10 Ring Manticore Hunt

[Compass]

Being a Whites PI beach hunter for much of the past ten years I've been spoiled by the relative simplicity of operating those detectors (Pi Pro, Dual Field, TDI). For fresh water I picked up a Manticore and M8 coil but it's taken me a while to get used to the 2D screen and all the options for setting up the machine. On my last lake hunt I started to utilize the 2D screen more and tried to be more selective in which targets to dig. The result was digging less trash making for a more efficient, effective and enjoyable detecting experience. Of course, being in a productive location helps but I've hunted similar sites before and got bogged down digging dozens of bottlecaps and other ferrous targets.

It has also taken me a while to get used to the M8 coil. Because of its small size I thought that pinpointing would be a no-brainer but even with an 8" wide scoop I need to be accurate on where I dig if I want to retrieve the target in the first or second attempt. The M8 is surprisingly deep for its size so paying attention to the target depth indicator is also something that has helped me.

When I bought the Manticore, the previous owner had it set up in the "Beach Low Conductor" mode and I just left it there until recently since it seemed to work fine in fresh water. However, when I switched to "AT General" it seems that bottlecaps and other ferrous targets are more easily identified but I definitely need more time learning the optimal settings for fresh water. 

The attached picture is from my last lake hunt. Unfortunately, the big ring in the center is stainless steel, not gold.  2 of the rings are stamped "10k" and I think another is gold but may be even a lower karat judging from acid testing. I spent about 8 hours in the water and found about 100 coins, over 50 pull tabs and 10 or so bottlecaps. I'm already looking forward to my next Manticore hunt to see if I am truly starting to understand how to get the most from this detector. 

 

 

[Joe D.]

   Nice work compass!

   I too was using TDI's on the beach, and a few others, before getting the Manticore! Haven't yet decided to part with them yet though, as it's nice to have backup!

   That's a big haul, and some nice rewards! I got the Manticore back in the beginning of February, but been using it in the salt with Dankowski settings; no fresh nearby to hunt! Very happy with it's operation so far, and I've managed to find three of the four coils; used! Last one was the M8, but haven't used it yet! I personally think it's a bit too small for water hunting, except in the rocks, which is what i intend for it, among some other hard to reach inland areas! But it's seems to work great for you!👍 I prefer the M9 or maybe the M11, depending on the situation! Slightly more drag but more coverage and better depth! And use the 15" mostly for wet and dry sand hunting!

   One of the guys in our club, Shawn, who is a recent "career" YouTuber, and commutes from the west coast, manufactures a mid-lower rod replacement for the Manticore, and a few others, that is solid with a thin profile, for water hunting! He almost exclusively water hunts, all over Florida, and has done very well with ring returns! His YouTube page is "Detect Florida", and his "Stork Leg" can be found on  treasuretechusa.com

   I specifically asked him a few meetings ago what coil he prefers in the water, and he said the 11" is his primary! But he's young and may not feel it the way us older dudes do!😆

   Keep up the great finds, and be safe!🍀👍👍

[Skull diver]

2 hours ago, Compass said:

I'm already looking forward to my next Manticore hunt to see if I am truly starting to understand how to get the most from this detector. 

 

I'd say You're on the right path👍🏼

[mn90403]

Great results Compass.  I know you are a marathon hunter and 8 hours in the water certainly qualifies.

All of us using the Manticore feel the learning curve.  I'll agree with you about the M8 being a surprising coil.  I judge a detector and coil combination by how far 'off the coil' can you begin to hear a target.  Sometimes you get indications of this by the scoop sound and other poles and things in the parks.

Lately I've had some beaches with multiple targets and the screen is very helpful with the line and the numbers.  The sound is also better than the 800 and Jeff has many other likes about the Manticore.

Good luck when you go back to another lake.

 

[Compass]

35 minutes ago, Joe D. said:

   Nice work compass!

   I too was using TDI's on the beach, and a few others, before getting the Manticore! Haven't yet decided to part with them yet though, as it's nice to have backup!

   That's a big haul, and some nice rewards! I got the Manticore back in the beginning of February, but been using it in the salt with Dankowski settings; no fresh nearby to hunt! Very happy with it's operation so far, and I've managed to find three of the four coils; used! Last one was the M8, but haven't used it yet! I personally think it's a bit too small for water hunting, except in the rocks, which is what i intend for it, among some other hard to reach inland areas! But it's seems to work great for you!👍 I prefer the M9 or maybe the M11, depending on the situation! Slightly more drag but more coverage and better depth! And use the 15" mostly for wet and dry sand hunting!

   One of the guys in our club, Shawn, who is a recent "career" YouTuber, and commutes from the west coast, manufactures a mid-lower rod replacement for the Manticore, and a few others, that is solid with a thin profile, for water hunting! He almost exclusively water hunts, all over Florida, and has done very well with ring returns! His YouTube page is "Detect Florida", and his "Stork Leg" can be found on  treasuretechusa.com

   I specifically asked him a few meetings ago what coil he prefers in the water, and he said the 11" is his primary! But he's young and may not feel it the way us older dudes do!😆

   Keep up the great finds, and be safe!🍀👍👍

Thanks Joe, I still prefer my TDI BeachHunter in the surf and wet sand because most of my local beaches aren't too trashy and several have significant amounts of black sand around. However, as you know, the TDI's are heavier and getting harder to swing as I get older.

The reason I got the M8 was to help with pinpointing in murky water, especially where the lake bottom is hard to dig. Some of my lakes can have clay, dense sand or small rocks and taking any more scoops than necessary can really wear me out and take some of the fun away from detecting.

Thanks for the info on the Stork Leg - I will check it out.

33 minutes ago, Skull diver said:

I'd say You're on the right path👍🏼

Thanks SD and thanks for the post about your flooded Manticore. I lost an Equinox from water intrusion and it's not a pleasant way to end a hunt. I only submerge the Manti's control box as I wade in and out of shallow water so I hope that it will last at least a few more years.

[F350Platinum]

Outstanding Compass,

Looks like you're really doing well with the Manticore. 👍 Nice rings, regardless of metal. Congrats!🏆

[Compass]

4 minutes ago, mn90403 said:

Great results Compass.  I know you are a marathon hunter and 8 hours in the water certainly qualifies.

All of us using the Manticore feel the learning curve.  I'll agree with you about the M8 being a surprising coil.  I judge a detector and coil combination by how far 'off the coil' can you begin to hear a target.  Sometimes you get indications of this by the scoop sound and other poles and things in the parks.

Lately I've had some beaches with multiple targets and the screen is very helpful with the line and the numbers.  The sound is also better than the 800 and Jeff has many other likes about the Manticore.

Good luck when you go back to another lake.

 

Thanks M, I think my running days are well behind me but gold is a powerful motivator for me. 🙂  I would have continued hunting even after 8 hours but my buddies were ready to leave and we drove together. I felt like I was in the "Zone" and that the good finds were going to continue.

I couldn't agree more about the sound on the Manticore being superior to the 800. It is especially helpful to those of us with hearing loss.

[Compass]

6 minutes ago, F350Platinum said:

Outstanding Compass,

Looks like you're really doing well with the Manticore. 👍 Nice rings, regardless of metal. Congrats!🏆

Thank you F350Plat, The more I use the Manticore the more I like it. Yes, it's always nice to see a ring in the scoop. 

[TampaBayBrad]

Wow....10 rings in one hunt!?! That's a heck of a lake spot you found there. Awesome....you and manti are going to get along well.