REALITIES OF METAL DETECTING

[locater]

I see many posts about digging this or that, only a few feet from China (exaggerating of course). The reality of the current metal detectorist is that most finds are of recently dropped items like clad coins and jewelry not far from the surface. Sure there are nice silver finds, but they are becoming more rare by the day, unless you are fortunate enough to find and get permission to hunt in an undetected area. Silver coins have not been minted for circulation since 1964, with the exception of partial silver content of a few larger coins for a few more years.
Some people talk down Bounty Hunter and other entry level detectors as not being able to go "deep" enough to find the "good stuff", or, I don't bother with "chump change".
The simple fact is that the vast majority of finds including expensive jewelry are well within the range of these entry level detectors!! I don't know many detectorist who thumb their nose at retrieving a nickel, dime or quarter, it all adds up and pays your expenses!! The gist of this post is to encourage anyone with an entry level detector to get out and have fun with it!!! You never know, the next time you see that nickel reading and dig up, it may be that gold ring we all dream of. GOOD HUNTING!!

 

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[vpnavy]

Dang it - I believe I have dug to within a few feet from China!

 

[locater]

And I thought I found a Yen coin, but it was just feedback from your digging tool!!

 

[BigMerv]

Locater...you're right. Of all the guys I've hunted with, the one that always seemed to find the most stuff was a fellow who swung a Tesoro Compadre and dug just about everything that beeped. He often said that the only thing that aggravated him more than digging a pull tab, was not digging the gold ring that sounded like a pull tab. You've gotta get a coil over it to find it and you've gotta dig it to find out for SURE what is under that coil. BBJ

 

[dahut]

I've done it... Missed the gold ring, mistaking it for a pull tab!

I've recovered targets everywhere
from one inch down to over a foot.
But most of them are within 6", most of the time.
In the deepest woods and fields, powerful depth features can play a role. But outside that specialists arena, depth in the 8" range is generally adequate.

 

[adamBomb]

I see many posts about digging this or that, only a few feet from China (exaggerating of course). The reality of the current metal detectorist is that most finds are of recently dropped items like clad coins and jewelry not far from the surface. Sure there are nice silver finds, but they are becoming more rare by the day, unless you are fortunate enough to find and get permission to hunt in an undetected area. Silver coins have not been minted for circulation since 1964, with the exception of partial silver content of a few larger coins for a few more years.
Some people talk down Bounty Hunter and other entry level detectors as not being able to go "deep" enough to find the "good stuff", or, I don't bother with "chump change".
The simple fact is that the vast majority of finds including expensive jewelry are well within the range of these entry level detectors!! I don't know many detectorist who thumb their nose at retrieving a nickel, dime or quarter, it all adds up and pays your expenses!! The gist of this post is to encourage anyone with an entry level detector to get out and have fun with it!!! You never know, the next time you see that nickel reading and dig up, it may be that gold ring we all dream of. GOOD HUNTING!!

Not true if you are digging at the beach in wetsand or in the water.

 

[Keppy]

Not true if you are digging at the beach in wetsand or in the water.

?

 

[adamBomb]

?

Most finds are too deep for entry level detectors on the wet salty sand - a ring can go down 5-7 inches in one day. My entry level detector (BH tracker) doesnt really even work on the wetsand, maybe 2 inches down is the farthest I have found stuff and I get false readings every second unless I go super super slow, which is totally not convenient. No entry level detector works on wet salty sand because they are one frequency. The only option is a mult freq detector and they are expensive - starting around 1k or a PI detector. And water? No entry level detector is water proof so you cant take it in.

So entry level detectors are probably great for people who do not plan on searching beaches. I watched as guys with higher level machines would go over spots I just went over and get hits that I did not have. Instead of having fun I was getting frustrated and wondering why the machine didnt work right. So yea entry level machines can do a lot. I dont think anyone ever said different. But if you want to search the wetsand or water you really cannot with an entry level machine.

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

some of my best finds were with my Ace250...detecting is alot.of luck and patience...i have had days were i would find more with an Ace than my buddy running an etrac...and trust me..ive dug manysilver coins that were shallow..and some that were exposed from errosion..my buddy Jcobb just found a 1898 Barber quarter sticking halfway out of the ground from a place they scrapped the lot

 

[Pmowry]

I see many posts about digging this or that, only a few feet from China (exaggerating of course). The reality of the current metal detectorist is that most finds are of recently dropped items like clad coins and jewelry not far from the surface. Sure there are nice silver finds, but they are becoming more rare by the day, unless you are fortunate enough to find and get permission to hunt in an undetected area. Silver coins have not been minted for circulation since 1964, with the exception of partial silver content of a few larger coins for a few more years.
Some people talk down Bounty Hunter and other entry level detectors as not being able to go "deep" enough to find the "good stuff", or, I don't bother with "chump change".
The simple fact is that the vast majority of finds including expensive jewelry are well within the range of these entry level detectors!! I don't know many detectorist who thumb their nose at retrieving a nickel, dime or quarter, it all adds up and pays your expenses!! The gist of this post is to encourage anyone with an entry level detector to get out and have fun with it!!! You never know, the next time you see that nickel reading and dig up, it may be that gold ring we all dream of. GOOD HUNTING!!

