My Garrett ACE 400 ignored nickels as coins today...why?

[Rings&bling]

I was detecting this afternoon at some firework stands. I happened to dig up a nickel near another coin, but it didn't ring up on my ACE 400, it just gave a trash signal. The VDI read out a typical 47, but I did not get the bell tone at all like I had in previous searches. Had it been in the ground too long? I had "jewelry" mode on and no iron audio.

 

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[Bill G]

If the nickel was next to another coin a higher conductor such as a Dime, Penny or a Quarter it could have pulled your VDI range up out of the nickel range. Check your detector with the nickel only and I bet all will be good.

I hunt by tones/sound and only use the VDI as a second way of ID for the possible type of metal in the ground. VDI are only accurate on American coin type items by them selves. There are way to many real world items that will ring up in the same ranges and not be a coin at all.

Diffrent types of coins and also a multitude of trash and other metal items can alter your tones and your VDI numbers if next to or in the same hole as the coin or target that you find. This can pull your VDI numbers up and it can also drive them down. It all depends on how the detector is actually picking up and trying to register the multiple items in the ground.

There's is an old saying dig everything if you really want to know what's truly in the ground. The true best and most accurate VDI, your eyes..Lol.

All The Best,
Bill G

 

[Rings&bling]

Thanks, Bill, good tip on the pulling out of range idea. I did check the nickle with just the detector, and it rang up a 47, but again, no bell tone as with other coins. As a relative newbie, I have only found a total of 5 nickels. However, the first four nickels range up with the bell tone. I usually hunt by tones first, then double check the VDI.

 

[Bill G]

Thanks, Bill, good tip on the pulling out of range idea. I did check the nickle with just the detector, and it rang up a 47, but again, no bell tone as with other coins. As a relative newbie, I have only found a total of 5 nickels. However, the first four nickels range up with the bell tone. I usually hunt by tones first, then double check the VDI.

I just glanced at the Garrett Ace 400 owners manuel on Kellyco web page. I am not familiar with the Ace 400 as I don't own one. It looks like a nickel should come in around 45 to 47 according to Garretts VDI scale for the Ace 400 detector. Also the bell tone would normally be for higher conductors than nickel according to the manual. I am surprised you were getting the bell tone on nickels according to there tone descriptions for coins.

Take a look at your owners manuel it will more than likely give you some good insight to your detector.

All The Best,
Bill G

 

[Icewing]

Garrett

 

[Keppy]

Garrett

......

 

[sprailroad]

It's been a long while Rings, but for some years I used a Garrett GTA 1000, it to had a bell tone, (As Mr. Garrett put it, the sound of money), and if I remember, something like a nickel and perhaps a gold ring, did not sound of with the bell tone, but rather a mid tone in general, perhaps of the lower conductivity of the alloy. If I'm correct, on a good mid tone, check the VDI again, (about where it's at) dig it and see what's what. If you get a nickel, remember it. Now, here's the thing though, most every machine I've had,(7), nickels, some gold rings, along with pull-tabs and lead sinkers, will often show and sound about the same, so......

 

[Rookster]

I would do a little more testing on clean ground with the coins and settings. Happy Holidays.

 

[Rings&bling]

Thanks, Bill, and Rook! I appreciate the help!

 

[Rings&bling]

I agree, I can tell I need to do the test, and take a second look at things. I went to a park today, and found a quarter and two dimes where I hunted yesterday, simply because I listened to mixed trash signals differently....I still have a LOT to learn! But I am SOOOO addicted!

 

[HighVDI]

Def. an addiction!

Remember too that there's tons of variables involved that can change a tone or VDI reading. Mineralized ground, iron in the area or other reasons like a coin on edge ect. More time digging these items will help you learn the little nuances of your machine. Most places now days have very little if any obvious dig me signals so many times we're left looking for the iffy or handicapped ones.

 

[ConshyBoy]

Nickels in my area come in at 53

 

[Rings&bling]

That's a much higher number, Coshyboy….

 

[smokeythecat]

I do not rely on the VDI as an indicator whether to dig or not, with the exception of a salt water beach, on the high, dry sand. Really low numbers are generally foil, and I don't dig them however gold comes in just over that reading. The higher coin probably confused it. If you get a solid repeatable tone, dig it.

 

[Iffy Signals]

I agree, I can tell I need to do the test, and take a second look at things. I went to a park today, and found a quarter and two dimes where I hunted yesterday, simply because I listened to mixed trash signals differently....I still have a LOT to learn! But I am SOOOO addicted!

Congrats on your new Ace 400. My father has been swinging one for the past year and loves it. I bought him the 13 inch detech coil. Its a couple inches deeper and even ligher than the stock coil. We will be out digging tomorrow and hope to have a video up with the new coil. Good luck with your new addiction

 

[Got-Good-Tones]

The hunt site where you found the Nickel...Might want to go back over the general area again...but try it in different modes. (I.E. - Coins, Jewelry, Zero-Disc, Relics...etc) and make note of the difference each mode makes. Will be surprised at the difference...I also have a Ace 400...so might be able to help from time to time.

 

[A2coins]

Turn your Ground balance down by 10 after your initial ground balance!!!!!!

 

[Rings&bling]

Thanks, Smokey. I think I am struggling with the same issue other newbies do-determining where the cutoff is for digging things. I try to dig all, but sometimes it isn't possible. On my Garrett, I have been ignoring anything under 40. After the advice I received on here, I found 3 nickels! I know recognize the mid-tone sound!

 

[Rings&bling]

Turn your Ground balance down by 10 after your initial ground balance!!!!!!

Tommy, the ACE 400 has auto ground balance, so I can't do that.

 

[Rings&bling]

Good tip! Thanks for letting me know we share the same machine. I will definitely be picking your brain! What does gold jewelry ring up for you? When you get a crazy non-repeatable sound, do you dig anyway, or assume it's a large soda can? I am struggling with that part....