In addition to discrimination, the depth of target detection is one of the most important indicators of the metal detector. It depends, first of all, on the device itself, the reel used and external factors, which are slightly lower. Also consider how you can increase the sensitivity of the device and whether in general it is necessary to dwell on this indicator.
What does the depth of target detection depend on?
So, let’s list the factors that directly affect the depth of the search:
The frequency of the device. All things being equal, the higher the frequency, the lower the depth of detection, but the better sensitivity to small targets.
The diameter of the coil. The bigger it is, the deeper the device “sees.”
Settings of the device. First of all, it concerns a given level of sensitivity.
Soil mineralization. The higher, the lower the depth of detection.
Humidity. In most cases, after the rain, the device is able to detect deeper targets.
Goal characteristics. The larger targets of the correct form of the metal detector sees deeper than small objects, and even incomprehensible form. Also, much depends on metal, degree of oxidation, location, etc.
Other factors: the presence of interference from power lines or other devices, the power of the device itself, batteries and others.
How to increase the depth of search?
The most common and effective way to increase depth is to install a larger coil. In this way, you can increase the depth by more than 30%. But this method is suitable only for unlitter areas, otherwise a large coil simply will not “see” the coin next to the wreckage of the axe, for example. In such conditions, you should use a small coil – “sniper.”
Here are other ways to increase your search depth
The correct setting of the working frequency, if the device allows you to do so.
Set the maximum allowable level of sensitivity. Too low a level of sensitivity will reduce the depth of detection, and too high – to false positives of the device.
Deconstruction from the ground, manual or automatic. The less soil mineralization will affect the device, the better.
It is worth trying to resemble with the device after a good rain or dew. Maybe we can catch a deep signal. But it is better to do it after melting snow or during autumn rains, when the ground gets wet to a decent depth. However, it is necessary to do it only on low-mineralized soils, otherwise the effect may be reversed.
Use quality food sources. It doesn’t matter if it’s batteries or batteries.
It is worth avoiding various obstacles: try not to go under power lines and next to other diggers.
Most of the devices at even entry level are able to detect the coin at a depth of 15 to 40 cm. For example, the simplest Garrett ACE150 and Garrett ACE250 “see” a coin at a depth of up to 23 cm. But already semi-professional Garrett AT Pro is able to detect the same coin already at a depth of 37 cm. The numbers are average, of course. But does you need a greater depth of detection of targets the size of a coin? In most cases, not. First, you will quickly get tired if each of your pit will be half a meter. And secondly, most of the finds lie precisely at the depth of detection of most devices. There are exceptions, of course, but in this case it is enough to have a coil of a larger diameter.
When choosing a new device, it is better to give more important characteristics, such as discrimination. While depth should not be discounted, in some situations it may be more important than the same discrimination, for example in sites with very little metal debris. Or on dislodged tracts, where the remaining finds are located at the extreme depth. Choose the device, reel to it and settings depending on the situation.
