Woods/Field Hunting Setup

[LaRoper]

Set-up for Hunting in All-Metal mode in woods and fields with limited amounts of trash.

Ok, just a little information for everyone. You may not own this type detector, but other machines may have the same adjustments, (call a different name). So this might help you out also.
Allrighty then, first thing is to put the detector in all metal mode. Under Basis adjustments look for Audio Discrimination. Turn this off, this turns off all discrimination circuits. Next continue to the DC Sensitivity. Normal is 3; increase this to 4, possibly 5, depending on ground conditions.
Now on to Pro Options.
In pro options go the display options, VDI sensitivity. Normal is 85, increase to 95. Again you may have to adjust for ground conditions. Next, Spectrum Options, Fade Rate.
Normal is 7, increase to 13, 14, depends on how long you want the information to remain on the screen. You can also turn off the Accumulate and Average options too if you wish. I like to get a sample on each pass and decided from there.
That’s it your ready. Start sweeping, listen for those soft changes in the sound, you may have something deep or just to the outside of your coil. Once your target is located, pass over it back and forth, the information on you VDI meter will still be displayed. This will help you avoid some junk.
If I remember correctly a quick pull of the toggle switch will shift you back into discrimination mode until released. Just the opposite of when you are hunting in Discrimination mode itself. But this I am unsure of, it’s been a while since I have used my Spectrum to Relic hunt. I usually use a Minelab Soverign Elite.
Experiment with some of the setting to see what works best in your area.
Have fun and good luck with your finds.
LR

[gordiesgirl]

I asked around town and got permission to hunt in the yard of the oldest home in town built in 1823 I tried relic setting on Spectrum and got a bunch of higher signals found old paint can lids then more junk so switched over to coins and jewelry found 2 wheat pennies and a matchbox car 1962 I am trying, but get a bit frustrated with my spectrum which setting would you hunt on. I look for your informative threads but have tons of ??????'s don't want to drive anyone crazy so if you can stand me I would appreciate the help Thanks

[LaRoper]

Originally Posted by gordiesgirl

I asked around town and got permission to hunt in the yard of the oldest home in town built in 1823 I tried relic setting on Spectrum and got a bunch of higher signals found old paint can lids then more junk so switched over to coins and jewelry found 2 wheat pennies and a matchbox car 1962 I am trying, but get a bit frustrated with my spectrum which setting would you hunt on. I look for your informative threads but have tons of ??????'s don't want to drive anyone crazy so if you can stand me I would appreciate the help Thanks

Hi gordiesgirl,
Was you trying the program above? This is intended for areas where targets are far and few.
Hunting a yard, I would use the coin program. The relic program is more intended for an area where you would dig 95% of targets. The relic program gets a little deeper, but its not great for areas with large amounts of trash. I would stick to the coin program for now, after you learn what the machine is telling you, you will find more and more. Trust your ears first, the VDI meter second. Practice.
You figure the home has been there for 170 years or so. Figure in a yard about an inch of new soil every 20 years. So you are looking at the coins from the date of 1823 being at a depth of 9 to 10 inches.
Hope this helps. Your great finds are just around the corner.
LR

[gordiesgirl]

Thank you so much for your help. I will learn this machine yet. I will continue trying all you have posted.

[blade]

Enjoying your posts on the XLT. I've found older coins on my 1860s property, but can't get any silver out yet? I pretty much dig every target and clear out any junk, but that silver is eluding me?

[PABill]

Hi Gordiesgirl, As the others are saying you may want to stick with the coin and jewelry setting for awhile until you learn a little more with the machine. You must learn what the machine is telling you. Eventually you will want to use the relic mode and adjust your settings from there. Especially in old home sites like you are talking about. I own a XLT and like it alot and you will also after you take the time to learn the machine. I have owned Whites detectors since the 70's and they are great machines. The XLT is a coin magnet and many feel one of the best machines they have ever produced. I use modified relic programs for my custom programs. I set the descrim. to accept anything from -10 to +94 or +95. Yes you may dig some junk targets but alot of jewelry will give very low readings. You must listen for the good solid hits and then decide to dig from there. Dont get frustrated digging the junk for awhile. Its good practice in learning what the machine is telling you and learning your VDI numbers for those targets. You are on the right track, don't get frustrated and the good finds will come. HH, Bill

[silverblooded]

I have a XLT Spectrum E-Series and noticed that you said that the DC setting should be at 3 or 4. On my machine the stock setting is 31-32 in the coin program so should I increase this a bit?

How do I set this machine to all metal mode? I am defanatly missing something here.

My latest find, 1930 merc at about 5".

Where I live the coins are not that old. We just cellabrated our 150 birthday as a city.

Thanks for the post's, very informative.

Silver

P.S. For those of you that don't know (some do) I am on a lot of powerful prescriptions due to my disability that mess with my "logical" thinking. So if I overlook something please don't flame me, I never asked this to happen to me. Thanks.

[bill(de)]

Hi Silverblooded,

I have an Eagle Spectrum and a newer XLT. The DC sensitivity setting on the Spectrum has a range of 1 to 5 and your detector has a DC Sensitivity range of 1 to 60 to allow more finite adjustments.

The best way to get All Metal on the XLT is to turn Off Audio Disc in your in your basic program adjustments _ you can turn off turn Off Visual Disc in the Pro Options. Be Prepared because everything will blast off . La Roper explained his method clearly .

Whats really interesting is playing with a small coil and increase the S.A.T Speed using all metal and watching the meter . HH Bill

[LaRoper]

Hey All ,
Was just wondering if the program was helping anyone improve their finds.
Here is another quick tip.
Ladies diamond rings- I have learned that most ladies rings with diamonds are small. When you are hunting and reject the -10 to +10 VDI #, you will miss all of these type rings. Most ring out as foil, but with practice you can tell the difference between the two. Most of the time the gold rings will give you a very smooth response. Foil will be close but jump the numbers at the end of the response.
Good luck all.
LR

[blade]

Thanks LR will give it a go in the memory bank!! Thanks for all the advice, it sure helps!