Live & Die By The VDI - Simultaneous Multi Frequency VS Single Frequency

Well this is a blog that I said I was never going to write but then I decided 'what the hell', there's so much discussion out there on these subjects. Now let's remember that what I'm going to explain is quite simply my opinion and in the greater scheme of things it isn't really that important. Some of my views might offend a select few out there and you might think I'm writing utter shite but that's fine with me, opinions are like arseholes, we all have one. Second to that I'm not into the 'science of things', I'm simply going on first hand experience and observations as someone who likes to metal detect. I've come to understand that the theory of something might sound impressive when you break it down with fancy words but something that works in theory might fall short when put into practice. This blog will mesh together everything mentioned in the title above. It may well go off on tangents and some of it might come across as science fiction but that's just the way that I like write.

Do I Think Simultaneous Multi Frequency Machines Are Marketing Hype?

For the most part, yes I do but I still see a few benefits, let me explain a bullet point here, if you're obsessed with VDI numbers, which most seem to be, then I believe SMF machines might give a slightly more stable ID number on a wider range of targets down to around 9 - 10 inches, depending on the machine and soil conditions. Also SMF might allow the detector to run more stable on the saltwater beaches.

So if you're a park hunter that likes to cherry pick then I can see the benefit in a more stable VDI, you want to be more selective on what you choose to dig and I totally get that, however if you're an 'all metal' dig it all kind of hunter then I think SMF is completely irrelevant. From my experience most guys that dig it all only care if the potential targets are ferrous or non-ferrous, I believe I fall into this category. I have zero interest in target ID, for me, metal detecting has and always will be a 'tones game' and even with a machine that has one fixed tone, depending on the brand, you can still hear minor nuances if you know what to listen for. Not only that, in my head there are no short cuts to finding treasure and I can assure you that 'if you live and die by the VDI' then you are leaving good targets in the ground. By doing this you are handing the decision making over to a piece of technology, which to be honest with you, seems to be what everyone is doing nowadays with no second thought. The best discrimination is your ears, I'd rather dig a target I was 50/50 on than walk past it because the machine gave me the impression it was junk.

So moving on to SMF machines and beach detecting, from all the evidence I've seen and experienced using the Equinox 800 on tidal rivers and beaches. I think it's safe to say that they seem to run very well and make life a lot easier. BUT! I'd also like to point out that my single frequency Fisher F19 runs really quiet and stable on these types of terrain as well - OK it might not have the same performance as my Equinox 800 but it's definitely no slouch. Personally I believe that with the correct single frequency, either selectable or fixed you'll be able to produce a machine that performs very close to a SMF detector both on the beach and on the dirt. I believe we've seen a flicker of this with the new X-Terra Pro that Minelab are in the process of releasing.  Do I believe the single frequency X-Terra Pro could have been made to have a very similar performance to Minelab's high end SMF machines? yes I do but if they did this then it would raise an awful lot of questions about SMF machines and the extortionate prices they're being sold at.

Evolution Into A Non Thinking Entity 

"Technology is infiltrating every area of our lives and because of this, 'learning' is something that's probably going to become extinct in years to come. I see a future of non-thinking entities having had technology fused into their brains. More bothered about projection a false reality of themselves online than actually developing themselves in the material world, we're half way there now with how obsessed people are with social media and craving any attention they can get hold of"  

We are living in a world where people are completely convinced that the latest tech is the best and only solution to everything, I hate to break it to you but I just don't see that to be the case at all. I understand machines have progressed, I've written about this before and it has enabled companies to take larger leaps forward but looking at what's on offer now, including all the latest Minelab machines - Am I Seeing Large Leaps Forward? no I'm not, I'm just seeing repackaged tech with very little benefits to what we already have available. But if you can create the illusion of progress and package it correctly, then people will hand their hard earned money over ... right? ... Yes ... it would appear so. There might be a new audio/tone setting or a new cool red backlight or even a 'cutting edge' 2D screen to help you procrastinate over your targets, but I'm far from convinced any of the top end SMF machines on offer are worth their price tag. In regards to the 2D screen on the Manticore, by the time you've wiggled away deciding if to dig or not, I would've already dug the target and moved on. 

Technology Won't Save Us

Does A Simultaneous Multi Frequency Machine Find More Targets?

