Getting Maximum Depth from Your XP DEUS II – The Settings That Really Matter

 

"How do I get the maximum depth from my XP DEUS II?"

There's no single magic setting that suddenly adds another 100mm or 200mm of depth. Getting the best performance from your DEUS II is about understanding how the different settings work together. Sensitivity, Reactivity, Frequency, Audio Response and your sweep speed all play an important role.

If you're chasing older coins, deep relics or larger gold, here's how I approach it.

Frequency – Lower Frequencies Go Deeper

One of the biggest misconceptions is that higher frequencies detect everything better.

They don't.

Higher frequencies are designed to detect small, low-conductive targets such as fine gold, tiny jewellery, thin coins and lead shot.

Lower frequencies penetrate the ground more effectively and generally provide better depth on larger, higher-conductive targets such as larger coins, relics and buried artefacts.

As a simple rule:

  • Low Frequency = Greater Depth
  • High Frequency = Greater Sensitivity to Small Targets

If your goal is maximum depth, choose a program or frequency weighting that favours the lower end of the frequency spectrum.

Remember though, every site is different. Highly mineralised ground may require a compromise between stability and depth.

Sensitivity – More Isn't Always Better

The temptation is to simply wind the sensitivity up to 99.

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.

Once the detector becomes unstable, all those little pops, crackles and false signals begin to mask the weak, deep targets you're trying to hear.

Instead:

  • Increase sensitivity until the detector starts to chatter.
  • Reduce it a few points until it becomes smooth and stable.

A quiet detector will nearly always find more than a noisy detector.

Reactivity – The Depth Control

If there is one setting that directly affects depth, it's Reactivity.

Reactivity determines how quickly the detector resets after each target.

  • Lower Reactivity = More Depth
  • Higher Reactivity = Better Target Separation

If you're searching open paddocks, beaches or relatively clean ground, lowering Reactivity allows the detector to spend more time analysing each target, resulting in improved depth.

A good starting point is:

  • 0.5–1.0 – Maximum depth in clean ground.
  • 1.5 – Excellent compromise between depth and separation.
  • 2.0–3.0 – Better suited to iron-infested or rubbish-filled locations.

There's little point running high Reactivity in clean ground, you'll simply sacrifice depth.

Audio Response

Audio Response is often misunderstood.

It does not increase detection depth.

What it does is amplify the sound of weak targets, making those deep whispers easier to hear.

Think of it like turning up the volume on your stereo, the music isn't any closer, it's simply easier to hear.

Many experienced DEUS II users prefer an Audio Response between 4 and 5 when searching for older, deeper targets.

Ground Balance

Correct ground balance is essential.

An improperly balanced detector wastes valuable processing power trying to compensate for the soil rather than looking for targets.

Whenever ground conditions change, take the time to rebalance the detector.

That one minute can make all the difference.

Coil Selection

Different coils are designed for different jobs.

  • 9" FMF – Superb target separation and sensitivity.
  • 11" FMF – The best all-round balance of depth and coverage.
  • 13" × 11" FMF – Ideal for maximum ground coverage and deeper larger targets.
  • High Frequency Coils – Designed for tiny gold and small low-conductive targets rather than outright depth.

Sometimes the right coil will improve your results more than changing any detector setting.

Slow Down

One of the biggest mistakes I see is swinging too quickly, or coil too high off the ground.

Deep targets produce weak signals.

Give the detector time to process them.

A slower, controlled sweep allows the DEUS II to analyse faint responses much more effectively.

Many deep targets only reveal themselves when the swing speed is reduced.

Trust Your Ears

Deep targets often produce unreliable Target IDs.

In fact, some of the best finds I've recovered barely displayed a stable number at all.

Instead of relying on the screen, listen for:

  • Soft, repeatable signals.
  • Smooth audio responses.
  • Consistency from multiple directions.

The DEUS II's audio tells you far more than the Target ID once you learn to trust it.

My Preferred Starting Settings for Maximum Depth

When hunting relatively clean ground for deep coins and relics, I'll generally start with:

  • Lower frequency weighting where appropriate.
  • Sensitivity: As high as the ground allows while remaining stable.
  • Reactivity: 1.0–1.5.
  • Audio Response: 4–5.
  • Ground Balance: Correctly balanced for the site.
  • Sweep Speed: Slow, smooth and controlled.

From there, I'll fine-tune the detector to suit the conditions.

Final Thoughts

The XP DEUS II is one of the most advanced detectors available because it allows you to tailor its performance to the ground and the targets you're searching for. Understanding how frequency, reactivity and sensitivity work together will often gain you more depth than simply increasing one setting to the maximum.

Remember these three principles:

  • Lower frequencies generally provide greater depth.
  • Lower reactivity generally increases depth in cleaner ground.
  • A stable detector will almost always outperform a noisy one.

At Capricorn Prospecting Supplies, we're always happy to help you get the very best from your XP detector. If you'd like advice on fine-tuning your settings or choosing the right coil for your style of detecting, get in touch, we're here to help you find those deep targets that others leave behind.