16 Garrett Metal Detectors
Searching
Pinpoint Technique
Due to the wide scan nature of elliptical search-
coils it can be difficult to locate small targets un-
der the physical center of the loop. Use an “X”
marks the spot technique as shown in the diagram
to identify the portion of ground the nugget is in.
Because most nuggets are too small to isolate to an
exact location as in coin or relic hunting, remove
the soil under the center of the “X” until the target
is no longer in the hole, but in your pile of dirt.
Techniques for examining the pile of dirt are dis-
cussed later in the manual. (
page 21
)
Again, the procedure is to sweep over the target
from side to side noting the side to side center (
see
step 1 in diagra
m). Then turn 90 degrees and sweep
the coil side to side noting the center from this new
direction (
see step 2 in diagram
). “X” marks the
spot that you need to dig (
see step 3 in the diagram
). You can practice with a small pieces of lead or gold
on top of the ground to become acquainted with the technique. It’s a good idea to have a magnet handy,
preferably in the handle of your digging pick, to pull iron out of the dirt pile. It will speed up your recovery
time. It will work on small almost invisible hot rocks, too.
Non-Motion Pinpoint Mode
In addition to this traditional pinpointing method, the
Goldmaster
®
24k
also features a non-motion
pinpoint mode. This is engaged by holding the crosshairs button (large button in the middle of the key-
pad). With this button held down, the detector will sound off on targets whether the searchcoil is in
motion or not. Non-motion pinpoint mode disengages the XGB ground tracking, Iron Cancel, and SAT,
so in very challenging conditions you may find that this pinpoint mode struggles to counteract minerali-
zation. But it can be very useful in sizing targets under the coil and giving you an idea of their shape. For
example, nails can often pinpoint as an oblong shape with a stronger sound on the flat head.
While in non-motion pinpoint mode, the screen will display the signal strength using the two bottom
“swoop” segments as well as the two-digit numeric display. The numeric display reads from 0-30, with 0
representing a target close to the surface and 30 a target at the edge of detection. Due to the various size,
purity, and mineral content of gold nuggets, this scale is not capable of giving absolute depth readings and
should only be used as a reference point for signal strength. It also may give strong readings for extremely
large iron items that can surprise you with how deep they really are. The opposite is also true—very small
nuggets may read as weak targets. So it is best to look at the readings and sound of the non-motion pin-
point mode as a signal strength, and not a depth reading.
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2
3
GM24k Searching
