Vallon VMH3CS Mine Detector

[kingswood]

Thats interesting!
Does the Vallon have a removal HDD that holds the software??...

[Altra]

post #425 page 17
post #925 page 37

A little more discussion of the RS232 is on posts #926, #927 and #928 on page 38.

Those three posts sum it up pretty well. The serial data probably is normal, serial Rx/Tx on external connector , but the GUI won't function unless it detects the Vallon cable/dongle.

Maybe someone will figure a work around?

[KingJL]

... I think, somewhere in this thread, someone identified the data pins.

post #425 page 17

... I also seem to remember someone, in this thread, trying the upgrade software and experiencing a "dongle not found" situation.

post #925 page 37

A little more discussion of the RS232 is on posts #926, #927 and #928 on page 38.

[Altra]

Thanks, dongle would indicate some sort of encryption of the serial lines.

[KingJL]

... JLKing, can you say if the data port is labeled?

I do not have anything on the layout of the serial port. I know from Eric, that the headphone sound is pin D, that internal speaker disable is pin B, and that GND is pin F. I think, somewhere in this thread, someone identified the data pins. I also seem to remember someone, in this thread, trying the upgrade software and experiencing a "dongle not found" situation. I would imagine that the 224EUR cable is a specialized configuration that Vallon uses to identify a legitimate connection... but I do not know this. Still, I am intrigued by the possibilities.

[Altra]

Vallon got back to me with prices........

If I get the detector to the Eningen factory in Germany upgrade costs 71.30 Euros

"Alternatively, we can provide a data cable and USB converter to enable you to do the update on your own.

Costs: (plus 19% VAT/TAX)

CONNECTION CABLE OUT-PC 6POLE, LENGTH: 3 m, Vallon ref. 2509990071 = EUR 224/-
USB TO SERIAL CONVERTER, Vallon ref. 5800001017E = EUR 41/-
Firmware: free download"

Hi Rocketman

Do you know if you can get the free firmware without purchasing the cable?

You can buy serial to usb modules on ebay for about $5,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FT232RL-FTDI-USB-3-3V-5-5V-to-TTL-Serial-Adapter-Module-for-Arduino-Mini-Port/222721031019?epid=1983299799&hash=item33db353b6b:g:vdoAAOSwEZdaDLpc

The 224eur cable is 6 conductor, probably with connections Vdd, gnd, Rx, Tx, and maybe flow control, dtr, cts.

If someone can get the firmware, I would use my vmh3cs for experimenting with the upgrade

JLKing, can you say if the data port is labeled?

[Ferric Toes]

Very interesting. It is expensive for the cable and as I have 6 pole connectors, I wonder if I could make my own cable. Depends what the connection to the USB - Serlal converter is.

As I have a number of Vallon VMH3CS, I might avail myself of that as I like the alternative features.

Eric.

[Rocketdemon]

I have contacted Vallon to ask if its possible to have the upgrade done here in the UK and what the associated cost would be.

For general wet beach detecting would the upgrade be worth the associated cost? Its not going to be free I'am sure!

The confidence click I can live with, I would have access to the filters to experiment with but are there any others changes made that are worth paying for?

Vallon got back to me with prices........

If I get the detector to the Eningen factory in Germany upgrade costs 71.30 Euros

"Alternatively, we can provide a data cable and USB converter to enable you to do the update on your own.

Costs: (plus 19% VAT/TAX)

CONNECTION CABLE OUT-PC 6POLE, LENGTH: 3 m, Vallon ref. 2509990071 = EUR 224/-
USB TO SERIAL CONVERTER, Vallon ref. 5800001017E = EUR 41/-
Firmware: free download"

[Carolina]

I have contacted Vallon to ask if its possible to have the upgrade done here in the UK and what the associated cost would be.

For general wet beach detecting would the upgrade be worth the associated cost? Its not going to be free I'am sure!

