Metal detecting is a comparatively new hobby. Sure there have been hobbyist type metals detectors for decades but new and superior detector technology has come out in recent years. The metal detector is an electronic device which can sense metallic objects buried in the ground. Finding a lost gold ring or old valuable coin can be really exciting, but even just picking up a few dollars of change at the local school can be loads of fun and a lot of good exercise. Once the operator is well practiced, it is possible to dig targets out of the ground with so little disturbance that the spot cannot be seen afterward. The biggest advantage of modern detectors is that most of the time they can actually differentiate trash from valuable coins and silver jewelry. Hobbyists are using their detectors to hunt lost treasure caches, prospecting for gold nuggets or just locating lost coins and jewelry at local parks and schools.

There are many varieties of metal detectors with technologies and features designed for certain characteristics and certain types of uses. All of the technologies currently in use work by putting electrical energy into a coil which creates a magnetic field and then sensing the response of a metallic object to that magnetic field. Some types of detecting equipment are specially designed for hunting deep caches and treasure, others for general purpose coin and jewelry hunting, and still others for underwater or beach hunting. Another type of detector is designed specifically to prospect for gold nuggets.

Most new folks considering the purchase of metal detecting equipment to get into this exhilarating hobby want to know what model will be best for them. There are a large number of models from the different makers, and the decision is not easy. It is often said that there is no one detector that can do it all perfectly. This is a true statement. The goal of the “general purpose” machines is to do as many of the specialty applications as well as possible. This always requires some degree of compromise in the design of the detector. No general purpose machine can do all the specialty applications as well as a set of detectors, each designed for a specific special purpose.

No discrimination system on any detector is absolutely perfect, even though they are very helpful in most situations, as no one wants to dig up trash. There are always tradeoffs in any target ID system design, and even the best systems available today can be fooled sometimes, and although it works 90 percent of the time, it cannot always differentiate between some types of targets and some types of trash. The discrimination readings are influenced principally by the target shape, size and conductivity of the metal. As an example, nickels, some pull tabs and rings all appear the same to VLF type metal detector ID systems. Most men’s wedding bands and ladies gold rings read in a similar range in my soils. The lower end of that range includes junk foil, and the upper end includes many types of pull-tabs and cut up bits of aluminum can.

Yes, there are still valuable coins and jewelry at local parks and schools, old houses and residences, sports fields, church yards, campgrounds and other places where folks congregated in the past. With a metal detector, you can get your exercise and pick up a little treasure while you are at it!

So, you have purchased a new or used metal detector from our online store or elsewhere. Now what? To be successful with your new metal detector, you need to keep a few things in mind and put them into action.

The most important factor in success with metal detecting is to know your metal detector like you know your best friend or even better. In order to do this, you must read every word of the manual that came with your metal detector. After that, read it again and again. Learn what each control does and what every feature is all about. Refer to the metal detector manual often with any questions you may have. For a used metal detector that might not have come with a manual, visit the manufacturer’s website as most have downloadable manuals for their older models. Also, be sure to watch any DVDs or videos that came with your metal detector.

After getting intimate with the manual, it is time to get your metal detector outside and practice. Practice does make perfect! Bury some coins, rings and various junk items in your yard and experiment with each control and feature. Vary the depth of the buried items to see how it affects the response of your metal detector. Another method is to dive right in and search your yard, a local park or a nearby school yard. Listen and watch your metal detector at each target. Dig every find. This requires some work but it is the best way to get to know your metal detector. It took me about twenty hours of practice to begin to be proficient with the White’s XLT when I first started using it. I must have read the owner’s manual at least fifteen times and carried it along on every hunt! Knowing your metal detector is the most important key to being successful and happy with your purchase!

Finding the right place to search with your metal detector is very important. Becoming knowledgeable about your area’s history is highly recommended. The best place to start is at your local library. Find where all the old houses, gathering places, parks, schools, churches, etc. were located. Remember, if people were there, they more than likely left something behind for your metal detector to find. The larger the number of people at a location indicates a higher probability of finding something of value with your metal detector. Talk to the older folks in the community and ask about the places people used for picnics, social gatherings, ball playing and the like. Talking about the old days will also brighten their day!

Patience and persistence are important factors in making finds. My late Father, rest his soul, was always interested in using his metal detector but just didn’t have the patience for it. He would swing his metal detector for about an hour or less and just give up. I can still hear him say, “There just ain’t anything here!” Even if I was not finding much, I would hang in there and would usually find at least a few old coins. The moral of the story is not to give up on yourself or the metal detector. That find of a lifetime might be under your next swing of your metal detector!

Good ole common sense plays a major role too. Always try to put yourself in the shoes of those that might have gathered or lived where you are using a metal detector. This logical approach has served me well many times over the years. If searching a site that had a grass or gravel parking area, imagine all those folks dragging out their car keys along with a bunch of coins. At old house sites, think of where the clothes line might have been located. The wife might have missed some coins in the pant pockets on wash day and out they fell when hung on the line. My best Indian Head penny find was made using this logic. Look at any old trees or stumps and imagine the people relaxing and children playing under their shade on a hot summer’s day. Behind the old school imagine the kids rolling down the hill during recess with all their pennies, nickels and dimes flying out. You get the idea. All those lost goodies are buried there waiting for you and your trusty metal detector to come along!

Following these tips will make the difference between success with your metal detector or having it become a dust magnet in the back of your closet. A person with a $100 metal detector that follows these tips can very well out perform a person with a $1,000 metal detector that does not. Believe me, I have done it! Good luck and happy hunting!

A metal detector is a useful electronic device that uses electromagnetic fields to detect metal. It is used in mining, archaeology, and hobbies such as treasure hunting. Whether you are one of the many who seek the thrill of finding treasure, or the ones who are doing excavations or digs, then you will need a metal detector to make your jobs easier. The following are buying a metal detector tips.

To get the best of your money, consider these questions before you make your purchase:

Cost

Metal detectors can be very expensive. They run for as low as $50 to more than $400, depending on its features. The more advanced models are usually the ones that cost more, so it is important to know what features you need and do not need. Besides, buying a metal detector with too many features that you will not use can be too overwhelming.

Place of Use

Like appliances and other equipment, metal detectors are also built for different uses. Metal detectors to be used on the beach will need to be waterproof, while the ones to be used to rough terrains need to be designed to withstand those places.

Length of Use

Some metal detector models do not work the same duration of hours as others. While some can run for 24 hours or longer, others do not last as long. This depends on the battery life of the device. Some run with either replaceable or rechargeable batteries, and others come with a charging kit.

Durability

Choose a metal detector the same way you would choose all your other belongings-make sure it is durable, made of strong materials, and will survive your normal usage. This way, you can save money and be contented with your choice.

Adaptability

Choose a metal detector that can be upgraded, or allows add-ons and other devices to be attached to it. Do not get one that seems like a dead end, with all its features locked and no room for improvement.

Reliability

The job of a metal detector is to find what you normally cannot. Its metal-searching scope will dig deeper than you, so it has to be precise and have accurate detection. Test the metal detector before you buy it. If it cannot detect small pieces of metal or jewelry nearby, then do not get it, even if it is cheap.

Answers Your Needs

Always get advice or a second opinion, preferably from an expert on metal detectors. Make sure the information and metal detector tips you get are helpful and updated so you will not have to regret choosing a wrong model or buying the more expensive one.

Invest on a metal detector that has most or all of the features you will need for the right price. Since metal detectors are expensive, you will definitely need one that will serve you at its best. Ask around for more metal detector tips so you can be sure of your choice.