Monofletch
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I have been interested in metal detectors for a while, but never bought one. I am about to buy a detector. Any advice on getting started???
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Anyone metal detecting?
- Thread starter Monofletch
- Start date
Go to Friendly Metal Detectors forum for a start. I was interested for years too and got a detector just over a year ago. I am far from an expert, but have found it an enjoyable hobby. I isn't exactly what I expected, and I could easily see how people might get turned off, it's alot of squatting and digging for very little financial reward. As far as equipment, you need 4 things minimum. First is the detector of course, being in the buy once cry once mindset I got a Minelab equinox 800, $900 or thereabouts. When I researched it was one of the better intermediate/advanced level detectors and I've been happy with it even though I don't use it to it's fullest capability, due to my inexperience
Second is a pinpointer. The garret pro pinpointer, often refered to as a garret carrot due to its orange color. Trust me, you want to have a pinpointer. Sifting through a large pile of dirt trying to find a black corroded dime would be nigh impossible without one. Cost about $130.
Third is a good spade. I live in a place with lots of rock and lots of clay, a solid spade is important. After ruining a couple I got a Wilcox All-Pro trowel. I might never need to replace it. $15 or so depending on which size.
The final necessity is good gloves. You will dig up tons of jagged pieces of aluminum cans, and if you have heavy soil you can easily raise blisters. I usually just use one on my right, my digging, hand.
I've been planning on getting an apron with pockets, but haven't. I have a simple method. All good stuff in the left pocket, all junk in the right. When the right fills up, I walk to a trash can and empty it. (I'm mostly in parks, ball fields, etc.)
My usual haul in approximately three hours in parks, around baseball fields, schools: about one to two dollars in clad. (Clad is the slang for modern silver coins: quarters, nickels, dimes.) about twenty pennies with most being too corroded to use or see a date. Forty or fifty pieces of junk; pop tops, unidentifiable pieces of metal, screws, bolts, pieces of wire. And one or two interesting things per trip on average.
The interesting things are what makes it all worthwhile to me. I try to go a couple times a week, weather permitting. And my interesting finds have been adding up: probably 15 rings costume jewelry. These don't have any value but when you pull a ring, it gets your heart hammering. I also have one solid gold ring, 10K with a pink stone, my best find to date, and one large sterling silver ring, and a couple gold and silver plate rings. Two buffalo nickels, a mercury dime, and a few indian head pennies. Cheap charms and pins. and of course keys...probably 10 or more keys so far. Some odd things, hot wheels cars, a cross pen, old lock, etc.
If I find a ring I usually am forced to go to the car right away to clean it with water and see if it is real.
Many of the people on the detector forums seem to have certain things they are looking for or interested in finding. I would never get excited about finding old buttons but I love finding old keys. go figure.
Good luck!
Grizz
Second is a pinpointer. The garret pro pinpointer, often refered to as a garret carrot due to its orange color. Trust me, you want to have a pinpointer. Sifting through a large pile of dirt trying to find a black corroded dime would be nigh impossible without one. Cost about $130.
Third is a good spade. I live in a place with lots of rock and lots of clay, a solid spade is important. After ruining a couple I got a Wilcox All-Pro trowel. I might never need to replace it. $15 or so depending on which size.
The final necessity is good gloves. You will dig up tons of jagged pieces of aluminum cans, and if you have heavy soil you can easily raise blisters. I usually just use one on my right, my digging, hand.
I've been planning on getting an apron with pockets, but haven't. I have a simple method. All good stuff in the left pocket, all junk in the right. When the right fills up, I walk to a trash can and empty it. (I'm mostly in parks, ball fields, etc.)
My usual haul in approximately three hours in parks, around baseball fields, schools: about one to two dollars in clad. (Clad is the slang for modern silver coins: quarters, nickels, dimes.) about twenty pennies with most being too corroded to use or see a date. Forty or fifty pieces of junk; pop tops, unidentifiable pieces of metal, screws, bolts, pieces of wire. And one or two interesting things per trip on average.
The interesting things are what makes it all worthwhile to me. I try to go a couple times a week, weather permitting. And my interesting finds have been adding up: probably 15 rings costume jewelry. These don't have any value but when you pull a ring, it gets your heart hammering. I also have one solid gold ring, 10K with a pink stone, my best find to date, and one large sterling silver ring, and a couple gold and silver plate rings. Two buffalo nickels, a mercury dime, and a few indian head pennies. Cheap charms and pins. and of course keys...probably 10 or more keys so far. Some odd things, hot wheels cars, a cross pen, old lock, etc.
If I find a ring I usually am forced to go to the car right away to clean it with water and see if it is real.
Many of the people on the detector forums seem to have certain things they are looking for or interested in finding. I would never get excited about finding old buttons but I love finding old keys. go figure.
Good luck!
Grizz
Monofletch
Gold Member
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- 9,879
Thank you. I have narrowed it down to a Minelabs Vanquish or a Nakta Simplex. I have been watching so many reviews……
LEGION 12
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This guy has gone through 2 different kinds of detectors and is getting pretty good at it .
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Did you end up getting one?
I got a Minelab Vanquish, Nox 800 and the Manticore. I gave my friend my Nokta Legend.
Found a bunch of wheaties, some silver coins, 1838 seated Liberty quarter, capped bust dime date not legible. A large cent, some silver rings, chain and some junk rings.
Monofletch
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A friend of mine sold me his Garrett AT Pro and all the gear for next to nothing. He is showing me how to do it all. That Garrett isn’t the best one to learn with, but damn it’s fun! He bought an even more expensive one.
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Nice, it’s my meditation.
It takes a while to learn the machine, the ID, sounds and such, but when you do you’ll be kicking butt.
Monofletch
Gold Member
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True, but learning all the settings is hard.