Adventures with Jim: If you have been following my youtube account (neswiper), then you may know of some of my travels when it comes to metal detecting. "Swiper's" arch nemesis in 2009 was "Metal Detecting Bicycle Dude". MDBD is one of my friends around town that goes metal detecting as much as I do. It's nice to have someone to be in friendly competition with. Someone you look up to, along side having someone to compete with. For 2010, "Swiper's arch nemesis is "Adventures with Jim".
AWJ digs the gold. Here is someone that will dig dozens of pull tabs and foil every hunt. As an E-TRAC owner, I could go out digging coins all day and not dig one single piece of trash. Fact. The E is that powerful. BUT, don't expect to find gold doing it. Even if the competition is only in my own mind, it's going to motivate me quite a bit.
If you have read my blog in the past, then you know my plans for 2010. I am going to smoke everyone on youtube in 2010 by digging more gold. Now I am talking about the land detector people, not prospectors. For those in competition with me, you better get that head start while the ground is still frozen here. In less than a few weeks I'll be jumping out of that gate like a rabid dog digging for bones. I'll be using every ounce of restraint I can muster to stay away from coin shooting. You know that is not easy, as there is no sweeter sound than a nice steady high tone of a coin. In that respect, I believe I will attempt to ignore any coin less than 5 inches deep. Clad and silver coins make for good metal detecting, but, they are a stumbling block to treasure hunting.
Metal Detector for Deaf People: Ok, so it's a far fetched scenario, roll with it. I've seen a device out there that plugs in the speaker. When you get a signal, the light comes on. The intensity (brightness) of the bulb and and it's fluctuations, gives pretty good insight in to a target. However, it's still quite primitive. What could be better?
Let's say you are totally deaf and you are wanting to get in to high tech metal detecting with an E-TRAC. I'm going to tell you how it could be done with fairly impressive results.
I plugged the E-TRAC in to a Spectrum Analyzer. For those not so tech friendly, like an "O-Scope" or something with a frequency response graph representation. You know, like a advanced display on a home stereo EQ.
There are dozens of different pieces of audio analization software out there. Any number of them can supply you with a fairly impressive visual representation of what is in the ground, as well as helping you to isolate the target with the coil.
The most impressive results! I can tell foil from gold of the same VDI numbers by ear. For example, if this thin gold ring produces a 12:09 on the E-TRAC's display, it's going to take a ball of foil at least three times the size of the ring to produce that reading. The larger object produces a difference in "sizing audio". This difference is displayed on the graph, peaks, waterfall etc visual representation. This would be pretty darn amazing if I could not detect these subtle differences with my ears. Point being, if you are deaf, with this gear, you could metal detect like a pro.
The ultimate deaf (hearing impaired) metal detector set-up. Minelab E-TRAC with 99 tone "Tone ID" Conductive audio. Seven inch laptop computer. I've seen them on tv somewhere, Laptop harness for advanced jobsite supervisor. Clever harness that straps around both shoulders allowing laptop to hang on your chest. Run your favorite "Spectrum Analyzer" - "Audio Analyzer" software on the PC. Plug metal detector audio output in to "isolation transformer / protection" connector / interface etc. Then plug it in to line in on the computer's sound card. Talk to an electronic engineer to build you proper isolation safety between the detector and the laptop on the audio line. You don't need it, BUT, BUT, "voltage loops" can damage electronics. For one example out of a hundred, if you plugged in the laptop computer in to the wall while the audio line was plugged in the metal detector, you could throw some undesired energy in to the detector and "blow it up". It's a long shot, but it's always possible. You should have proper "isolation" on audio line(s) anytime you connect two pieces of sensitive electrical gear. I've seen isolation transformers come in connector style, where they plug between two audio cords, build your own, etc.
3D Visual Target Representation, Audio etc.: This is not as complex as most people might suspect. It's been going on before the calculator. Say you are at a laser light show or even a rock concert. Depending on the purpose, notice how some sounds can create shapes. Notice how these shapes get small or bigger, for example, depending on the length of the audio that created the shape. A savvy programmer in his mother's basement, could easily write some code for some audio to 3D software. They've been doing it since Windows 95 and before.
How does it work? Easy. Each tone on the E-TRAC has a frequency. A pitch. An analyzer reads those frequencies. Put a nickel under the coil, it makes that frequency peak on the graph. Put a quarter under the coil. The higher pitch of the quarter will then read a different frequency on the graph.
