6 Tips for About-To-Be and New Detectorists

When you are about to take the leap into the world of metal detecting, there are things that you should consider and questions that need to be answered.  So in this post, I’ll talk about what, in my opinion, are the top six things that should be on your mind before and after investing time and money into this hobby. But before I continue, I need you to understand that I love metal detecting.  I really do! But with some of the things I mention below, it may not seem so.  What you are about to read is not an attempt to dissuade you from this hobby, but to arm you with realistic expectations, and to prepare you for your first steps in this new world. What is it they say, “Forewarned is Forearmed”.

1. Time and Effort

This hobby is really not as simple as grabbing your kit and heading to the nearest piece of land to detect.  I mean, it could be if the end result that you are looking for are tin cans, ring pulls and frustration.  I firmly believe that if you neglect to put in the time and effort, then you are doomed to failure, or at least great disappointment.  So what do I mean when I refer to Time and Effort? It’s simple. Do your homework on the site(s) that you intend to detect on.  Because, if you have not done, or are unwilling to do, this, then you have greatly lessened your chances of making some meaningful finds.  However, if you do invest some of your time in conducting historical research of the area you are intending to visit, and find it to be historically significant, then doesn’t it make sense that you have just increased the possibility of finding something historically significant.  Now before you get all giggly and excited and let your imagination get the better of you with dreams of swords and pirate treasure, let me explain what I mean by “historically significant”.  Putting aside the obvious (battlegrounds, ancient settlements, fortifications, etc), when I talk about an area having historical significance, I’m looking to find answers to questions such as, did a house once stand in the now empty field?  Was there once a footpath or roadway going through this area? Did this area once host a marketplace? These are but just three of the many, many things that in my definition make up an area of significance that you are most likely to find AND be able to detect on. Also, in my definition, it really doesn’t have to be that old.  The older the better yes, but be realistic in your expectations, but never give up on your dreams.  Having said that, you may be wondering right now, how you go about conducting such research.  Wonder no more! Here is a link to an article I wrote that will introduce you to historical research.

2. Effort

It is my firm belief, that the top two things that cause a new detectorist to walk away from the hobby, has already been covered in the paragraph above, and is about to be addressed here in tip#2.  Yes, the lack of understanding of the subject matter covered in both these tips, in my opinion, causes people to hang up their kit and walk away, despite their initial enthusiasm and monetary investment.  But hang on, didn’t I already talk about effort in tip #1?  I sure did, but this is a different kind of effort.  Here I talk about the physical effort, whereas before involved mental effort.   Let me sum up the process for you. Metal detecting involves, walking, lots and lots of walking. And the longer you are out  detecting, the more you are walking. Oh! And arm swinging, and  digging, and kneeling, and bending, and lifting.  And to compound all this physical exertion, you have the weather to contend with.  Hot days, cold days, wet days, and perfect days.  It’s those perfect days that really make it all worth while. Sun shining, a light cool breeze, and a view of nature to die for.  But don’t forget, the best time to detect is after a rainfall, so give a thought to all that that brings.  Trudging through mud, heavier spades full of sopping wet dirt, and the inevitable cold.  Need I say anymore.  Metal Detecting is a very physical pastime.  I only tell you this, because I want you to make the decision that’s right for you, based on realistic insight.  And , if after reading all that I have said so far, you still want to detect, then welcome to the family!

3. Budget

I’m so happy that you have chosen to continue reading, and that you are still interested in detecting.  That’s Fantastic! Now let’s continue and take a look at what you should be initially purchasing.  Post a question in any metal detecting forum asking which detector should be your first detector, and you’ll get a multitude of different answers.  What you should first establish, before asking anyone anything, is your budget. There’s no point in punching above your weight limit, so research what you can comfortably afford AND what you can comfortably use. Once you have done your research into price and complexity of the machine, and whittled it down to one or two detectors of interest, then post your questions regarding those specific models.  The best advise that I can give you, regardless of the size of your budget, is until you are comfortable in the art of metal detecting, don’t spend more than you can afford, and spend less than $200 US CDN or British pounds.  Yup, I know there are seasoned detectorists reading this that are having conniptions about what I just wrote, but here is my reasoning, whether you agree or not. You can pick up a very decent detector, which is not a toy, in this price range. As an example I’ll talk about the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV as this is my first detector.  And before you ask, I’m neither sponsored or receiving any kickbacks from anyone for this.  But hey, you can always hope, right!  As far as I am concerned, this is the perfect first detector.  It is categorized as an intermediate detector and is really simple to use. As you can see by the image, the faceplate is simple. Once you have read the manual, which is all of 16 pages large print, and watched a couple of YouTube videos on the detector, you’ll be up and running! I can assure you that I have had a great time using this little beauty! And if there ever comes a time when you feel that you would like a more advanced detector, you’ll have a great back-up detector at hand or one that you will feel comfortable in lending to a family member or friend that’s interested in learning. Again depending on your budget, you’ll want to either purchase a few accessories, or perhaps you already have some of these things or suitable substitutes that you can use.  Here’s my short list; spade, trowel, finds pouch, and some rain gear (especially pants).  You may have noticed that I have left pin-pointer off the list.  A pin-pointer is a great thing to have, it really does assist you in locating your target and speeds up the search process.  Of that there is no doubt.  However, purchasing a really good, brand name pin-pointer can be expensive.  Perhaps more than what you paid for your detector if you follow my advice above.  Beware though, there are fakes out there, a lesson I learned the hard way.  As with everything you are going to purchase, do your research and if it seems too good to be true, move on.

