Metal Detecting - An Expensive Hobby?

[Dan Hughes]

Metal detecting is probably the most expensive hobby ever, right?

No, not right! Not at all.

Compare our hobby to bowling, fishing, softball, golf - and folks, it ain't so bad.


In my new podcast, I give you some ammunition for the "You spend too much - get a cheaper hobby" argument.


Here are some numbers to pass on to the little lady (or in some cases, for the little lady to pass on to her significant other) when he/she raises an eyebrow at the cost of "all that metal detector stuff."


Listen at In the Corner with Dan Hughes (treasure).

 

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[Woodland Detectors]

Thanks Dan!

 

[spartacus53]

Or you can compare it to hiking, camping, swimming, handball, paddle ball, table tennis, badminton, volleyball, or a ton of other free activities.

Better go back and recheck your so called ammo

 

[Dan Hughes]

Or you can compare it to hiking, camping, swimming, handball, paddle ball, table tennis, badminton, volleyball, or a ton of other free activities.

And checkers and tiddly-winks!

Actually, most people wouldn't think of going camping without an RV, and what do they cost now (and how many miles per gallon do they get?). When my daughter was little, we'd take our tent to a campground and invariably end up between two big Winnebagos. Not very pleasant.

 

[Frankn]

Dan, My 21' Xplorer cost $70K and gets 14MPG on the interstate. It is actually my base camp for cache hunting. To each his own!

 

[montanagold]

Concidering that its one of the few hobbies that you make money doing I think its pretty cheep to be a detectorist. Deffinately cheeper than most hobbies.

 

[bigscoop]

Cheap? NO. But at least it often pays you something back and it's great exercise.

 

[spartacus53]

Real campers call people that camp in RV's girls Seems like your so called camping experiences are tied to camping grounds, that also provide water, bathroom facilities and showers... Again, that's not camping...That is like saying a vacation is getting out of the house and moving into your car and sitting in your driveway for a week

 

[Frankn]

Spart. I never claimed to be a camper. There are two types of people that use RVs. Campers & travelers. I am a traveler type. It is a means to see the USA without any fixed plans. When I travel across the USA I stop for the nite at rest areas, Wallmarts, Flying Js, and Loves etc. When I get to a gold claim I just park there. I have everything I need . Most of my time is spent prospecting, but I have a comfortable foam matress to sleep on, a frig full of food, a bathroom, a kitchen, a TV to keep up with the local news, etc. I can exist in the middle of nowhere for at least 2 weeks. My MH has 4 wheel drive so I can even make it down some of the milder jeep trails. I carry all my detectors and some guns for protection along with my pittbull Blue. I think it's all about how you want to live your life.

 

[Dan Hughes]

Real campers call people that camp in RV's girls Seems like your so called camping experiences are tied to camping grounds, that also provide water, bathroom facilities and showers... Again, that's not camping...

Well, there's no way my wife could survive 24 hours without the amenities of civilization. Getting her to accept the tent was miracle enough.

 

[Newfiehunter]

Batteries are a huge expense especially if you detect often. It seems that when choosing a detector, it is important to know what kind of batteries it uses and what the battery life is. If your machine uses AA batteries and has 40 hours of operating life, then you are doing ok...However, those 9 volt batteries are a different matter especially if your machine eats 2 of those (like my machine) with only 20 hours of battery life. It can cost a fortune....So it is important to know what kind of batteries and how long they will last is a consideration when money is a factor or you are financially strapped. Batteries have gone up in price lately and rechargeables don't seem to last as long as alkaline on a hunt. Duracell and Energizer of course have the longer battery life but they are not cheap.

Metal detecting can pay for itself...but it can be expensive. By the time you consider your machine, gear , and various other supplies, it can cost you a pretty penny...but of course making that big find will make it all worthwhile. For me, it is about finding history, enjoying the outdoors, exercise, great scenery and the thrill of the hunt. So the expense is worth it. At least I'm not blowing my money gambling or on cigarettes which can also be expensive hobbies.

 

[Dan Hughes]

Newfie, I bought a charger and four 9-volt rechargeable batteries. Two in my machine, two in the charger. They go on and on and on:

Amazon.com: Tenergy TN141 2 Bay 9V Smart Charger with 4 pcs 9V 250mah NiMH Rechargeable Batteries: Electronics

---Dan

 

[Newfiehunter]

Newfie, I bought a charger and four 9-volt rechargeable batteries. Two in my machine, two in the charger. They go on and on and on:

Amazon.com: Tenergy TN141 2 Bay 9V Smart Charger with 4 pcs 9V 250mah NiMH Rechargeable Batteries: Electronics

Thanks Dan, I think I will definitely look into that....I always thought that rechargeables only lasted for a short period of time and didn't hold the charge very well.....Again thanks...

 

[kayden]

Concidering that its one of the few hobbies that you make money doing I think its pretty cheep to be a detectorist. Deffinately cheeper than most hobbies.

This is 100 % correct!....Its only expensive if you let be.....I have 400$ into my equipment & my collection is worth 3-4 fold of that ....however I will never sell off my collection as it is very sentimental to me!

 

[Marshallepp]

Well im just getting started again into md. so far i have 350.00 bucks tied into it but last time i used a radio shack detector ok but pop-tops would drive you nuts. As far as camping im a custom yurt builder so have yurt will travel. And if any of you guys would like plans for a yurt e-mail me and ill hook you up free of charge of course.

 

[Graddick]

Buying the detector, pinpointer, lesche and a set of rechargeable batteries isn't too bad because they don't degrade after you've made the initial investment (although the batteries do wear out). The real expense of this hobby for me is gas. Driving around the countryside, hoping to drop in on people when they are home is a real pain when gas is $1.35 a litre (that's $5/gallon for you yanks)

 

[63bkpkr]

Frankin,
That is a great description of RVer types, never thought about it like that. I can certinally appreciate having some comforts after a day of moving rocks and of course that is why my backpacks always weigh so much. Thinking about seeing the U.S.A. with no particular plan in mind is a cool thought as well. Not all folks are suited for backpacking so I figure that applys to all sorts of other types of getting out of the four walls.

Keep traveling and enjoying..........63bkpkr

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I've got another hobby that costs a LOT more. One gallon of bottom paint costs $219!



Costs $2,000 just to tie it to the dock for the season.

 

[gleaner1]

Expensive is in the eye of the wallet holder. Five thousand dollars to me might seem like ten thousand dollars to someone else. Anyone can buy a hundred dollar detector and take up the hobby, which I think is dirt cheap. But a lot of those anyones just might think that a hundred skins is too damn expensive.

 

[Frankn]

Charlie P . That is one good looking yacht. It looks bigger than my motorhome. Your destinations are limited, but the wind is free. Enjoy it! Frank