What makes your metal detector good? How to become a good detectorist? Do you care?

[calabash digger]

Do you care? How good is your detector? How to become a good detectorist??

[smokeythecat]

ROFL. Someone got so excited about the comments he's waving his arms like a televangelist heading for the offering basket. I have seen those guys...

[calabash digger]

I have found that a lot of people just criticize what they don't understand.

[DCMatt]

I have found that a lot of people just criticize what they don't understand.

That, and people these days simply love to hate - especially with the anonymity of the internet.

I enjoyed your video.

[49er12]

Look it’s not about being politically correct, we , say folks have a problem with holding companies to standards and they wonder why they failed, whites, Tesoro example. This has nothing to do with telling you what machine to buy, how to hunt etc. if your open minded I believe it’s just this if you pay hard earn dollars for a machine that offers the ability to give you the chance to find more targets, you must learn what the machine has to offer you to be able to get the full potential, don’t you want to find stuff, did you ever say darn i have this expensive machine with so many capabilities but I didn’t spend the time to learn and guess what that means, MISS TARGETS. I’m not taking sides heck I use a simplex that cost 250.00. Let’s not fool,ourselves notka makro is putting the business on alert, hey if you don’t like business with turkey then stick with your usa made machines. We in America many times brag about our so called products but in all reality other countries have top notch stuff do, so loyalty is yesterday’s news folks. That’s the problem with America we brag to much and think our own crap smells good. Look in ending I don’t no this fella and who cares, take what you want from him he’s telling you the truth for most part. I want you to get the maximum experience and finds most of the time awesome finds our rare, if your happy with mediocrity ok, good day

[Randy Combs]

I thought it is a great informative video

[Aeds151]

You made a reference to “the guy” that set up andys coin shooting program and ed huffmans deep silver set up like it was a bad thing. I believe it was a comment i made in another post recently about doing just that. I did this to learn the machine by experimenting with it and finding what works and doesnt. This in itself seems to be the point of your videos. Im sooo confused.

[ky keith]

I thought it was a spot on post. I have a friend just like he described. He thinks if he buys the latest, greatest detector he's going to find the best stuff

[calabash digger]

You made a reference to “the guy” that set up andys coin shooting program and ed huffmans deep silver set up like it was a bad thing. I believe it was a comment i made in another post recently about doing just that. I did this to learn the machine by experimenting with it and finding what works and doesnt. This in itself seems to be the point of your videos. Im sooo confused.

I apologize I misunderstood what you were saying...I started on the Deus the same way with Gary Blackwells program and did just like you and figured it out for myself

[Aeds151]

I apologize I misunderstood what you were saying...

No worries. You helped me land on the Nox 800 and I have no regrets. I chose to go high emd because I knew I would love this hobby and wanted something that will perform for many years to come. Im a subscriber and enjoy your videos as well. Thanks for all the advice and I also hope the US companies listen up, put more time,money, and energy into R and D rather than recruiting “celebs” to push their old tech.

[smokeythecat]

That's ok. I wave my arms in the air when I do public speaking also (you ought to see me the few times I've preached in church.) I was thinking of me. Its not the machine, its the operator. Also, I like playing in the dirt, as long as I found something a $79 machine would really be ok for me. I would like to buy another Tesoro Vaquero for one spot I have that eats the Deus and Equinox 800, but maybe in the next life. I probably won't ever buy another machine. It hurts too much to detect anymore.

And you are right about American manufacturers not getting with the program of innovation. It makes no sense.

[eman1000]

Calabash - Another great video and I agree with all your points!

I will personally admit to making one of the mistakes in your video. I didn't give the Equinox enough time when I got it! I may pick one up again and correct that mistake because I bought the 600 when it first came out and struggled with knowing what to run Park1, Park2, Field1, etc.. additionally I also struggled with the 50 tones and compressed VDI - particularly around pull tabs / nickels range and penny/dime range. I gave up too soon and took a bath selling it as well but that was also inexperience on my part. Also I believe they fixed the back light on the 600 which was a complaint I had when it came out because I tend to hunt a bit after the sun goes down in the summer.


I wonder what percentage of people really take the hobby this seriously - I research sites all the time, talk to old timers in the area, overlay plot maps and read articles, practice with a test garden, in the house with the wife jewelry (I know you shouldn't test inside..). I've even been know to email the developers to better understand the theory behind the technology.

For me personally when the combination of research, learning my machine, confirmation by finds in the area are all part of what I enjoy about the hobby. I know I could buy a better looking buffalo nickel online but it wouldn't mean as much to me. I have coins that aren't worth anything but I can tell you the year the school house was built that is no longer there and the field where it used to sit.

But that's how I'm wired when I'm in .. I'm all in and I have to know everything and Its pretty clear to me the guys who are the same way. I learn from you guys everyday. Keep up the good work!

[WG2020]

Calabash Digger,

Thank you for another nice nice nice video. I always enjoy watching your videos, especially your detector comparisons in your test garden. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with the rest of us. Keep up the good work. Good luck with your hunts. Walt

[fishstick]

Calabash - Another great video and I agree with all your points!

I will personally admit to making one of the mistakes in your video. I didn't give the Equinox enough time when I got it! I may pick one up again and correct that mistake because I bought the 600 when it first came out and struggled with knowing what to run Park1, Park2, Field1, etc.. additionally I also struggled with the 50 tones and compressed VDI - particularly around pull tabs / nickels range and penny/dime range. I gave up too soon and took a bath selling it as well but that was also inexperience on my part. Also I believe they fixed the back light on the 600 which was a complaint I had when it came out because I tend to hunt a bit after the sun goes down in the summer.


I wonder what percentage of people really take the hobby this seriously - I research sites all the time, talk to old timers in the area, overlay plot maps and read articles, practice with a test garden, in the house with the wife jewelry (I know you shouldn't test inside..). I've even been know to email the developers to better understand the theory behind the technology.

For me personally when the combination of research, learning my machine, confirmation by finds in the area are all part of what I enjoy about the hobby. I know I could buy a better looking buffalo nickel online but it wouldn't mean as much to me. I have coins that aren't worth anything but I can tell you the year the school house was built that is no longer there and the field where it used to sit.

But that's how I'm wired when I'm in .. I'm all in and I have to know everything and Its pretty clear to me the guys who are the same way. I learn from you guys everyday. Keep up the good work!

Same here E, tried using a NOX 800 and we didn't jell. Now I know it's a great machine I just didn't care for the ride ( Deus spoiled). I still hunt with a T2 from time to time because of the feel, would be nice if they would redesign it with a few more perks. BTW, need to learn some of that OVER LAY stuff from ya!!!

[brianc053]

I watched the whole video, and I can't tell if Calabash was responding to some criticism that I'm not aware of, or trying to say "you're either with me or you're against me", or whether he was trying to motivate those who don't invest the time to learn their detectors (although it sounded/felt like shame-motivation to me....). I pretty sure this wasn't about "I'm better than you"....pretty sure.

I guess I'm more of the mindset of "to each his own". If you want to wear purple, go ahead. I don't like purple and would never wear it, but you wearing it doesn't hurt me and if it makes you happy, go ahead.
If you don't want to invest the time to learn your detector (or maybe you don't have the time because you only get to slip away from your family/work obligations for an hour or two a week), then it's no skin off my back. I hope you're having fun - because that's probably what matters most.

I enjoy a lot of Calabash's videos - for the finds and the advice. I didn't get much usable advice from this video. Maybe I totally missed the point - which could easily be on me.