Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.
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| Top: Small 2.9 gram 14K ring. Second Row: ,.8 gram 14K charm, and thin 1.5 gram 10K bent ring Bottom: 6.1 gram 18K ring |
I did some tests with a few gold targets (shown above) and the Equinox 600 metal detector
The first thing I found is that the EQX11 Double-D smart coil that came with the Equinox does indeed have a blunt sensitivity profile as you would expect from a double-d coil. There appears to be some center effect though. I'll have to do more testing to be more precise about that. I observed some interesting effects under different areas of the coil, but need to do more testing before saying much more.
I wanted to test the conductivity numbers for the different test targets to see what I could learn. I was testing in an environment with a lot of nearby cables and electrical interference, and would like to do my tests again in a cleaner environment.
The conductivity number for the first item, the small 14 K ring, was 12.
The conductivity number for the charm 14K charm was 9 - 12.
The conductivity number for the 10 K bent pearl ring was 6 -8.
The conductivity number for the 18K band was 26.
I'm not sure how much I can make of those numbers at this point. Will 10K gold items consistently show a lower conductivity number than a 14K item? I'll find out before long.
I was going by the markings on the items and did not test the gold purity. I assume they were right, but I'll have to make sure of that when I get a chance.
At this point I'm really wondering how much use I'm going to get out of the conductivity numbers. The small gold items were producing numbers that are similar to a lot of other things, and the numbers do seem to jump around a lot. It might just be my lack of experience with this metal detector, but I would not presently use these numbers to determine if I should dig an item or not. They seem too inconsistent at this point. I'll do more testing and see how it comes out. And maybe I'll learn enough to be able to use the numbers better in the future.
While I'm not yet sold on the practical value of the conductivity numbers, with the possible exception of those in the iron range, I'm impressed by what I'm able to tell from the audio signal. For example, standing the charm on edge results in a double blip when the coil is swept at a 90 degree angle to the edge, but very little signal when swept the same direction as the edge. And the 14K ring made a double signal when it was turned in one direction and a single blip when turned the other. It does seem to me like there is a lot of information in the audio signal.
I'm accustomed to using audio signals to determine the depth, size and shape of objects, so maybe that is why I found the audio signals so informative. I'm more skilled at that. I'm not accustomed to using conductivity numbers to discriminate. Time will tell.
I will be doing more testing. I have a long way to go before feeling confident that I know how to get the best out of this metal detector. At the same time, I am growing more confident that the detector generally works well. I have a lot of questions though about the practical value of the conductivity numbers. Again, that might just be because I have not yet learned to use them well. And it might also be because my tests were conducted in a difficult environment with a lot of electrical interference.
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The first thing I found is that the EQX11 Double-D smart coil that came with the Equinox does indeed have a blunt sensitivity profile as you would expect from a double-d coil. There appears to be some center effect though. I'll have to do more testing to be more precise about that. I observed some interesting effects under different areas of the coil, but need to do more testing before saying much more.
I wanted to test the conductivity numbers for the different test targets to see what I could learn. I was testing in an environment with a lot of nearby cables and electrical interference, and would like to do my tests again in a cleaner environment.
The conductivity number for the first item, the small 14 K ring, was 12.
The conductivity number for the charm 14K charm was 9 - 12.
The conductivity number for the 10 K bent pearl ring was 6 -8.
The conductivity number for the 18K band was 26.
I'm not sure how much I can make of those numbers at this point. Will 10K gold items consistently show a lower conductivity number than a 14K item? I'll find out before long.
I was going by the markings on the items and did not test the gold purity. I assume they were right, but I'll have to make sure of that when I get a chance.
At this point I'm really wondering how much use I'm going to get out of the conductivity numbers. The small gold items were producing numbers that are similar to a lot of other things, and the numbers do seem to jump around a lot. It might just be my lack of experience with this metal detector, but I would not presently use these numbers to determine if I should dig an item or not. They seem too inconsistent at this point. I'll do more testing and see how it comes out. And maybe I'll learn enough to be able to use the numbers better in the future.
While I'm not yet sold on the practical value of the conductivity numbers, with the possible exception of those in the iron range, I'm impressed by what I'm able to tell from the audio signal. For example, standing the charm on edge results in a double blip when the coil is swept at a 90 degree angle to the edge, but very little signal when swept the same direction as the edge. And the 14K ring made a double signal when it was turned in one direction and a single blip when turned the other. It does seem to me like there is a lot of information in the audio signal.
I'm accustomed to using audio signals to determine the depth, size and shape of objects, so maybe that is why I found the audio signals so informative. I'm more skilled at that. I'm not accustomed to using conductivity numbers to discriminate. Time will tell.
I will be doing more testing. I have a long way to go before feeling confident that I know how to get the best out of this metal detector. At the same time, I am growing more confident that the detector generally works well. I have a lot of questions though about the practical value of the conductivity numbers. Again, that might just be because I have not yet learned to use them well. And it might also be because my tests were conducted in a difficult environment with a lot of electrical interference.
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Here is an email I just received from Bill G. on the subject of beach closings.
My mother had a place across the street and 2 streets down from the main public beach access just south of Riomar. My understanding is all the houses have deeded right to beach access. Her access was a designated path between two ocean front condos with a boardwalk over dunes. Back in the early 2000s I was going down to stay a few days and do some fishing (didn't detect back then, dont fish now) and she mentioned they had put up a fence and gate at her access and it was only open sunrise to sunset. Police would come by and open/close. She said she asked around and it turns out a councilman had a relative in one of the condos and they were having an issue with people sneaking in and having sex in their pool. She said he abstained from the vote for obvious reasons. If it was me I would have challenged it and made it very public. I grew up there, but no longer a resident.
And catching up after a busy week or so, here is an email from Russ P. that I received a few days ago after I talked about the costs and risks of hurricane preparation.
I could not agree more with your post today.
Two personal stories of the cost of 10 days of essentially fear-mongering from media, government, and forecasters:
One of my cousins owns a hardware store and lumber yard in Belle Glade, south of Lake Okeechobee. He sold 2000 sheets of plywood on Friday. On Saturday, people were still purchasing the more expensive finish plywood despite all the models now showing that the storm would turn north and miss Belle Glade. He actively tried to dissuade folks from buying the unnecessary plywood because so many of the people were clearly very poor and had other important necessities to spend their money on, but people had been so worked up by a week of worse case reporting that they wouldn't hear it.
We have a family reunion every Labor Day weekend which is one of the highlights of the year. The event is on Anna Maria Island, south of Tampa. About half the family did not attend (from the Panhandle), because they were so nervous about the hurricane. We had some of the best weather and beach conditions ever, so it was really disappointing they were not there to enjoy it.
I know everyone has stories like this, but you are right on when you talk about the costs. The economic cost is huge, but so are the intangible costs, including the stress of watching 10 days of doomsday scenarios.
Russ
And another one from DJ.
I spent the last three days getting everything stowed away and battened down! Your right about cost! Even with a generator already, it probably cost me between 500 and a 1,000 dollars to stock up on fuel, food, etc...
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I couldn't really see the recent post-Dorian reale find that I posted yesterday, but at first glance it looks like it might be a Potosi two-reale.
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There is a lot to watch in the Atlantic. The first system in line will probably not become very strong but will bring us some rain this weekend.
It is too seeon to tell about the others.
Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net
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| Source: nhc.noaa.gov |
There is a lot to watch in the Atlantic. The first system in line will probably not become very strong but will bring us some rain this weekend.
It is too seeon to tell about the others.
Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net
