mxtswinger said:
Does anyone have the latest scoop on the Pulse Devil? When will it be available, how to order, its final configuration, cost. Thanks and HH
Hi MXTSWINGER
I haven't corresponded with Dave in awhile so I don't know what his schedule is.There is nothing new on his website. This is the last message about the PD 1000 that I have. It is from Goldlover on the Finders Forum. It was dated Aug. 12. Perhaps the PD 1000 will not be released this year?
By the way the last time he used the PD1000 was on Ganes Creek and it gave those MXT users fits with interference. However, he said it would be an easy fix.
George
I decided no to rush to bring out the Pulse Devil but instead to do my
best to get it right on the money the first time.
Bringing out a new detector is not easy. The engineering takes a lot
of time and is very expensive. Just this month I spent over US$500 on
parts alone.
I have no investors or partners so I have to foot the whole thing!!!
(Luckily, due to this, I also don't have to take any crap from anyone)!!!
The Pulse Devil shown in the pictures is a test bed machine. The final
version will likely have a few changes regarding the controls and it
will likely be somewhat smaller in size.
The controls are similar to those found on a VLF. They are as follows:
Coil Gain. The coil gain control matches the coil and the detector
circuitry to the prevailing soil conditions so as to achieve maximum
depth.
Tuning Speed. The Pulse Devil automatically adjusts it's circuitry to
it's most efficient operating point. The speed that the detector
should meet this point is dependent on the following:
1, Ground variation speed. (Rapidly changing ground requires a faster
speed).
2, Small nuggets are easier to hear with a faster speed.
3, Large Nuggets are picked up deeper with a slower speed.
Ground Balance. The ground balance is a 10 turn control. Note that
this control is fitted with a lab quality turns counter. The counter
allows very precise setting of the control.
The coil is lifted and lowered in an up down motion. The control is
adjusted until the output tone does not change as the coil is moved.
Sample Delay. This control is set as close to zero as conditions
allow. The control setting may be reduced if the tuning speed is
decreased.
Disc. This is a full range discrimination control.
Low settings will also reject nails and iron and most hot rocks.
Higher settings will also reject thin aluminium foil.
The maximum settings are only used for coin hunting. A drink can pull
tab along with foil and iron can be rejected while most coins are
accepted.
Threshold. This control is adjusted to where the audio signal is just
discernable. This gives maximum depth.
Interference. This control is adjusted to null out any interference
that might be encountered. The control is turned until the threshold
tone is quiet.
Matrix (Salt - Normal) switch. Most inland sites require normal
ground balancing. Salt flats and beaches will require the salt setting
to be used.
Handle mounted, Mode - Tuning switch. This switch locks when thrown to
the left and is momentary when thrown to the right.
The left position is for normal searching.
The right position is for pinpointing the target.
Simply bring the coil over the target to where the audio is the
loudest and momentarily press the switch to the right. The target will
now only cause an audio signal when it is closer to the middle of the
coil.
There is another switch which is just visible on the front of the
detector in the photographs. This is a battery select switch. The
prototype had two battery packs inside which were switch selectable.
This feature will not be on the production version of the detector as
one pack lasts about 10 hours.
A built in speaker provides plenty of sound output. The speaker is
disconnected by plugging a set of headphones into the headphone jack.
Power is provided by a 14.8V Lithium Ion battery pack. A universal
mains charger and a 12 - 24V vehicle charger are provided. Spare packs
are simply changed in the field. These packs are also very reasonably
priced.
I am close to finalizing the production model. I still have to test
the new ground control circuit and a few other improvements. The size
of the detector will shrink quite a lot compared to the above prototype.
All the Best
Dave
Goldlover