Understanding Pulse Induction Metal Detectors

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Understanding Pulse Induction Metal Detectors

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by Daniel Bernzweig

As you start researching the hobby of metal detecting, you will quickly learn that there are two types of gold detectors to choose from. Those seeking gold can choose between VLF circuits with high sensitivity or Pulse Induction PI detector circuits, which use a pulse generator to create the signal in a series of pulses. As the reflected pulse is sent back to the receiver, the gold detector provides an alert sound. Garrett metal detectors produce models in both classes.

In contrast to the low-frequency Garrett Ace models, a high-frequency VLF detector like the Garrett AT Gold and the Garrett GMT 24K have to manually adjust the advanced ground balance to filter out the minerals in the ground. This can even be accomplished with the help of ground track technology in some cases. It is generally the case that the Pulse Induction models are more expensive than the VLF models. If you are a first-time hobby metal detectorist or are looking for an easy way to locate a metal object or two, then using a VLF device may be an exciting and rewarding experience.

A variety of settings can be used with these models, which can be used on land or underwater. It should be noted that the VLF circuits are very sensitive to gold, but they are also sensitive to soil minerals. In these units, the smaller the search coils are, the easier it will be to detect small gold nuggets as a result of the smaller coils. Unfortunately, these minerals are abundant in areas of the world that are highly productive when it comes to gold prospecting. Mineral interference can be filtered out by tuning these detectors.

What is a Pulse Induction Metal Detector?

A pulse Induction or PI metal detector sends high amperage signals using a copper coil to produce electromagnetic fields. These electromagnetic fields collapse, which creates spikes in voltage. The spikes allow the metal detector to detect metal through the receiving search coil. Detectorists love pulse induction mеtаl dеtесtоrѕ due to their excellent performances in hіghlу-mіnеrаlіzеd soil. Pulse induction devices are basically іmmunе tо highly-mineralized ground, but they keep their hіgh ѕеnѕіtіvіtу.

Pulse induction metal detectors are one type of metal detecting technology. A pulse induction device works by sending short pulses to the coil of the metal detector. The short pulses sent to the coil create a magnetic field, which dissipates quickly at the end of each pulse. A metal target in a magnetic field will continue to be magnetized for a short period after the end of each pulse. The metal detector's coil will then detect the object's decaying magnetism. Pulse induction metal detectors can deal much more effectively with complex, undulating ground conditions. For this reason, pulse induction devices work well when searching for gold. Let's learn more about pulse indication metal detectors and the reason they are popular with gold hunters. 

Pulse induction metal detectors are excellent for:

  • Маgnеtіtе and Magnetic Hоt Rосkѕ
  • Salt Water Beaches
  • Ѕаltwаtеr Oceans
  • Drу sаnd
  • Wеt blасk ѕаnd
  • Gold prospecting areas

Ground Balance

The ground balance setting of a detector is one of the most important features to consider when selecting a detector. In the mineralized ground, there is a setting called Ground Balance, which can be used to improve metal detection depth and stability. For instance, when metal detecting wet beach sand or fine iron particles, there may be salts that respond similarly to targets. These salts may mask them when metal detecting with wet beach sand or fine iron particles.

This can be addressed by the ground balance function. This will remove the possibility of a false signal or ground noise. This allows you to hear the ground signal produced by a good target instead of a false signal. As a result, detecting will be less frustrating and more enjoyable. In this article, we will explore the different types of ground balance that are used on metal detectors as well as how they work. As you gain more experience with your metal detecting equipment, you will be able to learn the tips that will enable you to detect metal effectively.

Pulse Induction Metal Detectors

We can see from the infographic above that pulse induction metal detectors can be used for a variety of purposes. These include gold prospecting, saltwater diving, deep treasure hunting, and relic hunting.

Gold Prospecting with Pulse Induction Metal Detectors

When prospecting for gold, you are likely to come up against highly-mineralized ground conditions. This high-mineralized ground produces a noise when a conventional metal detector is used to search for gold. Many goldfields around the world are filled with mineralized ground. The amount of mineralized ground in a goldfield can vary in degrees.

A pulse induction metal detector can effectively deal with the mineralized ground, making it far easier to hunt for gold nuggets. A pulse induction device has a very strong instantaneous response from the ground when hunting for gold. The instantaneous response is fantastic when searching as the mineralization of the ground can change often as you search.

The changing magnetic field produced by the ground is avoided as the metal detector's receiver is turned off. A gold nugget target is then more obvious to the device compared to the much smaller magnetic responses produced from the ground. A pulse induction metal detector is not exposed to many of the search issues that a continuous wave metal does. A pulse induction metal detector can even work with hot rocks. 

