It's All I Need

[Chase Goldman]

Propjob,

Repeated use and understanding what the audio is telling you by using your brain to associate the audio with the target builds your audio "muscle memory" such that you stop consciously thinking about what the audio is telling you and you just start picturing the probable target in the ground (the audio painting that virtual picture in your brain).  It is important to dig trash as well as keepers for this to take hold.  Don't just listen to silver dimes in your test garden (though it is a good way to reinforce what a good target sounds like, as Mark suggested), but you need to get out there with some real world swing hours and dig all the targets until you can start calling the target before you dig it.  When you can rely on the audio as the primary means of target ID with the visual ID as backup/confirmation, then you will up your keeper to trash ratio significantly..

[Propjob]

Thanks for the wisdom. I am glad that we have the resources that you share both on the forums and you tube.    I do have a test garden with all sorts of items, shell casings , nails, beer tabs,silver,etc...however it is behind a shed that has gardening stuff on rear wall and that had thrown a loop into the mix by it’s location relative to the first row of targets.  I have to move that row of targets out to a different row.  I guess from the previous world (figuratively speaking) I came from I relied on an explorer or garrett display and the tone had less value to me . I am also finding that I dig items that are close to the vid of good targets for fear of missing a hit, and then when I find it’s trash dig it, but had not really listened to the signature.  I need to be aware of what I am hearing and put a description to the sound as opposed to digging because it may be a good target. Both very excellent suggestions. very open to all thoughts and methodology.   Jim

[Chase Goldman]

Simon,

Since the Equinox does not noticeably over-modulate on large or shallow targets like the T2 does, those aluminum beer and soda cans do tend to ring up with good sounding audio and id numbers.  That is where I have had some success with pinpoint mode.  Provided the offending target is not too deep, I have been able to differentiate pop cans from good coin targets by sizing up the target in pinpoint mode.  Since it is a non-motion pitch mode it becomes relatively easy to ascertain that you have something too large to be a coin or jewelry target under the coil unless its profile is small because of its orientation or depth.  This technique works well for large falsing iron targets as well in farm fields (e.g. broken plow blades).  Gold mode also works similarly well in thick iron junk situations, but since it is a motion mode (you need to swing the coil over the target to get the VCO variable pitch intensity audio) it is not as definitive as pinpoint mode.  I am a dig it all proponent if you have perpetual site access because digging the junk and getting it out of the way can reveal masked keepers underneath and if you have the time and the site can withstand the digging, dig it all and cover every inch with your coil if you can. However, no sense digging up your own yard or another's pristine landscaping unnecessarily and this method can save on pulling too many junk target plugs or can save some time if you only have limited time at a site.  HTH.

[Chase Goldman]

I think you are hooked!  I casually beach hunted and Park hunted for clad and the occasional ring (mostly junk) for years until I discovered relic hunting and realized I was in the middle of a colonial and civil war historical artifact region.  Changed my whole outlook on the hobby.  There are so many aspects to this hobby that can keep it fresh and exciting.  I like variety and have tried several different types of metal detecting.  Would like to try some gold prospecting next.