Wednesday, November 24, 2004

FAST and DEEP

The debate on how to use the FAST and DEEP options on the explorer is as old as the machine itself. Charles' set up suggests FAST off and DEEP on. The following is a post by a Minelab specialist on the issue.

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A recent debate on the Fast & Deep Settings as per Explorer series metal detectors has been noted. This short reply as given here may help in explaining the function.
Their actions (FAST and DEEP) are, to some extent, opposite. During filtering of the signals different calculations are made based on what action has been chosen. To identify targets correctly these filters are on and off at differnt times to provide discrimination and to also react quickly to targets which are perhaps close to one another e.g. a coin and a nail.
Each of these settings may have a slight trade-off in relaying crisp signals and discrimination may also suffer slightly.
Therefore, it is a bit counter-intuitive to use these two options at the same time. However, it appears that sometimes the dual combination can work to provide results in certain situations. Typically in a trashy site the Fast option should be used. For clean soil of the non-mineralised/non-trashy variety (if you are lucky enough to find some)and for salt-water beaches the Deep option can be selected.

"Happy Thanksgiving" to all in the USA.

Best regards

Des Dunne
Field Application Specialist
MInelab International
Ireland

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I am posting it here as I feel that there is quite a bit of insight to be gleaned from his words. First, is that turning neither option ON is a viable hunting set up. I am positive that 99% of explorer owners hunt with one or both options on. Ironically, turning both off turns out to be a tweak too. Secondly, Minelab hardly discusses the inner workings of the Explorer due to the secrecy of the IP (intellectual property rights). The post is a treat to those who like to fiddle and tweak their Explorers. Lastly, and most importantly, that turning both filters on was never meant to be, but may actually work in some situations.

TWEAKERs RULE!