getting discouraged..

[Jenni_Lee]

I think instead of a metal detector, I bought a trash detector.
On day one, I had great luck. I found some change and even a 1941 dime.
Since then, I've not found anything. I watch Youtube videos and see people getting target after target and getting amazing finds at parks and schools. All I find is gum wrappers and pull tabs. How realistic are these youtube videos? I'm just wondering if everyone is getting lucky except me. (probably in that department too, i'm sure)

 

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[Tpmetal]

I think instead of a metal detector, I bought a trash detector.
On day one, I had great luck. I found some change and even a 1941 dime.
Since then, I've not found anything. I watch Youtube videos and see people getting target after target and getting amazing finds at parks and schools. All I find is gum wrappers and pull tabs. How realistic are these youtube videos? I'm just wondering if everyone is getting lucky except me. (probably in that department too, i'm sure)

what you tube does not always show is the amount of trash dug. They usually only film the good stuff. You will dig trash, no way around it. Trash nearly always outnumbers the keepers

 

[Kansas_Jayhawk]

I think instead of a metal detector, I bought a trash detector.
On day one, I had great luck. I found some change and even a 1941 dime.
Since then, I've not found anything. I watch Youtube videos and see people getting target after target and getting amazing finds at parks and schools. All I find is gum wrappers and pull tabs. How realistic are these youtube videos? I'm just wondering if everyone is getting lucky except me. (probably in that department too, i'm sure)

Yes sometimes you hit stretches of junk then you find something really good and it keeps you going. In many ways like golf where you get that one great shot. What kind of detector do you have? Where are you detecting - park, play ground? Etc...


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[13dolphins1]

What kind of detector do you have? That can help on eliminating some trash.
I do dig a lot of trash but as I learned my detector I got better and improved. You will as well but it does take some time.
I say a lot of the YouTube videos are fake but more are probably real. Some of these people spend a lot of time doing research and hunting old sites or houses. I have been hunting with an AT PRO for a little over 1 year and I've found 1 gold pendant at a park but really worked for it. I silver pendant at the same park.
I've found about 12 silver coins and 100's of Wheat's. 0 Indians. I silver war token and lots of 1800's relics like civil war buttons.
There are treasures there but remember that in those videos they only show the good finds and rarely show the bad finds. Many dig a ton of junk just to fill 1 video and my go dawn till dusk for several day to have 1 20 minute video. Most will talk about the curse of live digs because they are tricked more often than not. This is like sports, you will fail a lot but when you don't fail and succeed....how sweet it is

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[Carolina Tom]

Trash detector made me laugh. Oh so true.

YouTube is NOT good for the mind or spirit. People show you the slam dunks only, so you get the impression that slam dunks are the norm. They are not the norm!

Everyone digs lots of trash, especially, but not limited to: bottlecaps, pull rings, can slaw, nails and foil. You found a silver coin ('41 dime) on your first time out... that's killer. It took me about 4 months to find my first silver coin.

The real secret is to enjoy yourself, and your time outside detecting. I like the "finding" part too, but there is a lot more to it, than just finding. You have to learn to love the hunt, as much as the finds. It is a bit tough to do sometimes.

Another valuable lesson is: You can't find what is NOT there... location is key. You have to hunt places where treasure is located. I prefer the old house, or places where old houses used to be. The park and the school are (were) good, but most have been hunted relentlessly for decades, so they can be rather barren.

I am not getting lucky either, but every once in a while, I stumble across something good... AND, I have a lot of fun hunting.

Best of luck to you, and don't hesitate to reach out, if there is anything that I can do to assist.

 

[LAKE CITY GARRETTATPRO]

I am one that picks trash as all the others. I do 90% trash but when I leave that 90% is in the garbage. I have done parks, football parking places, basketball courts, baseball fields, old home sites, and old roads, find a couple things. To me, it is my relaxation from the stresses of the day, to just focusing on just the hunt and fresh air. a place that draws your mind away to refresh. A change always makes a difference, then that tone, your blood starts pumping and get excited with anticipation. I am just 3 months old in Metal Detecting. Just learn your metal detector. I have a AT Pro and pinpointer and finaly, It is starting to click. I am getting able to learn where to set everything each day. If you have a boy's clib or a girls club, try it. yesterday, I did the girls club, I came away with 3.00 in change, nothing old or interesting.I have started to tell the difference between the pennies, nickels,dimes and quarters, trinklet and trash. I am using the standard to learn the difference. Just have fun!!!!!

 

[Loco-Digger]

Hey Jenni L. welcome to reality. As asked earlier in the thread what detector are you using and how many hours do you have on it? Experience is the best teacher, I am hoping that you are paying attention to the tones of the targets as you swing over them. the more you swing the coil, the more the chance that it will click with you. When I started, I wanted coins, so I discriminated everything except copper & silver. As time went by and I became more familiar with my machine I decreased my discrimination by notching nickels and zincs back in. Now here it is over 3 years later and I only disc out the lower third to half of the iron range. If detecting were so easy and treasure was in every plug, there wouldn't be so many used detectors for sale.

 

[Phishfindr]

I could send more, but you get my drift! Keep your chin up and keep learning your machine. Happy Hunting!

 

[RustyGold]

Use the YouTube videos to learn the sounds of your detector and tid numbers in good as well as trashy targets. See what info the videos give you and then apply what you've learned at your hunting places.
Trash targets are great as they teach you what not to dig. Be careful though, as you're finding out, the not so good targets can sound and read like a keeper target.
If using the AT Pro, try Pro Zero mode instead of the standard mode as it will separate trash from good targets better.
Good luck!

