When To Dig - Is It Trash Or Treasure?

Some people think that it takes great skill to operate a metal detector and find treasure buried in the ground. The truth is, it just takes a little practice so that an individual will know whether the object is worth digging or just move because it is just trash.

The metal detector has a built in transmitter, which scans the ground. If something metallic bounces back, the receiver will pick this and send a signal to the user. Since each object has different characteristics, this signal can give the individual an idea of what is underneath.

The first tip that a person should know is how the metal detector works. This device is hand held, so being familiar with the parts and the switches it has will give the treasure hunter a good idea of how to use it.

It would be a good idea to practice using this at home so one will become familiar with the machine before going out into the field.

There are various metal detectors in the market. If the alarm goes off every time, maybe the user should examine the machine being used to determine if it functioning properly. In most cases, there is nothing wrong and the person just forgot to set the notch to only respond to certain objects over a limited area.

The second tip for the avid treasure hunter is to study the manual carefully to understand the type of sounds made by the machine and the meaning of the numbers that appear on the screen.

Scientists and other experts call this method discrimination. This is because it is based on the sound heard, the numeric readout or the meter indicator, enabling the hunter to tell if the object is treasure or trash.

The third tip for metal detecting is that it would be better to conduct a search in a group. This will allow everyone to focus on an item of value so that the focus will not be diverted to anything else. This will lessen the time it takes to scan an area so that the members can move on to something else if nothing was discovered.

Metal detecting can be both fun and challenging. By knowing how the machine works and doing the search in a group, the chances of finding something of value are much higher as more ground is covered.

Finding New Places To Detect

Metal detecting is not a particularly popular hobby, but the good thing about it is that more and more people are getting hooked on it. Metal detecting is an activity that can be very thrilling and educational at the same time.

Metal detecting is really a form of treasure hunting. Most of the valuable items in the pre-modern and modern world are made with or are embellished with different kinds of metals. Metals have been the founding material that treasures are built from and this is the reason people are detecting metal.

A crucial factor to consider when going on a metal detecting journey is the location. There have been many metal detecting enthusiasts before and the more popular sites have already been cleaned up. How does one find his own treasure land? What are some ways of finding fresh metal detecting spots when everyone else has depleted the easy ones?
Here are some great tips.

1. Go on-line

The world has been transformed by the technology that is the Internet. Information has been pooled into one massive portal where people can interact and exchange valuable stories. There are many websites out there that give a sneak peek or educated guesses as to which spots would most probably be great for metal detecting.

2. Get a history book

Knowing the details of your local town is a good way of spotting new areas for metal detecting exploration. Try to spot the not-so-popular historical events in your area and try to detect there. One should always believe that there are still places that are left out by the previous enthusiasts of metal detection.

3. Go on trips

When taking a vacation somewhere, take your metal detector if it would be possible. Just try your luck on the beach or in the woods, you never know what you will find. Besides, it’s a great way to pass the time if there are no pending activities.

4. Try topography maps

Topography maps and GPS gadgets are really great tools for finding and locating new spots. If you feel that you have found a place that is really worth going to, look at the topography map to find the easiest way of getting to the place and take along a GPS if possible.

There are a lot of treasure to find out there, all one has to do is be patient and enjoy what he is doing. Keep on detecting!

Understanding The Signals From Your Metal Detector

Treasure hunters love to use metal detectors because they aid them in searching for those hard to find metal items planted in the ground.

When you are looking at metal detectors you might say that these contraptions are not that hard to understand.  You are actually right.  You just need a huge amount of patience and perseverance and you will learn to understand what the beep beeps mean.

To learn what your detector tells you is matter of good listening skills and keeping notes.  You need to tally or remember specific sounds and see which or what type of metals created that particular kind of sound.  Be very observant and focused on the small or faint signals your contraption sends out for you.

Your machine works by transmitting signals below the ground.  When this happens and there are no metal objects your machine is very quiet and makes no other signals.  If there are coins or other metallic objects in the area you are searching different sounds come into play because the signals transmitted are blocked and interfered with.

You can change levels of detection in your machine by controlling your pad.  There are specific frequencies for different types of metals you want to consider in your search.  At the lowest level you may end up with a tin soda can or other metal scraps.  At the highest level on the other hand you risk not detecting very low sited coins or other precious metal objects.

