pinpointing problem

[POKIE73]

my freind big john has had a ongoing problem with hie e trac we went out this morning and compared units his seems to pinpoint off the back of his coil compared to mine which works fine has anybody seen this he just got another new coil so i would not think that you would get two bad coils in a row also i set up his machine like my own so it is not his setup that is causing the problem dennis any help is appeciated

[randy]

That's the way mine works, more or less, except when it doesn't work that way. IMHO, pinpointing with the E-Trac simply doesn't work (at least mine doesn't, and I've tried two different coils -- I've also tested it extensively against another brand of machine with a large DD coil, and am fairly confident in saying that the E-Trac pinpointing on my machine is pretty random (but, given all the other benefits, its worth living with this annoyance)).

But, for the best odds of success, I've found digging near the back of the coil works best for me as well.

[nicklehead]

I would have to concur with this especially if it happens to be an iffy signal and a rusty nail.
My solution is to pinpont until the indicator zeros on the crosshairs and then pull it off an inch or so. It is sometimes difficult to reaquire the sweet spot but when it does , it's usually spot on. All bets are off if there is more than one piece of metal under the coil.

[Lowjiber]

my freind big john has had a ongoing problem with hie e trac we went out this morning and compared units his seems to pinpoint off the back of his coil compared to mine which works fine has anybody seen this he just got another new coil so i would not think that you would get two bad coils in a row also i set up his machine like my own so it is not his setup that is causing the problem dennis any help is appeciated
Why don't you guys switch coils for a little test?

[Tony Two-Cent]

:dontknow:

I have always used the pinpointing function (set to normal) on my E-Trac and it works like a charm. I push the pinpointing button and go over the target until the signal is very short, then turn 90 degrees and repeat that process. The target is always right in the center of the coil.

[POKIE73]

:dontknow:

I have always used the pinpointing function (set to normal) on my E-Trac and it works like a charm. I push the pinpointing button and go over the target until the signal is very short, then turn 90 degrees and repeat that process. The target is always right in the center of the coil.
i had his detector set to my settings mine works fine his seemed to pinpoint off the back of his coil he just had a new one put on ? dennis

[RobW]

That's why I use a big shovel and dig big plugs.... lol

And another reason I like my X-5....it's a smaller area to dig rofl

But the results are worth it.... :yes:

[coinnut]

I really never noticed the problem. I X the target from 90 degrees and it usually pinpoints pretty well. But some coils may do that. :dontknow: I guess once you learn the spot it pinpoints on and put a dot of paint on your coil, it will always work for you. Thanks for the info on it.

[randy]

Having spent alot of time in the software business (perhaps too much), it seems possible that different versions of the software work differently. That may explain my results being consistent with the OP, but not consistent with other posters. Who knows?

If its a software issue, the best test isn't another coil, but another machine from a different manufacturer. I've already done this test (as I've suggested in my first response), so all I can suggest is, that all who have the problem, and are interested in the issue, grab another machine with a DD coil and compare, and see if you can replicate my results.

In the meantime, I'll use the RobW method and bring a backhoe, cause the results are worth it. That's what you need, at least with my machine. And I've dug well over 1000 silvers with my E-Trac, so I'm not some rank newbie. The pinpointing function on my particular E-Trac machine simply does not work, for a reason unknown to me (tho I speculate that it is a software version issue). And I've done the science. Therefore, it is possible others are experiencing the same annoyance I am.

[midas]

Why don't you guys get a software update for the ETrac from Minelab. I'm sure that since the ETrac has been around for more than 5 years, there must be an update, like White's gave out for the V3i.

[coinnut]

It may not be possible on that model. Besides it is not that a big deal lol Once you see where it pinpoints you know where to dig. The E Trac was and still is a monster on deep silver. Well worth any minor inconveniences.

[Epi-hunter]

My E-Trac pinpoints dead-on once the desired target is isolated, even with other metal targets around it. I'm surprised that others are having problems - I think this is the first I've heard about it. I'm on my second coil and I haven't noticed any differences. :dontknow:

What would a software update do (just curious)?

[POKIE73]

My E-Trac pinpoints dead-on once the desired target is isolated, even with other metal targets around it. I'm surprised that others are having problems - I think this is the first I've heard about it. I'm on my second coil and I haven't noticed any differences. :dontknow:

What would a software update do (just curious)?
my e tarc is the same but my frends does have a issue like others have said once you know where it pinponts it would be easir the problem is john is new to the e trac and will take some time to get used to it sounds like it may be a problem he is going to have to learn to live with thanks everybody for the help dennis

[bob_e99]

I just saw this post but better late than never. All this time I thought I was doing something wrong. Being off center a bit has caused me to scratch up a few coins which is annoying to say the lease. Thanks for the information.

[Boulder]

my e tarc is the same but my frends does have a issue like others have said once you know where it pinponts it would be easir the problem is john is new to the e trac and will take some time to get used to it sounds like it may be a problem he is going to have to learn to live with thanks everybody for the help dennis



I realize it is a minor problem if just in pinpoint mode, But for the coin paid for that machine it should be dead on.
I wonder if it is effecting depth and response in search mode?
Curious to hear what Minelab has to say, please post if you contact them with their response.
Thanks, John. :interesting: