Hello. Longggg time reader, first time poster. I was just wondering though (not affiliated, don't sell them) if people were aware just how good the Dunham and Morrow Detectors are. I used to work for a company that was a dealer for them. One of them (Dunham or Morrow, I forget) was an engineer who worked at Schonstedt and didn't like the direction the company was going. For instance, when you open up a GX52, in some designs to save money, the sensitivity and volume knobs are the direct way they mount the board to the case. This resulted in a flex to the board, which always seemed to blow out diodes. My old boss kept a string of them to repair them. The DML series are well designed, rugged, and made out of a plastic. Huge plus for working in the climate I work in. No freezing your hands while searching under 3 feet of snow finding barb wire all day. They also feature a head phone jack or an optional numeric display that showed sensitivity. He sold a few of those to people who work by airports. And, a lifetime warranty.
Again, I am in no way affiliated with them, but maybe now they owe me a kickback. I just recognize a good product, and had about 5 dead Gx-52s in the back, like I am sure everyone else does.
It'd be cool to have a 100,000 volt cattle prod built into it, for the benefit of self defense....
That I'd like!! Yes, I would!
And, it would have to be well made, to really take abuse...
Nate The Surveyor, post: 382500, member: 291 wrote: Here is a list of the common Metal Detectors, in use by land surveyors. In no particular order. Unless I have left one out, (not on purpose) this is what is in common use:
Schonstedt about 5 different models.
Sub Surface Instruments
ChrisNik, Hound Dog Several different models.
Rigid has one, RIDGID 53068 MR-10 MAGNETIC LOCATOR (I think it is a Sub surface, with a different label)
Then, there is Magna Wand.
And, now Javad has one. But it will not be available for a while. It will work with the Javad LS. (totally new product)
If I have left one out, it was not on purpose.
The question comes up on this forum, and the PREVIOUS forum, (RPLS.COM) and the inevitable result is:
I use______, and I like it.
And, that is the end of it. Because, once you LEARN one variety, there is WORK to get up to speed with another kind, or type.
I will throw in my bias. I am a Schonstedt man.
Mostly the 52 models. Now, I have a 72, and a 92. I bought the 92 new, so I could carry it easier.
I even bought an airport one, for use in a pinch. (garrett handheld)Now, I have been in a situation, where I was hunting for an ORIGINAL GLO corner. I FOUND the big stump hole of an original witness tree. From the stump hole, I started DIGGING, and found an aluminum survey marker, by a previous surveyor. It had been logged for trees, and the magnet was gone, so it had NO magnetic signal.
So, I'd LIKE my metal detector to be ABLE to find aluminum. I have NO idea if this is easy, or if it is feasible.And, we really need a STUDY of these devices. To find what is really the "Best". Because, we all depend on these devices, for our livelihood. A fail to find an important monument, can badly impact a survey.
And, I think this subject deserves more attention.
I bought the 92 model, because I NEEDED one that is portable. (same philosophy as my camera, small and with me, is BETTER than BIG and in the truck...) The 92 is not as good as the 52, or the 72, and I don't like bending over, but PORTABLE is VERY important. But, I never want to miss a monument. I'm a big shovel fan too... you have to dig it up. So, my 92 sees more use, than any of them.
But, I have my own desire. I want one that fits into my shirt pocket, and extends to 40", and does it all. Tough, Reliable, and WITH ME.
I have even cut down small trees, and MADE my own digging tool. This way, I have only to carry the saw, and make the rest of what I need, on the site. I'm talking about long hikes, and rugged country, and carrying less weight.
I have even cut down iron wood, and used it as a hammer.
We all discuss Total Stations, and various navigation devices, but the lowly metal detector (I feel) deserves more study, and application, by those of us, who REALLY don't want to miss something important.
So, for what it is worth, please share what is your favorite, and WHY.I hope that at some point, a group of us can get together, and learn from each other, as to WHAT we are doing, and HOW, and share methods.
I feel that there is more here to be learned.As it presently sits, my own plan was to try one of those hound dog (ChrisNik) ones, especially around a fence, to test it.
Surveyors. We draw from MANY technologies, to produce a quality product.
Hopefully we will all continue to develop our acumen.Anyway, would you mind posting what you use, and what you think is why it is your choice?
