Pulse Induction (PI)...

[Geowizard]

Pulse Induction (PI) is becoming a recent trend;

Minelab and others have been developing new metal detectors based on Pulse Induction...

The trend began a decade ago. Metal Detectors operating on the basis of a "Pulse" are known to have an advantage over the common VLF or Frequency Domain Metal Detector.

Here's why;

A common VLF or Frequency Domain metal detector is designed to receive a small secondary signal in the presence of a much larger transmitting signal. The inherent problem lies in the circuitry required to cancel the large primary transmitting signal in order to detect a very small secondary signal that represents GOLD.

Pulse Induction metal detectors transmit a PULSE...

Then, they "listen" during the "quiet time" between pulses for a secondary signal. This gives a PI detector the advantage of not having to manage the process of listening while a resounding larger signal is present.

This may be a topic of interest for anyone owning or contemplating ownership of a PI detector.

AS a side-bar;

PI metal detectors are available on a towable platform that can be towed by a 4-wheeler!

PI systems can also be suspended from a Helicopter!

- Geowizard

[Jim_Alaska]

A lot depends on the ground you are working, as well as the operator. P.I. detectors tend to have an advantage in highly mineralized ground. The disadvantage is in price, they are spendy.

VLF detectors work well in less mineralized ground and there are many different brands to choose from. Some are known for being much better than others.

Steve Herschbach is a world class nugget shooter and recognized authority on metal detecting and he will always tell you that nugget shooting or metal detecting in general is more about the operator than the detector.

He was the owner of Alaska Mining and Diving in Anchorage for many years until he retired and moved to Nevada. There is a wealth of information on his forums here.
https://www.detectorprospector.com/foru ... tor-forum/

[easy goer]

Is this something that the average Joe can do? How would you do this over water, is it effective in water?

Mapping?

Thanks,

Easygoer

[easy goer]

Also, I have zero experience with metal/gold detectors! So I will have some dumb questions for sure. I see gold detectors up to nearly 8K with ZVT how does this compare to PI? Wouldn't you have a better return on a dredge than on $8K on a gold detector?
How can there be such a large difference in price from high to low?
Going to poke around the detector prospector forum and check this out.

If electronics can narrow down the search area reliably that should be a huge step in where to dredge.

Thanks

Easygoer

[Geowizard]

Easy goer,

PI has a different transmitter waveform than ZVT.

PI is bipolar, sometimes stepped, with an OFF period. The receiver works during "OFF" time.

ZVT is bipolar with no OFF time. The receiver works during the two bipolar levels of the transmitter. The ZVT coils are arranged to have a double D with a centered oval transmit coil. It balances the signal for left-right and right-left swing.

The Towable PI is a larger version of a hand-held PI metal detector. Imagine a coil having a diameter from 6 feet to 6000 feet.

Much over 6 feet and the coil is stationary - laid out over the surface. For shallow subsurface to ten feet, a 6 foot diameter coil will work.

- Geowizard