For Larry S. re: metal detectors...

Larry, you seem to be very well knowledged in the subject; I purchased a detector today on an auction site that will remain unnamed. I purchased a very hardly used White's QXT detector. I got it at a price of $375. I've been going over these things with a fine toothed comb the last few weeks, and think I made an OK choice; Basically, I wanted something at an 'entry' level, but way above most of the department store junk out there. I didn't want to shell out a whole bunch of cash when I'm just getting my feet wet, but at the same time wanted a fairly capable instrument. I probably would've liked to have some more features, but with comparing its condition to the new price of this device, I think I got a decent bargain and something that will help me decide exactly what I want in a future purchase. This detector can be seen at:
http://www.whiteselectronics.com/qxt.html
Any insight on whether or not I did ok? (don't worry, I never get offended)

You did very well. Dealer wholesale on that would have been about $420.

Whites has outstanding warrantee and turnaround time on any of their product repairs.

Your model is user friendly with pre-set modes. The programmable models are far more complicated and can really confuse non-professional users to the point that the detector is so far off on advanced settings that it no longer functions well. Preset illiminates this from happening.

Be cautious of the mixed mode.....I would not use it myself. It assumes you want to detect all-metal and discriminate at the same time. I cannot think of any situation I would ever use that mode in. If working a historical area you WANT all metal mode without discrimination. If just working a general area You DON'T want all metal mode working & telling you that you just went over a pull-tab or bottle cap by a sound change.

Be cautious in your "sweeps"!. The detector will record THE LAST THING you swept, not what it passed over before. Close together items must be cross-swept to separate and identify each of the targets.

Your model is somewhat similar to mine in shape....excellent for sweeping hours at a time without fatigue. Obtain a "Blue Max" or similar coil that is apprx. 1/2 the size of your 10" coil. It is VERY usefull in identifying close targets and working in tight places too without much weight at the rod end. It does not go quite as deep but will detect a silver quarter at 8" inches easily. Most old coins are not that deep....usually around 2-6 inches.

Notice that coins edgewise are difficult to identify or get a good signal from.....that is why you ALWAYS re-work the area at right angles to the direction you started with. You MUST mentally grid the search area and overlap your sweeps to insure finding everything. Complete the large grid or a large square section of ground before moving to another.

There is so much more to know about hunting that I will post a training story addressed to you and anyone else that could be interested. All of my stories were designed to "TEACH" how to become a professional. The magazine editor occasionally edited to far, or made language errors which pissed me off. I finally told them that IF the edited one more of my stories that would be the last story. That solved the problem.

The story I will post is an early one in Summer of 1988. An anniversary edition of West. & East. Treas. called Silver & Gold edition. Most of my storys were saved for anniversary issues. Anyway, the story title is "GO FOR THE GOLD WITH SECRET TECHNIQUES". It covers all the ESSENTIALS in using a coin reading detector properly & professionally without getting into detector adjustments. I will now begin the page scanning and will post to you via Part I, 2, etc.