whiskers
Jr. Member
A month ago I broke down and treated myself to a new detector, a White’s DFX top of the line. Last week I was using it out in the woods and afterwards a fellow asked me how I had done. I told him I found 12¢, which I had. “Is it worth it?” he asked. I mumbled something about being out in the air and sunshine and he went on his way.
But his question made me think. It had been 32 years since I bought my previous – and still good – set, a Compass Coin Magnum. Dividing the $1600 paid for the DFX, a large coil, etc., into 32 years, it comes out to $50 a year. That’s pretty inexpensive for a hobby. But that wasn’t the figure I wanted.
The next day after my DFX outing a lady walking a dog asked me the same question, did I find anything. Quite coincidently I had found the same amount – 12¢. But this time I had done a little head figuring beforehand and my reply was, “The time it will take to pay off my detector at the rate I’m going - 133 years. 133 years spent out in the fresh air and sunshine – priceless.” She smiled, recalling the current commercial, and I went on my way. But that still wasn’t the answer I wanted.
I continued thinking about the fellow’s comment, “Is it worth it?” What was the answer I was looking for? Overnight the answer hit me --- how much would I be willing to pay to rent the same machine for the same outing?
The criteria I used were a four hour treasure hunting time period once a week, and searching at my usual spot in typical weather conditions. In those circumstances I figure I’d be willing to pay $5 an hour to rent the detector. That’s $20 for an afternoon, which I think is reasonable.
The next, and perhaps most important part, is: how soon will I pay for my detector? Based on $5 an hour rental fee, I figured:
$5 divided into $1600 equals 320 hours to pay for machine. Then 4 hours a week divided into 320 hours equals 80 weeks or just about a year and a half before I pay for my detector. Say two years to make up for weather, etc.
In my case I’m happy figuring I’ll pay for my machine in two years and anything after that is gravy. (I figure I’ll get another new machine in another 32 years, probably for my 100th birthday.)
If you think my method makes any sense take a minute and decide on what you’d be willing to pay to rent a detector. Maybe $2 and hour is all you can afford or want to pay. Or maybe you’re in a high stress occupation or perhaps only able to squeeze in a couple hours detecting a month, and it would be worth $50 an hour to get out in the field with your machine for a while. Each of us will have our own set of figures and other values.
-Jim Lyons
But his question made me think. It had been 32 years since I bought my previous – and still good – set, a Compass Coin Magnum. Dividing the $1600 paid for the DFX, a large coil, etc., into 32 years, it comes out to $50 a year. That’s pretty inexpensive for a hobby. But that wasn’t the figure I wanted.
The next day after my DFX outing a lady walking a dog asked me the same question, did I find anything. Quite coincidently I had found the same amount – 12¢. But this time I had done a little head figuring beforehand and my reply was, “The time it will take to pay off my detector at the rate I’m going - 133 years. 133 years spent out in the fresh air and sunshine – priceless.” She smiled, recalling the current commercial, and I went on my way. But that still wasn’t the answer I wanted.
I continued thinking about the fellow’s comment, “Is it worth it?” What was the answer I was looking for? Overnight the answer hit me --- how much would I be willing to pay to rent the same machine for the same outing?
The criteria I used were a four hour treasure hunting time period once a week, and searching at my usual spot in typical weather conditions. In those circumstances I figure I’d be willing to pay $5 an hour to rent the detector. That’s $20 for an afternoon, which I think is reasonable.
The next, and perhaps most important part, is: how soon will I pay for my detector? Based on $5 an hour rental fee, I figured:
$5 divided into $1600 equals 320 hours to pay for machine. Then 4 hours a week divided into 320 hours equals 80 weeks or just about a year and a half before I pay for my detector. Say two years to make up for weather, etc.
In my case I’m happy figuring I’ll pay for my machine in two years and anything after that is gravy. (I figure I’ll get another new machine in another 32 years, probably for my 100th birthday.)
If you think my method makes any sense take a minute and decide on what you’d be willing to pay to rent a detector. Maybe $2 and hour is all you can afford or want to pay. Or maybe you’re in a high stress occupation or perhaps only able to squeeze in a couple hours detecting a month, and it would be worth $50 an hour to get out in the field with your machine for a while. Each of us will have our own set of figures and other values.
-Jim Lyons
a day to make it worth it money wise.But if you look at it as only a hobby with no cost to worry about then the .12 an fresh air is a good day out. 
Then I think it will be more fun for me once it is paid for. I am planning on $450 in clad this year, had almost $100, in just a few months last year. And like everyone else said....one swing and you might hit a home run!
With all the clad I have and the nice silver I have dug up, I am about half way through my BH......from nine months ago...I gotta stay outta the woods 
