IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KNOW BEFORE PURCHASING A DETECTOR
Metal detectors…How they work and which one should you purchase?
For the sake of being brief and not to tire our audience lets just say that there are currently 3 main types of metal detectors on the market.
1-
1- VLF detectors:
This type of detector can be ordered from detector specialty stores or even
purchased in department or retail stores are grouped under the category of VLF
(very
low frequency) detectors. They account for 99% of the detectors on the market.
These detectors specialize in discrimination of metal objects close to the
surface (small objects and coins). The performance varies from attaining depths
between 0 to 14 inches maximum for large targets. If the target is below maximum
depth, with some exceptions, it will no longer give an audible signal or even
cause a variation in the threshold tone. The manufacturers are unable to
improve this system to ensure attaining greater detection depths with the
detector. All manufacturers make outrageous claims about how their particular
brand is improved and the deepest but this is merely marketing hype and they
cannot hold up to realistic tests of their equipment. In order to detect
targets at greater depths your best bet is the pulse induction detectors that
prove themselves time and again in test after test.
2 – 2 coil detectors (2 box detectors):
For example the Gemini, TM900, or Thor are actually VLF detectors in which the
coil wiring is separated in two pieces in order to
make
two large coils, one for transmitting and one for receiving. They are more
powerful but also more expensive, difficult to use, unstable, difficult to
adjust and adapt to changing ground conditions. A North to South sweep will
almost always cause a 5 degree shift in ground balances without the operators
knowledge. Most professional treasure hunters that fall for the marketing hype
start out with this type of detector but quickly realize their limitations and
defects.
3 – The Pulse Induction detectors (PI)
The
Pulse Induction detectors were invented at the early part of the century and
appeared on the market long before the VLF detectors. The First World War lead
to the development of early American mine detectors but since then there have
been huge improvements in pulse technology making it the technology of choice
for professionals. Pulse frequency varies from 500 to 3,000 PPS (pulsations per
second)
depending on the make and model. In relation to their power and the size of the
detection coil, they are able to locate under ideal conditions a large metal
mass at depths up to 10 or 13 feet. By comparison, a VLF detector detects, with
some exceptions, targets up to a depth of 10 to 12 inches. Pulse detectors are
less sensitive to the mineralization of the ground than a VLF (Very Low
Frequency), i.e., a quasi detector used for recreation or play that you will not
find in the Pulse Induction trade. The sensitivity of the Pulse detector in
regards to ferrous objects is equal to the VLF but the latter has a system of
discrimination which allows it to reject iron to a certain degree especially
small ferrous targets which can be ignored in the “Discrimination” mode.
However, they are unable to ignore ferrous targets of a certain volume, or shape
such as soda or food cans, iron rings, horseshoes, pieces of agricultural
instruments, bottle caps, old tools, containers, cans, or scrap metal which will
be robustly pointed out as a “good target” unless you lower the sensitivity of
the detector to a degree that makes it impossible to locate a large gold coin
such as the French Gold Louis De Orr at no more than 3 or 4 inches. The price
you pay for the discrimination on a VLF detector equates to a big compromise on
depth. On the other hand, the Deepers MF
is equipped with a rejection system for important ferrous targets (same ones
mentioned above) located in the first 16 to 20 inches of depth, where most of
the modern trash without any value is in plentiful supply. This system
eliminates 100% of the undesirable surface trash while maintaining its
capability of finding deep and possibly valuable (ferrous or non ferrous)
targets at great depths. Deeper iron targets are more than likely valuable
targets placed at a greater depth in order to hide valuables for example, an
iron pot containing gold coins, an iron or iron bound chest with treasure or
even an
iron meteorite that buried itself deep on impact. Other Comparisons: the VLF
detectors are passive measuring apparatuses that merely measure magnetic
anomalies at ground level (10 to 12 inch maximum depth), they consume very
little energy (30 to 40 mAh that affords the user 40-50 hours of continued use.
Pulse detectors are active apparatuses which emit strong induced currents that
penetrate deeply into the ground (up to a depth of 10 or 13 feet), they
consequently consume more power that is directly proportional to their energy
“greediness” (180/200 mAh or 18 hours of detecting with our very latest model,
the new Deepers MF).
Final important technical detail: The VLF does not have a great ability to detect gold (a coin made of this metal will not be easily detected if at a depth of more than 6 inches). The Deepers MF has an internal clock that is finely gauged to have an 8 micro second (delay) that enables it to easily discover objects or coins made of gold (or other noble metals) with exceptional accuracy and speed and double the depth of any other detector currently on the market.
From a single small gold coin found at a depth of more than 12 inches to an ancient silver plate found at more than 7 feet under ground, the pulse detector is the best option for discovering deeply buried metals without the risk of missing or passing over a good deposit (they exist by the thousands out there…and yet undiscovered). Other types of inconsistent detectors exist, are very expensive, difficult to use and not very effective for locating buried metal. The GPR or ground penetrating radar is the most notable example. Deepers…your best option for consistently locating deep and valuable targets.
For further information please contact our Deepers technician karl Backus: karl@deepers.com
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