Carolina

Cliff, the dual piezo phones that came with the AQ lacked the volume I needed also. I ended up with a set of Pro Gold phones with volume controls for each ear and a toggle switch I re wired as a disconnect switch. I can balance my phones now ( right ear not as good as left ). I can also run the detector volume on 10 and turn down the phones or vise versa. I have yet to make it in the Bay chest deep but am not worried about dropping the phones in the water. My general rule of thumb settings are all metal, volume as above, sensitivity 4 or 5 ( you can run it hot wide open if not looking for the deep deep deep targets because of chatter ) threshold 4 ATS 6, delay normally 9 or 10. Tones mode all the above except ATS for me is 8 1/2 reject 3 1/2. Good luck with Dew. He may not be able to get within 30 feet of you hahahahaha. When I hunt the wash, all who pass by me just shake their heads in disgust and turn down the volume on their machines. This thing pumps out some power!!!

On 8/11/2020 at 1:09 PM, dewcon4414 said:

I know it’s warranted for the IP industry standard .... but she’s pretty water proof.  IF anything would be an issue it maybe the speaker not the connectors. I also have a vynal sticker over that speaker area.  Face place can really take a beating... I have a short video of Dimitar hitting it on the concrete several times with a hammer.    I sent Tony the pin out for the M8 so those water hunting would have these available over the phones that come with the machine.  Those phones just aren’t suited to be in the salt water even with the spray since the speakers aren’t sealed.  

Dew where can I see that video ? 

6 hours ago, dewcon4414 said:

It is more pricy than the Nox....... but most water machines are.  Take the Xcal, they upgrade the shaft, the knobs, knob protector, and to get the best out of it better headphones and a PP switch which if done by ML is hard wired.   1 year warranty as well.   Thats pricy.   But ... in the water IMO the Xcal is quieter and all things become equal sensitivity and depth wise.  Heres where the MDT can have an advantage with its Salt Balance it can be run much like the Xcal and i feel its a little quieter in AM.  The SB will allow you to get about the same depth in the salt water as wet sand..... not so with the Nox.   I dont really consider price because most of us water hunters pay our machines off quickly.   There is that difference in warranty.   It moves a little less efficent in the water not because of the coil (which has real good buoyancy) but more that the shaft is a bit thicker.  You have multi freq with the Nox..... here you have at least 3 single freqs that can be used in the water with 9 and 6.5 being the more efficient.  Thus far ive not heard of a lot of flooding with this machine even with its IP rating.   Out of the water the Nox has an advantage with its other settings/modes.   Really fun machine to play with ..... look forward to how you do with it.

Mine has four frequencies 6.4 kHz 9 kHz 12 kHz and 18kHz.

On 9/29/2020 at 3:34 PM, tvr said:

Hunted mostly in tone mode. Set up reject with a small paper clip. Delay 7.5, Reject 6, ATS 7, Sensitivity 7, Threshold 4, Volume max.

I did not play much with ATS. I am in brackish water in a pretty well protected environment so the water was flat. Did have a boat go by and the AQ was not affected by the 6 inch or so wake that washed over with the detector fully submerged and coil on the bottom. The threshold did have a little bit of warble from the boat. Changing freq did not seem to help. When the guy shut the engine down at his dock, the little bit of warble went away. I'm thinking his ignition system is transmitting the noise.

I was surprised how quiet the AQ is in the water. I could run any delay. If sensitivity was higher than 7 there was some sounding on coil movement that was reduced when sweep was slowed to a crawl, but at 7 it was pretty quiet.

As for the sounding when the connector dips in and out of the water; it does, but not any where near as bad as I had imagined from watching and listening to a couple of the posted videos. Would I pay more for a stainless connector with a reduction in the effect? Sure, but after actually experiencing it, I am kind of ambivalent about it. It retunes quicker than I would need if I were in waves that were at the connector level, so if I have a little cut close to shore on an ocean trip, I could deal with a wave hit at the connector and hunt between waves. How much the higher salinity at the ocean would change how it acts? Not sure.

Coil does have a little float to it. Not bad, but would be nice to have it not float.

I gave up with back pain at almost exactly 3 hours of running the AQ; battery was still going.

The edge of the coil does help with pinpointing. I hit a few old pull tabs that were deep and took several scoops to dig out. Also got some small sinkers that were several scoopers.

Moving the scoop close to see a tone break is kind of tricky. There is a very narrow window between getting a target tone break and the scoop being a greatly overwhelming influence. It is going to take some practice and some more ear learning.

