Air tests or depth tests don't mean much in evaluating a detector.  I think where the rubber meets the road is not depth, but ID accuracy.  Getting a deep signal means nothing if the signal doesn't sound like it's worth digging.  Most of us are not digging everything under the coil, but trying to be selective and dig the "good" targets.

I'd rather have a detector that only had 6" depth but would nail the ID on old coins and trash in almost any hunting condition.  I'd be bringing home handfuls of silver and other obsolete coins every hunt.  Even better would be a detector that had less accurate ID but surface blanking - ignore the top 3-4" and only signal on targets over 4" deep.

All the evidence I need as to what detector is the best is in the online metal detecting forums.  Look at the various finds posted on the different forums.  Look what machines are making the best finds, the oldest finds, the deepest finds.  Consistently, you'll see the same few machines.  Look at the machines the tot-lot hunters prefer, look at what machines people who consider themselves "pros" prefer.

A non-biased scientific "Consumer Reports" style air test comparison of detectors would be of little use to me, but on the other hand, seeing someone pull a seated dime and a shield nickel out of a park - right in front of me - in an area I had hunted hard and repeatedly speaks volumes.

 


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