Using xChange 2 Software for the CTX

I have created a video for beginners to show them the basics of the xChange program for the CTX

Fake spanish coin

I found this fake Atocha coin today on the beach. Pretty cool even to find a fake one. I could tell it was fake because the edges look a bit too nice and like they came from a mold...but the real test was when I got home and it was not even positive for silver.

Silver in the scoop

Found two pieces of silver today. The low tide line was sanded in so I went to the slope where it ended and was able to pull these two pieces along with some rusty quarters.

A pair

I found this pair of earrings about 30ft from one another on the low tide line. My acid test turns green which means they are 60% or so silver and probably plated...although I always question that green color when they are not marked. Either way it was an interesting lesson in how jewelry falls off of people. Most like the person went under the water and they both came off and drifted 30 or so feet away from one another due to the currents.

silver

Seems to be the thing to find around me lately. I haven't found gold since early july...then again its been very hot so my hunts are limited. I can't wait until it cools off. It's 9am and my outside thermometer says 97.

Anyway, I went out this morning. The no see ums were out in full force so I have tons of little bug bites but I did manage to come away with a bit of silver around the high tide line...

Beach Metal Detector Maintenance

Taking care of you metal detector can preserve its life, increase resale value, and keep you from having to send it in for repairs, which can be costly. Most of the things I do to maintain my machines should be done to all machines but each machine is different so make sure you read your user manual before doing anything to it. Many of you know that the salt, sand, and ocean destroy everything. Living at the beach I see this first hand. The salt destroys everything. It also destroys your metal detector. This is one of the reasons I ONLY have waterproof machines. I don't care how much you cover your machine, salt and sand will find it way in unless its water tight. So how to I maintain my machines? I follow a few simple steps.

1. Wash with fresh water after each use. I wash the entire machine. I either use my hose at home or better yet the shower at the beach (if it has one).

2. Lube the wires. I do this with silicone. Its something I do probably once a week to help prevent the wires from dry rot because you don't want them to crack.

3. Clean the coil covers. I do this every few times I detect.

4. Change the batteries when they are at 50%. I do not let my batteries go low.

5. Store inside my house. I put my machine in the house where its air conditioned. I do not believe the garage is a safe place due to humidity and such.

Some jewelry at the beach this morning...

I am sanded in so there is not much on the low tide sand. Everything I find is very deep. Today I found a ring and necklace. Both junk although the clasp on the necklace could be sterling I just haven't tested it yet. The ring is unmarked and I am pretty sure its just steel/tungsten. BUT...I was happy to find each of these. This is the first ring I've found with my CTX (wait or did I find another? I've lost count) and this is the first chain I have found this year. I was very surprised how easily the ctx with 17'' coil was able to detect it.

One thing I also discovered on my CTX is that I much prefer the long pitch vs the pitch hold I was using.