Tomshell
New Member
Hello forum, Tom From Flagstaff Arizona here.
I have been obsessed with metal detecting since I was a wee lad, but my lack of patience and propensity to neglect reading owners manuals has always been my downfall. I have owned at least one metal detector for as long as I can remember, but have never mastered its use or been happy with the results. I am getting ready to hit the road next spring in a 40ft converted school bus, and a detector that works well and finds things is a goal of mine for the 3 year plus trip.
I have 2 low/middle range detectors, but I read that they are good to cut your teeth on and get a feel for the hobby. I have downloaded manuals,read articles,practiced, and just about lost my mind. For instance, I went out today and found nails,maybe 5 in a row, and then threw a coin down and the damn detector would not make a sound. it was on the surface and yet no beep. What annoys me is the directions I have, for both detectors. Not enough detail. They say things like turn the ground towards normal, or adjust until no change when pumping up and down or.........
So, I have a Micronta Discovery 2(Radio Shack) and A famous Trails MD-7012. I can not get either one to be repeatable and reliable. The instructions don't start out with things like, first,put all knobs at mid point. When
I start tuning, I am not sure what adjustments affect the others,etc.I am not sure what adjustments are critical and what are not. I need someone to walk in the field with me and explain, but that is asking a lot,right?So.....
Can someone guide me a bit? For instance, when I adjust ground, do I want a tone all the time? Or do I want to silence the tone as it approaches the ground? Should I start tuning with disc and sens knobs halfway when setting the ground? Does the autotune button do just what it says? Hold it over a non target rich area and just push the button? I am frustrated beyond belief,again, but really want this to work.
I almost did a "buy it now" on ebay for an ACE 350, but I do not know if that is a better machine or not. But I guess what I need is to understand ,really understand, how to tune and tweak and adjust for both the soil and the hunted. Can anyone help?
I have been obsessed with metal detecting since I was a wee lad, but my lack of patience and propensity to neglect reading owners manuals has always been my downfall. I have owned at least one metal detector for as long as I can remember, but have never mastered its use or been happy with the results. I am getting ready to hit the road next spring in a 40ft converted school bus, and a detector that works well and finds things is a goal of mine for the 3 year plus trip.
I have 2 low/middle range detectors, but I read that they are good to cut your teeth on and get a feel for the hobby. I have downloaded manuals,read articles,practiced, and just about lost my mind. For instance, I went out today and found nails,maybe 5 in a row, and then threw a coin down and the damn detector would not make a sound. it was on the surface and yet no beep. What annoys me is the directions I have, for both detectors. Not enough detail. They say things like turn the ground towards normal, or adjust until no change when pumping up and down or.........
So, I have a Micronta Discovery 2(Radio Shack) and A famous Trails MD-7012. I can not get either one to be repeatable and reliable. The instructions don't start out with things like, first,put all knobs at mid point. When
I start tuning, I am not sure what adjustments affect the others,etc.I am not sure what adjustments are critical and what are not. I need someone to walk in the field with me and explain, but that is asking a lot,right?So.....
Can someone guide me a bit? For instance, when I adjust ground, do I want a tone all the time? Or do I want to silence the tone as it approaches the ground? Should I start tuning with disc and sens knobs halfway when setting the ground? Does the autotune button do just what it says? Hold it over a non target rich area and just push the button? I am frustrated beyond belief,again, but really want this to work.
I almost did a "buy it now" on ebay for an ACE 350, but I do not know if that is a better machine or not. But I guess what I need is to understand ,really understand, how to tune and tweak and adjust for both the soil and the hunted. Can anyone help?