Why not just use display numbers and pinpoint function to isolate? Because, the scope's visual representations give away the sizing characteristics in the audio us hearing people use to size targets, judge depth etc etc. We are talking about arming a deaf person with just as much or more insight in to targets than a hearing person. Light years ahead of a light you plug in to the speaker socket.
Although it's a long shot, I hope i have armed a non hearing person with the tools and power to find the Holy Gail. When I get too old to get on my knees and dig, I'll pay someone else to do it while I supervise from a wheelchair. With a little reverse engineering of common tools, anything is possible.
Oh, one more thing! These audio analyzers are pretty darn amazing. Example: Drag coil over target to get audio while the software is on sample mode. Since you recorded the sample of that audio, you can then analyze that sample of audio visually for unique characteristics in so many different ways. We're not talking about a time consuming process here. You can have presets of known good target representations just a click away, for comparison with the sample you just made. "Oh, we got another one peaking at such and such hertz, that is such and such milliseconds/cm wide at such and such db" etc etc.
Note: If you are a hearing person, this is not something you want to jump in to, in an attempt to increase your technical performnce with your metal detector. Bench testing of this suggests the performance is no higher than someone that "knows their detector". My claim here is that this could be used to nearly match the capabilities of a hearing person. Believe it or not, the E-TRAC's vast 99 tones and their characteristics, are barely ample to getting this job done. There is not quite enough information there in the audio to start doing really amazing things. Anyone attempting this is still going to have to invest dozens of hours in practice to get good at using this system. However, with a few good target air tests while looking at the graphs, one could get the hang quick enough to get detecting and have some fun.
Buying an E-TRAC?: Let me tell you guys something. A Minelab E-TRAC does not cost $1500. When you buy from "a big chain", you pay $150+ more, thinking you are getting a deal because it's a package.
I've always been in small business. I'm far from being a coupon snipping miser, but, when possible, I like to give my money to the little guy that has a good reputation. Also make note that, to the guy or gal running a small business, it's usually about making the bottom line for that week, month, etc. For example, if he needs to sell just want more detector for the week to make his quota, his bottom line may only require a $1200 sale.
Now I am not saying you are going to get a NEW E-TRAC for $1200 in less than 72 hours, but I did. I am not saying you are going to get the same deal. As I stated above, the bottom line of many small businesses fluctuates constantly. I did get a package deal, but, when I added up the cost, it was hundreds less than the popular big companies.
Before I plug the place I bought my E-TRAC from, let me tell you why I am plugging them. I'm not affiliated in any way with the guy. He gave me such a good deal I truly felt guilty. When I called to order, dude was metal detecting in a field somewhere digging silver coins. He tested my new detector in the field and sent it out free shipping the same day. The guy even did a couple follow up calls to make sure I was getting on great with the new metal detector. It wasn't some salesman trying to butter me up. It was all coming from someone like me that is out in the fields at every free moment they can muster. I also got the sense he could care less about money. I got the impression he would give it away if his bottom line was already met. No bull! His name is Larry. He straight up tells it like it is! I might be giving him a call around tax time. :)
E-TRAC Two Tone Ferrous, Some Observations:
The use of two tone ferrous on the Minelab E-TRAC has been an astounding experience. The best is yet to come.
The E-TRAC has mind blowing power in the default settings, but, with some sacrifice to some bells and whistles, you can open this baby up to get the ultra deep ones. (foot deep coins)
1: In two tone ferrous, I observed non wavering ID numbers at perceived 10+ inch depth targets. The difference was not subtle. In conductive multi tone with discrimination, I may go many hours before I see a iffy slight peep signal that has the depth meter pegged all the way to the bottom. Using two tone ferrous, I caught two deep full scale depth targets within the first 10 minutes. Amazing how the machine produced spot on stable target ID numbers, on just a peep of audio.
2: In 2 tone ferrous, the recovery speed and separation is so fast and precise, the blade of the coil feels half as wide or more. It's more like a laser. Confusing at first because the slightest movement can separate good from bad targets. In testing, it will separate a small coin laying 1 inch from a huge square nail. The separation of iron vs. possible good targets is so precise, recovery speed is not even an issue. The challenge is all focused on coil control, as moving the coil a couple centimeters is the difference between a beep and a buzz.
3: As you seen in the video above, notice how I stumbled across the silver dime by accident while trying to talk, detect and adjust the camera. Although the coin was not deep, notice how it is screaming like it's laying on the ground.