The confidence click I can live with, I would have access to the filters to experiment with but are there any others changes made that
are worth paying for?

Well, it all depends on what you consider worth while I guess. One other feature you gain from the update is something that ICENI would certainly appreciate is auto channel search. With forty channels to choose from manually, a auto search is a wonderful option to have and a wonder to watch as the VALLON searches all forty channels looking for the quietest. There is also a new easier ground compensation option and a salt water beach mode, ( I have never needed at my beach ). Another thought would be to have VALLON test your detector for water worthiness and replace any seals and gaskets. The cost may surprise you. For me the cost of shipping was my largest expense.

[ICENI]

Thanks for the response Eric , Carolina kindly sent me the manual so i will try again at the beach this weekend , my original channel setting was 4 and 14 which i changed to 5 and 11 to try what TH'r found to be his quietest channel . My local beaches will be a good test for the Vallon as they have black mineralised sand at 3 inches depth and lots of hot rocks

[Ferric Toes]

Hi I am new to the Forum and a new owner of the Vallon VMH3CS and have only tested it in my back garden . i am situated on the east coast of England 5 miles from the sea . the trouble that i am having at the moment is in normal mode i only have no falsing with sensitivity set at 2 leds but the depth is still impressive as follows.

The Vallon detected all these at 7 inches Victorian half penny , Gold 6 gram ring , gold 4 gram ring , pre 1947 half crown , pre 1947 shilling .

The Vallon did not detect 1.3 gram gold ring or a pre 1947 six pence with sensitivity set at 2 but when increased to 4 it did , but the Vallon was unstable

I only had time to do 1 test at 10 inches which was the pre 1947 half crown which the Vallon detected .

First of all, take the Vallon to an open field or the beach and try again. Back gardens usually have high levels of interference from surrounding houses and buildings.

Next thing, is do you have a full manual? This will tell you how to change channels and find a quiet one. There are 40 channels to chose from and it might take a while to find the sweet spot. If you don't have the manual, it is downloadable from this thread on page 59.

Eric.

[Rocketdemon]

Rocketdemon,

Yes version 1.14 can be upgraded to version 1.19. Must be done by a VALLON rep. or VALLON themselves. They are very protective of the software as you might expect.

Carolina

I have contacted Vallon to ask if its possible to have the upgrade done here in the UK and what the associated cost would be.

For general wet beach detecting would the upgrade be worth the associated cost? Its not going to be free I'am sure!

The confidence click I can live with, I would have access to the filters to experiment with but are there any others changes made that are worth paying for?

[ICENI]

Hi I am new to the Forum and a new owner of the Vallon VMH3CS and have only tested it in my back garden . i am situated on the east coast of England 5 miles from the sea . the trouble that i am having at the moment is in normal mode i only have no falsing with sensitivity set at 2 leds but the depth is still impressive as follows.

The Vallon detected all these at 7 inches Victorian half penny , Gold 6 gram ring , gold 4 gram ring , pre 1947 half crown , pre 1947 shilling .

The Vallon did not detect 1.3 gram gold ring or a pre 1947 six pence with sensitivity set at 2 but when increased to 4 it did , but the Vallon was unstable

I only had time to do 1 test at 10 inches which was the pre 1947 half crown which the Vallon detected .

[Carolina]

VALLON UPGRADE

Thanks KingJL and Carolina

In that case I have Ver 1.14, is it possible to upgrade to Ver 1.19?

Rocketdemon,

Yes version 1.14 can be upgraded to version 1.19. Must be done by a VALLON rep. or VALLON themselves. They are very protective of the software as you might expect.

Carolina

[Altra]

Altra: This VALLON comes with a bright red tag on the control body. It is for UXO detection and would not work properly on coin and ring size objects I have been told. I tried to have this software installed in my detector but VALLON would not allow it. I then chose the 1.19 software version instead.

Carolina

Thanks, that's what I suspected.