Anyone having success with a Dual Field (here in Oz)?

[Looking Man]

I know there are a few people on this forum that own one (I have read posts on this site about the DF), I always wondered about how the DF performs for us Australians. There's plenty of posts about it from Americans, but you don't hear that much from aussies.

Is it as deep as they say it is? Reports of 18" on typical beach targets, quarters, $1 coins, etc.

(I'm also on the lookout for a second hand one, placed an add in the wanted section)

[ozjesteroz]

Gday LM,
I've only used my DF 3 or 4 times for a couple of rings. I can't compare other water machines....never used em.
My first ring was small and dated 1931, the second was big and deep.....no idea how deep, took lots of scoops but I'm still learning, theres alot to learn but it's also easy to turn on and hunt. I don't expect too much early on and hope to become an expert with it in a year or two.
Air testing isn't a good indicator of depth supposedly with PI's, the wet salt sand will enhance their 'carry' of gold targets from the deep.

I read a thread on another forum comparing the DF to other PI's and Clive James Clynick (who writes books on beach PI's and the DF) chimed into the discussion with some gold :  "
I'll say this: For the first six months that I used the Dual Field I was moderately impressed: A solid pulse with good fidelity and some stability--above average. It was only when I started to experiment with running the Gain high (not ridiculously so) and learning to listen for: a) when the detector was interacting thoroughly with the ground and b) the minute threshold changes that indicate a very deep response that I really woke up to what this machine can do. I see guys using it with the Gain on full blast--forget it. Tuning pulses is about understanding the signal to noise problem thoroughly and enacting that knowledge with precision. Detectors don't just punch through the ground to hear targets--they separate targets from the ground's larger signal--an interaction that takes a lot of practice to set up and hear. It's as much about turning the ground down as it is about turning the machine up.
cjc   "

Jester

[Looking Man]

Thanks.

A couple of rings in three or four hunts is very good IMO.

[ozjesteroz]

Yeah I'm thrilled with my rings so far, only time will tell if it's beginners luck, the DF's quality and depth, ideal sand conditions, my hunting skills??
I may continue to find gold or go months without. Twice a week is my aim and I'll post my finds - good and bad.
A DF was for sale a few months ago and then I bought one hardly used a month or so after that, so one should come up for sale soon. 
Because they dont discrim like a Vlf some hunters go nuts, although these hunters tend to use it in the dry and wet sand. It excels out in the water where there are fewer targets.

[tailofdog]

I know there are a few people on this forum that own one (I have read posts on this site about the DF), I always wondered about how the DF performs for us Australians. There's plenty of posts about it from Americans, but you don't hear that much from aussies.

Is it as deep as they say it is? Reports of 18" on typical beach targets, quarters, $1 coins, etc.

(I'm also on the lookout for a second hand one, placed an add in the wanted section)

I had the DF and it was a good machine but, i sold it to Jester,
In the end i still wanted a water machine and, bought a Garrett Sea Hunter 11. I like this better for a couple user points. Battery compartment is seperate so, you don't open up the electronics each time you change batteries. The coil is a 10x14 and a lot easier to push through the water. You can get it in country from the U.S. for $700.00 and it's built like a tank. It also has a discrete mode and standard trash elimination mode.
Is it better? I don't know but, more user friendly i, say yes.

[ozjesteroz]

Good luck with your Sea Hunter Tail.

The mid to high end Pulses - Garrett SH2, Whites DF, Tesoro SS, Infinium, Headhunter plus others are all exceptionally deep units in the hands of a hunter who takes time to learn it intricately.

I was a little worried about the PI's inability to hunt in iron- infested beaches.
I took the punt hoping my intended hunting spot (which is holiday, not industrial) wasnt loaded with iron and it's not.
Ideally one day I will add a Sov GT to my arsenal for iron laden spots. Then all bases will be covered.

Jester

[Looking Man]

I already have the sea hunter 2. One of the reasons I want the DF is because I want to see for myself which one's better. 

[tailofdog]

I already have the sea hunter 2. One of the reasons I want the DF is because I want to see for myself which one's better.

I don't think you will find much in the quality difference. (a deep hole is a deep hole) Unlike a land detector were depth and discrimination are issues. If you run over a target both will pick it up. They should both break up over pulltabs. The nice thing about detectors is they are easy to sell so, i guess you can afford to be fussy.

[Looking Man]

Yeah, it's one of those thing's where I probably don't need two water detectors but at least I'll get it out of my system as to how they compare. After this, I won't be looking for any other water detectors.

[tailofdog]

Yeah, it's one of those thing's where I probably don't need two water detectors but at least I'll get it out of my system as to how they compare. After this, I won't be looking for any other water detectors.

I get crazy on stuff to and, i started   about 6mo ago. I bought a fair few detectors that, did not  live up to my demands.
I have a Vaquero(TESORO) and, the Seahunter.
I can.t see myself with the hot's for another detector

[Looking Man]

Dual Field has arrived. I only turned it on at home so far, it does seem to be affected by interference more than other detectors. Luckily, beaches here are quiet with interference.

[ozjesteroz]

Sweet to hear it's arrived and working well LM
You probably know more about PI hunting than me but I'll lay out my thoughts in case you're interested.
The DF is not a quiet hunter and will splutter,crackle and cackle like a witch. This is how it runs best....listening for subtle signals above the threshold ( a deep target could just be a whisper, shallow targets will sound loud). You can tweak the settings so it runs smoother, extend the pulse delay to avoid bobbie pins and rusty caps BUT....you will lose depth and sensitivity to small gold.

I highly reccomend reading old posts on the DF on the Friendly MEtal Detecting Forum (link below). I just Advance Searched 'Whites Dual Field' for 5 pages of Threads.
A hunter called "cfmct-pi" is an expert with the DF and I have studied his techniques (his post below mentions his settings and this is where I run mine)

http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=78554&highlight=whites+dual+field

There is also a great book on the DF written by Clive James Clynick   http://clivesgoldpage.com/  I picked up some useful tips in this book.

Cheers and good luck
Jester

[Looking Man]

Cheers, I've PM'd Cfmct-PI a number of times.

Those books are on the top of my list.

[ozjesteroz]

You're on the ball LM I bought Clives DF Book and 'PulsePower' and they arrived in about 2 weeks.
HH