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I think instead of a metal detector, I bought a trash detector.
On day one, I had great luck. I found some change and even a 1941 dime.
Since then, I've not found anything. I watch Youtube videos and see people getting target after target and getting amazing finds at parks and schools. All I find is gum wrappers and pull tabs. How realistic are these youtube videos? I'm just wondering if everyone is getting lucky except me. (probably in that department too, i'm sure)

YouTube detecting is like Saturday Fishing Shows. One right after another. What you don't see are the hours and hours of nothing.

Here is an image of a "dig 'em all" visit at one of my regular sites. Usually an hour's worth. This spot is a park that has an annual summer fair. So I know folks are there regularly.



That is perhaps the biggest key: you have to detect where the stuff is. Do some research and learn where people would have been reaching into their pockets for whatever reason. Picnics, fairs, concerts, carnivals, circus grounds, etc.

If there is nothing there no detector of any cost will help.

 

[Honest Samuel]

Welcome aboard. Practice and more practice. Good hunting and good luck.

 

[Jenni_Lee]

what you tube does not always show is the amount of trash dug. They usually only film the good stuff. You will dig trash, no way around it. Trash nearly always outnumbers the keepers

i am starting to realize this. thank you

 

[Jenni_Lee]

YouTube detecting is like Saturday Fishing Shows. One right after another. What you don't see are the hours and hours of nothing.

Here is an image of a "dig 'em all" visit at one of my regular sites. Usually an hour's worth. This spot is a park that has an annual summer fair. So I know folks are there regularly.

View attachment 1491093

That is perhaps the biggest key: you have to detect where the stuff is. Do some research and learn where people would have been reaching into their pockets for whatever reason. Picnics, fairs, concerts, carnivals, circus grounds, etc.

If there is nothing there no detector of any cost will help.

wow. that is a lot of trash. Looks like a lot of coins too! Thanks for the advice. Im starting to see that the parks here are just all dug out.

 

[Jenni_Lee]

Use the YouTube videos to learn the sounds of your detector and tid numbers in good as well as trashy targets. See what info the videos give you and then apply what you've learned at your hunting places.
Trash targets are great as they teach you what not to dig. Be careful though, as you're finding out, the not so good targets can sound and read like a keeper target.
If using the AT Pro, try Pro Zero mode instead of the standard mode as it will separate trash from good targets better.
Good luck!

I've been digging at almost everything just to learn the tones and what they mean. I had no idea there were so many nails underground! lol
Thank you for your help!

 

[Jenni_Lee]

View attachment 1491088 View attachment 1491089

I could send more, but you get my drift! Keep your chin up and keep learning your machine. Happy Hunting!

this puts things into perspective. Thank you

 

[coinman123]

I stopped going to parks and schools for that reason, only trash for me, I am not normally lucky. I prefer old cellar holes and home sites now. Good luck, hard work will pay off!

 

[Jenni_Lee]

Hey Jenni L. welcome to reality. As asked earlier in the thread what detector are you using and how many hours do you have on it? Experience is the best teacher, I am hoping that you are paying attention to the tones of the targets as you swing over them. the more you swing the coil, the more the chance that it will click with you. When I started, I wanted coins, so I discriminated everything except copper & silver. As time went by and I became more familiar with my machine I decreased my discrimination by notching nickels and zincs back in. Now here it is over 3 years later and I only disc out the lower third to half of the iron range. If detecting were so easy and treasure was in every plug, there wouldn't be so many used detectors for sale.

Thank you so much for the tips. My birthday is next month and I am going to treat myself to an AT PRO. I've been getting by with a cheap-0 in the mean time. I've probably got about 10-15 hours under my belt of solid detecting. I'm really new to this. I'm enjoying the time out in the field, but haven't found anything since the first day. But, as I can see, it's not all like YouTube makes it out to be. Thanks so much for all your wisdom and advice!

 

[Jenni_Lee]

Yes sometimes you hit stretches of junk then you find something really good and it keeps you going. In many ways like golf where you get that one great shot. What kind of detector do you have? Where are you detecting - park, play ground? Etc...


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I've mostly been going to the parks and schools. I think it's all been hunted out here. Time to hit the history books I think.

 

[Jenni_Lee]

I stopped going to parks and schools for that reason, only trash for me, I am not normally lucky. I prefer old cellar holes and home sites now. Good luck, hard work will pay off!

Thank you so much!!!! I'm glad to hear i'm not the only one. I'm starting to wonder if they've just been so over hunted that there isn't much left around here at the parks or schools.

 

[Jenni_Lee]

I am one that picks trash as all the others. I do 90% trash but when I leave that 90% is in the garbage. I have done parks, football parking places, basketball courts, baseball fields, old home sites, and old roads, find a couple things. To me, it is my relaxation from the stresses of the day, to just focusing on just the hunt and fresh air. a place that draws your mind away to refresh. A change always makes a difference, then that tone, your blood starts pumping and get excited with anticipation. I am just 3 months old in Metal Detecting. Just learn your metal detector. I have a AT Pro and pinpointer and finaly, It is starting to click. I am getting able to learn where to set everything each day. If you have a boy's clib or a girls club, try it. yesterday, I did the girls club, I came away with 3.00 in change, nothing old or interesting.I have started to tell the difference between the pennies, nickels,dimes and quarters, trinklet and trash. I am using the standard to learn the difference. Just have fun!!!!!

I never thought about the boys and girls club. There is one not too far from my house. I am enjoying the time out by myself. It's good to unwind and just focus on something else in life for a change. I tend to go very early or late because i'm not confident in hunting with others around. But i'll get there.