Discoery's Coin Trax Baron And Coin Trax Module

For the owners of the modular Treasure Baron who have been waiting patiently for the introduction of the new Target ID module from Discovery Electronics, I am excited to say it is now available.

If you do not have a Treasure Baron and are looking for a new detector, you might want to give serious thought to the new Coin Trax Baron detector package. This package includes the modular Treasure Baron equipped with the new Coin Trax module and two concentric coils, the standard 8-inch coil and the optional 5-inch coil.

Many treasure hunters are aware of the modular concept of the Treasure Baron, but for those of you who are not, the Treasure Baron, designed by George Payne and built by Discovery Electronics, is a detector that is truly up-datable and adaptable. A person can purchase a basic unit which is a very sensitive detector itself, or essentially change or create a different machine by adding, either at the onset or later, one of seven different modules. The heart of the Coin Trax Baron is the new Coin Trax ID module.

What makes this module truly unique is not just the target ID feature but the fact that this module is almost a detector in itself with some very impressive features. The heart of this new module is the micro-controller (also called microprocessor) and associated software that perform most functions found in a sophisticated unit, including target identification, depth indication, notch discrimination, true automatic ground tracking, an exclusive turbo ground balance feature, five selectable operating modes (including Demo, Coin, Ring, Relic and Pro) and an abundance of sensitivity settings (the Discrimination and All Metal modes are separately adjustable).

I mentioned the main features initially because they are the primary features most owners are looking for in this type of a detector. However, also incorporated in this new module are features openly welcomed by very serious treasure hunters who want to fine tune their detector to meet their specific needs These additional features include such items as a variable auto-tune speed, variable ground tracking speeds, ground tracking inhibit, ground offset control and an ad justable all-metal threshold.

The Coin Trax module uses a 10 LED bar graph for a display which is highly visible in both sunlight and dark conditions. This LED display along with the four small pushbuttons mounted on the module (two on the left side of the module and two on the right) are the primary means of indicating target information and adjusting the various detector features.

The target ID, which is only active in the discrimination mode, uses nine of the LED's to indicate nine different zones, including iron, foil, 5-cent, pull-tab, zinc, dime, quarter, half-dollar and dollar. Each zone can be notched in (target accepted) or out (ignored). When an operator switches to the special pinpoint mode (holding the Baron's main mode switch to the left), the same LED's indicate coin depth (between one and 10 inches in I -inch increments).

Changing any of the adjustable features utilizes the same LED's in a menu-submenu routine. Such changes are an extremely simple procedure requiring only tapping the four small buttons while observing the LED display.

Three other features, the threshold level, ground balance offset and turbo ground balance are adjusted differently. The threshold level is adjusted by tapping one of the two left-most keys while the main toggle is in the all-metal position (center). Ground balance offset is adjusted in the same manner except the main toggle is held to the left (momentary retune) position. Turbo ground balancing, which almost instantly ground balances the instrument, is performed by tapping the Enter key.

INITIAL USAGE

Since I have a Treasure Baron, the factory sent only the Coin Trax Module for review. Installation of the module was as simple as removing two screws, the previous module, plugging in the Coin Trax unit and installing the new face plate. The whole procedure took less than five minutes.

Initially, I quickly scanned the owner's information for operations and adjustment procedures, and then turned the unit on. At the onset, the LED display initially displayed the battery condition, and then switched to a continuous back and forth scanning.

I then checked the different settings on the Demo mode, which is the initial operating mode and found the unit set to reject iron, above normal sensitivity and normal autotune. I compared this mode to the others available and, as expected, each mode had its own specific series of settings for sensitivity, autotune speed and notch settings.

I decided to start my real world testing using the Demo mode in my front yard. The initial testing began by using the detector equipped with the 8-inch coil to check the automatic ground balance system. Like the previously tested Gold Trax module, the new Coin Trax unit automatically ground balanced to the extremely mineralized soil in my area in just a few seconds.

The turbo ground balance feature was checked next by using a hot rock to simulate a significant ground change. I tapped the Enter button and almost instantly, the unit was properly adjusted to the rock mineralization. I was amazed how quickly and effective the tuning was done.

Next, it was time to test the unit on several of my known test targets. The first was silver dime buried at a depth of 6 inches. Surprisingly, the target ID read properly with the 10 cent LED lighting brilliantly. Moving the main mode switch to the momentary retune position performed a quick check of the depth. The depth read a respectable 6 inches. Other targets were tested including a penny at 5 inches, a penny at 3 inches and a nickel at 9 inches. All read properly except the nickel, which indicated only a positive audio response intermittently and no definite ID lock.

I continued my testing looking for quirks or flaws. Surprisingly I found very few. As with other detectors, I found I could get some inaccurate target readings by not centering over a deep target. Also, I noticed very small pieces of gold would intermittently indicate iron if I swept them too fast or I wasn't centered on them. The trick with this detector, as with many others, was to sweep slowly and try to keep the target as centered under the coil as possible.

Before heading to the park, I tried several different adjustments including maximum discrimination sensitivity. Considering the noisy environment at my house, which doesn't allow most detectors to run at maximum, this unit was exceptionally quiet in the discrimination mode, emitting only an occasional short false indication. The maximum setting in all metal was a bit too much for the highly mineralized ground.

All tests were repeated using the 5-inch coil, and I had the same basic results: excellent depth, very accurate target ID and very quiet operation. In fact, I found I could get almost the same depth capabilities with the small coil. Also, the small coil was a pleasure to use for two reasons.

First, it's light and easy to maneuver in tight places. Note that the unit is somewhat heavy by today's standards and if it is going to be operated for extended periods of time will probably require hip mounting. The second feature was the exceptional sensitivity to both very small targets such as a small gold earring as well as its depth to coin-size targets.

The park outings were brief and didn't yield anything spectacular in terms of finds but did reflect similar operating results as those I encountered in my front yard. The unit had excellent sensitivity, very quiet operation and reliable identification and depth indications.

Because of the dry ground conditions, I didn't dig targets more than a few inches deep but made a mental note for a future trip.

CONCLUSION

Overall, I was extremely impressed with the operations of the Coin Trax module. Adjustments were very simple to make, the ground tracking is the best I have seen to date, and the available sensitivity capabilities are more than can be used in many places. The target ID and depth indications are as good or better than those I have used in the past and, probably as important as anything, the unit is quiet.

I heartily recommend this module to Treasure Baron owners as an economical means of upgrading the basic unit to a truly top line instrument. I also strongly recommend the Coin Trax Baron to buyers of a new top line detector. For more information, contact Discovery Electronics Inc., 1415 Poplar St., Sweet Home, Ore., 97386, phone (541) 367-2585, fax (541) 367-6690.