Question about Vas bad dirt?

[captain Jack]

Question about Va's bad dirt?

I have heard that Virginia (home) has notoriously bad dirt for MDing. What is considered bad about it? Just cause it's hard to dig because of the clay? Are there high mineral deposits that give false reads? or is it a corrosion thing where relics don't last as long? Anyone have any idea?

I would have posted this in the Va section but I thought some members other than virginians might know.

 

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[Sandman]

Re: Question about Va's bad dirt?

When they say, "bad dirt," they refer to the mineral content that the detector has to be ground balanced for. You are all balanced where your standing an only a few feet away the ground minerals are different. If you have a lower end detector that doesn't ground balance but is preset, or you don't keep checking the balance, you are operating at a handicap.

 

[captain Jack]

Re: Question about Va's bad dirt?

explains a lot....thanks

 

[Gribnitz]

Re: Question about Va's bad dirt?

Orange, VA had the worst dirt I have ever encountered. Some areas it was fine, others it was impossible to get more than a few inches on a target with a good ground balance. They had just plowed the fields for planting and I don't exaggerate when I say it was blood red. I had never seen anything like it.

 

[Rowdy]

Re: Question about Va's bad dirt?

Hmmm, I haven't had any problems around here, or at the Pipsico hunt in Surry. My guess would be that the "bad dirt" you hear about is in the old gold country, which I believe is near Orange. Just a thought, maybe that's how that county got named?

I think Gold, and highly mineralized soil go hand in hand. Incidentally, the automatic ground balance is one feature that sold me on the M6! One less thing for a newbie to worry about!

 

[captain Jack]

Re: Question about Va's bad dirt?

interesting points. Sorry to hear about Orange county. I have been trying to research a VERY interesting spot out there but I am having trouble tracking an exact location.