Quote
glabelle
The Equinox and the Deus too can both operate in SF mode with a wide selection of frequencies.

Correct, for higher-dollar units. And we can't forget the Deus II with SMF or selectable SF's. Personally, I prefer their simpler model, the ORX. Like the Deus, no SMF but a splendid choice of operating Frequencies.

In this thread George Payne was mentioned and I often refer to one of his write-up regarding Frequencies and why he chose 12.5 kHz for the Treasure Baron. Since most folks are searching for Coins, or usually similar-shaped trade tokens, we know some have lower conductivity, such as a US nickel, while others are at the upper-end at a higher-conductivity such a copper and silver coins. Thus, George concluded that 12.5 kHz would be about ideal to be responsive across the wide range of common conductivities of most Coins and even Tokens and Gold Rings of various sizes.

Performance wasn't a big surprise to me because I had been using a lot of detectors that were at or close to that Frequency since the latter '70s. I was using 15 kHz, 12 kHz, 12.5 kHz and 10 kHz. And like I explain to folks, if George's Frequency choice was at a good central Frequency or mid-Frequency, just go plus-or-minus 2.5 kHz and what do you have?

12.5 kHz = 2.5 kHz = 10 kHz

12.5 kHz + 2.5 kHz = 15 kHz

Most detectors I have favored for general-purpose hunting since the late '70s operated in the 10 kHz to 15 kHz range. My very proven Tesoro's were mostly at 10 kHz or 12 kHz. The White's MXT Pro is 14 kHz, the Makro Racer & Racer 2 at 14 kHz, the Nokta FORS CoRe is 15 kHz, an the list goes on.

Now, we do know that there can be some advantages to using a somewhat lower Frequency, helping with more mineralized ground and being more responsive on higher-conductors, just as there are advantages of going a little higher Frequency for an edge when searching for lower-conductors such as our Nickel or for gold chains and rings.

Usually we do not need to adjust too high or too low to gain those advantages. Right now, my detector outfit includes the Whites XLT operating at 6.6 kHz and all that I have owned have done an exceptional job hunting sites for higher-conductive targets. And for places where the lower-conductive targets might be, I have two higher-Frequency units, my Nokta FORS Relic and Fisher F-19 Ltd. which both operate at 19 kHz.

For most places a good detector in that 10 kHz to 15 kHz range will get the job done, and in "most places" I still find the bulk of the desired targets from surface to about 4" with a deeper target down to about 6" or sometimes 7". If I decide go hut an old park or sports field or some place where there is a good chance that an older coin, especially silver, might be deeper, then yes, I will grab a SMF, such as my Vanquish 540 Pro, in the hope that something is out there and I might get a better VDI as well as audio response to check out.

I also know I've done well with some SF units, but I do have the V-540 because there is the chance for a bit of an 'edge'. Most often I have been working places with a high level of ferrous debris and gaining any depth is out of the question. My chosen SF units and a smaller-size coil give me the necessary advantage.

Keep in mind that not all SMF's seem to be impressive. Think back to your yard and your tough test-box, and your 3-Frequency White's V3i SMF vs their 14 kHz MXT Pro using the same 6½" Concentric coil. And the clear winner was -----

Also, we do not always need to use a higher-dollar SMF to get very good performance. Just like my Vanquish 540 Pro, which is Multi-IQ only, the Garrett Apex does quite well in SMF, dry and and wet, and it also provide a SF selection of 5 kHz, 10 kHz, 15 kHz and 20 kHz. I enjoyed my better SF performance at 15 kHz and 10 kHz was 2nd.

To complement my V-540 Pro I am planning to get the new Minelab X-Terra Pro which is a SF detector with providing 5 kHz, 8 kHz, 10 kHz and 5 kHz depending upon the search mode and operator Frequency selection. (That 'official' announcement for USA release should be coming in early March.)

Quote
glabelle
You honestly don't need any other detector. That is what draws people to these units, not to mention their reputation. There isn't an environment that these SMFs can't work in.

Really? How about working the expensive, 3-Frequency V3i or VX3 in a good environment against a 14 kHz MXT Pro? I would gladly put a few of my other detectors against it, and I have done so against a few other SMF's. It isn't only the number of Frequencies, it is how all the rest of the circuitry design works.

And again, we can't forget search coils used. An 'OOR' DD or 5" DD on a 14 kHz Racer or Racer 2 or FORS CoRe is very tough to beat. So is the 5" DD on a FORS Relic. Remember, a lot of SMF's do not have a very good smaller-soil option.

Yes, as UtahRich stated Monte is more of a Single-Frequency guy ... but I also know when and where a good performing SMF might have some advantages. For those places I have one. Soon I hope to have a 2nd SMF that will offer more than the Vanquish.

In the end it really gets down to the type of sites we choose to hunt, the type and amount of debris we might encounter, and what detector and coil we feel most comfortable using.

Monte

"Your EYES ... the only 100% accurate form of Discrimination!"
Stinkwater Wells Trading Post
Metal Detector Evaluations and Product ReviewsI'm now 'back home' in Farr West Utah monte@ahrps.org ... or ... monte@stinkwaterwells.com 503-481-8147Detector Outfit: A selection of my chosen makes and models, with the best coils mounted for the tasks I'll take on.F-19 * F-5 * Racer * Racer 2 * V-540 * Relic * Silver Sabre µMAX * Bandido II µMAX * XLTPinpointers: Garrett AT Pro-Pointers .. Headphones: 'Hornet' .. MS-3 Z-Lynk .. ML-80 *** All working well today to make memories for tomorrow. ***



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/20/2023 07:10PM by Monte. (view changes)