Vanquish 540 issues

[SaltyPickleWater]

Hello everyone. I'm new here and to detecting. I purchased a vanquish 540 (new) as a starting detector and seem to be having some issues. I'm having a tough time getting a clear signal. I decided to do an above ground test with some coins, gold, And silver.I saw a video with a gentleman doing a depth testWith the detector perpendicular to the ground waving items And showing the detector's range of depth In his video most items were being picked up from 6 to 12" away from the detector. When I perform the same test All items had a Max range of 1/2 inch to 1" away. It almost never wants to detect pennies Both copper and zinc. Test was performed with sensitivity all the way up then backed 2 clicks. I tried in all modes (even horseshoe)And even edited frequencies to add down to 0. In horseshoe mode A copper penny will come up as a 1 But only if I touch it to the coil.

Is there perhaps a setting I'm not understanding.
Are there more tests I should attempt.
Or worse did I perhaps get a defective product.
Hopefully it's just me being new and not understanding yet, Any help questions, pointers, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[ucnegold?]

Hello everyone. I'm new here and to detecting. I purchased a vanquish 540 (new) as a starting detector and seem to be having some issues. I'm having a tough time getting a clear signal. I decided to do an above ground test with some coins, gold, And silver.I saw a video with a gentleman doing a depth testWith the detector perpendicular to the ground waving items And showing the detector's range of depth In his video most items were being picked up from 6 to 12" away from the detector. When I perform the same test All items had a Max range of 1/2 inch to 1" away. It almost never wants to detect pennies Both copper and zinc. Test was performed with sensitivity all the way up then backed 2 clicks. I tried in all modes (even horseshoe)And even edited frequencies to add down to 0. In horseshoe mode A copper penny will come up as a 1 But only if I touch it to the coil.

Is there perhaps a setting I'm not understanding.
Are there more tests I should attempt.
Or worse did I perhaps get a defective product.
Hopefully it's just me being new and not understanding yet, Any help questions, pointers, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Welcome. It sounds as though something is defective. Have you checked your coil connection at the control pod to ensure it is tight? Have you tried a Factory Reset of the machine? Have you tried it in All Metal Mode? Note: The discrimination segments will all be indicated by black rectangles across the top of the machine. If there are no black rectangles, perhaps the discrimination is all notched out (in this case you wont get a signal for those segments).

 

[SaltyPickleWater]

Welcome. It sounds as though something is defective. Have you checked your coil connection at the control pod to ensure it is tight? Have you tried a Factory Reset of the machine? Have you tried it in All Metal Mode? Note: The discrimination segments will all be indicated by black rectangles across the top of the machine. If there are no black rectangles, perhaps the discrimination is all notched out (in this case you wont get a signal for those segments).

Thank you. Yes coil is screwed on tight. I have removed and replaced it 3 times, even changed the direction it wraps around the rod.

Haven't tried factory reset. I'll look up how to do that.

I think I tried all metal mode. I assumed that's what the horseshoe. Mode was. If not then maybe not. I have also tried to toggle the iron bias on and off. The discrimination are are on and apear normal from videos I have seen. I even edited the relic Mode to add down to zero.

Also pennies seem to come up as a 1 and coin Mode discrimination is auto set to 5 or 10 I think.

I also saw something about a software update for the 540 but I think it's just to add another feature... assuming it wouldn't affect the depth and or detecting coins. Anyone now about this update?

 

[ucnegold?]

Yes, there is an update (version 1.1). If you just recently bought the machine new, it most likely has firmware version 1.1. You could check by trying to download it using the link with instructions below.

Just curious, are you hearing iron signals?

Is it possible that you have laid your machine down in an area with big iron or ferrous targets in close proximity to the coil? If doing an air test, I would ensure the coil is well away from any interference or iron. Try turning the sensitivity down below mid-point.

If you bought a pro-pack, try testing with the other coil provided.

Metal Detectors | Minelab Metal Detectors

Metal Detectors by Minelab delivers world's best metal detector technologies, which are used by hobbyists for gold prospecting or treasure hunting, as well as military and humanitarian de-mining organizations and countermine metal detection operations throughout the world.

www.minelab.com

 

[SaltyPickleWater]

I did Just buy it a few days ago. I'll check into the 1.1

Not picking up any signals (beeps/tones) other then the Coin I'm waving in front of it. Just seems like it should be detecting it from further away. I will def. Try to move to other locations and play with the sensitivity. Thanks.

