Mark Gillespie

I think so, it doesn't stick to a magnet.

Found these two targets while relic hunting yesterday. The first item looks to be an aluminum cloths pin. This is the second one I've found at this site. The second item has be buffaloed. At first I thought it was a 357 magnum cartridge but its not. It tapers from right to left. There is a hole that goes all the way through. The hole also tapers from the larger to a small hole. Appears to be non-ferrous in nature. Very strange.

Fantastic silver

Of all the detectors I've tested and written reports on for 1st Texas, I can say, I never once ask if I could test, they contacted me to see if I was willing to check a particular machine. It's not an easy job but extremely time consuming. Now that said their is one "You Tube" guy, that in my opinion does the very best detector comparisons and that is without favorites given and that is "detector comparisons"

That is a very nice ring.?

I'd love to compare this machine to my TDI at the beach. But it most likely won't be available before August. I know there is a lot of discussion as to depth and that it will detect a nickel at 17". This compared to my TDI at 16", but the TDI has a 12" coil and the AQ will have the 12 1/2" coil. Size will also increase the depth capabilities. So that being said, it would be very interesting to see, comparing the two detectors using identical coil dimensions (the old saying apples to apples) . I know there will be many more advantages of the AQ, pulse delay, iron features etc. but coil sizes need to be the same for a truthful analysis.

I'm with you Steve. For some strange reason I'm thinking they will wait until someone released a detector that grabs our interest. I know 1st Texas wants to release a perfect machine (nothing is perfect) out of the gate but there will be a point where people will quit waiting and move on. As I recall a couple years ago they, (presumably a leak of 2 new detectors under development, "CZX" well I waited until the Equinox was released and jumped on board. And I'm glad I did. If they wait too long, it will cost them. You know, Minelab listens to what is going on and it wouldn't surprise me if they don't release something to pickup part of that market before 1st Texas.

I want to post and give a big thanks to Jim for all your help with my battery pack. All your suggestions and encouragement were much needed.

Great find, never dug a seated.

I'm speechless, wow.

I'm presently pursuing if there are any revisions that might explain performance differences between the SL version of the TDI. This is my board.

Thanks for taking the time to test and post your results. I did notice your starting voltage was 16, this obviously tends to prove, more voltage, more depth capability. Your nickel test basically states that the nickel detection range does not regrade when GB is switched on, until GB is above 6, using the 12" dual field coil. Very similar to my results with the US nickel. You gain quite a bit over my unit using the same settings, very impressive. It would be very interesting to see the same test settings using a US dime and quarter. I think you should notice a difference using these high conductors. Can you share how you came about the 16v battery pack?

To be honest I'm kind of ashamed I had not remembered that. I knew better but for some odd reason it didn't click when I tested the first time.

I guess I should start by making a few statements: If driving along you come up to a stop light and its red, what will you do? You stop, right? Natural habit of good driving behavior. It’s late at night and you get up to use the bathroom, the room is totally dark, you can’t see anything, and what will you do? Turn on some kind of light so you don’t fall, right? Now, I’ve said all this to make a statement about using my PI machine. Typically I charge my battery pack prior to leaving the house and off I go. When I reach my hunt site, I power up the detector, set gain to about 8, make sure the ground balance is somewhere around 7 ½ to 8, set pulse delay to 10, set the conductive switch to all and away I go. Now, when hunting with my TDI this is a natural procedure for me, to insure these settings are checked before starting my hunt. Now I must correct a statement I made in response to ground balance off verses ground balance on. Quote: “I saw, absolutely no air test difference between ground balance on and ground balance off.” This answer is both true and false but I failed to perform one adjustment when I performed my test. The following is actual test results of ground balance off verses ground balance on. The results plainly indicate there is a huge depth reduction (-2”) when the ground balance is first turned on up to about GB 6 ½ with both the dime and quarter but not with a nickel. At GB setting >= 6 ½ depth (air test is equal to or exceeds the GB off settings. I must admit I was not adjusting the GB to these lower numbers when I made the above statement and I greatly want to apologize for the oversight. Key note on the graphs: Test were done with a battery voltage of 11.5 as noted on each graph. GB Value 0 = Ground Balance Off GB Value 1 = Ground Balance Minimum USGA1007.pdf

Thanks for the information. Interesting information.

That is very impressive results from your machine. Mine will struggle to get 12 1/2" on a nickel and that is at best with the 12" stock coil, but of course I have a regular SL built in 2014. I have wondered about the extra voltage from a new battery pack, but I'm happy for you.

I have hunted many sites that exhibit harsh EMI on the Equinox. At these sites, if after performing a noise cancel in the conventional way and not seeing good results, I'll lay the coil flat on a clean ground area and do a noise cancel. If at that point the machine doesn't quieten down to my satisfaction I'll listen to each channel and pick the one with the least "noticeable" EMI. Now, If I'm still not happy I'll reduce the sensitivity a couple numbers at a time. Final note, in most cases, as long as the coil is in motion the machine will run quiet but when I stop to dig a target the EMI will ramp up. I know this is not a documented noise cancel procedure, but it works. Give it a try. Don't get frustrated and give up.

After spending many enjoyable hours of testing my TDI SL I'm starting to see some of the true advantages the AQ will have over my SL at the beach. Comparing written accounts "forums" of the AQ's capabilities to my "known" TDI experiences, it's becoming quite evident the TDI will fall quickly behind in the category of a beach hunter. Oh, there is so much to know about this new machine. For sure, there will be many unique "combination settings" discovered once the machine is released to general users. Exciting times ahead.

Very interesting depth post. US nickel at 16" in the wet salt sand area. My SL can't come close to that even with the stock 12" dual field coil. It would be interesting to know a little more on the subject. Stock 12" coil? Pulse delay, 10? Gain? Frequency offset -, 0, +? Battery voltage?

Very sad, they made some of the very best audio machines I've ever used. Very distinctive audio ID. Loved the Tejon.

Add a battery holder and all is good to start. No more soldering wires to battery ends. https://www.aliexpress.com/

Nice batteries can be found in used laptop battery packs. I found 6, nice batteries inside a HP laptop battery pack. All test good and can provide some nice project batteries. Some of the best on the market can be found in laptop batteries. A trip to the local computer repair shop can usually find some nice discarded batteries cheap. Brand: LG Model: LGEAS318650 (ICR18650S3) Capacity: 2200mAh Rated Voltage: 3.60V Nominal Charging: 4.20V Maximum 1075mA Standard 2150mA Maximum Discharging: 3.00V Cutoff 430mA Standard 4300mA Maximum Description: Blue Cell Wrapper White Insulator Ring 18650 Form Factor

Sadly yes, I'm actually concerned for White's.

My SL was manufactured in 2014. Rechargeable battery pack was 11.62 v Fresh set of alkaline batteries in the Alkaline battery pack 12.61v I re-tested my SL this evening using the above battery packs and the 12" dual field coil. I saw, absolutely no air test difference between ground balance on and ground balance off. So, it would be obvious if I was hunting at the beach, to use the GB on feature over the pure PI function of GB off. At least I'd have some control over the iron and still hear the gold. Now I'd like to see other SL users post test results. Curious to see a date relationship to the depth reduction of ground balance on.

Carl on the Getech just posted air test distances. 13+" all metal, 1-2" less in GB. I'm assuming this is with the stock 12" dual field coil and a nickel. This is right in line with what I've saw with the exception of GB on doesn't reduce my depth. I'll check again and confirm.