3/ Multiple Machines: “Matching the Hatch”
The advantages of running multiple machines is a subject I’ve touched upon in previous books. Since then I’ve learned a lot more about how matching the strongest features of a given detector can help you to act upon what you are learning about a location. As you begin to understand what challenges a site has it’s possible to match your objectives (such as coverage, depth, accuracy…) to the detectors you have to work with. There is no one detector that will accommodate all the site challenges that need to be met at various times. For the serious shoreline hunter–multiple detectors and coils for each are a must
For example:
Deep Sand=Pulse Induction or Large Coil VLF
Black Sand= Pulse Induction or Small Coil VLF
Dense Aluminum Junk =”Notch” or “digital target ID” methods.
Often what works will defy logic. I’ve hunted sites that a Sovereign or Excalibur (BBS) worked well, while a CTX 3030 (FBS) got very little depth.
Owning multiple machines also gives you a greater variety of “things to try.” At one black sand infested site I tried several machines hoping to get more depth. I finally discovered that my Excalibur with the 800 (smaller) coil actually punched through this black sand quite effectively because it examines a smaller “chunk” of material–and was therefore able to do the task of separating targets from it more efficiently. At the very least it’s best to have one VLF and one pulse. That way you have capability in both multiple targets and tough salt or black sand conditions. One top pro I hunt with is a die-hard VLF user. We argue about this frequently. While his view is that he doesn’t want to waste time digging all the junk, I argue that every time there is a king tide or other big influx of sand he has no course of action but to cover ground and hope to find recent drops, low areas or some solid edge material. This rarely works for him–whereas a pulse would let him go deeper.
The general idea of this book is to teach readers to be more effective by being versatile, highly accurate and specific in their methods. Running more than one detector can be a big part of this.
From: “Water Hunting: Secrets of the Pros, Volume II” by Clive James Clynick
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