mh9162013

Can't really go wrong with a major brand, like the Garrett Carrot, Minelab Pro-Find 35 or the Fisher F-Pulse. If you can get one for cheap, get the White's TRX. I say this b/c it has the best (or is among the best) in closing range or ratcheting. What is ratcheting? See this video and FFW to the 3:30 mark: From my online research, after the TRX, the best option for a pinpointer that can ratchet will but still has good sensitivity is the XP Mi-4 or Mi-6. I've personally used the Pro-Find 35 and Garrett Carrot. They're both about the same in performance (to me) as the non-ferrous ID of the Pro-Find 35 is a gimmick in my opinion. To me, the differences b/w the 2 came down to 3 button vs. 1 button operation preferences.

For me, it does not. Whether the Carrot is surrounded a medium or large amount of my orange clay, the beeping/vibrating stays relatively steady and slow (just like your putt-putt-putt). It might increase somewhat with more of the orange clay next to it, but the change is not very noticeable. I like your dual pinpointer idea and it's something I've considered. Use the Fisher F-Pulse on max sensitivity to get a good idea where the target is, then use the Carrot (or XP Mi-4) for the final homing in. I'd like to do it your way, GB_Amateur, but the TRX is almost the cost of a new detector now, so yeah, I'll have to find a different machine for that.

Ok, so I placed my Carrot on max sensitivity and noted when the Carrot first picked up on a target (I used a dead 9V battery I had laying around). Then I noted when the Carrot maxed out. Where it maxes out I retuned it and noted how much additional "closing range" or ratcheting range it gave me. I turn turned it off and turned it back on to make sure it was properly "reset." I repeated the experiment, except after the Carrot first picked up on the target, I retuned it. I moved the target closer until I was able to just barely pick up on it and retuned it again. I did this over and over until the Carrot basically maxed out again. I noticed that I was able to get the target closer to the Carrot before it maxed out. In other words, I did noticed an improvement. But the improvement was not huge, but definitely noticeable. Instead of maxing out with a target around around 2 inches away (on max sensitivity with a 9V battery) it maxed out around 1.25 inches away. So yeah, definitely an improvement. The problem is, I had to retune it just as it picked up on a target. If I waited too long into the "closing range" to retune, any improvement was greatly diminished. So your advice on how to retune definitely works and makes my Carrot a better tool. However, I would still prefer to have better closing range by "default" w/o having to resort to being very careful in how and when I retune my Carrot. However, this new development might be enough to delay when I purchase an F-Pulse? Something to think about. Thanks Chase!

So I could be retuning wrong...ok, lemme go get my Carrot and trying it the way you have suggested.

If you're referring to pressing the button once the Carrot "maxes out" and gives me a solid buzz/tone, then no, I don't do that. I don't do that b/c any additional "closing range" or ratcheting ability is marginal and almost useless. However, I have not tried turning on the Carrot (for the first time) when pressed against hot dirt. My understanding is that while this might help reduce the chatter in hot dirt such that using the Carrot on max sensitivity is possible, it won't address the relatively poor ratcheting ability of the Carrot (compared to the TRX or XP Mi-4 or 6).

No, I'm referring to the "closing range" from where the pinpointer first detects the object until you get the solid tone or vibration. The White's TRX was famous for its ratcheting ability.

The Carrot on max sensitivity if plenty sensitive for me! But it's ratcheting (closing range) is awful. On medium sensitivity, it's fine, though. I'm hoping that the F-Pulse on low or medium sensitivity is the same as the Carrot on high, yet with better ratcheting.

I used either the 8" concentric or 4" concentric. I have no problem pinpointing using the cross-cross method with either coil. The problem is that sometimes I need to dig a plug that's thick or deep enough such that I can't rely on my Garrett Carrot on medium sensitivity to fully scan the plug without having to break or cut it up...or increase the sensitivity to maximum.

The problem with the Carrot isn't just the issue with my soil, but also it's poor ratcheting (closing range). Based on my research, the Fisher F-pulse has at least the same level of ratcheting as the Garrett Carrot, or perhaps slightly better. Yet it's far more sensitive. I have been losing so much time adjusting my Carrot's sensitivity b/w max and medium in about 75% of the holes I dig. It's costing me valuable time. This falsing was just the last straw, I think. And no, turning it on when touching the clay isn't a viable option either as it'll require me to spend time turning my Carrot off in the middle of a dig, just to stop the chatter. I need a device that's truly a turn on and go, not a turn on and see if it works, then turn off, then turn on. The XP Mi-4 was in the "lead" but given this realization about my soil, maybe the F-Pulse is what I need to get. But Chase brings up a point I've been considering: The Carrot is "good enough" and the $100 or so that I would be spending on an F-Pulse or Mi-4 might be better spent in getting a better detector. For instance, I may be able to just keep the Carrot and get an Equinox 600 instead of a Fisher F75.

