Ok the Newbie is needing some help again.......

[bryan]

Ok i know that with my whites xlt lower older coins are going to read anywhere from +8 up. and usually some where around 5 inches down.... I know that there are exceptions to this...
Ok my question is that if i start getting a reading (Im just going to make up numbers here so bear with me...)
So if its reading say +15 but its jumping up and down say up to +40 and then to a different number like most signals do. do i dig it? if its all jumpy is it worth digging down say 8 inches. What do i do here. If its an older deep coin is it going to have a constant number. so if it is an old coin and its showing say +22 and then its going +/- 1 # then its worth digging right?

 

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[bazinga]

I use an Explorer, not a Whites, but I'll throw in my 2 cents.

Many of my better / deeper finds where all over the screen and showed no real consistency. If you are in an older area and get a hit deeper than 6", then dig away! At least it gives you an idea about the age of what you might find in that depth in that area.

 

[bryan]

long way to dig for scrap, just trying to figure out what to do. maybe why i never find any old coins......

someone Help me im so lost....

 

[mvSWAT]

Let experience be your best teacher. Your setting, the ground conditions, etc... will make a difference. When I get a deep signal with my XLT it's usually a good indication if I'm in coin/jewelry mode. I find that I'll get more trash when I see the numbers jump around but then I've found coins of different denominations in the same hole many times. When you make a find you've got to note the number, note the bar graph, and note the tone. These are just indicators but will help you if you want to be a little more discreet on when to dig. You've gotta pay your dues first....dig it all dude.
Just don't be like the guy who passes picking up a $10 bill because he's looking for a $20 bill.
Happy Hunting. Dan
(Did you ever get a chance to check out that ghost town?)

 

[Getty]

From what ive read dig eveything.Jerdfx has mastered his DFX,digs everything,but has ALOT(huge amount) of great coins and finds.Thats my 2 bits.

 

[Nana40]

Yep...I have to agree with the rest of 'em. Dig it all.

You never know what it's going to be. It help's you to figure it out.

 

[Jeffro]

I use the ID for a general idea, the tone helps add to that, and when both kinda coincide, well.... its makes it all that much more pleasureable. But I dig most everything too, thats what it takes to make the good finds and gain experience!

This is one pastime where patience really is a virtue, so don't get discouraged. The rings and old coins will come with time.

 

[Roadquest]

They are right, dig everthing, sure you will get some junk, but you will
get a lot of goodies also, that you would have missed.

Clayton

 

[bjblas]

roadquest the xlt is a great detector but takes some time to master all the settings on this machine. not all ground is the same so you have to change settings some times.one thing that might help you in determining to dig or not is the DC phase setting here is what you do start off in the pre set coin and jewelry mode after you ground balance push the menu pad and go to the pro options .go to the display setting hit enter go to the DC phase push enter pad to turn this on now start detecting when you hit a target that jumps around pull away from the target hold in the trigger go back over the target and hold it still over the target as if you are checking the depth look up in the upper right hand corner of the screen look at the numbers if the numbers are negative it will probably be junk but if it is positive it will proably be a good target get use to the numbers that show up as coins i dig all positive numbers you will dig allot of things such as aluminum and copper and brass items but this is what you want seeing that most good items are made from such metals. don't forget dig all positive numbers hope this helps good luck and happy hunting bjb

 

[[email protected]]

Hey man, you gotta do it old school style! LISTEN! Number 1 - learn the tones/signals.
The meter/lcd is a guideline, there are a million variables in the ground, learn to distinguish the changes in pitch.
I can tell if there is a nail with a coin down deep by sound! I've hunted with alot of guys who use xlt, excalibur, dfx, etc, and while they're looking at the readout trying to figure what the computer is telling them, I've dug up two coins already! lol
I also know a xlt user who looks at the lcd once every 10 signals or so, and he's ranked right up there with the big boys.(he doen't have to look at the lcd, he knows the signals).
To sum it up, my advice to you is to master the sounds, then look at the screen. It will all make sense.
Goodluck!
Dave.