Overall, I'm very happy with the AQ so far. Most of the targets are right in the range I'm looking for. Even got one small ring, although it is a junk eaten up copper one.

My AQ at these settings would not even start to break up or iron grunt on a small paper clip. At 7 ATS and 6 reject the small paper clip and test nail would ping as a non ferrous low conductor, at any kHz. I must be at 8 1/2 ATS and 3 1/2 reject for the deepest in tone mode to get a break up to grunt on the test nail. The clip needs to be at 9 ATS to start breaking up and or grunt. 3 1/2 reject for the deepest. My sensitivity can be anywhere on the scale  with chatter starting at 6 but I generally run at pre set 4 to 5. I guess the detectors are all different somewhat or the knob placement or pots are not exactly the same on the face plate? Anybody have any ideas or have checked theirs?

7 hours ago, scoopjohnb said:

I stumbled upon VALLON. Had a nice chat with their representative and they are testing 1 mm multi stranded stainless wire in a salty environment as per my inquiry. They have a nice selection of open coils. A 1 mm stainless wire and not a gold chain because I need to hit robotic mower wires 5 cm deep along the coastline. People want quiet mowers in summer during tourist season. But hey why not give it a go on the beach as well.

Hi scoopjohnb, I own two VALLONS and one AQ. They are both deep and sensitive. Gold chains I’m not so sure though. My VALLON here in the US has had a  software modification by our US representative and I also have two 12” coils as well as the stock oval coil. Eric Foster wound me a special 12” coil using a TDI shell and a friend in Australia gave me the VALLON 12” coil. They both have the same performance so I am partial to Eric’s coil. At $800+ for the VALLON 12” few if any here in the US own one. If you swing the VALLON for a week or two, it will make the CTX fell like it’s the Equinox Lol. It’s a beast. All and all, the Fisher AQ limited is the one to beat. It is lighter than the CTX by roughly a pound, ( I use an after market battery that is 7 oz. lighter than the stock) and several pounds lighter than the VALLON. I think you will have no trouble detecting the wire at the depth you mention with the VALLON should the soil compensation be set properly. Good luck and let us know.

4 hours ago, Willy said:

Please, invert the two last sentences.

No need Willy. It’s obvious what answers go to what questions. Thank you again.

1. 2 minutes ago, Willy said:

4 hours ago, ALEXANDRE TARTAR said:

For the international versions, there will be other languages when the detectors are marketed.

Alexandre please excuse my ignorance. Could you or Willy tell me if the international version or final version is analog since you say there is little changed. Is there plans for a digital version or is this even technologically possible at this time? Thanks for your patience.

2 hours ago, cdv said:

You sure don't have to worry about when the battery is getting low, it lets you know when it is time to change batteries or go home!

Hahahahaha it will blow your head off😬. I could do with just the red LED. Nice hunt Cliff, wish you well

57 minutes ago, Joe Beechnut OBN said:

Many Thanks Carolina for your time......And Reports.......I think we have it nailed down..my charge time was 3 hours....then runtime 5 1/2 hours to 6 hours.... I got another Shorty done..I'll be out with it Tuesday if weather is good. Cliff's...then it's in the mail. I see right now I maybe doing a two a week...almost like the AQ production line..😬

Joe, maybe my extended run time was due to running in tones mode verses all metal. Maybe the power consumption is less. Maybe the loss of depth is due to power being diverted to electronics for disc. Maybe a combination of both. I still await your thoughts on the trickle charge your charger provides. Look forward to Cliffs reports.

My charge time for the shorty battery was 2 hours 50 min.s. If I know I’m going on a spin the next day, I just leave the battery on trickle charge till time to go. If not planning on a spin I remove the charger. Not sure if leaving on trickle charge for extended time is bad or not. Joe what do you think?

Well,Well,Well. Seems I’m not as senile as I thought. My run time with the shorty battery in “tone” mode today was 6 hours 4 min.s. I did use all metal for a short time to compare depth and detection. I do disagree with previous reports of the depth difference. For me, on my beach it is significant. As much as 6 inches or more. My reasoning is as follows. In all metal, ATS 6, sens. 4, target is well detected. In tones ATS 8 1/2, reject 4, all other settings the same, target is not detectable. Remove 6” of sand and target is detectable in tone mode. I realize this is crude but it is real life. My first run time was 6 hours 20 min.s. I will time again. My spin produced no gold today. 18 to 25 mph out of the north east wind was brutal. Significant beach erosion. Good luck everybody.

On 9/16/2020 at 11:23 AM, Joe Beechnut OBN said:

Thanks Carolina..Funny you told me your time and I was thinking....Maybe I was wrong.