Diving with a Pulse Induction Metal Detectors

An underwater pulse induction metal detector is perfect for searches due to the device discriminating between metals. Certain brands offer exclusive features that improve the device's discrimination abilities. When searching for underwater treasure, pulse induction devices send a series of quick electronic pulses into the ground, just like when you are out of the water.

The electronic current flow produced by the metal detector is not affected by saltwater, wet sand, salt sand, or other ground minerals. The metal detector's electronic currents remain highly sensitive to the precious metal targets.

Pulse metal detectors are the best devices for saltwater beaches and diving searches for sunken treasure. The pulse circuit seeks deep into the water. A pulse indication device is great for difficult ground mineral conditions.

Deep Treasure Hunting with Pulse Induction Metal Detectors

Pulse induction metal detectors can help you locate treasure buried deep in the ground. The device's electromagnetic field can discriminate between targets and highly-mineralized soil. This makes it possible to search for items buried deep in the ground. 

Oftentimes, if you use a continuous wave metal detector in high ground mineralization, you will spend a lot of your time digging with little to no treasure found. Compared to very low frequency (VLF) devices, pulse induction metal detectors can detect metal at greater depths.

Pulse induction coils are oftentimes larger than those on a VLF machine. This is due to the initial signal strength sent by the pulse induction device needing more power supply than a signal from a VLF device. 

Relic Hunting with Pulse Induction Metal Detectors

A pulse induction metal detector can make a relic hunt much easier if you are searching highly-mineralized ground. Relics may be found in older areas where there has been a lot of mineral build-up. A VLF metal detector may not be able to discriminate as accurately as a pulse induction device. 

In addition, relics may be made of gold or have gold pieces attached to them. A pulse induction metal detector makes it far easier to locate relics and to get accurate hits. Moreover, relics may be buried deep in the ground. This means you need a pulse induction metal detector to reach further into the soil. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a Pulse Induction Metal Detector Work?

A pulse Induction metal detector sends high amperage signals using a copper coil to produce electromagnetic fields. These electromagnetic fields collapse, which creates spikes in voltage. The spike allows the metal detector to detect metal by the receiving search coil. In a concentric search coil winding, this transmitter coil and receiver coil are round with a single loop of wire, and the transmit coil and receive coil signals are in the same plane. As opposed to pulse Induction metal detectors, pulse Induction metal detectors create electromagnetic fields by sending a high amperage signal through a copper coil.

When to Use a Pulse Induction Metal Detector?

It is useful to have a pulse induction metal detector available to hunt in a variety of conditions, such as magnetite and magnetic hot rocks, salt water beaches, oceans of water, and dry sand, wеt blасk ѕаnd gold prospecting areas.

Pulse Induction vs. Very Low Frequency Metal Detector: Which is Better?

Compared to very low frequency (VLF) devices, pulse induction metal detectors can detect metal at greater detection depth. In addition, pulse induction devices will work in saltwater and saltwater conditions. 

What to Look for in a Pulse Induction Metal Detector

You must ensure that the pulse induction metal detector you select has a discrimination feature that will allow you to search under specific conditions. Before you purchase a pi metal detector, you should also consider what kind of hunting you will be doing. In some models, it will also be possible to distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous targets. Some models are quite easy to use, while some are quite complex and require a lot more knowledge and experience on your part. The weight and design of the detector should also be taken into consideration when choosing one. You will likely spend many hours out in the field with your equipment regularly.

What is the Best Pulse Induction Metal Detector?

This question needs to be answered by recognizing that pulse metal detectors can be used for a wide variety of activities, including gold prospecting, treasure hunting, underwater diving, and relic hunting, to answer it correctly. When you choose the right model for your application, you will be able to have years of fun and success with it.

Despite the hardest ground mineral conditions, the pulse Induction gold metal detector is capable of finding both large and small gold nuggets at exceptional depths. A PI metal detector will be of interest to serious detectorists. With a PI gold metal detector, you can search much deeper in the ground than with a VLF. As a result, you can locate gold that is buried deeper. Moreover, pulse detectors are capable of handling more challenging ground conditions. In pulse induction metal detection, metal is induced with eddy currents by changing magnetic fields. A complete circuit is formed by an eddy current, unlike an electromagnet.

Gold Prospecting:

Garrett ATX Deepseeker

Garrett Axiom

Deep Seeking Treasure

Detech SSP 5100 Pro

Underwater Diving

Garrett Sea Hunter

XP DEUS 2

Relic Hunting

Detech 5100

Garrett ATX Deepseeker

If you're looking for a device that will enable you to search multiple terrains with ease, then you should look no further than a pulse induction metal detector. Although a pulse induction device is more expensive than VLF metal detectors, the targets you find will be well worth the extra cost.

Copyright Detector Electronics Corp. 2022

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