I am very new at detecting and I really appreciate your post. I just found a 1913 Canadian One Cent coin today that was around 5 inches down...That was fun and I am using nothing more than the Bounty Hunter 1100. The stuff is out there and you never know when you might get lucky

 

[foiled_again]

I've been thinking about this lately...to me success in detecting is 60 percent location, 30 percent operator and 10 percent equipment. Of course all three things interact (don't use a PI detector around picnic tables...know how to operate the machine...if there's nothing at a site, all the skill and hot hardware in the world won't help).
Maybe I emphasize sites because decent ones are so hard to come by around here...or because I've made some pretty good finds with so-so equipment over the years LOL

 

[locater]

Most finds are too deep for entry level detectors on the wet salty sand - a ring can go down 5-7 inches in one day. My entry level detector (BH tracker) doesnt really even work on the wetsand, maybe 2 inches down is the farthest I have found stuff and I get false readings every second unless I go super super slow, which is totally not convenient. No entry level detector works on wet salty sand because they are one frequency. The only option is a mult freq detector and they are expensive - starting around 1k or a PI detector. And water? No entry level detector is water proof so you cant take it in.

So entry level detectors are probably great for people who do not plan on searching beaches. I watched as guys with higher level machines would go over spots I just went over and get hits that I did not have. Instead of having fun I was getting frustrated and wondering why the machine didnt work right. So yea entry level machines can do a lot. I dont think anyone ever said different. But if you want to search the wetsand or water you really cannot with an entry level machine.

I think you missed the gist of my post adamBomb. What you say about single freq. VLF detectors and wet SALT sand, and salt water is correct. Not just for entry level detectors though. That falls in the realm of metal detecting 101. (know your detecting environment, and your detectors abilities/limitations in that environment)
What I was refering to, is that most finds are within the capabilities of many entry level detectors. You don't need an expensive detector to enjoy the hobby! My Bounty Hunter Platinum w/11" DD coil works very well in freshwater wet sand and yes, the coil can be submerged in water. The control box MUST be kept dry. I have been detecting for about 5 yrs. and to date my oldest coin find has been with my Platinum, an 1847 seated half dime. My most expensive find, a Zales mens anniversary ring w/diamonds was found with my CTX, but it was covered with only leaves and could easily have been found with my Platinum. The CTX is an amazing machine that gives me many more capabilities, but I still use and enjoy my BH Platinum.

 

[adamBomb]

What I was refering to, is that most finds are within the capabilities of many entry level detectors.

So you mean 'most finds' in certain types of soil and conditions? I live at the beach and all of our soil is wet and salty and sandy and our beaches are all wet sand except for a the dry part which is really only there after replenishment in the late spring/early summer. So if you told someone around me they could enjoy the hobby with a low end detector they would probably be SOL. I cant tell you how many people, just this summer, have come up to me on the beach and ask me what detector I have. They say they are here on vacation and they took their detector out but it didn't work. So it didn't sound like they were enjoying it. I know what you mean but they way I picture metal detecting is on the beach along the water line and most detectors don't even work there.

 

[locater]

So you mean 'most finds' in certain types of soil and conditions? I live at the beach and all of our soil is wet and salty and sandy and our beaches are all wet sand except for a the dry part which is really only there after replenishment in the late spring/early summer. So if you told someone around me they could enjoy the hobby with a low end detector they would probably be SOL. I cant tell you how many people, just this summer, have come up to me on the beach and ask me what detector I have. They say they are here on vacation and they took their detector out but it didn't work. So it didn't sound like they were enjoying it. I know what you mean but they way I picture metal detecting is on the beach along the water line and most detectors don't even work there.

Hey AdamBomb, unfortunately many people, when buying a detector for the first time don't do enough basic research. Wet salt sand, and salt water is a unique detecting environment, that requires pretty specific equipment. Because of it's highly conductive nature, it tends to make most single freq. machines unstable. Single frequency detectors, entry level or not, just don't do well in that environment. As you said, the multi frequency and pulse induction machines are needed in that domain.
What I am referring to, is general detecting in normal soil conditions. My BH Platinum has served me well for years, (and still does) in all environments. I WOULD NOT attempt to use it in wet salt sand/water because prior to buying it, I was aware of that limitation. I once read a Platinum review prior to buying mine, where a guy said it was basically a piece of crap, because he could not get it to ground balance on a wet salt beach. Nothing wrong with the detector! Page 18 of the Platinum owners manual on ground balancing (Ground Grab), states, "The detector will also not Ground Grab on a wet salt water beach". There is soooo much information out there for potential new detectorists. If they just use it PRIOR to buying! With that BASIC knowledge of types of detectors, coils, difficult detecting environments etc., they could save themselves a lot of frustrations, and perhaps choose a detector better suited to their targeted detecting environment and targets of interest. I see you bought a CZ21, a pretty decent water machine. I'm sure it cured your wet salt sand/water woes. Your tracker will probably work better in park situations etc., although you could use your CZ in less trashy areas on land also. (if I remember correctly,that CZ21 is a heavy beast,somewhere around 5lbs) Wish you good success and enjoyment of the hobby!

