I have noticed that the side seem to be more sensitive to "hot rock" than the tip. I don't mind having both sensitivies. Sometimes the sides pick up nearby in the hole above the tip. I sometimes use the carrot tip to more accurately localize a shallow target, although it is an "all metal" tool and may localize on nearby junk rather than the discriminated goodie. It's even a fun exploration tool in thin soil/shallow target areas. The natives are easily wowed! Cargo cultist?