V3 Update Report; My First Impressions

[ColonelDan]

I used the V3 update on Cocoa Beach last evening to see how it performed...I wasn’t disappointed!

Let me begin by saying this wasn’t any kind of formalized test but merely initial impressions/observations based on my normal beach hunting routine. Any confirmation or dispute of what follows will naturally require more detailed testing.

My general take away was that ML did more than just add a 4 kHz option. V3 seemed to be more stable throughout the frequency spectrum. I could run my sensitivity up to 23 on the dry sand in Park 1 and the 800 was stable and quiet where previously 18-20 was about the limit. Even when I switched to Beach 2 in wet sand and surf, I could run the sensitivity up to about 19-20 with no problem.

My first find in Park 1 on the dry sand was a penny at about 12” deep with a hard unmistakable hit. In that regard, it seemed that the  EQX was now sounding off with more authority than before when a target was detected. This was also my impression throughout the evening.

I ran an informal evaluation using my test sticks (a gold ring and a ferrous bolt) and it seemed to me that V3 in 4kHz was more sensitive to the recovery speed setting as it relates to detectable depth. The lower I set the recovery speed, the greater the detection depth. The higher I set it, the less sensitive it was to my ring and bolt buried at a constant depth. I realize this is the way the EQX always behaves but with V3, it seemed the depth/recovery speed relationship was more accentuated. Again, other environmental factors play a role in detection depth but this was just my impression of V3’s maiden voyage at the beach.

Admittedly, I was skeptical of the reason why ML provided a general update that focused on deep silver in Asia by adding a 4kHz option when we already had 5kHz. But after using this for a short beach hunt, I’m now convinced ML included more software capability in V3 than just that 4kHz frequency. It was more stable, less chattery throughout the frequency range, it hit harder than before and it was indeed hitting hard at a greater depth...or so it seemed to me as well as my hunting buddy who was also running V3.

All in all, I’m glad I installed the update!

[midalake]

1 hour ago, ColonelDan said:

I could run my sensitivity up to 23 on the dry sand in Park 1 and the 800 was stable and quiet where previously 18-20 was about the limit. Even when I switched to Beach 2 in wet sand and surf, I could run the sensitivity up to about 19-20 with no problem.

WOW, Pretty significant!   

As this thread goes on, I am interested to see if there is any EMI improvement????

[ColonelDan]

Yes, I encountered EMI improvement...at least that’s what it appeared to be as the EQX ran smoother at higher levels of sensitivity after doing a noise cancel obviously.  Not as much chirping for sure.

Again, I wasn’t conducting formalized testing, just a normal run and reporting on my impressions.  Future detailed tests will fill in the gaps I’m sure.

[mn90403]

Thank you for the report.  It seems to be a quite noticeable difference in performance with this update.  Isn't that the way an update should be?  If you can't notice an improvement or make the users notice an improvement then why provide it?

Thank you for your time and effort to explain it to us (me).  I'll install mine this morning and hit my beaches later.

Mitchel

[ColonelDan]

A word of caution:  The performance I saw at Cocoa Beach on 26 July may not be the performance you find on your beach.....beaches vary in characteristics significantly.  I've found differences between Cocoa and Daytona and I've experienced differences in just a few hundred yards of the same beach!  

As I always say, these were the results on this beach on this day in question.  Your mileage will most likely vary but you should see some degree of improvement in performance nonetheless.

[2Valen]

Thank you for the update news. I will getting the update this week.

[mn90403]

I had very similar reactions to my update experience.  

There is something better about the sounds and target experience.

[Joe D.]

Thank's Colonel,

  Sounds like a good assessment to me! It will be on mine soon!

A little "Joe" trivia; my Daughter🙋‍♀️ walked for the first time at Cocoa Beach!! Good thing i wasn't detecting back then, i probably would have missed it!!🤦‍♀️ 👍👍

[ColonelDan]

Joe D

A little "Joe" trivia; my Daughter🙋‍♀️ walked for the first time at Cocoa Beach!! Good thing i wasn't detecting back then, i probably would have missed it!!🤦‍♀️ 👍👍

A great memory Joe.  Cocoa will be a place you'll never forget.  😃

[ColonelDan]

Thanks to all for kind comments.  In my opinion, this update has improved the functioning of an excellent detector. 

I sincerely hope that future improvements will include more substantial coil ears, enhanced waterproofing and a better shaft and arm cuff.

Just the view from my sandy foxhole...