We will get it worked out for I will be testing each battery I make by using it for a one hour hunt (submersed) to make sure they function as needed. Then going thru threw the charge cycle...one time. 

Joe did I read some where all metal pulls more juice than tones and mute? Maybe Willy or Alexandre?

14 hours ago, Carolina said:

Will do Joe but I expect little difference. I was very particular. I keep a water proof watch with me at all times ( since that thing on the CTX is worthless to me 👀😂) and from 2:20 till 8:40 exactly was its time. That dead battery and red light signal Is a little annoying to say the least. I do wish I hadn’t fallen  asleep during charge time. I will check that later. I covered 40 blocks round trip serpentine all the way. Stopped and ran a grid pattern in my gold holes until she died.  Plenty of battery for me.

Well in my defense I’m getting old !!! Now I’m second guessing if I can read a watch😂. I don’t want to mislead anyone on the run time so let’s assume I am wrong and Joe is correct on 5 1/2 hours give or take a few verses my 6 hour 20 min.s. I will be back out Saturday and will double check my numbers. I hope I’m still right but for now let’s go with Joes numbers and air on the side of caution. Sorry everybody. 

On 2/13/20 Dilek told me the name has been picked. She also added that releasing the name would give the false impression that they were close to releasing the machine and I quote “ and we are not! “.

7 hours ago, Joe Beechnut OBN said:

Thanks Buddy, If you could give us a report in about a week that would be great. I used the same battery...... I had a run time of 5 hours and 30 minutes then 5 hours and 37 minutes the second time. All metal hunting the first trip then the second mostly all metal with a hour of mute mode. I am only making 5 Shorties like yours and 5 Big batteries. And the list only has one more opening...9 have signed up.. I get the ten batts out there and give them several months I may do another round this winter when things are slow if everyone is still happy. The shorty is 140 plus shipping 15 dollars and the Big Battery is 170 plus 15 shipping. I expect the Big Batt to get 11 plus hours. 

Those signed up

Ji.....Cliv....Cli....De...See...Sha...Cu..EL..Te ...?

Will do Joe but I expect little difference. I was very particular. I keep a water proof watch with me at all times ( since that thing on the CTX is worthless to me 👀😂) and from 2:20 till 8:40 exactly was its time. That dead battery and red light signal Is a little annoying to say the least. I do wish I hadn’t fallen  asleep during charge time. I will check that later. I covered 40 blocks round trip serpentine all the way. Stopped and ran a grid pattern in my gold holes until she died.  Plenty of battery for me.

Just a short note on Joe’s “shorty” AQ battery. It fits well under the cuff and balance was not noticeably effected from the lighter than stock battery. Run time for me in “tone mode” was 6 hours 20 minutes. It is my understanding that in all metal it is approximately one hour less. The M12 (CTX) phones connector was a welcomed change and the power cable with a small loop and ninety degree connector also worked well. Get one of his battery set ups and avoid changing batteries in mid hunt, while they are available. I believe he has other set ups with even longer run times. Knocked it out of the park again Joe, thanks.

3 hours ago, Joe Beechnut OBN said:

The weight difference is 6 ounces.....(4) EBL 26650......... 13 0unces which is a lot, (4) 18650 ......7 ounces..the stock battery they have now comes in at 19 0unces.......And you are correct, will the 6 ounce diff be worth a few more hours..

Back to the hat. I use a ball cap with a cape that allows my phones to sit tight to my ears. How do you wear your phones over this style hat ? Looking forward to the package. 

Unfortunately it is plated. Only the ring above with real stones and 10k gold band is gold. 925 ear ring in pic. The little rope ring was deep. About 12”. It is pretty though but  only plated according to my testing machine. It did come in as a high ping so I thought it was gold. Not marked.

Last four spins with AQ. Mostly tone mode since I am looking for recent drops. All knee to ankle deep. Volume 8, sensitivity 5, ATS 8.5, reject 4. delay 9.  A few targets in all metal were same settings except ATS was 6. Cant stop the bobbie pins. No double ping. Chains are junk. Some junk rings but most gold. Class ring has no name. Good luck everybody. On a side note, I can’t thank Rick and Eva enough for all their help. Top of the line crew they are! I should add, all the coins come in as a iron grunt. I like the anticipation of a 18k 15 gram coming up in my scoop!!! There is very little iron where I am hunting and size and shape tell a lot.

