Combined Tone ID Profile on the CTX 3030 – The best of both worlds

In my previous Treasure Talk blog post, I discussed new CTX 3030 functionality that allows the user to map the parameters of ferrous or conductive audio tones. The Combined Tone ID Profile allows the user to hear a combination of both ferrous and conductive tones. And, with the additional functionality provided by the CTX 3030, we can set the parameters for each.

Access to the Combined option is found in the Tone ID Profile menu area of the CTX 3030.

CTX 3030 screenshot: Profile type

Combined allows each user to set the ferrous and conductive parameters for their CTX 3030. Not only can I make adjustments to my “ferrous line”, I can further map the “top” section of the screen by establishing parameters for four individual conductive ranges. By highlighting any of the sections, I can use the navigation pads to resize each according to their ferrous or conductive parameters.

CTX 3030 screenshot: Combined sections

I can also assign a specific frequency of audio tone to each “section”, representing the audio response I will get from each target segment.

CTX 3030 screenshot: Change Pitch

CTX 3030 screenshot: Combined frequencies

These tones can be played back either individually or in a series of tones.

In an effort to minimize target masking in the field, I prefer hearing the audio response of all targets rather than the nulling created by a rejected target. With Combined, I have the best of both worlds. I can move the ferrous line to whatever level I want. I can then map four individual conductive sections, representing four different ranges of conductive values, above that line. Then I can assign separate audio response tones representing each ferrous and conductive section. Five sections = five different tones.

By implementing Combined, I can hear a low tone representing a target whose ferrous value is greater than the ferrous value of targets I normally want to dig. And, I can hear one of four higher conductive tones on targets whose ferrous value is within the range that I want to dig. Regardless of the parameters that you profile into your “sections”, or what pitch you want to hear for each tone, you will only hear one of the four conductive tones when the ferrous value of a target is above where you set the ferrous line! And you will only hear the “ferrous tone” on targets whose ferrous value is represented below where you mapped the ferrous line.

As someone who has used TTF (two tone ferrous) extensively while detecting around old home sites, Combined's ability to sort targets by both ferrous and conductive values has proven to be an exceptional process. Not only can I now change the ferrous line, but I can further identify conductive targets by one of four distinct conductive tones.

With the versatility of Combined, my ability to “hunt by ear” has only gotten better.

When you recognize the audio information provided by Combined, and factor in the additional visual information provided by Target Trace and Target Trace Pinpoint, you’re going to be impressed with the amount of information the CTX 3030 can provide.

That additional visual information is the topic of my next Treasure Talk blog post, “CTX 3030 Target Trace / Target Trace Pinpoint - Smartfind 2 - visually identifying multiple targets”.

Randy Horton - AKA Digger