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• Determining the size of a buried target can help make your decision about digging. Soda cans vs. single coins are a typical example since both can give a good coin indication. You can often make a "dig decision" by holding your main detector’s search loop a specific distance above the ground level (not grass top level) and taking a depth reading. If your detector indicates the target depth is much less than your actual loop height, then the target is larger than a coin-sized object. For example: If depth reads near 0” but loop is actually 3” above ground level, the target is much larger than the typical coin size.

• Detectors with a depth measuring feature are calibrated to give quite accurate depths for coin-sized targets. As a result, objects much smaller than typical coins (small bits of foil and bbs etc.) will read much deeper than their actual depth. A small bit of foil reading 5" deep may actually lie within an inch of the surface! Electronic probes are very useful for ferreting out these tricksters. Targets much larger than coins (cans, barn hinges, machine pieces etc.) will read shallower than actual, making them easy to find.

• Search your areas in different directions: lengthwise, crosswise, in reverse, and at two diagonals. You may be surprised to find targets during each pass!!

• There are times when you have pinpointed a target with your main detector but find nothing there, even with an electronic probe. In this case, check for more targets buried nearby. If there are two or more separate targets buried nearby, all within range of your search coil, the detector will likely point to a spot somewhere between all the targets. Try to single out one of the targets by raising the loop off the ground and/or repositioning yourself. As the interfering targets are removed, pinpointing the remaining ones will be easier.

• Search with large and small loops. Detectors easily give incorrect identification when large loops pass over several closely-spaced targets at the same time. The combined signal from a nail and a coin may produce a pull tab response! Small loops have less depth capability, but are best for isolating targets masked by other nearby metal. Try this with several test targets.

• If you have several different detectors, search prime spots with each. Either detector may find targets missed when searching with the other.

• Use an all-metal mode to find deep buried targets, then use discriminate mode to help make your “digging” decisions.

• Detectors identify buried targets only to a limited depth. Good targets beyond that limit may get incorrectly identified, possibly as trash. If in doubt - DIG!!

• Search children’s sand or wood chip play areas in all metal mode to find those small jewelry items and toys. These areas usually have very little trash.

• If you hunt in silent search mode (no threshold tone) slip a small coin in your shoe to periodically check your detector while hunting. However, don’t get tricked by a beep if you should sweep the loop too close to your shoe while searching !

• Add to the enjoyment of hunting with a detectorless partner, or children. Mark the location of buried coins with golf tees (or sticks) and let your assistant(s) retreive them with a Tinytec Probe while you continue to hunt with your main detector.

• When probing with the Tinytec, grasp the case in whatever way feels most comfortable for you. Detectorists who use only the sound or vibration target alerts usually ignore the Red LED target indicator, and prefer to work with the probe shaft in the "up" position.

• When probing for an unseen target with your Tinytec, find it faster with this "dual-range" scanning method: First, scan the soil with the frontside of the probe (The side senses back from the tip for about two inches). When Tiny signals the general target location, probe for the exactlocation by pointing only the tip at the target area. This reduces the scan area down to a small, precise spot.

• MYTH? A LONG detection distance is desirable for a probe (Detectorists will argue about this until the end of time).

  FACT? A SHORT detection distance in an Electronic Probe produces the greatest pinpointing accuracy.

  YOU CAN BE THE JUDGE! A long 2" detection radius (low accuracy?) places the target anywhere within a 4" sphere when the probe's target alert activates. A much shorter 1/4" detection distance (high accuracy?) means the target lies within a much smaller sphere of only 1/2" diameter.

  When an Electronic probe with a short detection distance sounds off, the target always lies EXACTLY next to the probe tip, not up to several inches away.

  FACT? When it comes to our main full-size detectors, we demand and expect long detecting distances for maximum detection radius and maximum depth!

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  • Here is a mini-chart for Minelab Explorer S and XS users. Print it out and fill in the blanks with hints about your custom settings. Use it to help remember your favorite detector settings.

  Explorer S and XS Mini-Chart.