Test of the new 3F probes Nel for the Minelab X-Terra series

With the new probes for the X-Terra series the bag was literally ripped open and after the dual frequency probes from Mars, Nel made the probes tri-frequency. The Nel company has been making a number of great probes for a number of years, so we were duly excited about the new coils for the X-Terra. The first probe we went to test almost immediately was the Hunter 3F. I tend to be a fan of smaller coils and so the Hunter promises a combination of ample coverage, range and separation. The probe proved to be at its best.

After the first field tests we started experimenting on the polygon. There, Petya and I found an interesting effect. The detector worked much better on channels 0, 1 and 2. The probe also liked quite high sensitivity settings and at 25 to 27 it was possible to go almost everywhere. Crosstalk caused by wet grass or young oak trees is minimal and easy to distinguish from the target "sound" even when you are new to the detector.When tuning the ground, the band when the audio tone does not change is wider than with standard coils Minelab. It doesn't affect the ground tuning though. Only if you are used to the standard coil response Minelab, you may be surprised. But otherwise there is no problem with the tuning.

Then we started testing the working frequencies of all three types of probes we already have in stock (Hunter 3F, Tornado 3F, Storm 3F). In the video you can see the test on 1 Kčs on the new trigger polygon. Detector settings are sensitivity at 27, All Metal, working channel 0 to 2.

Depth results on 1 Kčs

Hunter 3F:

• 3 kHz... 24 cm
• 7.5 kHz... 31 cm
• 18.75 kHz... 35-36 cm

Tornado 3F:

• 3 kHz... 27 cm
• 7,5 kHz... 33 cm
• 18,75 kHz... 36-37 cm

Storm 3F:

• 3 kHz... 29 cm
• 7 kHz... 33 cm
• 18,75 kHz... 35-36 cm

The differences in range on a coin the size of a crown are not that significant, and the largest range shift is at the 3 kHz operating frequency. The low operating frequency is for finding large targets. Thus, large targets are objects the size of, say, the bottom of a tin bucket. If we tested smaller objects, such as an RU belt clip, the working frequencies of 7.5 kHz and 18.75 kHz were better.

So in general I would write that for coin searching the Hunter 3F and Tornado 3F coils are the better option. If you are looking for larger items or need more coverage, then the Storm 3F is a very good option. However, the probe is already heavier in the hand so all day searching can be a chore for an individual with an already weak build.

Big probe test Nel Tornado 3F by Olda Habrovansky will be in the new issue of LH, which will be out in a few weeks. I hope you have something to look forward to .