Uncovering the Importance of Coil Size in Metal Detecting: A Historical Overview
Coil Size in Metal Detecting: A Historical Overview
Metal detecting is a popular hobby that has been around for decades. It involves the use of a metal detector to locate buried metallic objects such as coins, jewelry, and relics. One important component of a metal detector is the coil or search head, which comes in various shapes and sizes. In this article, we will focus on the history and importance of coil size in metal detecting.
Before we dive into the history of coil size, it’s essential to understand how it affects the performance of a metal detector. The coil is responsible for emitting an electromagnetic field that interacts with metallic objects buried beneath the ground’s surface. When this field encounters any metallic object, it induces an electric current in that object creating a magnetic field around it.
The magnetic field produced by these objects reflects back to the search head or coil where it’s detected by sensors in the machine. This signal then gets amplified and processed through sophisticated electronics before being relayed via audio or visual output.
The size of your search head plays an essential role in how well your machine can detect targets at different depths under various soil conditions. Generally speaking, larger coils are better suited for deep searching while smaller ones work well for shallow-depth detection.
Historically speaking, early-day detectors used small coils due to their limited technology; however, as technology advanced so did larger coils’ popularity.
In 1940s-1950s – Small Coils:
During World War II (WWII), handheld mine detectors were developed using rudimentary electronics compared to today’s standards but still effective at their time. These detectors had small circular coils ranging from 4″ inches up to 10″ inches diameter depending on models used during WWII such as SCR-625A/B1 & B2 made by Western Electric Company.
After WWII ended many veterans brought home with them these mine detectors which led them discovering new uses like treasure hunting becoming popular among civilians. The first commercial detector was the Geotech Model 1620, and it came with a small coil of only 6″ inches diameter.
In the 1960s – Larger Coils:
The introduction of transistor technology in the early 1960s allowed for more significant advances in metal detecting. One significant breakthrough was larger search coils due to improved signal processing capabilities and greater sensitivity levels.
Coils ranged from around 10-12″ inches up to over two feet in diameter. This size increase meant that detectors could detect deeper targets or objects buried under mineralized soils much easier than before.
In addition to increased depth detection, large coils also provided better ground coverage or area swept per pass reducing overlapping passes needed, which made hunting more efficient.
In the late ’60s and early ’70s, Garrett Electronics introduced their Groundhog model featuring a massive search coil of approximately three feet in diameter! It was marketed towards prospectors searching for gold nuggets deep within mines or remote areas where large deposits were found. Unfortunately, this model was too heavy for most people to use comfortably resulting it being discontinued shortly after its release.
By the mid-1970s – Middle Ground Coils:
As metal detector manufacturers continued refining their designs and technologies throughout the ’70s, they began finding a middle ground between smaller coils designed for shallow targets and larger ones capable of detecting deeper objects while still maintaining decent ground coverage rates without weighing down users’ arms significantly.
These medium-sized search heads generally measured between eight to ten inches in diameter—becoming popular amongst both hobbyists and professional treasure hunters alike. They soon became standard equipment on many models produced by Fisher Labs; including their popular CZ series launched in 1985’s with its trademark yellow color scheme so easily recognized when out detecting!
Today – Multi-Frequency Coils:
Modern metal detectors now feature multi-frequency search heads that can operate at different frequencies simultaneously ideal for handling various soil conditions or detecting targets at different depths. These coils are highly sensitive and can detect even the smallest objects buried under the ground’s surface.
Size-wise, modern search heads come in a wide range of sizes from small eight-inch ones to larger 15″ inches plus ones suitable for deep searching. In addition, many models now feature interchangeable coils that allow users to switch out sizes depending on their specific needs or preferences.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, coil size plays an essential role in metal detecting performance. Historically speaking smaller coils were used due to limited technology available, but as advances in electronics emerged so did larger coil popularity growing into multi-frequency detectors today with interchangeable coil options allowing users choices when it comes to finding those hidden treasures!