How deep does my new Minelab go?

[bafromkc]

OK, here's my story, with some questions I hope you can answer. I started metal detecting in 1985 and have owned several detectors, ending-up with a White's Eagle Spectrum that I sold a year ago. My arthritis got so bad it hurt to do the digging so I called it quits. NOT! I've got the bug and can't help it. So I recently purchased a used Minelab Explorer XS. It's definitely more complicated then even the Spectrum. I've been out for 3 hours since it arrived and still haven't found a coin. Seems my best "hits" are way-deep? I'm reading "Mastering the Minelab Explorer" by Sabisch to try to get this new FBS technology straight. Question 1, on the display there is a shovel icon and a bar graph that's supposed to clue you in on the depth. But I find no info about the relationship between the length of the bar, vs. just how deep (how many inches)the target is. In practice, a coin on top of the ground shows a "full" bar. The good targets I can't get to show about half of the bar. But I dig and dig, all the while my knees are shuttering...I'm at 11" deep, the length of my trowell, and I'm still not there. Yes, it's still in the hole! Question 2, How can you dig targets that are SO deep, like I suppose maybe 18", 20", 24"? at the local church yard, without getting the owner upset, even though he's given permission. Don't get me wrong, I've probably dug a thousand holes over the years. I always replace the plug / dirt etc like I was never there. Have I been "duped" by technology? It's like the fun goes away after 15 minutes digging and aching, the pile of dirt looks like you just dumped a bag of potting soil on the yard, and still I need to go deeper?! No wonder I called it quits. Then there's the same scenario, arm deep in some hole?!, big pile of dirt...and you finally turn-up an aluminum bottle cap...OR WORSE, your "TARGET" DISAPPEARS ALL-TOGETHER! Any thoughts, advice? Thanks, Bill

 

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[Narked1]

I've been having the same probs as BA concerning depth with my Excalibur. Willis just gave me the clue to what I may have been missing when detecting. I've been digging based while assuming that the target would be directly beneath the center of the coil. Now I see the error of my ways. Will have to go back to the last place I detected and retrace my steps and re-dig the areas where I knew I would find something but never did, even though I had a good signal....about a third of them sounded like gold as compared to my practice targets! Now sporting "Day-Glo" Green on the center tip of my coil and am ready to get back out there :-)

 

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[willisjj]

I am very happy that I could be of help to yall. I had the same problem when I got my Sovereign and ended up doing a lot of research on coils and stuff before I figured out that these double D coils are completely different than the concentric coils. Anyway, good luck to you and talk to yall later.............Jeremy

 

[littlehugger]

BAFROMKC,
Did you ever consider switching to beach hunting?
The sand is a lot easier to dig than dirt. This makes it worthwhile to dig all targets, and will enable you to learn your Minelab quicker.
Another good choice is playgrounds. Most of them are wood chips, which is very easy to dig in. And it doesnt freeze, as long as its dry.
Wifey loves them, as she hates to dig and get muddy. She also has quite good luck with them.
You may not find ultra valuable stuff, but its easy practice while you learn, and should get you thru the winter.

 

[Monty]

Your Minelab will go about 6 inches if you use a big enough hammer and the shaft don't bend! Monty