Only came with one coil so I'm thinking I didn't get the pro pack.

Is anyone familiar with the signal #'s for us coins. Common quarter, dime, nickle, penny Cop. And zinc. I'm curious if it's even coming In at the correct #'s (are they even the same from detector to detector)

 

[ucnegold?]

Newer US coins: penny ranges 19-23, nickel 12-14, dime 26-28, quarter 29-30. These are not exact but close to range for the Vanquish line of detectors. I would exchange that machine immediately for another one.

 

[SaltyPickleWater]

Newer US coins: penny ranges 19-23, nickel 12-14, dime 26-28, quarter 29-30. These are not exact but close to range for the Vanquish line of detectors. I would exchange that machine immediately for another one.

Ok then yes I most likely have a prob. Quarters come in at 20 and a zinc penny at 1 so...

 

[Diggndabeeps]

Sorry to hear of the 540 issues. If it still seems defective after the factory reset I'd definitely return for another one so you can get to the fun stuff. Family here has two 540s and into our second year of hunting every week. No problems so far. Hope all gets squared away for you.

 

[SaltyPickleWater]

Sorry to hear of the 540 issues. If it still seems defective after the factory reset I'd definitely return for another one so you can get to the fun stuff. Family here has two 540s and into our second year of hunting every week. No problems so far. Hope all gets squared away for you.

Thanks. I'm will try and return it today...

I did a factory rest and another are test in a def location. it is still working the same if not worse. In all metal mode it picks up a quarter from about 1and a half inchs away it tone sounds like a iron bump and comes in at a 15. On coin mode it's a 20. Dimes would only beep if I touch them to the coil and wouldn't give a number. Almost likes filtering it out with its discrimination.

I guess if everything is coming in 20 or so # lower then it should then it would think dimes and pennies are iro? I.D.K.

Anyway, I'll try and exchange it with a new one today and let you all know how it goes.
Thanks to all for your help.

 

[ucnegold?]

Ok, can't wait to hear how that works out for you. The Vanquish should work great right out of the box and it will be very "sparky" sounding when working properly. You won't be disappointed with your finds after you get it up and running. Make sure to read the manual and check the forums and videos for user tips. You never know what may have happened to that unit, dropped or thrown around in the shipping process. Let us know how it goes. we're are all here to learn something.

 

[SaltyPickleWater]

NO WAY! I exchanged the 540, got another brand new one and the new one does nothing at all... no iron tones, No numbers, can't even get it to beep. Did a factory reset on it also. And still nothing. What are the odds. I'm going back to return this one too.

I only hear good things about the vanquish 540 and minelab but I'm starting to second guess the quality of this product. Someone please tell me I'm doing something wrong! I JUST WANT TO FIND TREASURE!

 

[SaltyPickleWater]

Well, sadly they didn't have another 540 so I down graded to the 440. I made the store let me open it in the store and test some coins.

Seems to work proper. Makes a nice clean sound. Can't wait to give it a first go.

Thanks for the help all.

 

[Diggndabeeps]

Dang, sorry about the string of defects. Hopefully the 440 will become a good friend of yours and some sweet finds will quickly come your way.

 

[Silver Saver]

NO WAY! I exchanged the 540, got another brand new one and the new one does nothing at all... no iron tones, No numbers, can't even get it to beep. Did a factory reset on it also. And still nothing. What are the odds. I'm going back to return this one too.

I only hear good things about the vanquish 540 and minelab but I'm starting to second guess the quality of this product. Someone please tell me I'm doing something wrong! I JUST WANT TO FIND TREASURE!

Oofta that is rough and super unfortunate. Makes a guy wonder what happened to those 540s at that store. Whether defective from the manufacturer or something after

 

[SaltyPickleWater]

Took the V440 out for a test swing before work at a local park and the performance is like Night and Day! The other two were def. Defective.
In about 40 min. I found 5 or 6 pull tabs, 5 pennies, a dime, a Nicole, broken zipper, clasp and a rosary pendant.

So happy I checked with you all about the first one. I would have been missing things left and right with that first 540.

 

[Diggndabeeps]

Glad you found some time to try it out. Must a been a damn big dog to break that clasp
I like the pendant. Nice digging.