I need some advice from the PROS on this.

[Idig4beer]

Hi from Oregon.I'm new at MD but I'm loving it.I have a Bounty Hunter, not the best but it's my first.When I walk through a possible site, should I sweep the coil in a slow left-right or do it more quickley? Does the speed of the sweep make a difference in what you may pick up on the detector?I try to walk slow,and only cover a small area in a straight line.I am using (all metal) mode to start with, and when it beeps, I change to the DIS. mode to see if its not junk.I know it takes some time and I'll keep on going,But my main concern is the speed of the sweep.Any help will be thankful.Today was my offical start and I found 5 quaters, 1 penny,old square nail ,and a big old bent lid of a jar.Its not enough to post, cus everybody else has really nice stuff.But any help on the Sweep speed would help. Thanks Idig. PS sorry about the Packers, I was wrooten 4 them

 

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[Charlie P. (NY)]

Since "pros" charge for their counseling I'll jump in and give you some rank amateur freebies. Fast or slow? Yes. Depends on the machine. Too slow some machines will cancel it as ground conductivity changes. Too fast some will miss it. My F-75 like it fast while my Musketeer is a slower seeker. Bury come various coins at various depths in your yard and test YOUR machine and perfect your technique. Generally, three seconds should be the full four foot sweep. Practice keeping the coil at the same height (skimming the grass) for the whole four foot sweep and it ALWAYS pays to move forward slowly UNLESS you are searching for drop spots in a fairgrounds (near where $ changed hands).

Finding six coins on your first day out is a darned good start. Searching in all metal will wear you out but it will teach you what your detector is saying. Dig EVERYTHING until you learn your tool and it's talk. You're off to a good start. In the all metal mode slow is usually going to be better. Speed up in a discrimination mask. Different circuits.

 

[bruizr]

you listen to charlie,he knows what he's talking about.
you can also do what is called 'bench testing' how your detector responds to assorted metals at different settings. take off any jewelry so you don't cause signals yourself. next,using whatever settings on your detector you want to see how it responds,lay the detector down on a table or somewhere where you can pass different metals in front of the coil. try different settings.
things will behave differently that are in the ground because of varying factors such as soil type,moisture levels,corosion,etc. but you will have a better understanding of what settings will pick up or cancel out certain metals. ABOVE ALL- read the instructions and review often. take your time,never hurry and be aware of your surroundings. take care,
bruizr

 

[Idig4beer]

Thank you all for the help.I do see where maybe I was "sweeping alittle fast at some times.I did try the test with different metals( nail, foil, quater and gold ring). I'll have to be more paitent and practice some.I will post my finds later in the week,even the neat junk stuff.I would also assume that going over a area more than once is a good step.I think I'm going to have fun at this new hobby,and will try my luck at the oregon coast next weekend.Today I'm going back to the old school house and re-do the grounds.I know there's got to be more goodies in the ground.Till later Idig