IDX-PRO+VDI

[fabio-evo]

hello guys I was looking at this project, are not practical electronics, but according to you and 'feasible to do? I have several months of free time and I wanted to build it, buy the kit and 'this true?

http://www.silverdog.co.uk/shop/index.php?route=product/product&path=36&product_id=124

as is' I can mount it or is there 'to make some changes because' functions?thanks

[STAVROSNU]

Do it as it is in the kit.

[Silver Dollar]

That's a good kit. Build it as it comes. The coil will be a bit more of a challenge.
Maybe look for a used White's coil online? That will guarantee success!

[fabio-evo]

yes, I have seen on youtube who used a White's deep scan 950, so I'm saving all my hair

[akasyto]

My idxvdi

[fabio-evo]

I love metal home-built
guys, since I have a coil garrett EUROACE (350) I do not use, do you think there would be a chance 'to make it work with this project?

[sinclairuser]

hi barry this is worth a go if you have not built it already,VDI_02.zip

[hoadlies]

hi barry this is worth a go if you have not built it already,[ATTACH]28842[/ATTACH]

HI,,,, SINCLAIRUSER,,THANKS for the FILES ..

I Am not keen on the LCD Readout as to our harsh sunlight here in OZ-[Unreadable] I do however Like the Analog meter centred needle left for irontype& right for Coins etc,,, as per my EL-CHEAPO CHINA unit-GC-1006,,, [which is not very sensitive above 3-4 '' ] hence my building this great IDX ..

BEEN looking at the Cheap GC1023 china units aparently these are not bad ??????7 about $100-150 depending where you buy I believe Kmart had then for $69.00 !!!!????i think about 12kz ??? not sure ..Maybe one of these could be tweaked & better Coil ????as CHEAP for than a KIT from the UK ????..[Our dollar does not go far in the UK !!]

I have built LCD unit for one of my Etap-2 ECHO-UNIT BUILDS [my previous hobby Electric Guitar ''Shadows sounds'' .amps building etc etc..
That was ARDUINO set-up a bit Above my understanding But a Fellow helper in the US helped me get it running ..
I have a few LCD screens etc etc ..Arduino Uno Boards etc still in my parts box,, But I think EARS only at this stage will be OK for Me!!???I also have the programmer to load hex files etc..

I would like to learn how to ETCH pc Boards ..for small projects ..must check that out..

OK Can you tell me if it Helps with Depth -Sensitivity ETC..[VDI]????????????????..

I am very pleased with my IDX Thanks to You-mate & other Member's that helped me [My 1st GO at A DIY M/D]..

Where I live here ,,,EAST of us in the BUSH [about 1 hour away]-there are some very minor Gold fields That I am hoping to get out to & I am looking now to maybe build a higher Frequency M/D for the smaller Targets ..
LATER after testing my units I plan a couple weeks in another state 8 hours away VICTORIA ,they have huge gold areas but have been detected for years ,so only a lucky find might be expected But will be Fun Trying..

I built now 3x coils getting better each time ,My last a 8'' coplaner similar to DONs specs ,,I now conquered the Graphite MIX ,for shielding after many many failures!!40% graphite-powder 60% nitro cellulose furiture Clear finish [I had 3 litres left over from my camper-bus-interior ,ply wood sealing..]

This mixes with multi purpose laquer thinners [used on Cars etc] The mixture sticks well to my Fibre-glass shells & for DD it soaks into the MICROPORE tape ..

I Also found an outlet for Wire ,But had to buy 1 kilo roll's but cheaper than what I was getting in tiny rolls & I will never use it all HA.Haar..

THE WHITES ''GMT'' New units would be just the Ants-Pants But ,,,ALAS way over my Meagre Buget $1400.00 AUD these are 48Kz still VLF units..need a LOTTO-WIN HA.Haaaar..& pigs will fly ..

GREAT SENDING me that info much appreciated & good luck mate on the ground lets know when you dig-up that Lost gold & jewelled Crown in the UK somewhere ..

CHEERS BARRY..

[sinclairuser]

hi barry i put a bounty hunter coil on my md6006(cheap china), and its like a different detector, i built the vdi for the hell of it(my idx is original), i figured if it breaks i can replace it with my home made.
i also planned to put it on my whites 3900 proplus(commercial detector) but thought better of it when you get 2 years warranty only a fool invalidates it, it has an analogue meter but its great an exellent detector for 235 pounds brand new in fact since i got it i have not used my idx.

