Target separation can be described as the ability for a metal detector to distinguish targets that are in close proximity to one another.
Target separation explained
A metal detector that is said to have excellent target separation will be better suited at being able to distinguish valuable objects such as coins and jewelry from nearby modern trash and iron. If you are metal detecting for coins in trash filled parks, or are searching for relics at an iron infested cellar hole, you’ll want to use a metal detector that is known to have excellent target separation capabilities. Entry level and mid-ranged metal detectors do not present the user with a setting allowing for target separation to be optimized. The detectorist must therefore reduce their swing speed and detect trash filled areas in a grid-like pattern in order to increase their odds of passing over a coin or other desirable target.
More advanced metal detectors such as the XP Deus, Minelab Equinox, E-Trac, and CTX-3030 have settings that allow for target separation capabilities to be increased or decreased. These settings are referred to as reactivity or recovery speed depending on the brand and model of the metal detector. Although increasing reactivity or recovery speed enhances the metal detector’s ability to separate targets, depth loss is incurred as a result. Setting reactivity or recovery speed to a level that is too high can also cause targets to sound clipped. If you own a metal detector with adjustable reactivity or recovery speed you’ll want to take the time to test these settings thoroughly as they can make or break your chances of locating the find of a lifetime!
Mid-ranged metal detectors with excellent target separation capabilities
- Garrett AT Pro
- Garrett AT Max
- Fisher F75
Metal detectors with adjustable reactivity / recovery speed
- XP Deus
- XP ORX
- Minelab Equinox
- Minelab E-Trac
- Minelab CTX 3030
- White’s Spectra V3i