My answer to the question above is, no I don't think a SMF machine finds more targets in the ground than a single frequency detector. Somewhere down the line peoples perspectives have been warped by clever marketing lingo, I'll go back to the point I mentioned above. The SMF machine might ID a wider range of targets better, producing a more stable VDI but I don't believe it's detecting any targets that a good single frequency machine won't pick up. Now let's make something clear here, when I say "a good single frequency machine" I'm not talking about entry level detectors with very limited abilities. I'm talking about the more advanced machines priced mid to high on the market .. however the new X-Terra Pro is looking to be an exception to the rule regarding entry level machines and pricing. The performance that has been demonstrated by this machine so far "in test gardens" looks promising, time will tell ... Yes, we can select from 3 single frequencies on this specific unit but it is still a 'Single Frequency' machine. I find this quite funny because a few overbearing voices were only recently claiming that single frequency detectors were on the edge of extinction 🤔 hmmm .. funny that .. because now those same voices are raving about the X-Terra Pro - hypocrisy springs to mind.  

Does A Simultaneous Multi Frequency Machine Hit Harder On A Wider Range Of Conductivities?

The above question is an interesting one, personally I've found targets of all conductivities using all my coils, both low and high frequency and my machines have had absolutely not problems with picking anything up. Do I believe I'm Missing Targets? yes of course, but only because my coil hasn't passed over the top of them. I have 100% confidence that I'm hitting on everything that my coil passes over. There might be a counter viewpoint claiming that a specific frequency running on an SMF machine might hit on a wider range of targets harder than a single frequency detector and that might be the case in some situations. However I still believe that a single frequency machine will hit on exactly the same targets even if it's at varying degrees compared to an SMF unit.

Do I Think A SMF Machine Punches Deeper Than A Single Frequency Machine?

Once again it depends what single frequency machine we're talking about, in regards to Nexus detectors, it's clearly been shown that they punch deeper than any SMF machine out on the market today. So to answer the question above, no I don't believe SMF machines punch deeper than one running a single frequency. Also a factor that comes into play here is EMI interference, with the creation of SMF platforms a new problem arose, they're clearly more open to EMI which in turn effects both performance and depth. The more EMI you're experiencing the lower you have to run the sensitivity .... thus affecting overall depth capabilities. So what happens in these situations? many switch their machine to a single frequency, so if it's OK to run on a single frequency in high EMI areas then why is a single frequency machine apparently obsolete in every other situation? cognitive dissonance springs to mind. Due to single frequency machines being able to handle EMI better it actually means you can run them much wider open than an SMF detector which in turn will give you more depth.

Do I Think A SMF Machine Unmasks And Separates Better Than A Single Frequency Machine?

Once again it depends on what single frequency machine we're talking about, in regards to unmasking Nexus has shown capabilities that can't be matched via any digital platform running SMF. Not only that but other analog based detectors out there are showing fantastic potential at unmasking as well. Take the Deeptech range of machines, they're single frequency and exhibit unmasking abilities that I'm yet to see displayed in the high end SMF machines currently on the market. In regard to separation, this is an interesting element, the different recovery speed settings have obviously improved this no end and if you push you machine up to its highest recovery then you get some very impressive separation. BUT .... there are a few analog detector manufacturers now developing coils with ultra fast recovery capabilities on par and exceeding most of the SMF machines that I've witnessed. Not only that, when I ran my Equinox 800 in a single frequency with a high recovery the machine performed the same as when I ran it in 'multi'.

So to conclude - Do I Think SMF Machines Have An Advantage Over Ones With a Single Frequency?

In regards to a more stable VDI and better stability on the beach, then my answer is yes they have a slight advantage but in every other area I don't really see anything that puts them streets ahead of a good single frequency machine. Now let us remember that everything I've written is only my opinion and many won't agree with it which is fine, let us remind ourselves once again. Metal detecting is all about enjoyment, use what you enjoy swinging, it's not a competition, we are all lucky to have so many great machines available to us at all price points, it's the best it's ever been. So forget the anal details and just get out there and swing until you can't swing no more.

So to finally wrap up, on the release of the Equinox series Minelab stated that "the SMF platform will obsolete all single frequency detectors" I can confidently say that's the biggest load of bullshit I've ever heard .... and the same company that made that statement are just about to release a new single frequency machine. Can't people see what a clown show this whole scene is? 

Thanks For Reading

Paul