Mark Gillespie

Being a hard wired coil, I wonder if all the TDI coils would work, but would require internal work, which might void warranty if the end user changed. Can't imagine the internal workings are different, jut water proof. Now at the beach I always have my switch to all or the ground balance off: This is a wonderful machine at the beach and since I don't venture into the water it's more than sufficient for me. From page 11 of the manual: "Target Conductivity Target Conductivity refers to the reactance of the target either above or below the ground balance point of the TDI. Generally-speaking, gold is considered to be a low conductor (high tone) and silver a high conductor (low tone). Iron often produces a confused, warbly pitch that jumps back and forth between high and low tones. The two-tone response is disabled when ground balance knob is turned to the OFF position. Be aware that target conductivities can vary considerably, even targets of the same metal. Small gold nuggets are usually low and large gold nuggets are usually high, but where the transition occurs depends on the composition of the gold alloy. Be mindful that searching in low-conductivity mode could eliminate very large nuggets, if any happen to be in the area1. The same is true for relics and jewelry. Many bullets, buttons, and most buckles register as high conductors, but cuff buttons often respond as low conductors. Most small jewelry responds as low conductors, but larger men’s rings can easily fall in the high-conductive range. Most coins fall in the high range, except for e.g. US nickels and small or thin coins like hammered silvers or very small bronze coins."

Daniel, believe or not using the small coil I bought from you many moons ago I can actually tell if a target is a bobby pin before I dig. I was hunting with my TDI SL at a ball field where a lot of girl softball leagues play (looking for gold jewelry) and I was shocked at the number of pins I was digging. I was hunting with my conductivity switch set to all with GB at 7 1/2. I was almost ready to pack it up and head home when I noticed I could hear a difference. Started experimenting and to my amazement I could hear a difference, the audio was slightly elongated with a slight jitter to the audio. Ended up finding my best ever gold ring with the TDI and the small coil.

Both are very good sites, but neither has what I'm looking for. Not critical, but thanks for the links.

Didn't know there was a site like that, thanks for sharing.

How many here might remember the Tesoro forum, the original one, that went down several years ago. It had some of the very best adventure stories I've ever read. Very motivating and the information learned about Tesoro detectors were very good. At that time I was using the Vaquero and I can honestly say I found a lot of rings with that machine. The audio, in my opinion was superior for me. I could tell if a target was a pencil eraser end without digging. A few years later I bought a Tejon at the advise of Gene Scullion (when he was the owner of Badger Metal Detectors) and wow what a fantastic machine. The audio again was superior and I found more rings. But keep in mind these are purely audio machines which lends itself to finding more rings because I didn't have an display to inform me as to what the target might be. But the dual discrimination feature was a plus over the Vaquero and helped with not digging some junk targets, but still found more rings. Now it did have a serious drawback and that was recovery speed and the relationship to target masking (which at the time was not published information). But finally after years and the relentless detector advertising on both the internet and TV I gave in and bought my first display detector. Its been a very exciting journey, detecting that is. Met many hunters along the way and found some interesting artifacts to boot. It would be nice if there was a way to pull up or locate the original Tesoro forum website. A lot of lost information and fantastic stories of past hunters and their experiences.

In recent months I've had the great opportunity to meet many new relic hunters. No young guys all between 50-70 years of age and very avid hunters. Conversations from modern day sites to colonial and everything in between. Being very curious, at some point I ask, what detecting forum do you belong to? Answer 100% of the time has been, none. Thinking, how can it be 100% no. So it got me to thinking, just how much history has been recovered with no record, other than their own experience. One guy even stated he would not post his finds, even if he belonged to a forum because he was afraid someone might see and follow him to his private hunting site. Now that make sense. Just sharing my thoughts and encounters.

Awesome recoveries, you must have had a ball.

For me that would be a once in a life time trip. I'm very happy for you. Over the years I got to go to one GNRS in 2013, sponsored by LC over at the treasure d site. . Met many of the forum guys I had corresponded with for over a decade. For me it was a wonderful 2 day hunt. I often wonder how much better, or rather what I'd found if I'd had my Equinox.

Well I can say for sure the wireless headphones that come with the 800 model are the best I've found so far. I've been experimenting with different wireless brands of headphones and I've yet to find a single pair that comes close to the performance and minimal lag time compared to the stock phones. Amazing machine. Congrats Minelab. Minelab Bluetooth / Apt-X Low Latency Wireless Headphones for Equinox 3011-0370

Sharing the day with your son is by far the best. Even though the finds are great "I've only found one large cent in 20 years" the memories made for both you and your son are more precious. I tried many time to get my dad to go hunting with me, but he never did and now he's gone. Do it every chance you get.

Wow, what an awesome discovery. Amazing?

Great report?

Over the past 15 years a 6" coil doesn't give much depth in my ground. In fact, I've not found a single 6" coil that can hit my 6 1/2" dime (buried for over 8 years now) But 6" might be the max for all small coils. But depth is not the most important factor to me. I'm very tempted to start selling off a couple coils and fund myself a 6" Equinox coil.

Great information. For years I've wanted to take the time with a small coil, find and mark what I believe to be good targets, then switch to the stock coil and see what I get. That would be very interesting to say the least.

Wow, what an awesome story. I think I want the coil now. I might think about parting with my TDI coils to fund one.

awesome coin

Looking forward to the added test information coming soon.

I've have a standing offer to hunt a very old cemetery for over 10 years. I was asked to hunt for a class ring that was lost there many decades earlier by the person that takes care of the cemetery. I have told her many times I might, just didn't feel real good about it but I have hunted church grounds before and found some relics. But I may go ahead and hunt anyway.

Never heard such a story but it's funny

?Never found one but I'm very happy for you.

Awesome relics and nice silvers. I love my EQ?

Looks like you had fun.

I've not noticed false signals when bumping the coil.

Wow, that's an awesome coin.

But an awesome find to say the least.