UK METAL DETECTING

johnmalc46 · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: NUNEATON

Well I got mine last tuseday from JA.I got the 18x15.
Arthur talk about monsters mines bigger than yours Very Happy

.The weight did make a differance
but if you get the stem length right it balances ok.I use a bungee harness.
I went out yesterday thought I would try a field Id done at least 30 times I know other people had done it too. I myself have had 2 hammered out of it ,last time I went on I found zilch.
Anyway I was on field for about 2 hours I found 4 pennies and a couple of buckles one musket ball. All at least 10 inches plus good signals So I suppose not bad for A field Id classed as done to death.
But I will reserve judgement on the sef for a while longer.
Cheers John

UK Brian · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 431 Location: Wales

What we could do with John is some information on how the coils handle target masking, how big is the detection footprint compared to the physical size of the coil ?

devonsearcher · Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 33 Location: Plymouth

Well done John.. Once you get out a few more times you will see its worth, sounds like your on your way with. I went back to the hammered patch at the weekend.. pulled up another hammy Edward VI halfpenny and numerous bits of lead. My tectin buddys were not getting the amount of finds I was, and at the depths..

I was the only one with a hammy again !! the others were using SE with (stock coil) and XLT (std)

arthur james · Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Leeds

Well you Know what they say about size, John! I am very happy with my 15 x 12. Don't think I could handle anything larger.
Went out last Sunday on a pasture field. Used the stock 10" coil to start with & had very few signals (as did everyone else). After a couple of hours I swopped to the SEF & to be honest for the first 10 minutes I hated the bulk of the thing. However, I persevered & soon found that with a different detecting style (using body movement, rather than Very Happy

swinging arm) I started to enjoy myself. Finds started turning up at 11" & pinpointing was spot on. I would say I had twice as many good signals with the SEF. No great finds but I was definately aware of greater depth.
I am really looking forward to using it again tomorrow & I will let you all know how I get on. Sorry its taken so long to post this. Will try to give you next update tomorrow evening.

devonsearcher · Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 33 Location: Plymouth

That is what I found... easier to move the upper body from side to side slowly, I feel this gives better control over sweep speed and coverage. Also because your digging more with the SEF any fatigue is kept to a minimum..

John, I agree with you the 15x12 is really suffice for most sites, and the balance is very good, IMO anything bigger would be uncomfortable overkill !! but each to their own on "size"

It appears that the coil's total surface area is responsive and findspot is easily found by increased signal intensity near the base of the lower stem of the SE. I found a little variation of this on the ploughed and rolled ground of the "Hammered patch" where pinpointing was about an inch off the mark. This is not a coil for fast sweepers, to get the best it needs a very slow sweep speed to reap the benefits.

I am going to be trying this coil out on a moderately trashy site in the next week or so, alongside the GoldMaxx, the results should be interesting, an area will be marked out and covered with both machines and an eventual tally will be made.. Will keep you all posted on the results.

UK Brian · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 431 Location: Wales

Headmaster is selling his SE with almost brand new SEF coil if there's anyone wanting an Explorer. I suppose he might split the coil off as a seperate sale.

johnmalc46 · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: NUNEATON

Hello Guys.
I managed to getout sunday. Yes I agree Devon searcher you have got to go slow with the sef coil.I have still not found a hammered with my new coil.But I am defernately getting deeper finds.I did find an excelent bull head shilling it was at least 12 inches probally a little deeper,If I cant find a hammered Im happy with a bullhead in my opinion the most beuatiful milled coined ever minted.Except for gold which Im still trying to find Very Happy

And yes I got the right size as well Devonsearcher anybigger and it would be hard to use forgive my pun LOL.
You seem to be having more luck than me Arthur.
Happy digging John

devonsearcher · Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 33 Location: Plymouth

Well done John, Don't worry if you had walked over a hammy, it would have been yours ! Its only a matter of time, though I reckon sooner rather than later... The slowness is the key and helps considerably with target seperation.

arthur james · Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Leeds

Thought I put a post on here last night but must have got lost somewhere. Well heres attempt number two. I had rather a good Sunday & actually found a hammered penny & a cut half with the SEF coil. The penny was at a measured 12" & gave a faint but good repeatable signal & the cut half was at 7". Again a good signal. I was running sensitivity at around 28 -30 & everything was stable.
The only problem I encountered was when working near to other Explorers (particularly earlier models) & I was constantly changing frequencies. Pinpointing was spot on & because I was finding hammered I hardly noticed the weight. In fact I used the SEF for around five hours & suffered no aches & pains.
This coil needs to be used slowly to get the best from it. I certainly have no regrets in purchasing the SEF. I am sure it will be responsible for many more finds!

devonsearcher · Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 33 Location: Plymouth

Well done Arthur... When you and John were thinking about getting one of these I knew you would not regret it... It really is a top piece of kit.. keep the finds coming chaps !!