4. Getting to know your detector

There probably is some assembly required, nothing major, your manual will walk you through it, but it will probably be just a case of attaching the search coil and wrapping its cable around the stem, and plugging the end of the cable into the appropriate connector on the control panel, usually on the bottom.  As I said, refer to your manual, it will be your best friend as you get acquainted with your new detector.  Another great resource that I used, and have continued to use, is YouTube.  You’ll be amazed at the amount of metal detecting videos there are out there covering all aspects of the hobby.  You’ll even find, I’m sure,  videos on your specific brand of detector.  Soak it all up. As I’ve said before, this community is amazing!

5. Practice, Practice, Practice

To some, perhaps most, perhaps all, the most daunting task is stepping out in front of the public to detect.  You really do feel that everyone is looking at you and are ready to pounce at a moment’s notice with questions about what you are doing, what you’re looking for and how it all works.  And poor you, you have only just begun your journey into metal-detecting! Relax, there is a step that you can take before you go out to meet the public, if you have access to a  backyard.  Assuming that you have read your manual inside out, and have watched, and continue to watch, YouTube videos, then you know a fair bit about what your doing and how to do it.  All you need now is to understand what your detector is telling you.  Yup, your detector speaks to you in a language called Bleeps.  In order to learn the language, start detecting in your backyard and dig up every bleep you get.  Pay attention to how the bleep sounds, and what you dig up.  Soon you’ll be able to differentiate between the bleeps.  Another way to learn the language (you don’t need a backyard for this one) is to take various types of metal, coins, jewellery, the infamous ring-pull, etc., and introduce them, one at a time, to your coil.  Listen to the different tones that your detector emits for each target piece.  You’ll be getting the hang of it by now.  One last piece of training I’ll give you, is this: take five or six pieces of metal, same type or not, and bury each one in its own hole.  Ensure that each target piece is buried at a different depth than the others, and far apart so that they don’t interfere with each other. Do not bury one deeper than the penetrating ability of your coil.  As you’ve read your manual, you’ll know what that is.  Put a marker beside each hole and have the depth the target is buried at written on the marker.  Now, when you get a hit at a given hole,  make note of the depth it’s buried at and proceed to slowly lift your coil directly upward until you lose the signal, which, if the penetrating depth of your coil is 8″, should be 8″.  Now, slowly lower your coil until you get the signal again, and then estimate the distance your coil is off the ground.  The resulting measurement is an indication as to how deep the target is.  For instance,  the penetration depth of your  of your coil is 8″, your coil is 4″ off the ground when it first bleeps, the target is 4″ underground.  Given the same data, if the coil first alerts 3″ from the ground, the target would be 5″ below ground.  This is just an approximation as ground conditions, such as wetness, can increase the penetrating depth of your coil.

You’ll also want to practice your swing and walking technique, there’s plenty of videos on YouTube about this.  In a nutshell, keep your coil close and adjacent to the ground at all times.  Pivot your body from the waist to avoid arching (upwards swing) your detector.  Walk at a slow pace so that you are not missing areas that have not been detected.  I know, it sounds harder than it really is, but when you see it in action, you’ll be fine.

6. Getting Out There

So you’re ready to leave the backyard.  You’re as comfortable as can be expected in your knowledge of both your detector and the language it speaks.  So the adventure begins!  But wait! Do you know the rules surrounding metal detecting in your Country, State, Province or Municipality?  Have you secured the proper permission to detect in the area you are heading out to?  These are things that you need to know before you set off.  It’s all part of the Time and Effort we spoke about earlier in this article.  Rules change depending on where you are, and you need to know them.  The default for many a new detectorist is the Public Park.  It belongs to the public, so you can detect there no problem, that’s right isn’t it.  Well no, the public park is owned by the municipality, or some government body, and the public is allowed to make use of the park under an open invitation, as long as certain rules are followed.  For instance, when you see signs advising of the park’s hours of operation, or no swimming, or no skateboarding, etc., that should be an indication that these are put up by the park owners, and that you can’t just do what you want.  Depending on the Local, Federal, Provincial, or Municipal laws, because there’s not a specific sign prohibiting what you are doing, doesn’t necessary mean you are allowed to do it. Do your homework and check first. I, at all times when detecting in my local parks, carry an email I received from my township giving me permission to detect on their parks and lands. This way, if anyone questions the legitimacy of what I am doing, then I can prove I have permission to be there.  I have written an article on how to go about seeking permission to detect on other people’s property. This information lends itself to requesting permission for other locations too.  It also talks about Ambassadorship.  I strongly recommend that you give it a read.

So there you have it.  I hope that this article has prepared you for your adventure in metal detecting.  Like anything else, you’ll have your good days and your bad days. But remember, a bad day at metal detecting is better than a good day at work!

Safe detecting my friends!