 

[bk]

Once in a while you have to dig those "iffy" signals. Depending on what you are hunting.
If I was in a 50 year old school yard, probably not, but if if I were hunting a 150 year old picnic grove, I dig almost every signal unless I know its a nail.
I would hate to miss a gold coin, or an XF seated dime because I didn't feel like digging questionable signals.
A lot of times, I too, get tired of digging deep signals only to find junk, but the one time you do, and find a good coin, it makes it all worthwhile.

 

[johny mc.]

Bryan-
The meters are all imperfect.

Simply do an air test with hundreds of different objects and watch the different readings that come up.

Now you add in that the target is underground and with deeper older targets they are impacted by the leaching effect. The leeching effect is when the target bleeds out metal particles into the surrounding ground. Now what has been said is that moisture trapping in this entire target is like a bubble: hence the halo effect where your detector is actually detecting the whole bubble. Hence a signal, then you bust up the halo and then no signal.

Two things about your question:
1. Try to use your pinpointing to determine size of the target.
2. What are your ears telling you?

The simple thing would be to dig everything but I gave that up a long time ago. I'd rather just cover more ground,different ground.

A true iffy is a true iffy- yea dig those. Trust your detector on the majority of stuff though.

If its a smaller target and jumping around dig it. It might be what you want or another unusual whatsit..often something worth keeping.

The jumping around may be ocurring where there are multiple targets or it might be a confused meter but if that jumping is consistent then it's worth digging. As you begin to uncover dirt re-pinpoint to check again for size...now you may know if its big iron or metal.

But remember that big can may have 100 old coins in it so we have come full circle. I like to play the percentages when detecting unlike some people who are looking for the big strike.

If your detector is jumping around like crazy in one small area that may mean a bunch of coins in a small area....the clad cache.

Thats what makes detecting great you can do what you want.

aloha..johny mc- pennsy, not hawaii.

 

[The Seeker]

Hey Bryan....Those are great questions , I have used the whites XLT and have found many nice finds and plenty of them were 6 or more inches down....The rule of thumb is if its deeper than 5 inches and hits consistantly dig it.... But that does not mean that some of those signals you get that the number keeps changing are not good targets...I have found coins that were over 6 inches deep next to items that made the signal numbers bounce from the 30's up to the 80's.. I personally dig almost all targets that seem to be different from the most common junk....Learn the machine the best you can and the only way to do so is with experience...
I now use a minelab Explorer 2 and having used the XLT ,I feel the two machines and both quite similar except for the multiple frequencys. Good luck in the future hope this helps......

 

[Roadquest]

Thats a lot of good advice people, I am yet learning my xlt, it's a great detector.
I'm a hard head, it just takes a while for all the info. to click with me. Will check out some of the settings you all have been posting. I have a couple of friends that use the xlt for
relic hunting, and they think its great. I have used Fisher most of the time so this is a
learning curve for me. But I think I am gitting the hang of it.

Clayton .... Roadquest

 

[The Beep Goes On]

Hey Brian -

Lot's of great advice. I would run COIN and JEWELRY and dig all good tones. This might minimize your frustration. The display can help but, for now, only use it to learn how things respond. Don't use the display to decide to dig. Use your ears and rely on the C and J program to filter out unwanted targets. Even if the target is bouncing between tones, if they are solid, then dig. But, if you are relic hunting, then use no discrimination and dig everything. Don't forget, you have a chart on the top of the control box to give you a very basic guideline about what the numbers mean.

I usually dig everything the first time at a site. After I get familiar with what's there, I might tweak the program to be more selective.

Keep it simple.

HH!
TBGO

 

[bryan]

thanks everyone for the advice. i thank you all....

 

[Southcacalaky]

Some really great advice has been given. I believe that a test garden will help you fine tune your skills, HH Art...

 

[bryan]

yes i might do that.. thank you all for your help. i will let you know when i find the goodies!!!