000 and had no trouble whatsoever learning the tones and on the original XS, the crosshair positions.......One reason I stayed in the Explorer series, rather than Etrac was to be able to still have the crosshair readings I am so used to. I do not use the Ferrous - Non Ferrous numbers in the field at all.

By the way, just run your coil over a few coins and than run the coil over them with the coins on edge and see the difference in the readout.

Don (SE Pro user)

Sandman · Mar 5, 2011

Goes4ever said:
I have been thinking about this after reading many forums and people are too obsessed with the numbers on their etrac screen. Well here is the thing that goes thru my mind when detecting, the numbers everyone focuses on is based on “coins” so you got numbers for indians, wheats, silver dimes, old nickels….etc.

BUT…………how many things are made of various metals, and lost in the dirt that you would love to find are NOT just coins?
So why then would you limit yourself to ONLY dig coin type numbers?
Just to name a few: tokens, jewelry, buttons, relics. These items vary so much and can come in ALL over on the number scale. So, I say if it is a solid smooth tone, hits from 2 ways, has a little depth, I am digging, the numbers are just a suggestion.
…….Any thoughts?

Now your getting smarter than the average dirt digger. I guess you have to have started with detectors that only beeped for a sound to appreciate the fun of finding older coins that don't adhere to a certain set of numbers.

mainer · Mar 5, 2011

Good advice. I too never look at the screen. I dig anything non ferrous. Ofcoarse Im digging old sites where there usually isnt any modern junk. :icon_thumright:

Dano Sverige · Mar 6, 2011

In the UK and Europe nobody relies on the numbers. It's just not reliable and you can miss or ignore many great and valueable finds.
Set your machine up as required...then tape over the screen! Put the work in and learn your tones and you'll find a lot more.

teleman 2525 · Mar 6, 2011

i learned on a bounty hunter 505 used numbers then went to whites xlt also used numbers then got my se pro started learning numbers but found sound and screen placement and depth gage had more to offer if it sounds good dig it if it places good on the screen dig it if deep and iffy dig it love this metal detector its real fun to use and its realy not that hard to learn i,ve only had a month and 1/2 on it still learning but lots of great finds already 1788mass. copper 1797 draped bust large cent several barber dimes and quaters 1899,s up 2cent us old injuns and much more and im just learning mostly hunt all metal ferrous sounds now espeialy at old cellar hole site,s use iron mask in parks conductive sounds unless lots of iron then back to ferrous sounds low grunts leave higher dig can,t get much easier then that

Iron Patch · Mar 7, 2011

I've been using an explorer for over 10 years and know about as much about screen readings as someone who has owned the detector for a week. But that's exactly the way I like it.

Smudge · Mar 9, 2011

Iron Patch said:
I've been using an explorer for over 10 years and know about as much about screen readings as someone who has owned the detector for a week. But that's exactly the way I like it.

I'm curious. As you say you don't use the screen, is there a reason you chose the Explorer over something like the Sovereign?

While I do notice some differences when comparing the two units, does the Explorer really have that much over the Sovereign for the relic hunting you like to do?

Iron Patch · Mar 9, 2011

Smudge said:
Iron Patch said:

I've been using an explorer for over 10 years and know about as much about screen readings as someone who has owned the detector for a week. But that's exactly the way I like it.

Click to expand...

I'm curious. As you say you don't use the screen, is there a reason you chose the Explorer over something like the Sovereign?

While I do notice some differences when comparing the two units, does the Explorer really have that much over the Sovereign for the relic hunting you like to do?

I even though I haven't personally used I Sovereign I would think I would still prefer an explorer because I prefer it over everything else.

Felinepeachy · Mar 9, 2011

I'm glad I don't know what the numbers mean. That way there's more surprise and less disappointment. :laughing7:

Daedalus · Mar 9, 2011

I hardly every look at the screen , you just do not need to . I go by the sound and dig .

Felinepeachy · Mar 9, 2011

LOL which sound? There are so many :help:

Goes4ever · Mar 9, 2011

Felinepeachy said:
I'm glad I don't know what the numbers mean. That way there's more surprise and less disappointment.

don't bother learning the numbers that way every hole you dig is like a grab bag!

Don in SJ · Mar 9, 2011

With over ten years of Explorer use and 99.9% of that time using Ferrous Sounds, I do not go by the tone alone, if I did I would be digging more false targets and bad iron. I use tone first but I know the smart screen well enough to know that the crosshair positioning, and its movements also tells a lot of information and can help verify what the tone is saying. In other words I depend upon both EQUALLY. But as far as numbers go, forget it, like I said in my first reply, perhaps those who previously used digital readout detectors are the ones who rely on the numbers, but personally, I will stay with the Explorer series and the smart screen crosshairs which I have loved using since December 2000.

Don

Texcam · Mar 28, 2011

Goes4ever said:
I have been thinking about this after reading many forums and people are too obsessed with the numbers on their etrac screen. Well here is the thing that goes thru my mind when detecting, the numbers everyone focuses on is based on “coins” so you got numbers for indians, wheats, silver dimes, old nickels….etc.

BUT…………how many things are made of various metals, and lost in the dirt that you would love to find are NOT just coins?
So why then would you limit yourself to ONLY dig coin type numbers?
Just to name a few: tokens, jewelry, buttons, relics. These items vary so much and can come in ALL over on the number scale. So, I say if it is a solid smooth tone, hits from 2 ways, has a little depth, I am digging, the numbers are just a suggestion.
…….Any thoughts?

I with you 100% to many great items in the ground to miss finding. Just like a coin not laying flat will read differently.

sandnsea49 · Mar 29, 2011

When I first started in this obsession 25 years ago, I had a metered machine, but dug all good solid signals anyway. I found a lot of great coins, jewelry and other great items. As I am now 62 and getting up and down is not as easy as it used to be I start out just like the old days, digging all solid sounding targets. As I get tired I start looking at the numbers and dig less junk. I also notice I do not find as much as I did 25 years ago. Is it because the places I go to are hunted out, or is it because I don't dig it all? As I get older and continue on competing with you younger guys I need that meter to let me hunt longer. I may not find as much neat stuff but, I still do alright.

JDS · Mar 29, 2011

I started out with junk and dug everything as I moved up I did more listening than looking at the meter. When I started using the GPX series all you had was the sound. I would like to believe I hear better than I see but with the e-trac I still check the read out for position above the fe line but don't look for numbers. If it is near or above the fe line I dig it but I am not a relic hunter if I were I would dig everything.

JDS

extractor · Mar 29, 2011

WoW there is some great advise showing up in this thread !
I tend to rely on the tones for the main indicator to dig.
If I like the tone and the # s look good OR are interesting, then I dig.

relic lover · Mar 31, 2011

Don in SJ said:
With over ten years of Explorer use and 99.9% of that time using Ferrous Sounds, I do not go by the tone alone, if I did I would be digging more false targets and bad iron. I use tone first but I know the smart screen well enough to know that the crosshair positioning, and its movements also tells a lot of information and can help verify what the tone is saying. In other words I depend upon both EQUALLY. But as far as numbers go, forget it, like I said in my first reply, perhaps those who previously used digital readout detectors are the ones who rely on the numbers, but personally, I will stay with the Explorer series and the smart screen crosshairs which I have loved using since December 2000.

Don

yes that's my method exactly!