Instruction manual
Gold Prospecting
70Understanding your X-TERRA - Practical Detecting
Prospecting Mode on the X-TERRA 70 and X-TERRA 705 is primarily designed to
nd metal objects in highly mineralized conditions. Particularly gold nuggets and
relics. In Prospecting Mode, there are no TID numbers as found in the
Coin/Treasure Mode. Instead, targets are identied by a change in the pitch and
volume of the Threshold Tone. The operational pitch of the Threshold Tone can be
changed (ranging from 140 Hz to 1010 Hz) by using the Tones menu. Although
the display does not provide TID numbers, it does provide a numerical indication
of the level at which your Iron Mask is operating. The Iron Mask range is 0 - 20,
allowing the user to select the level of iron targets (ferrous properties) that will be
rejected. The higher the number selected, the more iron signals you will reject. It
also displays a segment bar at the bottom of the screen that indicates the amount
of iron signals being rejected by the X-TERRA. When prospecting in areas of high
mineralization, keep your Iron Mask setting low. Setting it above a ve or six could
result in rejecting the smaller gold targets.
Most concentrations of gold deposits are located in areas with high levels of
mineralization. As such, Double-D coils are typically chosen for their ability to
more eectively neutralize the eects of the ground. When searching for small
specimens, the 18.75 kHz Double-D coils will provide the most stability and
sensitivity. Many prospectors favor the size and shape of the 18.75 kHz elliptical
coil. If you are searching for larger nuggets (one ounce or greater), you will obtain
more depth with the 7.5 kHz Double-D coil. And if you nd yourself prospecting
in an area with moderately mineralized soil, you could improve your chances of
nding gold by using the 9-inch Concentric coil at 18.75 kHz.
Many X-TERRA prospectors nd that they are best able to compensate for
changes in ground mineralization by implementing the Tracking feature. If your
ground has minimal variance in mineralization and you chose to use a xed
Ground Balance, pay close attention to your Threshold. If the Threshold suddenly
drops out, recheck your ground phase or turn on your Tracking.
Prospecting Mode is used to nd metal
such as gold nuggets and relics in highly
mineralized, ‘dicult’ areas.
Targets are identied by audio only. The
number on the display is not related to
the target; instead, it shows the Iron Mask
value, as does the Discrimination Scale.
In this mode the detector becomes more
sensitive to small target signals.