Is wet Earth Better for Detecting?

[Hubie]

I'm a Newbie (FNG) and this topic may have already been beaten to death.

One of the guys I hunt a lot with and I have noticed that we have much better success in the spring when the ground is saturated from the snow melt. I've also had some real good luck shortly (within a day or two) after a good rainfall. Is it possible that the saturated ground is carrying the signal from my detector better, or deeper? My friend thinks it is because in the spring the frost has pushed more targets toward the surface over the course of the winter months.

I hunt with a White's Classic ID.

As a related footnote, I found the only silver coin I've ever found (Barber Quarter, with the date worn away) with my detector at 14" in concrete hard dry as hell marine clay. That might blow the wet earth theory away.

Thanks,

Joe

 

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[bk]

I seem to have better luck when the ground is wet. I also seem to do better when it is cloudy, cool, and maybe a little foggy.

 

[U.K. Brian]

All depends on the machine but in general damp ground does carry the signal better and the so called halo effect needs damp to carry a current to have any effect. On the other side of the arguement many years ago in the south of the States in almost desert conditions no VLF machine worked very well except a Whites Supreme (really old non motion detector running at/around 2 khz). I don't know if it was a quirk/coil design or the frequency that helped. I've got a Headhunter thats around the same frequency to try but its rained for most of the year so the ground has never dried out to do the test.
It would be interesting if anyone with a low frequency machine in a very dry area had a bit of an experiment and posted the results.

 

[ZumbroKid]

I believe so too. This has been claimed for years in many books on detecting.

 

[littlehugger]

Hello Hubie Newbie!
Yes, wet ground is better for detecting, at least for finding stuff. Its called the halo effect.
This is one of my pet peeves regarding metal detecting.
The majority of the country experiences seasons, ie, hot rainy summers, cold snowy winters. Damp to wet ground is ideal for hunting, and most detectorists are limited to warm weather hunting, you know, summer, when it rains a lot.
Every major manufacturer has several high end machines priced at $1000 or more, but are any of them water resistant?
So, your average detectorist, even though he may have just dropped $1000 plus on a detector, is faced with the water dilemma. If you hunt after rain, you cannot even lay the precious thing down to dig, as the wet ground will ruin it. In addition to all the other stuff you have to carry, now you also need to carry a plastic bag to cover your detector with in case it rains! Gosh that never happens on a warm summer day!
I am dumbfounded at the sheer obstinacy of the detector manufacturers on this issue, and can only attribute it to sheer spite.
You would think any detector manufacturer charging $1000+ for his latest double deluxe super gizmo machine would have the simple human decency of making it splashproof.
But no, they want every nickel they can shake out of your pocket, and would rather shake you down for a second double deluxe, super gizmo detector, that costs even more!
Dont the manufacturers realize, most people simply cannot afford two detectors? Even ones who can, have trouble justifying it. That doesnt even take into account all the bad blood of detectorists who had their expensive detectors ruined in a sudden storm, or by dropping it in a puddle.
There are half a dozen reputable manufacturers selling high end detectors, that spend thousands upon thousands claiming theirs is better, but proof is elusive, and my experience tells me there is little difference. Why wont one give me something I can use?
One day, some smart guy will put a good set of electronics in a water proof box, make it strong and reliable, add truly useful features, and sell it at a low price, and corner the market. As it is, the manufacturers seem more concerned with marketing product than on giving the customer what he wants. Do the guys who sell and design these things actually use them?
Oh well, end of rant.

 

[bk]

Hey Littlehugger,
I have been using an older Fisher CZ6 for about 10 years. I have hunted in a pouring rain on numerous occasions to the point where the meter and control housing fills completely with water. I tilt the detector up to pour off the water and continue to hunt, and have never had a problem with it.
I may be pushing my luck, but so far it still works.

 

[rvbvetter]

I can't say for sure, but in my opinion, wet earth does help. But!! I can say for sure, wet earth makes a difference in mud wrestling. HH

 

[Rob in NY]

This is a quote from 'Fisher Intelligence' written by Tom Jankowski......

Moisture will have the greatest effect on iron items and objects
with the largest halo and have the least effect on silver and gold items in reference
to detectable range. With a greater moisture content in the ground, the greater the
electrical conductance (and electromagnetic conductance) of the soil. Also, moisture
causes metallic items to electrically (electromagnetically) conduct better in
the Earth.

You can read the whole article, 'Ground Moisture Effect', on the Fisher website.

Bob

 

[Michigan Badger]

I've never gotten into the scientific study of detecting in wet soil but I have hunted for many years and know what I personally believe.

I think the early spring thaw here in the north makes the ground more aerated and therefore it offers less resistance to the detector signal.

Just as most detectors detect farther through air than they do dirt, they go deeper when there is more air in the dirt due to rains and thawing.

Also I believe wetter soil helps to decrease the resistance of mineralization.

Well, that's my opinion.

 

[JakePhelps]

I seem to have the best luck when its below freezing out and the ground is frozen about an inch down. Also when its been rainy for like 3 days in a row and the ground is saturated. Right now im getting pretty good depth specially on large iron stuff.