Metal detecting

C

citizensoldierNY

Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Messages
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Anyone here into metal detecting? To me it look's like it could be fun for me and my two daughters. But I am also under the impression it is for for old guys in Bermuda shorts(if you resemble this description,no offense intended). Anyone here do it and what metal detector do you use?
 
It is fun, I have been running a metal detector for about 25 years up in the Catskills. Starting out, I hit old parks, beaches, playgrounds, schools and ski trails. It was pretty cool digging up coins and lost jewelry. My focus any more is on Colonial sites and old boarding houses, I have dug coins and relics dating back to the original Dutch settlers. Great way to introduce the kids into some real history.

If you want to get started, hook up with someone in your area to give you a little guidence. Don't start out with one of those Radio Shack detectors, most are useless.
 
Dave,
Any models you would recommend in particular?What about hand tools? I'm figuring an E-tool, towel and some type of probe. Though I'm sure there is more to it than that. As for locations we have an area that used to house a summer camp for city kids circa early 1900's and some summer homes that will be my first target of opportunity. Also a ton of beaches. Least of all to my mention my property, which has had a house built on it since the 1750's! Might be some interesting stuff from the time before landfills. When I lived in Rhode Island we roto-tilled the backyard of our house which was built in the 1910's and found a ton of stuff, metal and otherwise, nothing of great value though.
 
A good machine to start with would be an old Whites 6000D coinmaster, it's low tech. but all you really need to know is if the object is ferrous or non ferrous. You can progress with a bells and whistle machine after you learn the basics. Keep a lookout in your local want ads digest, they do turn up, and should run you $100.00 /$150.00 or there about.
My machine was state of the art 25 years ago, it's a Tecknetics Mark I ltd, I have thousands of hours of hunting time on this old machine and it just talks to me. I really don't' like the newer bells and whistles technology, but that's just me.

We are fortunate here in the NE to have hundreds of years of history to look back on. Your properity should turn up a few surprises.

Check out some of the treasure hunting forums to get a heads up on just what to expect in the field.

Good luck
Dave
 
Dave, one thing you're missing out on with your old machine(mine is pretty old, too) is the MUCH faster response time in the circuitry. The new machines have such faster response that you and I will miss a coin sitting close to a piece of junk, while the new machines can differentiate between the two. As soon as money allows, I'm getting one of the newest machines.

I'm running a Tesoro Toltec and a Fisher CX6.
 
My dad got one before a family trip he used it on the beach didnt find much of anything the best thing to do is after a hometown fair go to the park that it was held at and walk around...rings, coins, ect...are always there .... as for the unit I dont recall the make but it was something on the cheaper end but heck it worked...just make sure u can find out depth, and what metal source it is from the unit...if it says gold dig... aluminum dont bother (usually)
 
I've had a Garrett GTI 2500 for several years and really enjoy it when the mood strikes me. I'm not by any means an 'avid treasure seeker' but have made a few good finds for old coins and artifacts such as tools. A neat thing about metal detecting is you can put the unit away in a closet to 'hibernate' for as long as you like, then get it out when you get the itch. I'm also a part-time (unpaid) deputy sheriff and the Garrett has come in handy a few times when searching for evidence such as cartridge cases, etc.
 
Danbo, you are probably right, but I have picked a lot of coins off the heels of guys with those newer machines, I just hunt slower and more methodical. I was lacking depth for awhile so I had the circuits tweaked and added an audio booster, that added about 3 inches of depth.
A big advantage of the Tek. is that it has a full range of tones and is still considered one of the best trash machines out there.

Masteroffajitas, to answer your question.:D


...
 
I have a CZ-20 and 1280 for water and a Explorer for land use.

I also have a brownie 3rd lung for diving.

Have I found enough to pay for all that gear???....not sure...maybe.

Is it worth it????...to me it is..I really enjoy early morning shallow water hunting and diving.

I found maybe 30 gold rings and 100+ silver rings....1000's of wheaties, 100's of silver coins plus the odd stuff....knifes..cell phones,bottles, copper, civil war relics..old toys etc
 
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