Case & Point: First time E-TRAC users often have problems "pinpointing off the side of the coil". This because the machine is so sensitive, some cases you can get a tricky full signal off the side of the coil. You go to dig only to find the target is 5.5 inches to the right or left of your hole. These mistakes go away when you learn a little technique. I have not done this since the first week I bought the E-TRAC. In two tone ferrous, it started happening again. That is physical proof right there that of the performance increase, as it now wants to pinpoint 4 inch deep targets on the edge of the coil in somewhat rare cases. Put a quarter on the floor and notice how you can get full signal off the edge of coil. In two tone ferrous, it's doing that with DEEP targets. (shock)
4: Discrimination: I'm going back to the Xterra All Metal, any discrimination is bad philosophy. Sure the E-TRAC's discrimination is beyond legendary, BUT, it does mask targets. Notice when people use tight disc on the E-TRAC, they get chirps. Those chirps are good targets on edge or mingling with iron, fighting to get inside the free notch. Using two tone ferrous with open screen, there is no discrimination. Good targets go beep and iron produces a buzz.
Another point I think may have some value. With no discrimination and no threshold, those 15 inch deep little ticks of sound do not have to be strong enough, to get past the overshadowing effect of discrimination, as well have enough juice to rise above the threshold. Notch discrimination as it applies to metal detecting, is not complete "brick wall" processing, to the level it is in the audio and radio industries. Any notching / discrimination on a metal detector has adverse effects, just outside of the notch area.
High Unstable Sensitivity Levels = DEEP DETECTING: Have you even seen a serious Hot Rod Tesoro or Fisher F75 user. You see them on youtube. Notice when they are digging the target, and their metal detector is laying on the ground, it chatters. Why? Because they have the sensitivity cranked to the hilt, squeezing every ounce of depth out of that bad boy. The E-TRAC will do this too, but, very few of us have done this because the performance is stunning without doing it. The choice is there, manual sensitivity is proven deeper, for those that can mentally process all the extra noise.
Minelab E-TRAC Manual Sensitivity Set-Up: I can't take the credit for this, as I think I seen it on a MLO.tv video last year. Good Information. I'll add my take on this manual sensitive setup.
Make an open accept all metal screen on the etrac. Find a section of earth that produces no signals in auto +3. Not a peep of anything. Now switch to manual sensitivity and start turning it up above manual 25, till it just starts to chatter. Next, switch back to auto +3 and find some really deep targets. When you find the super deep targets that may just be a "tick" of sound, see if that signal can still be identified with high manual sensitivity. While sweeping over the super deep target using manual, turn it up as far as possible so the target can still be identified over all that chattering. That right there is squeezing every ounce of capability out of the metal detector.
Turn the "Volume Gain" up to 30 in the E-TRAC's Audio Menu. That is your deep target volume. When that adjustment is lowered deep targets are faint in volume and shallow targets are louder. Although handy for other setups, this concept does not compliment the end goals of the setup I am describing here.
This is certainly not a typical North American E-TRAC setup. People get a thrill out of telling a nickel from a zinc penny and a zinc penny from a quarter. Although the Multi Tone ID is amazing, close targets to your good targets cause harmonics. That squealing is all the targets blending and fighting to sound their tone. In two tone ferrous, everything is pretty much black and white, good and bad. The black and white processing is also reflected in the display numbers, as it seems to provide a more precise lock.
This could be interesting. In this setup it's like an X-Terra on steroids running two tone all metal.
The Cons: Multi-tone conductive was real handy when you get to digging. Two tone ferrous complicates things a bit, as multiple targets in or around the hole will all be producing the same tone. And secondly, obviously you have to be more reliant on display than audio to determine what to dig. And third, you have to learn how to use the coil again. The amount of coil control needed to slice and dice the good ones out has doubled.
If you have read my past blog entreesbelow, you know I have a new philosophy for 2010. I have learned a few things. The E-TRAC is an appliance for lazy people. When people by an E-TRAC, their finds double, but, the finds that doubled are all coins. Most of them clad and silver coins. Metal Detecting becomes a turkey shoot for coins. Shooting coins is the most fun you can have with your clothes on, BUT, it's a fool's game. We all walk right over the gold to get that next silver coin. Immediate Gratification vs. Practical Long Term Goals. A choice has to be made, or, at least one should consider better time management.
Remember, all my ideas and philosophies are based on city / suburban or on the edge of the city (rough lands) metal detecting. Not exactly the best place to hunt for the Holy Grail, but you have to work with the cards you are dealt. My finds log is well above practical expectation.
