is this hobby in decline( how many metal detectors end being resold)

[strike it rich]

It seems to me that metal detecting is a lot bigger in the USA than here in the UK. In the mid 70s it seemed like everyone and their Granny had a metal detector. Now it seems the typical pattern is to go out and buy a detector not realising there is more then swinging and hitting gold. This is what I first believed not anymore I may add. Then the detector gets labelled a cheap piece of junk whatever the brand and put into storage to gather dust or resold. The manuals are OK but I have learnt a lot more off you guys/gals then the manuals could ever do. Including good points and bad. I guess its not in the interest's of the company to tell users all the flaws,quirks. Can you name another hobby where you get exercise and possibly great finds I can't.

 

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[LadyDigger]

Well, actually, the only other hobby I can think of (for me) is genealogy. Depending on what you are searching for...i.e., cemeteries!

I get alot of excerise walking the cemeteries and snapping photos of tombstones for my records, to preserve the history of cemeteries and to help others in researching their roots.

I do have to admit too, my fingers stay nice and slim from all the typing....

but so far...metal detecting is the best hobby as for as excerise goes...for me anyways!

And just to let you know how much metal detecting has helped me...In Jan I started my quest of losing weight...I started at 150 (that's fat for someone who's only 4'11" )...and today I am very happy to say I have slimmed to a wonderful 121!!! WHOO HOOO!! Not bad for a 51 year old GIRL !!!

So metal detecting to me, is still the best way to lose weight, is great exercise, keeps you outdoors in the (sometimes) fresh air, great way to meet others and you always find something (whether it be old or new ) and a great hobby to include other family members (just getting the kids outside and not on the computer is a feat today!!) LOL

And as you, I have found more info, tips and tricks from the wonderful folks here on TN about my detector than I have found in the manual. The manual is a good reference point to get you started, but the actual users, they are the BOMB!!! Just reading their posts, I have learned how to really pinpoint!!!

Happy Hunting,
Annmarie

 

[teverly]

My honest opinion is that a lot of people think they will get rich using a metal detector or start finding old coins by just going out and swinging the detector.
When they find out there is a little more involved they tend to put the detectors up and call it quits.

 

[oldplacesnofinds]

My honest opinion is that a lot of people think they will get rich using a metal detector or start finding old coins by just going out and swinging the detector.
When they find out there is a little more involved they tend to put the detectors up and call it quits.

I agree. I know quite a few people who did exactly that. More treasure for me!

 

[LadyDigger]

My honest opinion is that a lot of people think they will get rich using a metal detector or start finding old coins by just going out and swinging the detector.
When they find out there is a little more involved they tend to put the detectors up and call it quits.

I also agree...I love it for the history....

 

[re-tek]

hey comraderie is nice and all but the less of you guys there are, the more for me to find!

 

[DFX-SE Gregg]

People come and go in all hobbies...lets face it..this is a hobby...next year I am going to relax and enjoy it a lot more. I made a mistake and set a goal...well at first it was ok..5000 coins...but doubled it to 10,000. Makes me get out more but I know I have to get it done to avoid the really bad weather. I did hunt last year and this in 10 degree weather and up to 4 inches of snow. But I think what happens here is....metal detecting is a little harder then some people realize....It does take time and effort..as well as learning your machine...I think there still is a lot to learn with mine so I will not be putting it in the scrap pile...

 

[erikk]

The first mistake people make is buying a low end detector thinking they are going to go out and find a lot of good targets. Well, those days are gone and unless you have a top of the line detector and are willing to spend hundreds of hours learning it, it will eventually end up in the closet or for sale. Great finds are being made every day but for the most part many hours are spent between them. You don't see many posts of piles of junk being found and when a good find is posted a newbie thinks they just have to get a cheap detector and go out and find one like it

 

[Slain]

I've lived in the tri-state area (CA, NV, AZ) for 17 years, and I've only seen one person with a metal detector. I guess the use of metal detectors got stereotyped as something old men did to kill time and everybody avoids using one because of this.

I guess I'm luckier than most newbies because I found a few pebbles with tiny bits of gold in them on my first trip to the mountains with my cheap metal detector.