The Minelab NOX 800 is a powerful metal detector that can be used to find a variety of metal objects, including coins, jewelry, and relics. However, the NOX 800 can also be sensitive to iron, which can make it difficult to find non-ferrous targets. To improve the NOX 800’s performance in iron-infested areas, it is important to use the correct settings.
One of the most important settings to adjust is the Discrimination Level. The Discrimination Level controls how the NOX 800 responds to different types of metal. By increasing the Discrimination Level, the NOX 800 will be less likely to detect iron targets. However, increasing the Discrimination Level too high can also make the NOX 800 less likely to detect non-ferrous targets. Therefore, it is important to find a balance between the Discrimination Level and the Sensitivity Level.
Another important setting to adjust is the Ground Balance. The Ground Balance controls how the NOX 800 responds to the ground mineralization. By adjusting the Ground Balance, the NOX 800 can be made less sensitive to the ground, which can help to reduce the number of false signals caused by iron. However, adjusting the Ground Balance too high can also make the NOX 800 less likely to detect non-ferrous targets. Therefore, it is important to find a balance between the Ground Balance and the Sensitivity Level. By following these tips, you can improve the performance of your Minelab NOX 800 in iron-infested areas.
Tweaking the Discrimination Level for Precise Iron Filtering
The NOX 800’s Discrimination Level setting offers precise control over the range of ferrous targets that are filtered out. To effectively remove iron while minimizing false positives, follow these steps:
- Set the Discrimination Level to a high value, such as 35-40.
- Test an area with known iron objects present.
- Use the Discrimination Level to incrementally decrease the value (e.g., by 1 or 2) until the desired level of iron rejection is achieved.
- To refine further, use the Tone Break setting to control the pitch and volume of the audio response for ferrous targets. Adjust the Tone Break so that:
- Targets rejected by the Discrimination Level have a lower or muted pitch.
- Iron targets that are still detected have a higher pitch, allowing you to distinguish them from non-iron targets.
Note: The optimal Discrimination Level and Tone Break settings may vary depending on ground conditions and target density. Experiment with different settings to find the combination that best suits your specific needs.
| Discrimination Level | Effect |
|---|---|
| Low (e.g., 15-20) | Rejects most iron but may also reject non-ferrous targets. |
| Medium (e.g., 25-30) | Balances iron rejection with minimal false positives. |
| High (e.g., 35-40) | Rejects most iron but requires careful adjustment to avoid false positives. |
Utilizing the Notch Discrimination Feature
Understanding Notch Discrimination
The Minelab NOX 800’s notch discrimination feature allows users to selectively ignore specific types of metal targets. This is particularly useful in areas with high levels of iron mineralization, which can mask other desirable targets.
Adjusting the Notch Width
The notch width determines the range of target conductivity values that will be ignored. A wider notch will filter out a larger range of targets, while a narrower notch will be more precise. Start with a wider notch and gradually narrow it down until you find the optimal setting.
Selecting the Notch Location
The notch can be placed at any point along the conductivity scale. Determine the approximate conductivity values of the iron targets you want to ignore and place the notch accordingly.
Fine-Tuning the Notch Depth
The notch depth determines the strength of the discrimination. A shallow notch will only eliminate weak signals, while a deep notch will filter out more targets. Adjust the depth gradually until you find the balance between target elimination and acceptable target acceptance.
Additional Tips
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use Custom Notch Modes | Create custom notch modes to target specific types of iron mineralization. |
| Ground Balance Accurately | Ensure that the detector is properly ground balanced to minimize false signals. |
| Scan Slowly and Overlap | Slow down and overlap your sweeps to improve target identification and discrimination accuracy. |
Balancing the Signal Gain for Maximum Iron Suppression
Properly balancing the signal gain on your Minelab NOX 800 is crucial for effectively removing iron from your detection results. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Leave Factory Settings Unchanged
Start by leaving all the factory settings unchanged. This will provide a baseline for your adjustments.
2. Ground Balance
Ensure proper ground balance to minimize iron signals caused by mineralized soil.
3. Set Discrimination
Adjust the discrimination setting to a level that eliminates most iron targets. Reference the discrimination chart on your NOX 800 for specific settings.
4. Select Sensitivity Level
Use the sensitivity setting to optimize target detection depth while minimizing iron interference. Higher sensitivity will detect deeper targets, but may also amplify iron signals.
5. Adjust Iron Bias
Fine-tune the iron bias setting to further minimize iron signals. A higher iron bias will reduce iron sensitivity, but may also affect target detection.
6. Use Audio Iron Volume
If necessary, adjust the audio iron volume to reduce the audibility of iron signals. This allows you to focus on non-iron targets.
7. Ground Grab Feature
Utilize the Ground Grab feature to continuously update the ground balance while sweeping the coil. This helps reduce iron interference by automatically adjusting to ground conditions.
The following table provides specific settings for various iron-rich soil conditions:
| Iron-Rich Soil Condition | Recommended Settings |
|---|---|
| Mild Iron | Iron Bias: 2-4, Discrimination: 10-12, Sensitivity: 15-18 |
| Moderate Iron | Iron Bias: 4-6, Discrimination: 12-14, Sensitivity: 12-15 |
| Severe Iron | Iron Bias: 6-8, Discrimination: 14-16, Sensitivity: 10-12 |
Remember, these settings are a starting point, and may need to be adjusted based on specific soil conditions and your own preferences.
Minelab Nox 800 Best Settings for Removing Iron
The Minelab Nox 800 is a versatile metal detector that can be used in a variety of conditions. However, if you’re hunting in an area with a lot of iron, you may need to adjust your settings to get the best results.
Here are a few tips for removing iron with the Nox 800:
- Use the Iron Mask feature. The Iron Mask feature allows you to filter out iron signals, so that you can focus on other targets.
- Lower the threshold. The threshold is the minimum level of signal that the detector will produce a sound for. By lowering the threshold, you can help to eliminate faint iron signals.
- Increase the discrimination. The discrimination setting allows you to tell the detector which signals to ignore. By increasing the discrimination, you can help to eliminate more iron signals.
- Use the manual ground balance. The ground balance setting helps the detector to cancel out the effects of the ground, which can include iron. By manually adjusting the ground balance, you can help to reduce the amount of iron interference.
- Use a smaller coil. A smaller coil will produce a smaller search field, which will help to reduce the amount of iron that the detector picks up.
- Hunt in a different location. If you’re having trouble removing iron in a particular location, try hunting in a different spot.
People Also Ask
What is the best discrimination setting for the Nox 800?
The best discrimination setting for the Nox 800 will vary depending on the hunting conditions. However, a good starting point is to set the discrimination to 10-15.
What is the best threshold setting for the Nox 800?
The best threshold setting for the Nox 800 will also vary depending on the hunting conditions. However, a good starting point is to set the threshold to 10-15.
What is the best ground balance setting for the Nox 800?
The best ground balance setting for the Nox 800 will vary depending on the ground conditions. However, a good starting point is to use the automatic ground balance.