[satdaveuk]

Here you go Barry
Simple PCB DIY

Regards

[hoadlies]

hi barry i put a bounty hunter coil on my md6006(cheap china), and its like a different detector, i built the vdi for the hell of it(my idx is original), i figured if it breaks i can replace it with my home made.
i also planned to put it on my whites 3900 proplus(commercial detector) but thought better of it when you get 2 years warranty only a fool invalidates it, it has an analogue meter but its great an exellent detector for 235 pounds brand new[ATTACH]28849[/ATTACH] in fact since i got it i have not used my idx.

HI S./USER ,, Great looking detector that Whites nice big analog meter as well ,,..
OK on the MD6006 fitting a alternate coil,I will try to build a coil for my elcheapo as well MD3006-GC1006.. maybe same as yours ???? mine had a omega-7'' coil ,3x tones etc etc I like the meter on it ,would like to adapt similar to my IDX ..

A friend of mine just gave me 2x Fisher-Wands with coils but No Controls I have adapted one to my IDX 12''x6'' ,the inductance was all different ,but played with caps & got it to work ,GEB etc OK ,,.not quite as sensitive as my last H/made 8'' But maye on ground who-knows ???

GREAT STUFF-MATE ''Keep-Waving'' ,,,,,,,,,BARRY..

[hoadlies]

Here you go Barry
Simple PCB DIY

Regards

HI DAVE ,,WOW thats a great instruction PDF ,, THANKS-MATE ,, ..

LAZER PRINTER-''BUGGA'' I threw one out about 3 months ago [I use an ink-jet printer] But I will find one ..
I have a Laminator !! I never ever thought of a Printer used in the Etch proccess ..

I am not good on the computer but I think one can get files & copy them ?? [Lay files???...

CHEERS FROM OZ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,BARRY..[ps] YEAH ,My Eyes are same [not good] ''A-G-E'' Syndrome HA.Haaar..

[sinclairuser]

HI S./USER ,, Great looking detector that Whites nice big analog meter as well ,,..
OK on the MD6006 fitting a alternate coil,I will try to build a coil for my elcheapo as well MD3006-GC1006.. maybe same as yours ???? mine had a omega-7'' coil ,3x tones etc etc I like the meter on it ,would like to adapt similar to my IDX ..

A friend of mine just gave me 2x Fisher-Wands with coils but No Controls I have adapted one to my IDX 12''x6'' ,the inductance was all different ,but played with caps & got it to work ,GEB etc OK ,,.not quite as sensitive as my last H/made 8'' But maye on ground who-knows ???

GREAT STUFF-MATE ''Keep-Waving'' ,,,,,,,,,BARRY..

hi barry as long as you get a coil near enough to you china cheapie you can make it work, you need to test the khz, some of the detectors like ours are 6.5khz for those old bounty hunter, fisher even some old whites 6khz work better than the stock chinese coil, you know how to tune using caps so your laughing.
but if yours is one of the 14khz versions then there are old coil swaps that will work, but you have made a coil for idx, so for a 14khz coil i think you would be better winding your own coil dd or concentric, that will still out perform the stock china one.
i'm winding a 14khz coil for a detector at the moment(small dd), but i'm very early in the process.
by the way the 8" concentric bounty hunter coil i got was 10 quid off ebay sure its old but it works and was as cheap as chips, and detects 3" deeper than the china coil(8" total on soil, 9" dry sand, 6" wet sand).

[hoadlies]

HI,, S/user THANKS _MATE I will wind a coil as my china unit is 13.5 khz ..I do not know who's circuit they copied ???? it has all the bells & whistles ,could make a good unit with a good coil ???
IT has more componants on the large board than the IDX???many chips etc..

ALL GOOD FUN , CHEERS ,,,,,,,BARRY

[sinclairuser]

they are good machines if you get a good one and then sort it out, the biggest problem is quality control, followed by build quality.
the best advice for china machines is buy from a retailer not internet, so you can try a few to make sure its ok, that 5-10 pounds extra on the price is worth its weight in gold.
second replace the bottom shaft for plastic, and add a plastic bolt(makes a big difference) instead of the metal one used, and they run fine, changing coils for better made ones helps too, for tinkerers with time and bits laying round its well worth the effort.
and then grandkids can join in without risking your good tackle, or can be left in the caravan just for holidays(thats what i have done, a barracuda and china vlf in the van permanently ready to go).