V3i Set-up

[rebbel31]

Hello all and thanks in advance.

So I'm new to the hobby, I got a great deal on a v3i which I knew was very complex. I've been out 4 or 5 times and have no issues finding tons of clad and junk. I've also found 2 rings. Anyway I'm looking for a Set-up that allows me to find deep silver but doesn't make my detector sound like the slot room at a Vegas casino. So I guess just some guidance on the gain, discrimination, etc... Im in Colorado Springs.

 

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[Brooklynhunter]

Welcome and good luck with the V3i. It's a great MD. Have mine since 2009 and I'm still learning how to get more out of it. Best advice I can give you is to take a look at whites forum ( hope I'm not violating any posting rules by suggesting such, if so I apologize up front) there's a guy slyoldfox. He is an expert on the V3i and Posta great discussions and custom programs to use. Good luck and happy hunting .

 

[Pointman]

There is a video that Dirtfishing makes that talks about a deep silver setting. I tried it out, but I had to adjust because of the EMI and soil issues. Anyway, I found some dimes in the 9+ inch range. His settings gave me a basis, but I had to adjust off of them.

I have limited experience with the V3I but I think it is a matter of running a discriminate program and adjusting it to the best, most stable settings. It may be as simple as taking the standard silver program and adjusting it as required and then experimenting with the settings, namely the manual and auto sensitivity for your area.

 

[Normsel]

Try this forums.whiteselectronics.com/forumdisplay.php?54-Spectra-V-Series, or this Find's Treasure Forums :: Spectra V3 / V3i / VX3 Forum

There is a deep silver program on the V3i and it works well. You need many many hours to get the hang of it. I probably have 150 hours on mine and still feel like a beginner because there are so many different things you can and options to tweak it.

I would stay with the pre programmed settings for a minimum of 50 -75 hours before you start your custom programs.

 

[Normsel]

I also agree with Pointman

 

[rebbel31]

Thanks for the input guys. I will check those out. Just trying to straighten my learning curve a little.

 

[RobRieman]

Thanks for the input guys. I will check those out. Just trying to straighten my learning curve a little.

Hi rebbel31, there is an advanced V3i manual that people have cobbled together online. It has some good reading in it. There is no magic in the "programs" per say. They are just tweaks that people have found to work best in the environment that they hunt in. Concentrate slowly on learning what each function does and tweak it to your own hunting locations and you will be able to save a "rebbel" program that people can load into their detectors and it may or may not work in their area. It's a complex detector that can be modified in many ways but break it down into simple steps and it won't be overwhelming. When you have extra time on a hunt, pick a signal that sounds decent and tweak the settings until it sounds the best it can, then dig it and remember what composition the target is, VDI, depth, etc... You will be calling out your targets in no time before you dig. Good luck and don't get discouraged!

 

[dp4349]

I recently acquired a V3i and found the link helpful
http://www.metaldetectingintheusa.com/whites-v3i-metal-detector.html#v3i-tips

 

[Higgy]

Man, the way you guys talk about the V3i makes me want to break down and buy one. I have a feeling that if I do, the AT Pro will be collecting dust!

 

[Normsel]

I am really darn good with my ATP and bought my V3i for the challenge and the extra info it can give you. The V3i will go deeper and is better at bottle cap rejection plus many more things however I would never put the ATP on the shelf. I found they actually compliment each other. I have used them together even though it is a pain in the butt to carry one while swinging with the other one. I have done it just to compare each other.

 

[Brooklynhunter]

Having a AT PRO as a back up is a great complement to the v3i. On says it looks like heavy rain I'm stuck inside don't want to risk getting the V3's control box wet. I don't have a AT but think a water proof detector like the AT would be the ideal back up.

 

[Pointman]

Man, the way you guys talk about the V3i makes me want to break down and buy one. I have a feeling that if I do, the AT Pro will be collecting dust!

I'm not trying to discredit the AT Pro....

The main difference for me in going from an AT Pro to a CTX seemed to be going from a push button (almost analog) detector to one that you really needed to experiment and learn what the settings actually mean. When I went to the Deus, it was even more complex and it became where I had to learn how one setting affected another setting. It was much less automatic in some of the settings verses the Minelab. The V3I even seems more so this way. You have to really know what you are doing to get the optimum use out of it and then it changes with the soil and environment the next time you get out with it. The V3I makes my CTX seem easy because there is much more to adjust and optimize.

I like a "turn and go" detector, but I don't think that I will ever go back to one exclusively.

The AT Pro is a great detector all the great finds that it has made says that, but I prefer something slightly more complex.