This page is designed to provide quick answers to many common questions we are asked around the world. We hope it will help you in your prospecting efforts and lead to faster results when you run into a problem. We aim to cover a wide range of prospecting queries and not just focus on the Blackdog product.

From time to time, we will update this page with more questions as they arise and encourage you to contact us with your suggestions, which might help others with their discovery experience.

At BLACKDOG we offer a full 2-year warranty on all our manufactured chainrings. This warranty begins from the date of purchase by the customer. This is applicable worldwide. This warranty covers any errors in manufacturing, such as cracks in plastics or performance issues, such as non-response, due to manufacturing faults; these failures are usually noticed within the first few hours of use. The warranty does not cover normal use or misuse of the product. In order for a coil / product to continue to function well, it must be treated with care and should not be used in such a way that it can shake or suffer a sudden impact. This sudden impact can result in the development of a noisy product. A thorough examination will determine the nature of the returned item and decide if it is a warranty issue.

If you want to claim the guarantee within Spain, you can return it to the place of purchase or send it directly to BLACKDOG. It is essential that you include your proof of purchase and a brief note informing us of the problem that has occurred. Please also include your return address and phone number, as we may need to contact you regarding the product. If you have purchased a product outside of Spain, you must return it with your proof of purchase to your local dealer, who will handle warranty claims. Be sure to include your return address and phone number each time you return a product.

If you are in Spain, in most cases yes. With the standard plastic cased coil we can cut the coil and replace certain parts, however we cannot rewind the coils as they are poured with epoxy resin so any damage to the windings is usually terminal. A fully potted (epoxy filled) coil is more difficult to repair and usually only allows us to re-terminate the wire with a new plug. Replacing wires and plugs is usually quite easy and can sometimes keep the coil working well for many more years. However, not all coils can be successfully repaired depending on the extent of the damage and the age of the coil. We individually evaluate each repair to make sure we make the correct diagnosis. There is a repair charge plus freight if the coil is out of warranty. If you want your coil or any product to be repaired or revised, you can send it to us and we will evaluate the situation. Include a note with your contact information and a comment about the behavior of the products. If you are outside of Spain it is usually quite expensive to return the coil to us and if it is out of warranty it can sometimes mean buying a new coil.

If there are cracks in an old coil, using a two-part epoxy will help keep them from getting worse. Regular inspection of your product can ensure you take care of any damage early and help you use it longer. At the earliest opportunity, we recommend that you send the coil back to us so that we can properly repair it for your next trip. If you need to repair a plug then basic soldering skills are needed. You will need to buy a new plug or reuse the existing one and reconnect the wires to the correct pins. By looking at the existing plug configuration, you will see where the wires end. This is crucial for the proper function of the coil.

Sometimes this can happen depending on the age of the coil or how it has been stored. The most important part to protect on the coil is your cable, especially where it enters the coil housing. If the cable breaks at this point, it is not field repairable and must be returned for repair. If your coil is a fully potted coil like the UFO and there is a break in this part of the coil then the coil is not repairable as there is no way to get into the coil due to the hard epoxy covering the termination area. You can tell if this has happened because you will get a constant strong signal and by moving the wire from left to right at the point where it enters the coil you will be able to hear the signal stop and then come back. This means there is an open circuit. We recommend that you power off your detector promptly and avoid using the coil until it is repaired or replaced. To prevent the bobbins from being damaged, make sure that the bobbins are stored carefully and that no moisture gets into the bobbin. Always check the strain relief area where the cable enters the spool for cracks or signs of wear.

Sometimes the coils can develop something called «touch sensitivity». This is when the detector is in operation and the coil comes into contact with the ground through sticks, rocks, or grass. When it hits these objects, a high-pitched ‘ping’ sound is heard which can at times resemble a small target, near the surface. A quick check of the area shows no sign of a repeatable target. Coils that are fully potted with epoxy , they can generally exhibit behavior like this due to their protective nature, and are best run right off the ground. This is also because the coil is extremely sensitive to ground conditions. Sometimes, ground conditions Atmospheric temperatures can cause this due to high electronic activity within the atmosphere. This can come from storms, windy days, especially hot ones, and salty ground conditions.

Yes. However, it is always recommended to use a coil guard to prevent unwanted damage to the coil base, especially with the plastic cased coil type. The fully encapsulated coils are made so that they can function as dish protectors due to their durability. Running a Blackdog coil without a skid coil does not void the warranty.

Proper storage of dishes is essential to ensure a good shelf life for your product. The main area to protect is of course the cable, especially where it enters the coil. Most of the failures we see at this point are mainly due to constant use or pressure being put on the entry point. When storing the pan, make sure the strain relief area is not under pressure from other objects on top of it or in tight areas. The more the cable bends in this section, the greater the risk that it will break the cables internally. Remember that the last thing that should happen is that a chainring fails when we have traveled a long distance. Always check your complete kit before you head out!