midalake

25 minutes ago, Badger-NH said:

I think I understand. Thanks.

To clarify some, I hunt in Disc mode with Tracking GB 100% of the time. I use all metal mode to double check iffy targets and pinpoint to dig. 

12 hours ago, Badger-NH said:

 

What is the auto/tracking program?

 

 

What are all my settings?  Or just the fact that I am running in auto/tracking Ground Balance? 

2 hours ago, FloridaSon said:

I used AT/GB for a time but stopped because it seemed it was not as stable sounding? I might have to try it again. What kind of finds have you found with it? Thanks!

 

Well, not sure what you mean by AT/GB? 

Since I have owned the Nox I have always run a secondary program against my Auto/tracking program on "iffy" signals. NOT ONE program to date including the CJC -9 GB program to the "0" fixed program have been able to beat the "auto/tracking" program.

I was in the process of another program comparison when my time was cut short. Hoping to get back on the machine soon. 

I have found everything from rings to chains. 

Dave

On 11/11/2020 at 12:23 PM, Tom Slick said:

FloridaSon said " Most Beaches are GB=0

Does anyone else agree with that statement? I've hunted Saltwater Beaches on the East Coast and West Coast. Not to mention (oh, I just did) freshwater beaches all over the country. I know for a fact that CA beaches are totally different than Florida beaches as far as GB numbers go. Freshwater beaches are also totally different. 

Sorry, I am a little late to this thread. For salt water beach hunting. I have yet to find a program that will beat the machine in Auto/tracking Ground Balance.  

I want a detector out of the box that doesn't need new accessories to make it useable. [cuff, rod, headphones] 

Also would be nice if the coil and pod would not break! 

11 hours ago, CPT_GhostLight said:

Does anyone know what the pod goes for now?

I think it is safe to say the fact that Minelab can not keep up with the current failures, the cost will be between H.S and H.C. 

1 hour ago, phrunt said:

That's a good idea, and will also stop the grinding plastic/rubber.  It'll get dirty and ugly but other than that it'll work well.

1 hour ago, Badger-NH said:

I didn't get a chance to try the silicone. It still defies logic to me that lubricating the washers would improve their grip, but if it works for you, that's great.

I know it is human nature to make excuses and sometimes ignore facts. This coil failure has been at multiple points. Breaking at both the base of the ear, and like mine breaking through the bolt eye. 

If you do not want any downtime, be proactive!  

1 hour ago, Joe D. said:

  Has anyone had coil ears break on any other detector,  besides the Equinox?? I may have asked this before, but i don't think i got an answer!!

NEVER broke a coil ear in my life! Until the Equinox. Been detecting 45 years. 

13 hours ago, phrunt said:

I freshly sprayed my rubbers now, and took a little video to show you the results, you can't get much looser of a coil than I've got in the video, the bolts just spin in place they're that loose, I'd never detect with them this loose but it shows it holds in place well even after a fresh spray.  Also the coil glides up and down when you put the detector down.

Unfortunately your thoughts would not work for ocean hunters that require the coil not to be moved by water forces. THIS is really the only fix.  The coil support is epoxied in place and then plastic side plates are epoxied to the outside. Each coil ear in now 1/2 wide. Break that! 

1 hour ago, phrunt said:

Then, if something else fails on your coil and you send it in they have a reason to invalidate your warranty for modifications to the coil, I'd use hot glue rather than epoxy if doing that do you could warm it up to remove the modification if necessary.

I had a modified coil that failed and no questions asked. 

5 hours ago, 67GTA said:

Just got bitten by the broken coil ear bug. Have had the Nox for 2 years and thought I was special because mine hadn't broken yet. It is on it's way to PA. Wanted to get one of the stiffener devices to put on the new coil for insurance. I've read a couple of horror stories of both ears breaking off after using one. I was leary of just buying from eaby or amazon. If you use one who did you buy it from and how has it worked?

Return your coil to minelab for warranty. When your new one comes install the coil stiffener with epoxy.  When looking to purchase, make sure the stiffener is made from solid plastic not hollow core.    

1 hour ago, Compass said:

If the gold chain has a pendant the detector might be reading it and the TID could be higher than "1". My biggest gold chain (1 ounce) only reads "2" on the Nox. I found it with my Excal which, electronics-wise, is the same as the Sovereign, I believe.

I've tested other gold chains that I have found with the Nox on the Excal and the Excal only sees the biggest ones. I have gold chains that the Excal can't hear but the Nox can detect at several inches.

I just did an edit, none of my found chains between 3 and 8 have pendants.

Yes the electronics are similar but not the same, their is more fine tuning on the Sov.   Was your Excal in all metal pin-point on the tests? 

Dave

2 hours ago, Compass said:

I was curious too so at home I separated the crucifix from the chain and tested both with the Nox- both registered a "1" TID.

