Is metal detecting worth it?

CASPER-2

Gold Member
Jan 3, 2012
17,153
19,933
NEW ENGLAND
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
6
Detector(s) used
WHITE'S XLT, PI PRO, GARRETT 2500, 3- FISHER CZ21s, JW FISHER 8X
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
my first machine in 1975 was a used one for $99
almost quit after first year - 2nd year (1976) i hit my own yard and found whole
spectrum of finds and learned my machine - dug everything - the rest is history
this handful of gold was from a 4 day trip to Fla. yrs ago - all from water - estimated to be about
$5000-$6000 back then
 

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niffler

Hero Member
Mar 19, 2008
907
1,367
Coos Bay, Oregon
🥇 Banner finds
1
Detector(s) used
Equinox 900, DFX, Tesoro Tiger Shark, Killer B Hornets, Stealth 720i scoop
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
my first machine in 1975 was a used one for $99
almost quit after first year - 2nd year (1976) i hit my own yard and found whole
spectrum of finds and learned my machine - dug everything - the rest is history
this handful of gold was from a 4 day trip to Fla. yrs ago - all from water - estimated to be about
$5000-$6000 back then

Good God.....!!!
 

John Matuszak

Jr. Member
Sep 24, 2020
51
76
Tennessee, Florida
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Put the question of actually finding anything of value out of your mind. You will eventually, but you really ought to enter the hobby if you're looking for a calm, reflective pastime where you operate your own little machine, on your own time, and occasionally have reason to get very excited. Not rich, but excited. It's like nature walking with an extra carrot thrown in.
 

rayoh

Full Member
Jan 13, 2017
161
466
northeast Ohio
Detector(s) used
Minelab Etrac-Notka Legend
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Metal detecting is a hobby and should be viewed as a hobby not a money maker. I have been detecting over 26 years and recently added up my yearly journals. I am just short of 100,000 coins and recently passed 1600 silver coins. I do not look at this as being a huge monetary gain, but feel like the thousands of hours has been some of the most enjoyable times of my life. Enjoy the time spent in the fields or parks and anything you find is a bonus.
 

Singlestack Wonder

Bronze Member
Mar 28, 2014
1,711
2,627
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT Pro
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Well that depends on what "it" is. Metal detecting is a hobby of relaxation , adventure and exercise . it is NOT a way to get rich.
If you don't think it's worth it than you're probably right.

This +1000...
 

monkeys uncle

Full Member
Mar 26, 2014
175
145
Waxahachie, Tx
Detector(s) used
Vanquish 440, E-Trac, Fisher F-Pulse pin-pointer
Primary Interest:
Other
Pay for itself? It's a good question and my answer is..."Most days no." BUT, one find can change that. Personally, one ring was worth more than I've spent on the hobby. All the other finds would have paid for...perhaps 1/3 of my costs. Note however, costs shouldn't be the ONLY consideration. There are other benefits that $ can't and shouldn't be the determining factor.
 

Tesorodeoro

Bronze Member
Jan 21, 2018
1,216
1,903
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
What kind of answer are you looking for!? Is it worth it? Guess you will have to figure that one out for yourself. Everyone is different.
 

BH505Man

Full Member
Nov 18, 2013
123
153
Granite Falls, WA
Detector(s) used
Equinox 800, 6",11" coils, Teknetics T2SE,&T2 Classic, 5", CORS Fortune 5.5x9.5", 11", CORS Strike 12x13", 15"coils, Legacy 3500, 4", 8",10" & 11"DD coils, Lesche digging Knife, Lesche T Handle Shovel
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Is it worth it?
That all depends what you're after.
If you enjoy getting out doors, getting exercise, enjoy history, look at every hunt as a great adventure adventure and look at digging every target as a surprize then yes metal detecting is for you.
But...If you're expecting to get rich fast, are a couch potato, expect to get a quick return for your equipment investment with no effort on your part...metal detecting is not the hobby for you.
I metal detect because I love the hobby. I enjoy the history behind my finds. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and the surprize that comes when I reveal each target that I recover. I look at the money spent on the hobby as money spent for entertainment. I have many fond memories associated with my pursuit of the hobby plus many friends made who share my passion for metal detecting. For me the enjoyment of the hobby is priceless!
 

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Tesorodeoro

Bronze Member
Jan 21, 2018
1,216
1,903
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
my first machine in 1975 was a used one for $99
almost quit after first year - 2nd year (1976) i hit my own yard and found whole
spectrum of finds and learned my machine - dug everything - the rest is history
this handful of gold was from a 4 day trip to Fla. yrs ago - all from water - estimated to be about
$5000-$6000 back then

Achievements are one thing….but was it worth it? (I suspect it was well worth your time and $$). I remember those mag. Photos of the 1980’s that showed handfuls of diamond laiden gold rings found on Florida and Hawaii beaches. You don’t hear about that kind of stuff being found anymore. Always figured it was fluff for the article..apparently not.

I think you were hitting virgin territory.
 

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Gare

Gold Member
Dec 30, 2012
7,363
13,868
Canton Ohio Area
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
2
Detector(s) used
Presently using Deus 2's & have Minelabs, Nokta's Tesoro's DEus's Have them all . Have WAY to many need to get rid of some
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
you forgot it is VERY good EXERCISE !!
 

prospexican

Full Member
Nov 28, 2013
225
49
Nevada
Detector(s) used
Gemini-3 best expert.
gpx 5000, fisher 2 box, whites sierra madre, eagle ll w big foot, gold bug, GMT, MD-5008, Detectron 2 box. etc. metrotech 480, and ferromagnetic magnetometer FX-3. fisher CZ-20
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
So I am thinking for quite a long time about buying a metal detector for around 250$ .But is metal detecting really worth it I mean can it get frustating easily? and do you loose fun fast? 250$ thats a lot for me

( I live in europe)usps tracking showbox speed test
i have thousands invested in metal detectors and have not make my money back yet, not even close, this is not a business it is a hobby. unless you have the time and money or sponsors to treasure hunt.
 

ARC

Gold Member
Aug 19, 2014
37,156
130,920
Tarpon Springs
Detector(s) used
JW 8X-ML X2-VP 585
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Casper you must be riding in a rut.

Its worth what its worth each day you do it. heh
 

E-Trac-Ohio

Gold Member
Feb 9, 2020
5,898
10,793
Eastern Ohio
Detector(s) used
XP Deus
Minelab E-Trac
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
This hobby can provide you will lots of great finds, lots of fun and lots of great memories.
Read your Manual - ask questions and spend as much time in the field with your machine as possible.
It's not an instant results hobby - there's an endless learning curve - you must pay your dues.
 

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