Whatever metals you can find may be different from what a professional and/or a neophyte may find with the same machine.  Professionals through continuous listening and trial and error have mastered the art of metal detecting.  Their secrets?  Simple! PATIENCE.

Yes, you need patience in going through the area; carefully trying not to miss an inch and swinging very carefully.  You must also keep your search very close to the ground just in case there are coins planted far below the ground so your detector can detect them.  If you worry about your coils banging into every rock in the area get a bump guard or what some call a shield.

Try wearing headphones to hear more clearly all those very soft tones and beeps created by your machine.  You never know if they just might whisper a soft signal that there are coins right bellow were you are standing.

You might even want to keep the pace at a minimum.  You don’t want to miss anything, do you?  Remember all the beeps are important, so identify them and through patience and understanding you will be a more effective metal detector user.

Waterproof Metal Detectors

There are many kinds of metal detectors out there on the market. However, not all of them can be used for certain purposes such as underwater metal detecting. Underwater metal detecting, as the name implies, entails the use of waterproof metal detectors which can do the job of spotting treasures underneath the water and the sand.

There are two basic kinds of waterproof metal detectors, the VLF and the PI. The first kind is efficient in discriminating trash from precious metals, while the latter is efficient in detecting metals that are deeper, however, the downside of the PI is that it is relatively poor in discriminating different kinds of metals. Here are some of the more popular waterproof metal detectors in the market today.

1. Minelab Excalibur

The Minelab Excalibur is a great waterproof metal detector to use in fresh water. It has a discriminating feature which, even when turned off, gave great accuracy in distinguishing between trash and good finds.

A main issue that is associated with the use of the Minelab Excalibur is its weight. It tends to be heavy and a bit of a drag in sand and saltwater expeditions. The bulkiness and heaviness of the equipment makes it slip most of the time in underwater expeditions. Another issue that is associated with the Excalibur is that it makes unnecessary noises and they can be quite annoying. It also has a poor ability to hold stored power for a long period of time.

2. Fish Impulse Detector

This is a relatively new model of waterproof metal detectors. The main problem with the Fish Impulse Detector is that it is quite complicated to operate. It needs to be strapped onto one’s neck for him to be able to operate the controls with his two hands. A good thing about it is that it is good in saltwater metal detection. Even if you take the detector far away from the water, it still does the job.

3. Fisher CZ

The Fisher CZ is probably one of the most popular waterproof detectors out there. It gives one the flexibility of using it on water metal detection trips or on land-relic-detection trips. It is practically easy to use and one needs not to change the settings of the machine. However, it really likes iron and cannot distinguish if from other metals very well.

These are three popular brands of waterproof metal detectors. Metal detectors are a must for people who would want to combine the thrill of metal detecting with the sights and sounds of the beach and its waters.

Where Can You Find Metal Detectors?

Metal detecting is attracting more and more enthusiasts. It combines the thrills of treasure hunting with the serenity of nature. It is a great way to clear one’s mind of the daily stresses of life and it also gives him a chance of finding something valuable.

Getting a metal detector is a must in metal detecting. No one can engage in metal detecting without a decent metal detector. The question is- where does one get a metal detector? If you are a beginner or a curious soul who would want to get involved in the hobby of metal detecting, then reading the information below will really help you. Here are some ways of finding metal detectors:

This Website

We offer a variety of choices from well known merchants with secure ordering so you don’t have to be afraid of buying online through our site!

Radioshack

The country’s biggest distributor of electronics is also selling metal detectors. Not many know this fact, but one can purchase brand new metal detectors at Radioshack. They sell the basic models which can cost as low as 50 US dollars and they also sell the advanced models which cost thousands of dollars.

On-line

The Internet has changed the way the world works. Businesses and business transactions have been made “on-line” and whether or not we like it, it is a good thing. Finding metal detectors on the Internet is not such a bad idea. There are a lot of sellers out there who are willing to sell their metal detectors at reasonable prices. With the high cost of advertising in other media forms, they have gone to the Internet to find buyers.

Ebay, the biggest on-line auction website is a portal where metal detectors can be bought and sold. Thousands and thousands of brand new and second-hand metal detectors are posted in Ebay.

There are thousands of metal detector distributors who have also engaged themselves in the Internet. Find one which has a store near you and visit them personally. Locating these stores has definitely been made easier with the availability of the Internet.

