Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.
DJ conducted an experiment to see what he could tell about a buried object from the Manticore's 2D ID display. Here is how he described it.
It had been months since I used the Manticore and found an iron target that seemed bigger. Hoping it was spikes (like even iron spikes), I worked the coil tip around and realized it seemed square. I drew the lines in the sand as a test then realizing it was not spikes dug it up out of curiosity.
It was only a modern door hinge but what struck me was how the detector traced the shape.
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| Outline of Buried Object as Determined by DJ from the Manticore Target ID Display. |
Below is the same object after DJ uncovered it.
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| Object Still in Ground (Left) and Dug Up (Right) |
DJ was impressed by Manticore's ability provide information about the shape of the buried object. I agree. In fact, before getting DJ's email, I was planning on mentioned my own observation. The last time I went hunting, I was impressed by seeing a very good image of a lead jig head on the Manticore's display before digging. The outline of the object as shown on the display was remarkably accurate. I was really amazed.
Of course, there is a knack to using the Manticore to get the most accurate target ID, and even then the display image won't always be that perfect. I mentioned before that on the display screen a gold band looks very much like a coin. For one thing, the display image of a ring does not show an open loop. It shows something very similar to a coin. But still, I think it is pretty amazing.
To get the best input for the 2D ID map, you'll want to sweep multiple short sweeps over the target and vary the direction of the sweep. Below is what the Manticore manual says about producing a more accurate target trace. I just consulted the manual after typing the above.
Below is the ID map as shown in the Nabticore manual.
I learned the same thing in the field through experiment and experience, but I used more sweep angles than two.
During that hunt, I found an area with many small iron objects and many larger iron targets at at other areas of the beach. They were all easily identified as iron from the readout, but I dug a good many of them just to double check.
There were also a lot of small copper bits on the same beach. They showed on the Id screen very much like foil, except a bit higher on the conductivity scale. Both foil and thin copper pieces showed up on the center line, but foil was more to the left (lower conductivity). An old nickel showed up as a 25.
Another thing I noticed was that I often heard a little blip even when the coil did not go over the target. That was when the target was a little outside the diameter of the coil, maybe an inch or so. Those signals were not as strong or solid as when the coil actually passed over the target. They were just little blips. I had coils in the past that would detect out a short ways from the edge of the coil, so that was not totally new to me. It is actually useful to know that because if you get a very small blip of a signal as your walking along swinging, you might want to check back and see if it was something good that you just missed getting under the coil by a very small amount. That is how it seemed to me from a few casual instances in the field, but I'll have to investigate that more thoroughly in the future. Maybe someone can verify that observation.
To sum up this section on target ID, I still say that if you want to make sure not to miss everything, dig everything, however if you lack time, patience, or maybe physical energy, this target ID stuff is very helpful.
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The following report is from Mark G.
I had to get out tonight [Tues.] after work see how long I could last in the cold. Turns out it’s not the cold but the wind that cuts right through you. Went to the next beach on my list and was surprised to see a cut on the beach with steep walls. If the surf keeps up tomorrow it should dig deeper into the high beach. I tried the cut, tide was high and sand was soft, no hits timing was off there. I originally wanted to dry sand anyway so I went back up to beach which is much smaller than the last time I was there. Just started to swing when a golden glint hit my eye, I looked down and there lying on top of the sand is the Eiffel Tower (swung my coil over it just to make sure). My next target was an earring, it was smaller so I did find it with the detector but it was lying right on top. I started taking pictures as proof of wind erosion, see attached. I have seen this before, I have found a ring completely lying on surface last winter. Just like with a good storm and high surf moving sand, the conditions also have to be right for wind erosion to really move sand, timing is everything. Right now and maybe more tomorrow if the wind keeps up you can see the sand piling up in the dunes and entryways. I’ve seen it before during the dry times in winter right at the edge of high tide wetted sand the dry sand is picked up by the wind off the ocean and the shells and heavy debris is left behind. I would have to say that the wind today moved inches of sand from the waters edge of the beach into the dunes just to expose my first target, the Eiffel Tower. Might be a good time to hunt Emeralds on the beach mid Island.
Here are the items Mark eye-balled.
I've done several posts on eye-balling and once did an article for Lost Treasure Magazine on the subject. It is something I enjoy and find helpful.
Here is an old post about eye-balling after a strong wind.
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| EXTREME COLD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON... ...FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON |
| Instruction: Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside. Keep pets indoors to protect them from the cold. Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside. To prevent water pipes from freezing; wrap or drain or allow them to drip slowly. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. |
| Description: * WHAT...For the Extreme Cold Watch, dangerously cold wind chills as low as 7 degrees possible. For the Freeze Watch, a hard freeze with temperatures as low as 20 degrees possible. * WHERE...All counties in east central Florida. * WHEN...From Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Dangerously cold wind chills could lead to frostbite and hypothermia, even with limited exposure. Freeze conditions will likely kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong gusty winds are forecast on Saturday, reaching 35 to 45 mph or higher at times in the afternoon and evening. Preparations for the very cold temperatures should be complete by Saturday morning. |
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| Surf Chart from SurfGuru.com. |
You have a little time to get things recharged and your cold weather gear ready.
Good hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net