1 hour ago, Bill (S. CA) said:

Gold chains read "1."  I've dug several at the beach as have my buddies.  One friend even dug three "1's" and it was three pieces of a gold chain.  The Equinox is the only machine I have ever used that will find gold chains.  By the way, they were in the wet sand.

So dig the "1's" at the beach!

I guess for clarification all of my gold chains have come between 3 and 8 with the Equinox and none of them have pendants. I have not tested my stash of chains but might need to.  I do not ignore "1" signals but have yet to dig anything good there.

There are other machines machines at the beach that can find gold chains. The Minelab Sovereign in all metal pinpoint mode is more than capable of finding gold chains.  

3 hours ago, Compass said:

My last "one" was this 14k chain and crucifix. I try to focus on the low TID's.

Huh, surprised it rang up as one with the crucifix attached, unless the crucifix was out of detection range?  Did you happen to run it under the coil once recovered? Thanks Dave

3 hours ago, Dances With Doves said:

I am at a 102 so maybe  I can focus on some turf gold since I only have 1  for the year and the only reason 

Pictures....we need pictures!!!!!

23 minutes ago, dewcon4414 said:

But with me just water hunting this seems like a good idea..... might look a little funky but some mods do lol.

If my rod was not 2000 miles away I would post a picture. I have always been creative when it comes to fail proof mods. Detecting 2000 miles away with not a chance of getting replacement parts makes one think.

I'll take nothing to break for $200 Alex.  

2 hours ago, dewcon4414 said:

Midlake.... am i seeing those handles kind of flat in the WRONG direction?   Good for bikes....but seems the wrong angle for us.

Their are straight ones. Just have to fish around a little. 

On 10/5/2020 at 12:30 PM, Steve Herschbach said:

What is interesting is that the Vanquish coils are quite a bit less expensive, even in cases where they are physically larger than the Equinox coils. Part of this may be the windings and tolerances possibly being different.

Minelab has to make up for the manufacturing failures of the coil and pods somewhere. 

32 minutes ago, FloridaSon said:

thats a really good idea. Is this a through bolted DIY handle?

Not bolted. But clamped on. These are called "bicycle handlebar ends" and can be bought at different outlets.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Pair-Bicycle-Handlebar-End-Mountain-Bike-Handle-Bar-Ends/254712805750?hash=item3b4e10f976:g:VLgAAOSw3uxfVwJm

There are lots of different styles. I like the straight ones and open on the end so I can pin a piece of wood into it and put a plastic top on it. This allows your hand grip to be soft and give more control of the sweep. Also I add a nice foam grip to this! 

Been using this for years, very kind to your poor over worked hands! 

4 hours ago, dewcon4414 said:

m confused as to what you use as a grip if the pod is the grip?  

This is a preliminary picture. The finished version has a large plastic washer on top and the pod is closer. I can hit all the keys with my fingers. 

On 10/13/2020 at 4:29 PM, Joe Beechnut OBN said:

Years ago I seen the potential of hunting in PP with the Excalibur and played with several idea's on how to get the most out of the All Metal mod. I found there were targets below the threshold that were being covered up if you were using stock head or anything besides what I made..

Such a great example of the PP mode.  A little secret, tip, on collapsing holes.  Dig slow and swing the scoop left and right about 35 degrees each way while going down. 

I have noticed that just shoving the scoop straight in when a hole is loosened-up just creates a pressure wave to drive the target deeper. ?

On 10/14/2020 at 3:03 PM, dewcon4414 said:

I happened to check those bolt mounts because two friends had they pods break completely off the shaft.  Keith said the after market shafts maybe the issue.  Apparently the OD on some maybe to small.  So people are over tightening them. 

Lets just say it for what it is.  The 3/4 pods we know of now that came apart have all been used by beach hunters.  We WILL see more!  This is exactly why I do not use my detector as the grip. 

3 hours ago, dewcon4414 said:

I cant say ive ever had a coil go bad by banging it around.  But i use a coil cover and epoxy it.  Its not the loss of depth, weight, cost.   its because i really wear a coil cover out.  Heres a picture on a couple ive got setting around.  On my Xcals until i started using epoxy i was going thru them fast.  I dont hunt as much now but then it was like 5 months and id start seeing real wear.

Hey Dew

That is going way too long between coatings. As soon as one can see some black showing a light recoat is needed in those spots.  Just needs to be looked after more often!

Dave

10 hours ago, Badger-NH said:

You guys have convinced me to consider going without a cover on the AQ. It would be nice to have a little less weight and less maintenance.

 

 

Epoxy and Goggle are your friend!!!!! ?

HH Dave

17 hours ago, Joe Beechnut OBN said:

Thanks Jim...Wishing you many great finds with the extra hunting time

16 hours ago, ALEXANDRE TARTAR said:

I like it's a good job!

Well time to get Joe Beechnut off the beach and on the DESIGN TEAM! Just think of all the gold left for others if Joe is off the beach! ?  ?