Join a metal detecting club

If you are really keen on getting on the metal detecting bandwagon, you would probably want to sign up for a metal detection club. If you are already a member of the club, they can really help you find good metal detectors which will meet your needs and your wants. Take it from the experts and you’ll never have to take the risk of buying something that you don’t really want.

One should research on his own and ask other people about metal detectors to know what he would want to buy. The equipment will eventually add to the whole experience of metal detecting. Enjoy!

Basic Metal Detector Pricing

With all the models and types of metal detectors available, a deciding value for most customers is the price. The device that they will purchase should have the features they are looking for at an affordable price.

To give a prospective buyer an idea of the current prices of metal detectors, see the list below.

Garret:

Garret Ace 150 Metal Detector - $152.95

Garret Ace 250 Metal Detector - $212.45

Garret GTAx 550 Metal Detector - $424.95

Garret GTAx 1250 Metal Detector - $399.00

Garret Sea Hunter Mark II Underwater Metal Detector - $637.45

Garret Gold Scorpion Stinger Metal Detector - $467.45

Garret Master Hunter CX Plus Metal Detector - $509.95

Garret Infinium LS Metal Detector - $1062.50

Garret GTI 1500 Metal Detector - $679.95

Garret GTI 2500 Metal Detector - $934.95

Garret Treasure Ace 300 Metal Detector - $179.00

Minelab Metal Detectors:

Minelab Explorer II PRO - $1075.00

Minelab Quattro MP - $699.00

Minelab Sovereign GT - $599.00

Minelab X-Terra 70 - $695.00

Minlab X-Terra 50 - $495.00

Minelab X-Terra 30 - $349.00

Minelab Musketeer Advantage - $295.00

Minelab Eureka Gold - $879.95

Tesoro:

Tesoro Compadre Metal Detector - $151.20

Tesoro Cibola Metal Detector - $340.00

Tesoro Vaquero Metal Detector - $420.00

Tesoro Silver MicromaxMetal Detector - $239.20

Tesoro Conquistador Micromax Metal Detector - $319.20

Tesoro Eldorado Metal Detector - $375.20

Tesoro Golden Micromax Metal Detector - $423.20

Tesoro Deleon Metal Detector - $479.20

Tesoro Tejon Metal Detector - $559.20

Tesoro Sand Shark Under Water Metal Detector - $543.20

Tesoro Tiger Shark Underwater Metal Detector - $599.20

Tesoro Cortes Metal Detector - $679.20

Fisher Metal Detectors:

Fisher 1212-X - $143.95

Fisher 1225-X - $239.95

Fisher 1236-X2 - $319.95

Fisher Gold Bug II - $703.95

Fisher Coin Strike - $879.95

Fisher Gemini III - $599.95

Before buying any metal detecting equipment, it is advisable to look around first. Check out some models that are suitable for your detecting needs and compare their features and strength in reaching metals. If you can, seek the advice of professional hobbyists or those that have been detecting for quite some time already.

Make sure that the piece you are buying is really worth your money. Do not just buy the first model that you see. Also, weigh against the prices from different sellers. Do not pay more than you should for a particular type of detector.

Choose a good metal detector based on its capacity and price and have hours of detecting fun!

Metal Detecting History

Metal detectors have been around for more than a hundred years. Miners first used this device to detect ore. Since the machine was very crude, people still relied on old methods of striking against the rock in the hopes of finding this rich material.

It was only in the 1930’s that scientists were able to develop a system that would alert the user if there was metal underneath when it responded to a certain a radio frequency. The device was heavy; with a battery pack placed on the person’s back and with the detector held by hand.

The military found these useful during the Second World War in the search for landmines so that the area could be cleared for troops to pass. This is still in use today in troubled spots around the world to remove explosive devices and unexploded ordinance, which may kill or injure helpless victims.

More than 40 years later, people have found other uses for metal detectors. With the increasing incidents of hijacking happening in planes, vessels and other modes of transportation, security experts have installed these airports to check passengers before they get into the departure gate.

Schools, commercial buildings and other vital installations also use these devices. These are either placed in a fixed location or held by hand so that a person can be screened for weapons or bombs before entering.

But the metal detector is better known as a device to look for treasure and other artifacts. Archeologists use these in excavation sites. The type used can detect the size, weight and description of the object buried in the ground.

Those who want to do this for fun can use them at the beach, in the backyard or in a vacant lot and be happy to find jewelry, coins and other objects that are concealed beneath the earth’s surface.

