Coil Q factor for SD machines

Which DD coil is best suited for SD 2000, Commander or Coiltek (new or old?)? Are the older coils better suited because they were more designed for the SD series?

Hi Shinegold,
A lot of what you are asking depends om the size of coil you are after. As far as Commander, I think they only have 4 DD coils to choose from, the 10x5, 11, 18, 15x12. Coiltek have more of a selection up to the 24round. Also a lot depends on what you want to do and where you want to go detecting. Personally, I find the Coiltek 14DD Elite to be a great "all round" coil.
There are some that subscribe to the theory to buy an older one that was designed for the SDs, but like anything, deteriaration of an older coil should be taken into account. Personally, I have tested a older Coiltek 11DD and a newer Comander 11DD and although both were good and gave a good distinct signal, the comander did give me (for my ears), a marginally better and sharper tone. Some people swear by the older Coiltek DDs, because they say they use slightly less power than the newer DD Pros, and there are those that believe the newer coils are better because maybe the manufacturers ironed out the bugs, but ultimately it comes down to personal preference and what works for you, so what is good for one person may be totally different to the next.
And really the only way to judge for yourself is to either buy or borrow, test, and then make up your mind.
Sorry if it makes it even more confusing...
Cheers

CostasDee wrote:Hi Shinegold,
Personally, I have tested a older Coiltek 11DD and a newer Comander 11DD and although both were good and gave a good distinct signal, the comander did give me (for my ears), a marginally better and sharper tone.
Cheers

Was this on your SD 2200? Did you find the Commander quieter as well?

As it stands for me, it's going to be an 18 DD round. Maybe a 14 DD round.

Hi again Shinegold,
It was on my 2200d. I didn't notice if the Commander was quieter, but then I was paying too much attention to that - sorry. What you have to also take into account is the weight factor. Swinging a DD is heavier than swinging a mono. The weight of the 14DD is approx 950gm whereas the weight of the 18DD is about 1400gm (figures off the Coiltek site). Doesn't seem like a lot but after a while it feels realyyyyyyyyy heavy. I do have both and I am speaking from a little bit of experience here. So what I'm saying is that you have to take that into account too.
Cheers

Weight is no problem, I have used heavy detector/coil combos before, I have a way of setting it up on the shaft. Come to think of it, is the coil lead long enough for either coil? ...will be one factor in my decision.

You'll be surprised how easy it is to swing a heavy detector/coil without all those stupid gimmicks.

Sorry Shinegold I cant image how you have set it up to make the coils feel lighter. I sometimes use a 24DD and I can hardly lift it off the ground, love to know a way to make it easier.

If the coil cable is not long enough then this might be a problem; balance the shaft from the point of where you're gripping the handle... the best you can. The further back the control box the better.

I have done that Shinegold but I think it might be a little difficult to balance the 2.5 Kgs that the 24DD weighs. Thanks nevertheless,
Cheers