I have gone to Shorebird park and a park in Piedmont that have newer play areas for children. A reddish/tan sand, new concrete inclosure's and in both places, I've gotten nothing but phantom readings and blips. Is it something to do with the Sand or perhaps the concrete basin? Would steel reinforcing of the concrete (Rebar) affect my reader?

Not sure what kind detector you are using..but here's a thought.

Since most of the stuff found in childrens playgrounds and tot-lots are shallow..cut back on your sensitivity, you don't need to go very deep.
It'll cut down on the noise from pipes and rebar below.

Give it a whirl.

Bill

Custodius-
Depending on how deep your machine is set, you will definitely hear false signals due to rebar and due to the metal anchoring of the kids apparatus, ie: slides, swings, etc. I think you have to de-tune your machine to handle the metal. By doing so, you lose depth though.

You know, thats a damn good point, Unearth, bill. Obvious, yet it seems I overlooked it.

THanks :)

Good advice above...

There is an amazing coil for White's machines called the Eliminator Loop, it is 8" and when in all metal (I think) it will ignore anything above the coil.

So it goes right under fences and play structures without hearing the metal. I sold mine a ways back with a XLPro I had and even though I don't have a White's machine I wish I still had it.

Best loop I have ever used!!

:thumber:

Another trick is to get the coil close to the metal and swing away from it in one medium speed motion. While doing that listen for variables try it around a merry go round sometime.

Mike

While you're on it? *Doh!!

Hey..Mike. Where the 'ell you been man? Sheesh. I left you a message months ago. Did ya' get it? Hey. I had you in mind..pal.

I know..you've been a busy boy. Noticed you replied here..haven't seen you name in a while. Just thought I would say...HELLO..BUD!!!

Your arm is gonna sieze up, iffin' you don't get out there and swing it!

Bill