The versions available in the market no longer come with earphones but will just use sound to alert the uses that some form of metal is detected under the ground. When this happens, all the person has to do is put the device down and start digging to see what fortune awaits the treasure hunter.

Metal detectors have come a long way from their initial purpose of detecting minerals such as ore and gold. The applications today are for military and civilian use, which will continue to exist until better machines are made to replace them.

Basic Metal Detecting Guide

Metal detectors started to be popular in the mid-80s both as a hobby tool and aid to technical household troubles. Inexpensive, portable and fun, metal detectors play an exciting role in treasure hunting and finding lost items used for practical purposes.

The price of metal detectors ranges from $300-$1000, which encourages enthusiasts to carry on with their treasure hunting expeditions. Aside from this, the excitement that is brought about by discovering valuables from among the trash and unusable items is beyond imagination and satisfaction.

Serious enthusiasts and hobbyists check the major features of a metal detector so that it can help them hunt for items effectively and lessen wrong signals and false alarms. Some of these features are:

• Depth - to increase your valuable finds, have a metal detector wherein the depth can be adjusted or maximized; not all metal detectors can search deeper grounds so be sure that the detector you have suits the depth you want to dig in.
• Alerts - these are valuable additions to metal detectors wherein the beeps and sounds can alert you to a valuable item and what kind it is;
• Sensitivity - metal detectors can be very sensitive or vice versa; be sure to get a metal detector that is just right to avoid false alarms;
• Detection modes - settings and set-ups in your metal detector can be easily changed depending on your requirement; there are metal detectors that allow you to modify settings depending on what items you are looking for like coins, jewelry, relics and gold;
• Battery life - metal detectors using power supply can support you with 20-30 operation hours and if there is no power supply, you can also use a AA battery;
• Size and weight - this matters if it’s portable enough to travel; and,
• Display - this just pertains to the information that can be displayed while in use.

As a form of hobby, some of the most common but exciting uses of metal detectors are:

• Treasure hunting - discovering hidden treasures among trash; it can be caches of silver, gold or something else and it can be jewelry as long as it is of value that benefits the finder;
• Relic hunting - same as hunting for treasure, this use also looks for something of value, although it’s more of the historic and period value;
• Coin shooting - for coin collectors and enthusiasts, one hobby you should cultivate is metal detecting to support and beef up your collection;
• Prospecting - this is to search for minerals and metals with value such as gold.

Knowing all these basic tips is enough to guide you on your treasure hunting journey. Good luck!

Metal Detector Parts

If you are one of those people who wonder about those weird people with sticks that make noises, think no more. What they are holding are called metal detectors and they are not only used by treasure hunters but also for security purposes like bomb or firearm detection. These contraptions are very useful. They can give signals even from the smallest coin deep sited.

How can it detect those metals? Here is a 101 on the parts of a detector and how it works. You need to know the parts of it and its operation to understand what this contraption is telling you when you hear those weird beeps.

Metal detectors for hobbyists or those who just try metal detecting for fun; has equipment that is simple and lightweight, unlike those for security purposes. This simple contraption is composed of uncomplicated parts.

1. Control panel or box - literally the area of the detector where you control almost everything. Inside are the circuits, batteries, the processor and the speakers.

2. Tube - more commonly known as the shaft. It attaches the control panel and the search head.

3. Search head - most important part of the detector. It is the part that spots possible treasures around. (It has other names also: loop, antenna, or the search coil)

4. Stabilizer - it aids in your control when you hold the item. This is now common for most metal detectors but not all detectors have this feature.

5. Headphones - this part is also optional but advisable. It aids you in listening only to specific noises. You can hear even the slightest sound of beeping. You can also reduce the sound around you by adding this to your machine.

There are three types of metal detectors these are: VLF, PI and BFO.

VLF or Very low frequency is the most commonly bought detector on the market. This type of machine generates an electromagnetic field and can detect at what level or depth the metal may be.

PI or Pulse induction is not as common as the VLF. This contraption generates and uses the coil (just one) as the recipient and spreader of the impulses. The good thing about this item is that it can locate deep sited metals and in areas that other metal detector types have difficulty in.

BFO or beat frequency oscillator is the most common and down to earth contraption there is. This type needs 2 coils that are linked and generates radio-waves. These are the cheapest available that are being sold in stores.

Remember when you know how a detector works you will enjoy doing it effortlessly. Research more and get that detector. You never know what you just might get.

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