dahut
Hero Member
- Nov 6, 2004
- 809
- 54
- Detector(s) used
- 21 years behind a coil
Fisher F70
Bounty Hunter Lone Star
Tesoro Tiger Shark
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
Here'e the stuff you'll wish someone would have told you at the start! Enjoy!
"Secret Tips to Detecting Success...for everybody"
1. Dig! You wont find anything and you wont learn what your machine is telling you if you don't. Your goal should be to become a "Metal Recoverist," not a detectorist... if you dont dig, then you are merely "metal locating."
2. DO NOT rely on that meter to solve your problems. There is A LOT of junk out there and plenty of it masquerades as good stuff. Some detectors even claim to tell yout the size of an item - which might be meaningless if you happen on a roman brooch that looks like a big old can lid.
3. Turn the sensitivity down to start. Dont expect to find stuff halfway to China, as most good things are within the first FOOT. SENS that is too high only results in false signals and lots of frustration. Usually start it about 50% and work up.
4. Set time limits.
A. Plan to detect for a certain amount of time, as often as possible. Like any activity, good practice makes you better.
B. DO NOT detect longer that you should - set a limit on that, too. Remember you have a job and a family and friends.
5. Set Recovery Goals. A certain coin, or artifact, a certain number of coins, etc. Then work to achieve them.
6. Carry your detector with you as much as possible. You never know when a chance to detect will come along (but dont leave it in your car - EVER!! The heat is murder on it and thieves know what they are worth, too).
7. Learn about your area and what you might actually find. It does no good to take your detector to a parking lot. I tried it once...I'm right.
8. Talk to your friends and family about your new hobby. Ask if they know any old places, or good modern places, where lots of people have been active.
9. Plan to do all sorts of detecting. You are new and this hobby has lots to offer. Dont imagine yourself only "this sort" of detectorist or "that sort." Try it all.
10. Learn the Detectorists Code of Ethics.
Practice good recovery techniques and fill all your holes, ALL THE TIME.
11. Get a durable carry bag and keep these things in it:
+ Extra headphones - A broken set of phones will ruin your hunt.
+ Extra batteries - Likewise a set of dead batteries.
+ 2 Digging Trowels - NOT the crap from WalMart's garden section. Get purpose built tools.
+ 1 recovery apron - Most home centers sell nail aprons for a $1.
+ 1 10" probe - I make mine from a piece of brazing rod and a section of old broom handle. Use this to probe for coins beneath the turf.
+ 1 10" long screwdriver - for "popping" the coins you probe from the turf.
+ 1 8-10" inch hunting knife - Just plain useful. Cuts roots, plugs in gras, etc.
+ Garden gloves - ones you can manage dextrous work in.
+ Super glue and duct tape - you don't need this explained, right?
...You can have more but you'll need these things, sooner or later.
BONUS TIP #12: Determine to Have Fun!
"Secret Tips to Detecting Success...for everybody"
1. Dig! You wont find anything and you wont learn what your machine is telling you if you don't. Your goal should be to become a "Metal Recoverist," not a detectorist... if you dont dig, then you are merely "metal locating."
2. DO NOT rely on that meter to solve your problems. There is A LOT of junk out there and plenty of it masquerades as good stuff. Some detectors even claim to tell yout the size of an item - which might be meaningless if you happen on a roman brooch that looks like a big old can lid.
3. Turn the sensitivity down to start. Dont expect to find stuff halfway to China, as most good things are within the first FOOT. SENS that is too high only results in false signals and lots of frustration. Usually start it about 50% and work up.
4. Set time limits.
A. Plan to detect for a certain amount of time, as often as possible. Like any activity, good practice makes you better.
B. DO NOT detect longer that you should - set a limit on that, too. Remember you have a job and a family and friends.
5. Set Recovery Goals. A certain coin, or artifact, a certain number of coins, etc. Then work to achieve them.
6. Carry your detector with you as much as possible. You never know when a chance to detect will come along (but dont leave it in your car - EVER!! The heat is murder on it and thieves know what they are worth, too).
7. Learn about your area and what you might actually find. It does no good to take your detector to a parking lot. I tried it once...I'm right.
8. Talk to your friends and family about your new hobby. Ask if they know any old places, or good modern places, where lots of people have been active.
9. Plan to do all sorts of detecting. You are new and this hobby has lots to offer. Dont imagine yourself only "this sort" of detectorist or "that sort." Try it all.
10. Learn the Detectorists Code of Ethics.
Practice good recovery techniques and fill all your holes, ALL THE TIME.
11. Get a durable carry bag and keep these things in it:
+ Extra headphones - A broken set of phones will ruin your hunt.
+ Extra batteries - Likewise a set of dead batteries.
+ 2 Digging Trowels - NOT the crap from WalMart's garden section. Get purpose built tools.
+ 1 recovery apron - Most home centers sell nail aprons for a $1.
+ 1 10" probe - I make mine from a piece of brazing rod and a section of old broom handle. Use this to probe for coins beneath the turf.
+ 1 10" long screwdriver - for "popping" the coins you probe from the turf.
+ 1 8-10" inch hunting knife - Just plain useful. Cuts roots, plugs in gras, etc.
+ Garden gloves - ones you can manage dextrous work in.
+ Super glue and duct tape - you don't need this explained, right?
...You can have more but you'll need these things, sooner or later.
BONUS TIP #12: Determine to Have Fun!
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