P.S. I recently made the suggestion that TNet start a forum page just for new or potentially new detectorists. It could contain education/training on basics of detecting and equipment. I'm sure that has been suggested many times before. I'm sure it would be a popular page judging by the amount of questions on other pages from new folks.

 

[Phantasman]

I see many posts about digging this or that, only a few feet from China (exaggerating of course). The reality of the current metal detectorist is that most finds are of recently dropped items like clad coins and jewelry not far from the surface. Sure there are nice silver finds, but they are becoming more rare by the day, unless you are fortunate enough to find and get permission to hunt in an undetected area. Silver coins have not been minted for circulation since 1964, with the exception of partial silver content of a few larger coins for a few more years.
Some people talk down Bounty Hunter and other entry level detectors as not being able to go "deep" enough to find the "good stuff", or, I don't bother with "chump change".
The simple fact is that the vast majority of finds including expensive jewelry are well within the range of these entry level detectors!! I don't know many detectorist who thumb their nose at retrieving a nickel, dime or quarter, it all adds up and pays your expenses!! The gist of this post is to encourage anyone with an entry level detector to get out and have fun with it!!! You never know, the next time you see that nickel reading and dig up, it may be that gold ring we all dream of. GOOD HUNTING!!

Don't down the BH so quickly. Are there deeper detectors? Sure. But the problem detector engineers have is not depth. A two box detector can detect up to 10 feet. Can it ID a coin? No way. The deeper a detector goes, the better the chance it misses shallower targets. I heard a stat once that 90% of all lost metal coins reside within 6". So why depth? A coin can only naturally sink so far into the ground. A 2000 year old coin may lie at 6-8". What effects the depth of where a coin lies is, erosion (like mudslides), construction, farming, etc. Basically, anything that disturbs setting soil. The beach falls into this category as well.

You need to apply your detector for what it was designed. Adambomb is correct. The BH you have isn't going to work close to the waterline. Dry sand? Sure. But the soil changes so much at the beach, you only stand a chance of a small percentage. Know where your unit shines and go there. The BH is great at parks, totlots, etc. Just like the compadre. Neither is good for a freshly farmed field.

Even with my F5, I don't likme digging more than 8", 10" max. (which is the AM max depth). I leave the 12"-18" to the 3030, F75 guys. There's enough for everyone, and greed takes the fun out of the hobby.

 

[Phantasman]

I've done it... Missed the gold ring, mistaking it for a pull tab!

I've recovered targets everywhere
from one inch down to over a foot.
But most of them are within 6", most of the time.
In the deepest woods and fields, powerful depth features can play a role. But outside that specialists arena, depth in the 8" range is generally adequate.

Maybe you need a Garrett 1350

You were a master hunter of the Carolina's back when.

Good to see you again, David. (Hightone/Dan).

 

[recondigger]

I have read all the post and for the most part everyone is right on some level. The truth about it is a little of luck and a ton a ton of research, practice and patience. The machine plays a big role but if it can pick up a quarter at least 6-7" and you are hunting in the right place with enough patience you will find great stuff. The 60's an 70's and 80's are gone the fact is very few "Virgin" sites are left and now you have to take your time and dig lots of iffy signals that machines from the past just couldn't pick out. In 15 years i have only ever hunted a few virgin spots. One was a house built in 1835 and I found stuff people dream about and i did it all with a cheap bounty hunter i then went back with my CTX and all I found after doing the whole yard again that i had missed was a couple wheats and half of a candle snuffer. It comes down to how many nails you are willing to dig and not give up. Dig until your arm falls off

 

[Phantasman]

Your right on the idea, but consider this. The 50s, 60s and 70s didn't as much get picked over. MD wasn't that big. That time period brought us "disposable" metal. Cans instead of bottles, for one. The metal trash started mounting. People had to seek a bottle opener rather than just twisting the cap and pitching it out the car window. MDing is more about sorting the good with the bad, than just seeking "virgin" spots, IMO.

 

[recondigger]

Your right on the idea, but consider this. The 50s, 60s and 70s didn't as much get picked over. MD wasn't that big. That time period brought us "disposable" metal. Cans instead of bottles, for one. The metal trash started mounting. People had to seek a bottle opener rather than just twisting the cap and pitching it out the car window. MDing is more about sorting the good with the bad, than just seeking "virgin" spots, IMO.

And your right thats why i said you have to have it in you to take the time to dig up nails and pull tabs and not give up.

Dig until your arm falls off