lidigger
Full Member
- Sep 4, 2010
- 155
- 3
- Detector(s) used
- Minelab Excalibur, White's BeachHunter 300, White's Prizm IV, White's Bullseye II Pointer (x2)
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
Hello All,
I've wanted a metal detector since I was 8 and just got one about two weeks ago, (a Garrett GTI 2500). So finally at 42 I can start metal detecting. I have made a few contacts on this website, through the local metal detecting club and through White's Electronics website, (even though I own a Garrett). I was hoping to find another digger locally who I could go out with. I found a guy on White's and he took me out to a local park that he thinks has great potential.
I knew very little about my GTI, but Tennessee Treasure Hunter (Raymond), has been a great help. He too owns a GTI and he gave me some great tips. That along with watching the Garrett video (yes, VHS - not DVD), helped me get a head start. Thanks Ray!
Anyway, the park we went to has been around since the 1800s and not two minutes from turning on my machine for my very first MD hunt, I found something. The signal came through pretty clear and I did not know what to expect since I am still trying to learn everything about the GTI, but after digging a little, I uncovered what seemed to be a bent in half piece of metal. After cleaning it off, both my friend and I came to the conclusion that what I had found was a bell from an old telephone. Remember the kinds of phones that you would have to hold a cylinder up to your ear and speak into another cylinder connected to the phone, (all I can think of is old Westerns and Little House on the Prairie)? Anyway, those phones had two bells mounted near the top that when a call would come in, they would ring.
That's my find. It's not much and it is bent in half, but I found something that was old. The rest of the day I pulled pieces of scrap out of the ground, lost me new $50 digging knife, (found it later) and became thoroughly confused as to what a real signal is as opposed to just some noise. My buddy said that I probably had my sensitivity too high. I started off in Discrimination Mode (Coins) and later switched to All Metal.
I had fun nonetheless. I learned a few valuable things...
1) Never leave your digging knife in the sheath unsecured - mine was not left behind, but fell out after brushing up against a tree or something.
2) You MUST have a pinpointer or you'll be digging all day. My buddy had one and once I saw how fast he was working with it, I went down to my local store and picked up a White's. (Now I can use their forum as a White's owner).
3) Always have something to drink with you.
4) Have a rag or something to wipe your digging tool before putting it back in the sheath, your hands, your coil, the item, etc... This is a really dirty hobby.
5) Have fun and dig. It was great to get out, meet a new friend and just enjoy the day. I am looking forward to more.
If you read this far, you are probably wondering why I did not post a photo. Well, it's because I am lazy today and it was not all of that impressive a find. Bent in half it was hard to tell what it was and I don't think it would transfer to a photo as well. I'll post something the next time out!
Chris / LI Digger
I've wanted a metal detector since I was 8 and just got one about two weeks ago, (a Garrett GTI 2500). So finally at 42 I can start metal detecting. I have made a few contacts on this website, through the local metal detecting club and through White's Electronics website, (even though I own a Garrett). I was hoping to find another digger locally who I could go out with. I found a guy on White's and he took me out to a local park that he thinks has great potential.
I knew very little about my GTI, but Tennessee Treasure Hunter (Raymond), has been a great help. He too owns a GTI and he gave me some great tips. That along with watching the Garrett video (yes, VHS - not DVD), helped me get a head start. Thanks Ray!
Anyway, the park we went to has been around since the 1800s and not two minutes from turning on my machine for my very first MD hunt, I found something. The signal came through pretty clear and I did not know what to expect since I am still trying to learn everything about the GTI, but after digging a little, I uncovered what seemed to be a bent in half piece of metal. After cleaning it off, both my friend and I came to the conclusion that what I had found was a bell from an old telephone. Remember the kinds of phones that you would have to hold a cylinder up to your ear and speak into another cylinder connected to the phone, (all I can think of is old Westerns and Little House on the Prairie)? Anyway, those phones had two bells mounted near the top that when a call would come in, they would ring.
That's my find. It's not much and it is bent in half, but I found something that was old. The rest of the day I pulled pieces of scrap out of the ground, lost me new $50 digging knife, (found it later) and became thoroughly confused as to what a real signal is as opposed to just some noise. My buddy said that I probably had my sensitivity too high. I started off in Discrimination Mode (Coins) and later switched to All Metal.
I had fun nonetheless. I learned a few valuable things...
1) Never leave your digging knife in the sheath unsecured - mine was not left behind, but fell out after brushing up against a tree or something.
2) You MUST have a pinpointer or you'll be digging all day. My buddy had one and once I saw how fast he was working with it, I went down to my local store and picked up a White's. (Now I can use their forum as a White's owner).
3) Always have something to drink with you.
4) Have a rag or something to wipe your digging tool before putting it back in the sheath, your hands, your coil, the item, etc... This is a really dirty hobby.
5) Have fun and dig. It was great to get out, meet a new friend and just enjoy the day. I am looking forward to more.
If you read this far, you are probably wondering why I did not post a photo. Well, it's because I am lazy today and it was not all of that impressive a find. Bent in half it was hard to tell what it was and I don't think it would transfer to a photo as well. I'll post something the next time out!
Chris / LI Digger
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sounds like you already are tho 
You'll find like all of us, that detecting is an addiction that once you start, you'll never get out of your system... and your finds will get better and better with time. In addition, I agree with TejasConservative about the Garrett Propointer. I relic hunted for YEARS without using a pinpointer because RELIC HUNTERS didn't need a dang pinpointer, that was for others 