Thanks!

Chase: the ultimate reason for my question is to help narrow down what my next metal detector will be. If my soil is as bad as I fear, I may end up getting the Fisher F-Pulse and a Vanquish or Equinox. If my soil isn't as bad, then machines such as the Fisher F70, F75, AT Pro, etc. are still in contention. Of course, if I end up finding an absolute steal on any of the machines in consideration (like an AT Max for $250 shipped), I'll probably go that route, but there's no guarantee I'll come across one of those deals. Thanks for your insight.

I went into my backyard and dug until I got to the orange clay/soil. With my Garrett Carrot on medium sensitivity, there was no falsing. But when on high sensitivity, a clump of orange clay the size of a baseball would set off the Garrett Carrot. This same clump would not set off my Fisher F2, however.Is it safe to save that my orange clay has high mineralization? Or would this just be medium mineralization? Thanks!

Thanks for the review, Rad Rocks. I'm thinking about either the Midi Hoard, Mini Hoard or Vanquish 340 as my son's first machine. The problem with the Mini Hoard is that while the size is perfect, the interface is too basic for him. He's able to understand my Fisher F2 interface just fine. Ok, so then get the Midi Hoard. Well, that's heavier than the Mini Hoard and costs $120. For that price and weight, I'm thinking, "why not just get the Vanquish 340?" Still, from what I'm hearing, the Mini and Midi Hoards are great machines and the Midi Hoard is currently in the (slight) lead...

Maybe it's my OCD, but I'd be surprised if Minelab came out with an Equinox "900." I can see them coming out with a machine that's a step up from the 800 (although that recent price hike may not support this idea), but if so, wouldn't it be the Equinox 1000 or 1200? Going from 600 to 800 to 900 just seems a bit...odd. Not saying it can't be true, but unlikely in my opinion. Or maybe that's just me.

I'll check that website out, thanks. As for electrical lines, I've already clipped one! Live an learn...

I have not. But this Merc was found about 8 feet from one of my house's corners. However, I don't know it's original position, as it was part of the dirt that was churned up when some PVC drainage pipe was installed a few years ago. But I can't imagine it being more than a few feet from its original location.

The Merc is the prettiest and coolest coin I've ever seen, in person or online.

I know my yard and neighborhood have so much more silver, but I'm afraid it's too deep to realistically obtain unless someone has some piping installed in their yard.

Thanks!

I hope so! I think my neighborhood has a ton of silver, but I have a feeling most of it is at least 10+ inches deep. Without churned soil, my Fisher F2 doesn't stand a chance. Any recommendations on what machine I should get to find that deep silver?

I figured and thanks! Can't imagine what would have happened if it was a D...

Found this about 2-4 inches deep in my front yard. It was in an area recently churned up from a storm water pipe install. Found a circa 1890-1904 aluminum token in this area too. Bet there's more silver and 100+ year old stuff buried in my yard, but they'll be deep...

TIL Thanks for the explanation!

If it can be done with NiCds, it can be done with NiMHs, most likely using the same process. While NiCds don't use the same charging algorithms as NiMHs, the "brain" for the charging circuitry will probably reside in your charger, not that pack...I think? If my assumption is correct, then just get a smart/peak charger than can handle 8 NiMH cells and attach the appropriate plug to it. EDIT: just looked over the pics at the eBay listing. Looks like it's just a plastic shell with metal contacts and a charging plug. I did notice what appears to be a rectifier diode of some sort? Not quite sure what that's doing in a simple 8 cell AA pack wired in series, though. Maybe someone else here can enlighten me? Perhaps it's a thermistor? Also, this might be of use: http://www.metaldetectingintheusa.com/v3i-batterypack.html

It could be my machine. I've been tinkering with it for some time, including using AAA batteries with it with the help help of a 9V booster. I doubt that's causing the poor ratcheting even with detuning, but it's a possibility.