Help with Garrett Grand Master Hunter CXIII

[NCHornet]

If this is the wrong section, I am sorry, mods please move to correct area.
I could sure use some help with this detector. I bought it several years ago. Then some health issues hit me and it has sat in my closet for years now. I had sent it off to Garrett for a tune up right before it was put away. I also purchased two new coils for it through Garrett. The coils are these two and have never been used.
Garrett Crossfire Supreme Deepseeker 8 1/2"

Hot Head High Energy 6"

I have found a few cool things in the yard, but I really want to understand all the different settings so I can get the best use out of the detector. I know it is a older detector, and the new ones are probably better, but for now this is what I have and I can't afford to buy a new detector right now.
I have read the manual online but it is just about worthless at describing what each function does and how to adjust it correctly and how one function affects another etc...... I also understand the best way to learn a machine is to get out and use it. But if I don't know what these functions are actually doing I could be passing on good targets and that would be a shame. I have seen the few videos on you tube about this detector but those don't describe the detailed functions either. If anyone has any info they could pass along I would greatly appreciate it.
I live in NW NC and we have red clay with lots of quartz. I am interested in hunting for anything metallic, not just coins and jewelry. Can anyone give me some hints as to where to set each function for best results?
Last thing I need some help with is for a good sling or harness. This detector isn't the lightest and after an hour of swinging it my lower back is killing me. I see lots of different products that claim to be the magic cure, but I would prefer recommendations from folks that have actually used them.
Sorry for all the questions, but I sure appreciate any help anyone might be able to provide.
God Bless
NCH

 

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[Sandman]

Welcome to Tnet Hornet . It would take to long to post here so here is a link that will help. http://www.losttreasure.com/content/archives/garrett-electronics-grand-master-hunter-cx-iii As for the help with the weight, you can make a simple strap that attaches to the detector and goes across your chest to the other shoulder, or you can order Doc's Swingy Thingy at http://www.docsdetecting.com/ultraswingy.html

 

[NCHornet]

Thanks so much for the link. I am going to go read it right now. I figured I might be asking to much due to all the different parameters that are on this detector, lol!!!!
Thanks for the link for the harness as well. My real love is firearms and I have a nice sling for my AR 15'S and I was thinking about trying to use that to help me out. Looks like it might work out just fine with some small changes. Thanks again for the help and the welcome. If my health holds out this go around I am looking forward to warmer weather and my new hobby!!! Let's hope our president doesn't try to destroy this hobby the way he is my other, lol!!!!

 

[The Punisher]

where at in NW NC, I have a cxiii also....

 

[NCHornet]

I am in Mount Airy right on the VA state line. I see you are in Elkin so we are neighbors, lol!!! Any hints you might be able to pass along would be much appreciated. Any advice on which coil out of the two would be better than the other? Thanks again.
NCH

 

[The Punisher]

I like the smaller coil (alot of trash) and put in all metal mode, I like to hear all the targets....and turn off the treasure talk, gets on my nerves! If you come down my way give me a shout.....I have a few spots needing detecting, since I got my F75 it goes deeper and feel I have missed some deeper targets.

 

[NCHornet]

That would be awesome, maybe you can give me a few pointers, lol!!! I too like to use it in all metal, never know what you will find. We were told that the property our house sits on was a slave plantation way back when. I also have photos of the original house that was built on the property. The kitchen was a separate building but I haven't been able to locate it 100%. But I did find the Johnny house, to bad they filled it solid with concrete. When I first got the detector I hunted our yard and I found some metal shackles. My wife thinks they may be from the slaves, but to me they look more like something used for a team of horses. Also found around 50 square cut nails.
I have lots of woods behind my house if you ever want to come up here and hunt. I haven't had much luck finding if there were any structures back in the woods, so I planned on just picking an area and go slow and see what shows up. I do need to rig up a sling or something to support the weight of it. After swinging that CXIII for awhile my back starts to kill me, lol!!!!!
Do you have the rechargeable battery pack for your cxiii? I had it and the regular battery tray that holds the 6 C cell batteries but now I can't locate it any where. I have the outlet cord, but not the battery pack. I checked at Kellyco and Garrett and neither have it in stock any longer. Actually what I would love to have is the battery that you can carry on your belt, that way it makes the detector much lighter but I don't know if they even make one that will work with the CXIII.
Check your pm's I am going to send you my email and phone number.
Thanks
NCH

 

[lonewolfe]

Don't under estimate the cxiii -- they were ahead of their time

I still have mine and I'm here to tell you - it will give todays machines a run for their $$ in both depth and function and versatility.

If you come across or get a chance to purchase an elliptical coil (5x10) do so at your 1st chance as it's a great coil for trashy areas, parks, home sites, etc. and pinpoints extremely precise.

Learn to use the VCO pinpoint - it's a great feature (wish Garrett put it in all their machines) and you'll find yourself digging tiny holes for recovering targets.

Also - the all metal non motion mode is a nice feature as well as the adjustable threshold (invaluable)!

Forget the "Treasure Talk" feature - I turn mine off as it distracts and drives you nuts! I think they put that in there because the cxiii is the 1st digital talking machine ever made and they were just experimenting with computer technology back in that day - it truly is annoying and un-needed though!

Play around with the surface elimination function when you're looking for deep targets at parks and other trashy areas - it's a cool function I've never seen on any other machine.

I really don't use mine much anymore - it just sits in the closet but once in a while I get the urge to take it out for a spin/walk down memory lane! I bought mine new back in 1998 when they upgraded the chips to 2nd gen - they were faster than the 1st gen

found many a Indian Heads with mine while using the elliptical coil - for some reason it seems to like them better than any other machine I've ever owned ;-)

Good luck and HH - I'm sure you'll find lots of good stuff to share w/us on the forum here!

 

[NCHornet]

Thanks for all the good info. Is there any particular brand of eliptical coil that you would recommend?