SWINGY THINGY For Metal Detectors - You have heard about it, now take a look at it. The Swingy Thingy is a bungee harness worn to take some of the weight off swinging a metal detector. A very clever invention. If you think swinging a detector is easy, think again. A pro athlete could easily be injured after a couple hours of metal detecting without proper practice.
GET RICH QUICK WITH GOLD! : There is but one question in the world of common Land Metal Detecting. The answer to this question could define one's ability to get thousands of dollars in gold.
Here is the question: The Whites V3 Metal Detector has three frequency, frequency response graph representation. For example, if you put a gold ring under the coil, it's going to peak on the graph representing a high frequency response. Put a silver coin under the coil and the graph will show a peak on the low frequency. Now, having said this, how does this graph peak when a piece of can shred is introduced, of the same VDI as a gold ring target.
Get it? The only thing stopping the metal detector user from mopping up thin gold rings, is aluminum can shred and foil of the same VDI target range(s). If the Whites V3 frequency response graph will indicate a gold response, when compared to can shred of the same VDI number(s), well, it's time to get rich.
Are you a V3 owner? I don't know how your VDI works. Let's say for example's sake that a quarter sized piece of can shred is a "20 VDI". Now get a gold ring that also is a 20 VDI. Next, put both under the coil and compare on the frequency response graph. Does the graph tell the difference between the two?
email your answer to me on youtube or metaldetectorx@live.com
GOLD IS EVERYWHERE! The numbers do not lie. I found a gold ring in my yard. Look at all the people on youtube that make metal detecting videos, that have found a gold ring in their yard. It's quite common. Most new metal detector users start in their own yard. Quite often they find a gold ring, which gives them motivation and a lucky story to tell. It happens more than you might suspect.
Having said that, all the THIN gold rings are waiting to be mopped up.
Logic dictates the focus should be on common numbers. 20 thin gold rings are lost for every huge gold ring lost. Thin is more common. It would make more sense to look for what is common, instead of opening the range to accommodate the rare. Brick wall notch anything outside of common, and rely on target frequency response graph. If it works to this degree.
For crude example's sake:
Let's say all thin common gold rings fall from 10-20 VDI on the White's V3. Seal off everything else and keep the eye on the target frequency response in that specific VDI range. If gold responds different than can shred on the graph, and it's obvious by the representation, in theory one should be able to get rich digging common gold rings.
Only a dedicated Whites V3 user can answer this question. Taking it further, on the V3 you can switch the machine to run solely on one of the three frequencies. What happens when you put it on single hi freq, and then compare gold and can shred of the same VDI on the Spectra Graph.
If the answer to these questions are favorable to those needs, I would likely buy a V3 sometime in the near future.
By the way, I can tell gold from foil on the etrac. How? Let's say I have a thin gold ring that reads 12:09. To get a 12:09 reading out of foil, the ball of foil has to be five times the size of the ring. That size difference alone is detected with good coil control and a good ear. Can shred of the same VDI as common gold rings are the enemy of the E-TRAC. There are differences in sizing/audio, but, the difference is not provocative enough to be more than a subtle clue. If the V3's frequency response tells the story, the difference between the gold ring and can shred would be night and day.
For 2010, part of my main focus will be common gold rings lost on land. The other part of the main focus will be Treasure Hunting in the woods. By the end of the season I want gold and treasure in my chest, instead of a bunch of dirty old coins. Coin Shooting is a very pleasant and addictive distraction from the big money. Remember the story of the two squirrels? One squirrel spent all spring, summer and fall digging silver coins. The other squirrel spent his time digging gold rings. For many days the silver seeking squirrel would laugh at the gold digging squirrel, because the gold digging squirrel was not finding gold as often as he was finding silver coins. The seasons past and winter came. Both squirrels ended up at the grocery store, to cash in their treasure to buy food for the winter. The one squirrel told the other, "I have 50 pieces of silver, just look at my shopping cart full of canned beans and instant noodle curry mix". The gold seeking squirrel then pushes a cart full of steaks, lobster and fine wines up to the counter. Baffled by this display, the silver seeking squirrel asks "how much gold did you find?" "Only ten pieces, five of them with diamonds" the gold seeking squirrel responds.
Ha Ha You get the point. I was the silver squirrel in 2009. In 2010 I am going to do everything possible to take on the philosophy of the gold seeking squirrel. Make Note: I don't need the money. Want, is more like it. Simply put, higher value targets provide a bigger rush. It's all about feeding the rush. They call it gold fever for a reason. - neswiper
