Isnt it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

[scuffler]

Isn't it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

Hey guys, I was just wondering about something, dont we use the sounds a whole lot more than we do the display? If this is the case, isn't a guy with a basic detector with low frequency going to do just as good as the guy with the fancy detector. Now rememer I am a noob, just returning to detecting after many years off, I am not trying to start a war

Thanks

 

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[Sandman]

Re: Isn't it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

Not all basic detectors have a low freq. Some of the more $$$ ones have two or more to help id the target more accurately.

A skilled operator with a simple detector will find more than a newbie with a fancy one. Some people like the options the higher priced ones give. Of course the LCD screen can lie to you, but so can the sounds. What you have either way is a choice on whether to dig or not. A lot depends on what you learn with. I learned with just sounds and I rely on them more. Probably because I mainly only do the water now and water detectors don't have screens yet, just lights.

 

[scuffler]

Re: Isn't it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

Thanks for the reply, how come you went to mainly water? Is it better, were you not finding stuff on land anymore?

Thanks

 

[ericwt]

Re: Isn't it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

I use sound exclusively. I do not have to look at the screen. No problems with not being able to see the screen in bright sunlight. Plus some of my detectors do not have LED screens. I learned with sound.

I have seen people with cheap machines do better than others with a high end machine.

That being said a $200 machine with an experienced user will not have the depth of a $2000 Pulse Induction machine with an experienced user. Most PI detectors do not have screens. There is always exceptions.

Sometimes luck plays a factor too. Personally I would not worry about this. Just get what you can afford and go from there. You can always upgrade later.

Sandman is a beach and water hunter. It is just his preference. I have no doubt he could hunt with the best of them on land.

 

[BioProfessor]

Re: Isn't it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

Hi Scuffler,

Welcome back. Evidently you haven't read the "Shark Pit" threads. If you had, you'd be in the water 24/7. Take a look and you'll understand why Sandman went wet.

As far as the machines, I see the two things as really separate issues. First and foremost it is the quality of the sound you get with the machine and the headphones. Better sounds usually mean a more expensive machine to get multiple frequencies, etc. The second part of the machine is the display, once the target has passed the sound test, I use the information from the display to help ID the target, determine the depth, and pinpoint. All different uses that the sound alone does for me. So I like the bells and whistles as I get more information.

Daryl

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Re: Isn't it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

I prefer the water as well. There are a lot of potential valuable targets, the digging is so much easier, usually less trash, a nice breeze off the ocean, you can cool off with a quick dunk, and the eye candy isn't bad either. You don't usually see hundreds of pretty ladies in bikinis walking around the parks.

 

[jeff of pa]

Re: Isn't it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

I use Multi Tone, But still dig everything.
Even the Broken signals unless the site is saturated
with Nails.

I have a number ID but only glance at it to help
in pinpointing. When the numbers stop jumping
back & forth, I know I'm very Close.
And I have a Sunray Pinpointer.

These are the Only Bells & Whistles I want & Need.

I think I do a decent job with my Sovereign.

 

[Kas]

Re: Isn't it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

First, I agree with some of the other comments above.

An aluminum can will tone higher, up around the dime range.

Having more than one way to ID a target will help determine to dig or not.

Having the tone to alert you while swinging is a start.
A VDI number assigned to a target will tell you of its possible nature.
Having a signagraph,( the best tool of the three), as the DFX has, will go a long way in telling you if it is a coin or not.

Its not magic. If it sound clear and repeatable in both directions, dig it! Your detector will not lie to you.

 

[Sandman]

Re: Isn't it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

You don't usually see hundreds of pretty ladies in bikinis walking around the parks.

This is definitely a plus. Gold is where you find it and the beaches increase your chances because wet hands are slippery hands.

Treasure_Hunter, wear mirrored polarized sun glasses so the babes won't see your eyes bugging out. That's what I do.

Take Care,
Sandman

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Re: Isn't it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

Need a pair that fits over my glasses, if I don't wear my glasses I can't see them anyway, be like a blindman feeling his way........hummm not a bad thought. .

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Re: Isn't it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

If it better to fly in a helicopter that doesn't have any gauges or alarm buzzers?

If you understand their use and limitations, fine. If you don't understand them they will only confuse and frustrate you. I have an analog Minelab Musketeer and a relatively belled and whistley Fisher F-75. After two months on the F-75 I went back and tried a hunt with the Musky. Ugh. Like banging rocks together compaired to a violin. Both make noise. But I paid my dues using the Minelab for four years and can supplement the basics with the better technology. I still rely most on the audio and then use the TID displays for confirmation and analysis. Saves loads of digging.

But the catch is I may be missing some good finds that I misdiagnosed as trash. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch (TANSTAAFL)

 

[BioProfessor]

Re: Isn't it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

In my case with the DFX, I have learned (and am still learning) what things mean. I can swing over a target and get a good signal, solid and repeatable. So sound qulity test is passed. But if the tone is wrong, I know it's iron. I can look at the signagraph. If it is building bars in the 95 or so range, forget it. It is trash. I've dug enough of then to confirm that. Another thing is you will get a clear repeatable signal but you won't get a VDI number. If I don't get a VDI number, I rarely dig. The only exception is if I am in a new area and what to know what the nails look like. Really old or just sort of old. Old over here is before the 17th century. Want to buy some old nails?

So for me, the bells and whistles guide me as to what is the most probable thing to do next. Dig or not dig. About 90 % of the time, I trust the signagraph and if there are no single band of bars and no VDI number, I walk. Saves tuns of time and I don't need any more rusty nails from the 17th and 18th century although they are cool.

So in my book the bells and whistles serve a useful purpose and are worth the bucks.

Daryld

 

[luvsdux]

Re: Isn't it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

In my opinion one can get by quite well with a simple beep and dig detector (preferably of high quality). Whether it's "better" is another question. Having used both, I agree with Daryl and others that the sound comes first, but the information from the display can be very useful in deciding whether to dig or not. Personally, I especially like the extra information when detecting in parks or other areas where I don't want to disturb the grass at all just to dig a pulltab or bottle cap that didn't discriminate out. In the field, for relics etc. where one can dig an honest hole even for junk as long as it is filled after, a good, relatively simple beeper is plenty of machine. Does that make it "better"? Depends on what the individual prefers or wants, I'd say. In any event, without some sort of signal from a detector, nothing buried would be found. Happy digging.
Bill

 

[Eu_citzen]

Re: Isn't it better to use a simple detector without all the bells and whistle!

I don't really care, basic or hi-tech. What matters is the operator.

I use a combo of a few things I learned on my gti:
1) Coins and pulltabs sound a like
2) they both are fast repeatable in a small area (coil close to target and ground, going over the target many times)
3) there are enough pulltabs for everyone! ( OK sorry )
4) dig everything, if there is not much trash present.