How does target ID work?
If you have any kind of discriminating metal detector, you already own a ‘do it yourself’ ID machine. By increasing the discriminate level until the target disappears, you can tell what the target is. This is done automatically and very rapidly by a target ID detector while you work. Basically, the electronics measure the phase angle of the target at the moment the signal occurs. It generally takes only one pass over the target to get accurate identification, although the earliest models required several swings, which is why they were know as ‘pump up’ ID detectors. However, on older sites, many ancient coins and artifacts may show as junk or reject signals. ID detectors therefore are best suited to searching for modern coins.
If you have any kind of discriminating metal detector, you already own a ‘do it yourself’ ID machine. By increasing the discriminate level until the target disappears, you can tell what the target is. This is done automatically and very rapidly by a target ID detector while you work. Basically, the electronics measure the phase angle of the target at the moment the signal occurs. It generally takes only one pass over the target to get accurate identification, although the earliest models required several swings, which is why they were know as ‘pump up’ ID detectors. However, on older sites, many ancient coins and artifacts may show as junk or reject signals. ID detectors therefore are best suited to searching for modern coins.
