V3i problems

[Joes]

Hello. I was hoping that some of the experienced v3i users can point me in the right direction.
I upgraded a few months ago to a v3i from and old xlt.
I know there is a learning curve with this which I am prepared to learn.
I am having a wide range of problems.
First off I’ve been hunting in north Delaware and se pa for 20 years.
Out of the box I started in the canned coin and jewelry mode.
1. I can’t keep the detector stable at all without ground balancing it every 5 minutes.
2. It never seems to be able to lock in on any id number. Every time you swing it it gives you a different number
3. Pinpointing is tricky. Sometimes it locks right in and sometimes it pinpoints over a foot.
4. It falses a lot.
5. It misses so much. The other day after finding nothing in an hour I went to the same spot and had 1.00 on change and 3 wheats in just 20 min.
So I’m doing something wrong here? You would think it would at least perform out of the box.
Any help or ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

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[usmcscorpio]

[FONT=&quot]if your V3i is noisy, chatty, or just generally “not working right”, the Master Reset process will generally take care of any instability issues. Before executing a Master Reset, determine if the issue is with just one program or all programs. If the issue is with just one program, it is suggested that the RESTORE process be executed for that program. This will restore that single program to factory settings, preserving the remainder of your custom setups. The RESTORE process is described in detail on page 46 of your Spectra V3i Owner’s Guide and on page 7-2 of your Spectra VX3 Owner’s Guide.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The following steps will execute the Master Reset process: (Note differences below for VX3)[/FONT]

1. Turn the unit ON
2. Press and HOLD the MENU button, then Press and HOLD the ON/OFF button
3. You should see the “UTILITY MENU” screen appear
4. Select MASTER RESET and press ENTER. DO NOT SELECT “CALIBRATION”. Selecting “Calibration” will require you to return your unit to the factory for recalibration!
5. You should see the “MASTER RESET – DANGEROUS” screen appear
6. Select the TOP FOUR items; (All Programs, Common, Library, All Other) using Arrow / Enter keys
7. Press the menu button which will highlight the word “RESET” – lower left of screen
8. Press the ENTER button. Wait about 5 seconds
9. You should see the UTILITY MENU screen (Master Reset, Calibration) appear
10. Turn the unit OFF
11. Turn the unit ON
12. Observe that all settings have been restored to FACTORY PRESETS

[FONT=&quot]At this point your V3i / VX3 has been reset to FACTORY SETTINGS. All custom programs and settings are gone and must be re-entered manually.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The MASTER RESET PROCESS for the VX3 is identical to the above with the following exceptions:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Step 6. You will see “All Programs, Common, All Other”. There is no LIBRARY option for VX3.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Step 7. You will see a warning: “Reset Detector To Factory Settings. Good Luck!

[/FONT]

 

[Tony in SC]

One thing I learned early with the DFX and it is probably the same with the V3 was the importance of sweep speed. The DFX in my settings did not like very slow sweep speeds. The ground balance would actually cancel weak targets. I did tests and found that the weak targets that I hear at moderate sweep are not heard at a very slow sweep. You hear the term "go slow". On some machines that means detecting speed not sweep speed. Just my thoughts?

 

[eman1000]

I had the V3i for a year - amazing machine but in the end more than I wanted to learn and heavy. I learned a lot watching Square Nail Squirrel on Youtube. Still the stock Coin & Jewelry was my favorite program with the X/Y Screen!

 

[rayoh]

I have had two bad coils with the two V3i's that I owned. Sounds like it could be a bad coil. Also, make sure there are no underground dog fences close by where you are hunting.

 

[McKinney_5900]

Turn the sensitivity down. Use it at sens of 7 tops, for a while. Yes those coils are sensitive but at my settings, the coils will handle all of the examples you gave.

These V rated coils are very delicate and maybe yours are bad. You'd be good with a Detech 8x6 coil, and if not...your V3i is not right.

BTW, I found that the stock 10"DD coil as bullsh#t after tons of test time and losing one due to frequency shift. It was the same with Whites 6x10 coil. Whites had buggy coils. The 4x6 though?... fine Whites coil. Otherwise my advice is to go Detech. I have had mine since 2010. That Detech 8x10 and 10x12. Don't quit

 

[prospexican]

Hello. I was hoping that some of the experienced v3i users can point me in the right direction.
I upgraded a few months ago to a v3i from and old xlt.
I know there is a learning curve with this which I am prepared to learn.
I am having a wide range of problems.
First off I’ve been hunting in north Delaware and se pa for 20 years.
Out of the box I started in the canned coin and jewelry mode.
1. I can’t keep the detector stable at all without ground balancing it every 5 minutes.
2. It never seems to be able to lock in on any id number. Every time you swing it it gives you a different number
3. Pinpointing is tricky. Sometimes it locks right in and sometimes it pinpoints over a foot.
4. It falses a lot.
5. It misses so much. The other day after finding nothing in an hour I went to the same spot and had 1.00 on change and 3 wheats in just 20 min.
So I’m doing something wrong here? You would think it would at least perform out of the box.
Any help or ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you.

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