Home› Metal Detecting

Question About Detection Depth...

shudsonshudson Posts: 108
in Metal Detecting
Hi folks,

My area is filled with old English and French settlements dating as far back as the 1600's, and my concern is that I may be missing some choice artifacts/coins because of their depth. I understand that most people can find Civil War items without much trouble with a good detector, but I need to go a couple of centuries deeper!

My X-Terra 50 with the standard 9" coil is rated for a depth of 10". Is there a specific type of coil I could get to increase the detection depth?

Also, how do environmental issues affect detection depth? For example, is wet soil (say after a good rainfall) better or worse for depth?

Thanks!

Scott

Comments

  • ASUtoddASUtodd Posts: 1,312 ✭✭
    I was reading in a book, I think East nd West Treasures, where it talked about people wanting to go deep with detectors. They had a geologist, or someone important, talking about how the ground actually pushes itesm upwards not down. He explained htat when you dig you hit a hard layer of dirt a few inches down that seems tough and hard. This layer actually helps to push lost items upwards. He had a lot of technical words and such in the article. If I can find it again I will post it so you can read. Not sure if this is true but I am sure others will weigh in on their thoughts.
    Todd
    www.GoASU.com
  • millenniummillennium Posts: 3,305
    I think you'll find that dropped coins will usually be in the 10" or less range....unless the ground has been turned over (plowed, etc).. they won't go much deeper...Naturally, buried coins will be deeper, but there are all sorts of reports of people in Europe finding ancient coins at 10" or less depth, and these will typically be as deep as coins will migrate...Today's modern detectors should have no problems finding 400 year old coins.....Soil condition and user knowledge will be the limiting factor.
    My Coin Find Videos
  • wazari777wazari777 Posts: 140
    Scott
    I am running the 10.5" Medium Frequency,7.5 Khz on my Xterra 70. I have detected coins and nails at
    14 inches with it. I have heard of people using the same coil detecting civil war relics at 14" also. I do
    think that the larger coil makes a difference.

    Don
  • millenniummillennium Posts: 3,305
    I forgot to mention, that a larger coil will enhances the depth, but it can also hide smaller targets.... Wet soil is wonderful for depth...I always like to hunt after a good rain.
    My Coin Find Videos
  • shudsonshudson Posts: 108
    That's all good information to have. Thanks guys.

    I'm calling Kellyco today to get another coil that they forgot to send with my order. I was thinking about the smaller 6" 18.5kHz coil for detecting smaller targets, but maybe a larger coil would better suit my needs if it has better depth.

    The ground around here tends to be bumpy and rocky, and I suspect that most of the inland areas I search will have a significant amount of overgrowth, so the more depth the better.

    On another note, I saw something for sale on eBay and I wondering if anyone heard of this before... basically it's two brass rods connected to a car battery which you stick in the ground. Supposedly it's easier to detect objects in the ground between the rods?
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Your 'ebay item' is, IMO, and from all the data I can gather, a fraud. No one has yet to prove, under controlled circumstances, that it works. Just another 'snake oil' item. Cheers, RickO
  • millenniummillennium Posts: 3,305
    I agree with Ricko...Do not waste your money on that...instead but some books on metal detecting...you'll be glad you did.
    My Coin Find Videos
  • ASUtoddASUtodd Posts: 1,312 ✭✭
    Your "probe in the ground" machine is actually illegal in some states. Might want to check your local ordinances and state regulations. I know my uncle had one that you plugged into a wall socket. We used it to get earth worms to the surface... I know, I know, animal cruelty. I stopped doing it over 19 years ago!
    Todd
    www.GoASU.com
  • shudsonshudson Posts: 108

    Yes, the device sounded a little dubious at best... and strangely enough, the first thing that came to mind was making earthworms surface! Maybe they're supposed to bring the coins with them? image

    But I think millennium hit the nail right on the head. I need to buy some books and educate myself on the subject more.

    So now my next logical question is... can anyone reccomend any good books? image
  • shudsonshudson Posts: 108

    I was just talking to the folks at Kellyco, and they told me that the lower the kHz the coil, the deeper it goes. Minelab actually makes a 3 kHz coil, but right now they only make it for the X-Terra 70... image

    Hopefully they'll make a version for the 50 before spring!
Sign In or Register to comment.