Treasure Hunting Tips; Use In The Field - C-SCOPE VLF 1000 Operating Instructions Manual

W'·,ilst searching it is important to remember that the search
head should be kept as close to the ground as possible.
This ensures maximum depth penetration, since there is
a minimum detection range lost in the airgap between the
search head and the ground. (see diagram 4).
TREASURE HUNTING TIPS
1. Sweeping
For extremely small object searching, such as coins, rings,
nuggets, etc., lower the search coil to within one inch of
the ground. Sweep the coil from side to side in a straight
line in front of you. Keep the coil at a constant height as
you sweep from side to side. Move the coil at the rate of
one foot per second. (See diagram 3).
After you have become familiar with the instrument the
sweep rate may be increased to two feet per second. The
optimum sweep rate must be determined by each operator.
The detector should be held comfortably in the hand,
with the coil held as closely to the ground as possible. As
the detector is scanned from side to side in front of the
operator, the search coil should be advanced approxi mately
two-thirds the diameter of the coil. This keeps the operator
moving ahead, and it allows some overlapping of each
sweep. This overlapping ensures that nothing will be missed.
It is as well to note here that the operator SHOU LD NOT
RUSH. This is one of the most common mistakes made
by detector users. If you rush, you will not adequately
cover the ground.
2. Determining the Target Size and Depth
An operator who is familiar with his instrument will be able
to do an excellent job of determining object size, shape, and.
good depth before he digs. This technique is learned from
carefu I analysis of the aud io signals comi ng from the
detector. Each time a signal is heard, listen for any peculiar
characteristics it may have; determine over how large an
area you get a detector signal, and try to "outline" the
object before you dig, Listen for the sharpness or dullness
of the signals and determi ne the magnitude or strength of
the signal. After digging the object compare the object
size, shape, depth and position in the ground with signal
information you received before digging. After careful
analysis of many digs, you will learn to "read" the hidden
target before digging. N EWL Y BU R lED OBJECTS CAN NOT
BE DETECTED AS DEEPLY AS OBJECTS WHICH HAVE
BEEN BURIED A YEAR OR LONGER.
USE IN THE FIELD
Treasure hunting can be a profitable and a rewarding hobby,
if approached in a patient and diligent manner. Time spent
researching to locate a worthwhile site for a search can be
time wasted if your search is hasty and eratic. To achieve
maximum results, it is important, then, to decide on your
approach to each particular site, in advance of the actual
search.
Tactics will be decided by the type of site - it is more
profitable to scan a small area thoroughly, than to conduct
a haphazard search of the total site However, when the site
is too far away for you to make several return visits, a plan
should be adopted which gives maximum site coverage, at
the same time as indicating the most likely areas for detai led
search.
One method is to divide the area into large squares by use
of a 'criss-cross' search pattern. Starting along the left hand
perimeter, search in a straight line, marking the location of
any finds with small sticks, until you have covered the
5
length of the site. Then, moving approx, ten feet to the
right, search in a straight line parallel to the first line of
search. This pattern should be repated until the right hand
perimeter is reached; then follow a similar pattern across
the tracks of the first lines of search. (See diagram 2).
DIAGRAM
2
FINISH
(
b1
CD2
(
b3
I,
.~
( )5
\ J
II
L
START
On arrival at the site a criss-cross search is made marking the positions
of finds:- 1. 2, 3, 4, and 5. A detailed search of the area around the
finds is made on completion of the criss-cross search as in Dia. 3.
DIAGRAM 3
LINE OF SWEEF!..­
A
~I"-----
B - - - - - - - - - - I p
I
An area ten foot square is marked out around the find located by criss­
cross search. This is then divided into strips which are carefully searched.
Distance A width of the detectors pick-up area.
Distance B length of
a
comfortable sweep.
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DIAGRAM 4 It is essential that the search head is kept close and
parallel to the grounrf to avoid missing finds as in
A, C, and D