to the performance of the blended 'Viper' coil. Personally, if I had made that detector I would have offered it with the 5x8 'Ripper' DD coil standard and put the coil development time in to make a smaller-size coil. The 4½" they have or maybe a new 5" design.
Now, to be honest, I was hoping to see some improvement on the evaluation tests I did when going from the 'Viper' to the 'Ripper' but they each performed similar, although the ';Ripper' was just a little 'cleaner-sounding' on some of the iron trash challenged targets. However, you can loom at that the other way because looking at the evaluation results, the Apex & 6X11 DD 'Viper' did quite well. The problem I had with the 'Viper' is the fact it was just a little too long, front-to-rear, to work in and around some of the brushy places I was tying to fit it in. The 5X8 'Ripper' fits in and around several places I re-checked much better. The width isn't that different, but the 3" shorter length sure make a difference try to work in and around brush and rocks and pipes and fences and rubble and -----.
The 'Ripper' will also be a lot handier when hitting a lot of modern trash as it won't overlap the nearby junk like the 'Viper' can. The other surprise was the slightly wider-size 'Raider' that is the same length as the 'viper' but wider for a little better depth when needed. The surprise for me as that all three of these coils come so very close to matching each other on the different tests i did, to include the Separation Stick. The other really nice thing is that they all balance well, although I especially like the 'Ripper' and have decided to make that my primary-use coil n my first Apex. The others will be in my Accessory Coil Tote on lower rods, when I get those.
I'm going to take it easy when I use the Apex and 'Ripper' coil because I forgot to ask about coil covers for them. I have those coming now, but I pamper my equipment and don't want to mar the epoxy filled bottom of the coil. Just a heads-up because the Garrett coils did not come with a coil cover. Some manufacturers do have them included and some don't so if you order any coil for your Apex, you might want to also order the coil cover for it as well.
Monte
"Your EYES ... the only 100% accurate form of Discrimination!"
Stinkwater Wells Trading Post
Metal Detector Evaluations and Product Reviews monte@ahrps.org ... or ... monte@stinkwaterwells.com 503-481-8147Detector Outfit: A selection of my favorite makes and models, with the best coils mounted, for the tasks I'll take on.Pinpointers: Pulse-Dive & ProPointer AT .. Headphones: 'Hornet' & 'Wasp' .. MS-3 Z-Lynk .. ML-80 .. N/M Green edition*** All working well today to make memories for tomorrow. ***
