The Nokta Makro Legend Metal Detector offers a lot of features and capabilities that many of the other metal detecting companies offer but Nokta Makro comes in a much lower price. The Legend has recently received a lot attention and is quickly climbing the ranks as one of the better metal detectors to own for just above $600.
This article will take you through the steps to successfully configure a U.S. coin program for the Legend. There are many steps involved but its not difficult to navigate around the menus. I’ll provide all of the steps necessary below. You can also watch the video (below) that I put up on the Mental Metal Channel.
Understanding the Target ID Ranges
Before we get into the setting up the coin program for the Legend we have to identify the target ID ranges we are going make sure we cover. Here are the ranges you will want to have for this program. We also call these tone breaks (we’ll cover them in more detail below).
- 22-24 = Nickel range
- 28-37 = Less desirable targets but will sometimes include Zinc Pennies = 28-37
- 38 and above = Most coins (to include silver see the table below)
Below are some target ids I wrote down as a result of some basic air tests. These ids will help you understand why these target ranges are important for this program. (Note these number do not reflect the true target id. These numbers are a best guess based on air tests only)
| Coin | Target ID |
| Wheat Penny | 46 |
| Memorial Penny | 46 |
| Indian Head Penny | 39 |
| Indian Head Penny (Fatty) | 29-30 |
| Clad Nickel | 24 |
| Shield Nickel | 23 |
| V-Nickel | 23 |
| War Nickel (silver) | 23-24 |
| Buffalo Nickel | 22 |
| Clad Dime | 45 |
| Silver Dime (Rosie) | 46-47 |
| Mercury Dime (silver) | 46 |
| Seated Liberty Dime (silver) | 45 |
| Barber Dime (silver) | 45 |
| Clad Quarter | 50 |
| Washing Quarter (silver) | 52 |
| Barber Quarter (silver) | 49 |
| King George (KG) | 46 |
| Walking Liberty Half Dollar (silver) | 53 |
Below is a table of targets I would consider to be undesirable targets (junk) that you don’t want to dig. However, it is impossible to block out every undesirable target. You will probably find yourself digging up a few bottle caps (screw off type) and some pull tabs.
| Undesirable Target (Junk) | Target ID |
| Beaver tail (half of a pull tab) | 22 |
| Pull tab | 27 |
| Bottle cap | 21-22 |
| Twist off bottle cap | 43 |
| Spent shotgun cap | 20 |
Update Legend’s Software Before Setting Up This Program
Nokta Makro recently released software version 1.09 for the Legend. This new update is packed full of some really great features that allow you to get the most out of the Legend. One of the main features that has been added is the Iron Filter and Stability options. I recommend using a setting of 4 for your Iron Filter and 4 or 5 for the Stability setting. If you need to get the latest update for the Legend check out the link below that will take over to Nokta Macros Legend website.
Check for the latest Legend software update now
Pick Your Base Program
I recommend using the Park Program for coin hunting but there is nothing stopping you from putting these settings in the other programs offered by the Legend. However, I feel the Park is configured better for finding coins.
Setting Up The Number of Tones and Tone Volume of Each Tone
The number of tones for this setup with be 6 Tones.
Next, we need to set up the volume of each of the 6 Tones. Your maximum volume is 10 and lowest is 1. I try and turn down the volume of the targets I don’t want to hear so these settings are really your preference.
- Tone 1 = 1 (this is your iron volume)
- Tone 2 = 2
- Tone 3 = 10 (nickels)
- Tone 4 = 3
- Tone 5 = 10 (coins)
- Tone 6 = 10 (coins)
Setting Up Tone Frequency or Pitch of Each of The 6 Tones
These next adjustments will setup the way each of the 6 tones will sound in your ears or the speaker. The higher the number you select will impact the frequency of the tone. The higher the number the higher the tone will be.
- Tone 1 = 1 (low for iron)
- Tone 2 = 3 (undesirable non-coin signals)
- Tone 3 = 25 (higher tone for nickels)
- Tone 4 = 5 (junk range)
- Tone 5 = 30 (high for coins)
- Tone 6 = 30 (high for coins)
Adjusting the Tone Size or Tone Breaks
This is the most important step because if you don’t properly set up the correct tone breaks this program will not work as it was intended. Double check everything before you are finished.
- Tone Break 1 = 1-10 (iron)
- Tone Break 2 = 11-21 (undesirable targets)
- Tone Break 3 = 22-27 (nickel range) or try 24-26 (see comment below)
- Tone Break 4 = 28-37 (junk range foil, some beaver tails, some pull tabs, rusty bottle caps etc.)
- Tone Break 5 = 38-50 (start range of most coins)
- Tone Break 6 = (not able to change)
Tone Break 3: I have found that setting up a tone break from 22-27 will also fall into the pull tab and foil range. In some conditions nickels may ring a little higher than 24 which is why I set 22-27 as the range. You might have better success starting at 24 and ending at 26.
Also, Tone Break 4: Pay close attention to Indian head pennies. The fatty Indian heads will hit somewhere around 29-low 30s. If you are at an older site you may want to dig some of those target IDs in the lower 30s.
Other Settings to Adjust
Here are a couple of other settings to consider when using this program.
- Sensitivity = Run it as high as you can before the machine becomes unstable.
- Recovery Speed = This will depend on the trash and iron in your ground. A low recovery speed will get you the deeper targets. But in heavy trash and iron situations the Legend may perform better with a higher recovery speed. I recommend starting off with 5.
- Ground Balance = Remember to do this after all your settings have been made and do it over a quiet piece of ground.
- Noise Cancel/Frequency Scan = Always do this last in order keep the machine quiet and running smoothly.
Does This Coin Program Really Work?
The answer is a 100% yes. I used this program numerous times trying to get it dialed in. Will it hit every coin you walk over? It should unless you have some unmasking issues with iron contaminating the ground but make sure you are running software version 1.09 or higher.
Nokta Makro Legend For Beginners
Before writing this article I’ve made a couple tutorial videos on the Legend for beginners.
10 Minute Start Guide for the Nokta Makro Legend.
Discrimination Patterns and Tone Breaks How-to.
Does Ferro Check Really Work?
Where Can You Purchase The Legend?
I recommend reaching out to my friends over at Fort Bedford Metal Detectors. They have some of the best deals and service for all makes and models of metal detectors. Give them a call today and tell them you found them through Mental Metal.
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