1 hour ago, deborah195412 said:

UPDATE:  Spent this morning working  with Jim Pugh here in Pensacola. He had a chance to use my machine and I used his. I was able to used his with no problem. We tried something on my machine that he had already done to his. We routed the coil wire (leaving a little for coil movement) in a straight line, and tightly wrapped with velcro, along the top of the shaft, for about 15 inches. The remaining coil wire was wrapped around the upper part of the shaft as usual. This seemed to solve the problem when sweeping the coil in the water. I was able to sweep the coil in the all metal mode without all the extra noise. I don't know if maybe I was getting movement in the coil wire when sweeping the coil or what, but it seems to be working a lot better now.

Thanks Jim I really appreciate all your help.

 

Deborah, that is how my coil wire is run but very tight. My Velcro is on 6” centers. Only when a wave crashes against the cable at times in knee deep water do I get a signal. I think I mentioned in one of my post. Joe saw it last week and made a comment that he liked it. It also lowers the resistance of the water verses spiral wrap around the shaft. I am so glad you figured it out and hope this is Terry’s issue also.

3 hours ago, Joe Beechnut OBN said:

For those that are having issues, make sure the connector is full seated. Almost has a snap in place..... feel as your turning the Lock Shell.

Researching question and Off subject question....Is the Souriau connector for the coil the ..... UTS1JC142G1P ...or the UTS1JC103P or am I off on those..........Thank You Alexandrea and Willy..

Joe because of the wear on the nibs we both know occurs over time, I always push in with pressure the connector as I rotate the bayonet style locking ring clockwise until it stops dead. This prevents the nibs from pulling the connector in to seat it therefore helping stop the wear and eventually a loose connector. Just for those who have no experience with the Souriau connectors. The VALLON PI also uses them but in a metal version.

3 hours ago, ALEXANDRE TARTAR said:

Thank you for your positive, constructive and very spiritually enriching message. 

We were eagerly awaiting your comment. 

Do not hesitate in the future...

I believe that Mr Dankowski had the opportunity to test the first version with Carl Moreland.

And he said this is the 2nd best PI detector for the beach he had ever had.

According to him, the first was the Aquastar, which I had for years with retro engineering at the time (just for fun), and which has no ground adjustment, and is at least 40% in below the sensitivity of the IMPULSE AQ on all of our tests.

Nostalgia sometimes obscures reality, but I think any good prospector reacts that way ...

1 hour ago, deborah195412 said:

My AQ is no where near that stable in neck deep water. Audio is constantly changing up and down. If mine was as stable as this video I would have no problem.

Deborah I tried to explain to Willy you were chest deep same as Joe when your issue occurs. Maybe I should have not mentioned Joe. On one of your comments you said you knew it was designed for wet surf beach. Although I never have seen an LE JAG video in the water it is rated for one meter and the Souriau connector is ip68 so I would think they planed on chest to neck deep. I certainly did as well as another pirate friend of mine up north. 

1 hour ago, Willy said:

If you feel that you could get some EMI problems at your locations, you could try to change of pulse frequency at startup of the system.

We think that Deborah has a problem specific to her own AQ system.
Nothing to do with Florida waters.
After reading her last (doubtful) report after exchanging her 12.5" coil, we do not know whether there is still a problem on her system (outside of the exchanged coil) or if it is a swing procedure problem.

A PI system automatically re-calibrates when swinging with varying heights during the swing. It feels this as a change of ground conditions and adapts to it.

Alexandre has clearly shown this on a specific video.

Yes at start up I always search for the quietest frequency giving some time between settings. My EMI chatter is minimal at best. There is no problem discerning a small amount of chatter and even the soft low response of a deep target. Thanks for all your help. 

2 hours ago, Willy said:

The only issues in that condition have been reported by Joe and others, it is when the coil enters and leaves the surface of the water and also when the coil connector is partly submerged. When both are submerged, there is no problem.

Willy, thank you but this is puzzling to me. I live on the US east coast of Virginia. With sensitivity at 4 or 5 ATS 8 1/2 and reject at 3>4 tone mode is very stable in the surf knee deep and sometimes deeper when a wave rolls in. Occasionally a wave hitting the coil cable or increasing the depth of the water by a foot or so the detector will sound off. It is a little and I mean slightly chatty in tone and quieter in AM. More of a EMI issue than salinity. I do swing east and west at times but prefer to face the waves and work in and back out swinging north and south. I have zero complaints and my salinity is shown the same as the gulf of Florida. I really thought Deborah was having issues in deeper water so thanks for straightening me out. I knew of Joes issue as he scans his basket with his coil at times. I will use a pin pointer. He has cured his issue with a cut off switch for his phones.