idx and relic hunting

[wod]

Does anyone relic hunt with their IDX pro to find civil war stuff. What I was wondering what does a bullet fall in as a small coin or larger like a quarter. And what is the best settings to use in most conditions....
Thanks IDXWODD

 

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[slow sweeper]

Don't have an IDX but almost bought one, then decided on the MXT. Still want an IDX Pro. Anyway, when I wander around the farm here looking for relics, out in the fields, away from the buildings, I set my discrimination at 0 and dig all targets. I've only been out doing that twice. So far have found only parts of farm impliments. If the IDX has an all metal mode I'd use it and dig all targets. Any target that is deep is not going to register correctly on the VDI anyway. Use the largest coil you have. Go really slow and overlap your sweeps. If it beeps, dig it.

 

[lonewolfe]

? ? ?Don't have an IDX but almost bought one, then decided on the MXT. Still want an IDX Pro. Anyway, when I wander around the farm here looking for relics, out in the fields, away from the buildings, I set my discrimination at 0 and dig all targets. I've only been out doing that twice. So far have found only parts of farm impliments.? If the IDX has an all metal mode I'd use it and dig all targets. Any target that is deep is not going to register correctly on the VDI anyway. Use the largest coil you have. Go really slow and overlap your sweeps. If it beeps, dig it.

All good advice, but,,,, the "Go really slow" part is "iffy"

because,

you need to find the correct "sweep speed" of the machine you're using.

While one machine may work fine sweeping really slow, another make/model may not, and you'll miss targets if you're sweeping too fast or too slow according to your machines sweep speed...

The DFX has "adjustable" sweep speed - that was one thing I liked about it that no other machines have (unless the New Mine-lab Explorer II does? but no others I know of or have owned in 25 yrs of detecting).. When/if you get to know your machine, you'll know how fast/slow you can sweep for optimal performance without any fear of losing deep targets...

There's a little more to swinging a detector, and finding deep targets based on the advice of "just use a big coil, and go real slow".. While a bigger coil does help, each machine has a different sweep speed, and or different bells & whistles that make it "unique", and you have to spend a LOT of time thru trial & error finding out how to use them all to your best advantage on each machine.

Good luck, and HH

Lonewolfe

 

[slow sweeper]

You're absolutely right lonewolf. I should have clarified my statement. By "go really slow" I meant take really small steps, walk very slowly. I'm assuming he is using a stock concentric coil so "walking" slowly and overlapping his sweeps will give him the best chance of not missing any targets. I didn't mean slow down the sweep speed. But rereading my post I can see how it could read that way. And generally while relic hunting a bigger coil will cover more ground with each sweep and give you a little better depth. Like I said, generally speaking. There are always exceptions. A large coil in highly mineralized soil might create more problems than the depth you'd gain. And also wod, I'd suggest if you find a hot spot you cover the area from different angles. Right angle and diagonally.

 

[Bill(de)]

Hi wod,

As far as your original question about bullets.I haven't a found any lead to register higher than zinc and the deeper it is may hit in pulltab range or lower. HH Bill

 

[wod]

Thanks everyone for responding to my question, you guys gave my some sound advice..Especially slowing everything down because thats onething I always have a problem with slow down and take it easy..
When you think about it its better to cover a small area and cover it well ,than just hurry through it thinking you have to cover more ground and do it quickly..Its not a race
Well it might be a few days before I can go out but I am ready to hit about 6 acres that is near civil war sites, even though I really like coin hunting I am pumped up to see what is down there in the soil...
Thanks again,
IDXWODD

 

[slow sweeper]

Good luck wod! Sounds like you have a great spot to hunt. My hunting is generally for coins and jewelry too. But relic hunting can be fun. Sometimes the targets will be few and far between and that gets a little boring for me. But if you're in a civil war area there's no telling what you'll find.
Looking forward to seeing pics of that CSA buckle.

 

[lonewolfe]

You're absolutely right lonewolf. I should have clarified my statement. By "go really slow" I meant take really small steps, walk very slowly. I'm? assuming he is using a stock concentric coil so "walking" slowly and overlapping his sweeps will give him the best chance of not missing any targets.? I didn't mean slow down the sweep speed. But rereading my post I can see how it could read that way.? And generally while relic hunting a bigger coil will cover more ground with each sweep and give you a little better depth. Like I said, generally speaking. There are always exceptions. A large coil in highly mineralized soil might create more problems than the depth you'd gain. And also wod, I'd suggest if you find a hot spot you cover the area from different angles. Right angle and diagonally.

Thanks for clarifying slow sweeper,

I mis-read/understood your statement, and thought you meant as I explained! Sorry!

HH

Lonewolfe

 

[Born2Dtect]

WOD like SlowSweeper said go slow and really overlap the passes. The coil is concentric meaning its scan area is like an upside down traffic cone. The part of the scan that is the deepest is also the narrowest part. I don't like all metal. If you can get away with it turn down the discrimination. Set the sensitivity as high as you can without getting chatter or false readings and have fun.

Ed