Introduction
In the world of metal detecting, efficiency can make the difference between a successful hunt and a day full of junk finds. Scott from the Mental Metal Channel shares an insightful guide on setting up the Minelab Equinox 900 metal detector to optimize for silver coin detection. Known as “cherry-picking,” this method focuses on fine-tuning the device’s settings to prioritize silver signals while minimizing unnecessary digs.
Understanding Cherry-Picking
Cherry-picking in metal detecting refers to selectively targeting specific valuable metals—like silver—by adjusting the detector’s settings to ignore less desirable materials. While no setup can guarantee exclusive silver finds, Scott’s configuration aims to significantly improve the odds.
The Recommended Setup: Park 1 Mode
Scott strongly recommends using Park 1 mode for coin hunting with the Equinox 900. This mode is optimized for high-conductivity targets, such as coins, making it ideal for silver detection. Although users can experiment with other modes like Field 2, Park 1 consistently yields better results for coin hunting.
Notch Discrimination Settings
At the heart of Scott’s approach is a customized notch discrimination setup. This feature allows users to accept or reject specific target IDs based on the conductivity of silver coins. Here’s the detailed notch setup Scott recommends:
- Accepted Notch Ranges:
- 23–25
- 28
- 41–43
- 60–65
- 72–78
- 80–83
- 86–95
Why These Ranges?
Scott painstakingly tested various silver coins to determine where they register on the Equinox 900’s scale. Each range corresponds to different types of silver coins based on their size, composition, and historical minting processes.
Coin Types Used for Testing
Scott’s personal silver coin collection served as the basis for this setup, including:
- Half Real
- Trime (3-Cent Piece)
- Hammered Coin (European origin)
- Seated Dime
- Cut Silver (8 Reales piece)
- 1810 Half Dollar
- Barber Half Dollar
- Standing Liberty Quarter
- Barber, Mercury, and Roosevelt Dimes
- Kennedy Half Dollar
- War Nickel
- Washington Quarter
- Walking Liberty Half Dollar
- Half Dime (extremely small silver coin)
Each coin was tested to determine where it rang up on the detector’s scale, providing the foundation for the notch settings.
Practical Applications
Scott emphasizes that this setup is especially useful when:
- Time is Limited: Perfect for quick hunts when you have an hour or less to search.
- Known Historical Sites: Ideal for locations with a high likelihood of older, valuable coins.
- Selective Hunting: Reduces time spent digging less valuable targets.
Limitations of the Setup
While the notch setup significantly improves the chances of finding silver, Scott is clear about its limitations:
- Non-Silver Signals: Items made of other metals may fall within the same ranges, resulting in false positives.
- Not Foolproof: No setup can guarantee 100% silver-only finds.
- Missing Outliers: Some rare coins may fall outside the preset ranges.
Customization and Community Feedback
Scott encourages fellow detectorists to tweak the settings based on their own experiences and share feedback. If users discover silver coins that register outside the provided ranges, he’s open to adjusting the setup accordingly.
Advanced Tips
For those looking to refine their detecting even further:
- Adjust Tone Breaks: Customize the audio signals to better distinguish between target types.
- Sensitivity Settings: Fine-tune sensitivity based on ground conditions to reduce interference.
- Depth Considerations: Be mindful that deeper targets may ring slightly different than expected.
Conclusion
Scott’s cherry-picking method for the Equinox 900 is a practical, field-tested approach for maximizing silver coin finds. While it’s not perfect, the setup offers a solid starting point, especially for time-constrained hunts in promising locations. By combining notch discrimination with personal adjustments, detectorists can significantly improve their efficiency and success rates.
For further insights, Scott invites viewers to explore his other videos on general coin hunting setups with the Equinox 900, fostering a community of continuous learning and improvement.