Hello,
I have been a detectorist for 6 years now, and used a host of different machines, from the MTXR to the MTXE and now the MT-12.
I have detected beaches and land and prefer to detect the land due to the history that can be uncovered, however, there is also a lot of rubbish to be uncovered.
Detecting parks, pasture through to ploughed fields, we will all have our favourite areas we like to hunt.
Before I go on, let me say that if you are the proud owner of a MT-12, you are in possession of an impressive bit of kit. We've done air tests with a small hammered sitting ON a ferrous target and it only reports the good target. If you search as we do, on fields with a lot of junk, you will have to go a long way to find a better machine.
If you've never used a MT-12, it's got to be the simplest machine to ground balance and has the simplest controls you could dream of. Switch on your machine with the left hand dial (sensitivity) to about the twelve o'clock position and the right so that the threshold is at about 0 to 10 - you need to hear a continuous hum. You're now in all metal mode. Sweep the detector until you find a clear patch of ground with no signals. This is important - if you get impatient and try to ground balance over a bit of rogue iron, your settings will be up the creek, so take a few minutes, it's worth it.
Been there, got the T-shirt etc...
When you've found your clear patch, the operation of ground balancing is simple. Press in the central Ground Grab button and pump the coil up and down, from just off the ground to about a foot above. You will soon hear the tone even out while you are pumping. Release the button while still pumping the coil. You are now ground balanced, so turn your right hand dial anti-clockwise until it clicks into discrimination mode. The left hand dial now becomes sensitivity, which needs to be as high as you can get away with. Fortunately, in most instances, this is 90%, so crank it right up!
We're now left with the discrimination settings. After doing air tests on lone coins and coins close to ferrous, we can safely say that the most responsive and accurate setting, a discrimination of 30 is the best lowest setting. That said, it depends on your mentality. I like to hear the iron and pick out the good targets, and I know I'm not missing anything.
Excuse me for trying to teach you how to detect, ANY detector that discriminates out a target needs time to recover. Some are quick and some less so. The DR.ÖTEK MT-12 has been designed that the recovery is very fast.
This is our fastest ever detector and will help you find the smallest items.
On with the MT-12
If you don't go above 40 discrim, then nothing is completely discriminated out. You get a low tone for anything below 40, and a high (VCO) tone for anything above. Simples.
Here's the problem - coke comes in about 32 to 36, and you can also get ferrous targets in this range. You need to decide how you want the detector to report. Consider this though - once you go over 40 discrim, then some ferrous targets will be discriminated out. This means a recovery period and however short, if your gold stater is nestled just the wrong side of a chunk of iron, you're gonna miss it.
Our best advice is NEVER discriminate over 49 !
Why 49 I hear you ask. Well, hammered coins come in about 50-60, and we don't want to miss those!
After various air tests (and buried tests I might add), the best discrim setting to start with is about 30. This will knock out all ferrous nail sized objects or smaller. When you get a good target, look at the readout, and if it's below 50 don't bother.
I might interject here, that if you are on a field with a low junk density, then a discrim of about 37 or 38 is probably best to give a good solid machine.
One final point, after the recent dry weather, is that the MT-12 seems to cope very well with dry conditions. We were absolutely amazed at the depth we were are finding targets in dry soil.
You will always get those targets that are borderline. Should I or shouln't I? In the immortal words of all seasoned detectorists.,.... "If in doubt, dig it out!"
For those new to the hobby, and believe me, it wasn't that long ago for me - don't get disheartened if you can't seem to find anything good. Always digging up bits of lead, shotgun shells, iron washers? Don't despair cos it could be, and one day will be, the target you've always craved for.
Happy detecting, and I can only hope you get as much pleasure out of the hobby as i have, every target is a new discovery.
I hope these tips and insights help you get the most out of your MT-12 and enhance your detecting journey. Every hunt is a new adventure, and sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. But stay tuned, because in my next blog, I’ll discuss how to break through the 'brand snobbery' that can overwhelm beginners and offer advice on choosing the right detector without breaking the bank. As you progress, the goal isn't just to have the most expensive equipment—it’s about understanding your environment and getting the most out of the gear that works best for you. Stay tuned to learn more about how to make smart choices when you're starting out in the metal detecting world!
Grant
Hello Dennis,
Thank you for your comment.
The MT-12 is available in the U.S.A shortly, it has been on presale but there has been a delay to the U.K market and the rest of the world.
The MT-12 will be available on Amazon very soon, but rest assured, this is a very good solid machine and will not disappoint anyone.
If you visit my YouTube page, there are videos and discussions on how to use the MT-12 so you can see for yourself how good the MT-12 really is.
Whites detectors are good machines, however they are very inferior to our machines. Our machines are far easier to set up, get to learn, deeper and faster.
If you do get an MT-12 and need any help I am more than willing to offer any advice.
Happy hunting .
Grant
Dennis johnsin
I wonder want see how much cost don’t want cheap if don’t work I used have white eletric detector five time
Dennis Johnson
Wonder how much. ?? I want make sure if good don’t like cheap way back I used have five time white metal detectors