Nate
Looks like you will soon have a new favorite:
D
dmyhill, post: 382796, member: 1137 wrote: Looks like you will soon have a new favorite:
DMYHill, I hope so... But I although I expect to buy it, I cannot get away from wanting a state of the art Metal Detector, that can be used, independent of the GPS. Right now, I think I want the hound dog... Fence ignoring technology. I use mine now, moving slowly along a fence, looking for spikes in tone. However, the spikes it gives near a steel fence post are so big, I could MISS a rebar, near a steel fence post. That buggs me.
I want to wait and see if the new one from Javad does fence ignoring... aka hound dog... and I also wonder if the hound dog is as good as they say.
I actually want to design my own metal detector... which I know very little about the inner workings of, but I know HOW I want it to work. 🙂
And, I like the idea of putting electrodes on the end, for dog defense! (YEAH!)
N
I am not Ford-Chevy-Dodge particular. I want the BEST for the JOB.
I would like a 12 valve cummins, in a better truck. Dodge trucks are not all that well made.
But, I love the cummins.
Same with GPS. I love the RTK in a JAVAD, but would like to see the COGO made simpler... having said that, the latest version of the software has MUCH BETTER cogo...
IF the company keeps moving, and does not go stagnant, I will keep riding....
N
Nate The Surveyor, post: 382798, member: 291 wrote: D
DMYHill, I hope so... But I although I expect to buy it, I cannot get away from wanting a state of the art Metal Detector, that can be used, independent of the GPS. Right now, I think I want the hound dog... Fence ignoring technology. I use mine now, moving slowly along a fence, looking for spikes in tone. However, the spikes it gives near a steel fence post are so big, I could MISS a rebar, near a steel fence post. That buggs me.
I want to wait and see if the new one from Javad does fence ignoring... aka hound dog... and I also wonder if the hound dog is as good as they say.I actually want to design my own metal detector... which I know very little about the inner workings of, but I know HOW I want it to work. 🙂
And, I like the idea of putting electrodes on the end, for dog defense! (YEAH!)
N
We don't buy them often, but I personally prefer the Hound Dog type. It has been sold under a few different names, but the feature I like the most is the polarity distinction. I think it really helps when attempting to locate things along fences and such. Also, when attempting to dig up covers and such, it helps find the center, rather than an edge.
I just sent a hound dog back after a week of trying to make myself like it. It is way to quiet and the speaker is in a horrible place and your hand covers it when holding. I could see someone not finding pins if they are use to other brands. The thing is EXTREMELY slow. The sensitivity to me is either finding nothing or picking up everything such as my phone in my pocket or trash 10' away, no in-between. I really hope they continue to work and change their product to make it better. I would really like to have the fence ignoring technology. But as of now I don't believe the hound dog is as good as the other brands.
Just my opinion of it, to each his own.
JBN ARK, post: 393445, member: 11757 wrote: I just sent a hound dog back after a week of trying to make myself like it. It is way to quiet and the speaker is in a horrible place and your hand covers it when holding. I could see someone not finding pins if they are use to other brands. The thing is EXTREMELY slow. The sensitivity to me is either finding nothing or picking up everything such as my phone in my pocket or trash 10' away, no in-between. I really hope they continue to work and change their product to make it better. I would really like to have the fence ignoring technology. But as of now I don't believe the hound dog is as good as the other brands.
Just my opinion of it, to each his own.
I sent mine in a few weeks ago when it wouldn't make sound. They fixed it no problem. When it came back it had a note saying they replaced parts and calibrated it as it was way out of adjustment. Then the note said "it probably took a hard hit" I'm sure it's fallen a distance of its length, like every piece of survey gear but I havent abused it. Made me think they need to research their customer better if their product is not that durable.
Was a Big Sch kinda guy for many years. Then I bought the Sub Sur. It isn't nearly as good. Can't get my cheap a$$ inner self to put it on a shelf and buy a new Big Sch. Surely this thing will die sooner or later.
My biggest complaint with Shonstedt is to spell
First, you must eat gallons of sauerkraut. Then you might develop a taste for such spelling preferences.
Not sure, but it might refer to a beautiful or nice city. Then again, maybe not.
