How do you keep track of finds, time spent detecting?

Sharryn · Dec 22, 2013

The weather broke today in central Pennsylvania and I was able to get outside and try out my new Garrett AT Pro and Garrett pro-pointer. This is my first MD outing and I was pretty excited.

Anyway, I want to keep accurate record of the time spent detecting and also what I found and where. Is there a spreadsheet or software that I can use to log this information? I'm interested in what you do to keep track of things.

Produce Guy · Dec 23, 2013

I have an old fashion tablet called a "Big Chief" and it works fine for me,I'll write down what I found and where,also write down how the weather was and if any people around,and what time of day.Sometimes I even take a picture on my Iphone so I can remember where I was. :dontknow:

,sometimes I forget.

SusanMN · Dec 23, 2013

I don't track time spent detecting, but I have tracked my better finds on an Excel spreadsheet since I returned to the hobby in 2007. Date, place and item description and for water hunting in my favorite lakes, I also map where in the lake the item was. Seeing this info on lakes I hunt every year has helped me to see the pattern of where the drops are most likely to be.

Koffee · Dec 23, 2013

Sharryn said:
The weather broke today in central Pennsylvania and I was able to get outside and try out my new Garrett AT Pro and Garrett pro-pointer. This is my first MD outing and I was pretty excited.

Anyway, I want to keep accurate record of the time spent detecting and also what I found and where. Is there a spreadsheet or software that I can use to log this information? I'm interested in what you do to keep track of things.

Here is how I track this information. I am sure there are probably better ways but this is inexpensive and easy.

1. I track my time by starting my timer on my cell phone. I just note it when I finish. (I have not really done this for a couple years)
2. I Carry with me 50 flags numbered with unique identifiers and place them where ever I dig a hole.
3. I then mark them on the map where they were and what was recovered. I do not use these on trash unless it is helps me date the area or depth.
4. I then transfer this to the master map when I get home.

Good Hunting - Koffee

Red Snapper · Dec 23, 2013

I started keeping track with a small note book, record and date all good finds. My trash is turning into quite a metal pile! I don't record my hours but I keep track of how many batteries I've gone through. That should give you a decent estimate.

Garbagebill · Dec 23, 2013

Also try "DigMate" for iPhone iPad etc...

sask hunter · Dec 23, 2013

lol how come I was the only one flamed as a nerd alert for mentioning apps lol fun times

D.A.D.D.-Dads against daughters dating

Normsel · Dec 23, 2013

I don't care personally where I find it I will hunt an area until I think I did the best i could then move on and if it's a park i go back the next year.

I throw pennies in one can, clad in another, junk jewelry watches ect in another can and the hot wheels in another can. The trash i usually throw away unless it is a relic of interest.

Armorer73 · Dec 24, 2013

I keep track of my finds when I cash in the clad! $135 this year (my first).

Treasure_Hunter · Dec 24, 2013

I don't keep track of time spent as it is a hobby. I haven't cashed in my clad yet' at last count it was over $750.

Wife gets first choice of all jewelery I find and rest goes in my display case.

We will NOT go quietly into the night!

GatorBoy · Dec 24, 2013

jeff-gordon said:
nerd alert!!

Haha!

GPS53 · Dec 24, 2013

The only thing I keep track of is what my buddy and I find is Silver and any other very Good finds, put them in sleeves and mark with the date found. Don`t want to over complicate a hobby.

foiler · Dec 24, 2013

I use the 'coffee can' system. Silver in one, clad in another, coppers in a third. Around this time of year I take my cans of clad to my bank (credit union) and dump them into the giant coin machine they have for that purpose. Out pops a little receipt which I give to the teller and into my account it goes. Battery and gas money for the coming - CHECK. As for the jewelry found I don't have to be bothered with handling that. The manors self appointed jewelry czar has been handling that end of the business for the last 47 years.

Sandman · Dec 24, 2013

I remember using Ginkgoware way back when and it was sort of fun for awhile then got to be labor intensive I thought. But I see the use of recording your good finds for posterity. :coffee2:

GatorBoy · Dec 24, 2013

Honestly clad and modern stuff doesn't really make much difference to me.. But I keep shipwreck artifacts and coins separated by wreck.. Military and other historical artifacts.. I keep together by site.. And areas like those I keep track of where items are found and what they are to enhance my knowledge of the area for future hunting

Garbagebill · Dec 28, 2013

Treasure hunter, awesome idea for a display! I might have to come up with something like that. Very cool!

Old Dude · Dec 30, 2013

If your finds have ANY sentimental value to you, I really don't think you need a written record of where they were found.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

laurenB · Jan 4, 2014

I kept notes of my finds for a very short period of time ... then I realized I could use that time to detect more.

Track of time ... there's never seems to be enough .. I seem to lose all sense of time once I turn my machine on.