To date I have found mostly trash, however I have found some interesting items as well. When I first thought about metal detecting as a hobby, I did not realize how much there is to know about it, and that like everything else, the more you know the better and more successful you will be with every outing.

Where it all started for me https://swingingcoils.family.blog/2022/07/16/where-it-all-started/

So let me get started on what I’ve learned so far.

It’s been approximately 2 weeks since I bought my first detector and started combing beaches and some public lands. I’ve gone to 6 beaches and 2 parks so far and I know if I went back to every one of those places I would have a more successful trip then the last time I was there, & that, is exactly, what I plan on doing.

After the first couple outings I figured I needed to get some background information on Metal detecting. I have found several different avenues to investigate on how to research the best techniques when you first start out metal detecting. So what are they?

1st social media, Facebook, & Instagram have so many forums, pages, and groups you can follow about the subject. It can become overwhelming when you first type in those words to the search bar, “Metal detecting” literally thousands of people, groups, and forums will appear. So first thing is, try and find the local groups to your area or the closest to it anyway and join them.

Why do you want these groups and forums?

These groups are important in getting information on products, accessories both new and used, as well as the plethora of information on items you find and know nothing about. The individuals on these social media platforms are always more than happy to spread their knowledge about anything and everything you may have questions about.

I would even join these sites prior to the purchase of any metal detector you buy. Although if this is your first time buying one and or getting into the hobby, then you probably didn’t realize any of this and already have your machine.

Buying a detector.

Of course if you are just getting into the hobby of metal detecting then you probably have the same thoughts & ideas that most new to the hobby have.

– 1st, you must be the only one in your area that will own one of these machines, right? – or – Why havnt I done this til now, all your going to have to do is go to the nearest beach and spend a few hours and you should find enough gold items that you will be able to quit your day job in no time. “Right?”

Or what about this one?

Holy crap, I can’t believe there are metal detectors that are so expensive out there when I can just get one on Amazon for $100.00, I could get the one that’s on sale for $79.00 but I don’t want to be the one to get the cheapest model out there, a metal detector is a metal detector , they all just detect metal don’t they? Why would I want to spend more than I have to, im sure they all work the same anyways,

am I close?

Lol well here’s the thing. Those cheap Amazon metal detectors will find some items in the ground and can be a decent option to start with just to see if you like the hobby to begin with. And this way you won’t have too much invested into a hobby if you end up not enjoying it. However, I truly believe after doing some research that you get what you pay for. As with most things.

Most of these detectors are made of plastics and come weighing in between 2.5 to 5 lbs they come on at these weights because they need to be super light if you are going to be swinging a coil all day long. If you do some research about a detector that you think you’ll like, then go to your forums and social media groups and ask peoples opinions on the machine you’ve chosen. Once you have some answers then you can form a legitimate decision on weather or not the machine you have chosen will be right for your needs.

Speaking of right for your needs. This is a very important question you should be asking yourself. “What do I want to find with my detector?”

GOLD is usually the first answer to this question lol. I think everyone that metal detects, wants to find the precious metals, and gold is generally at the top of the list for sure. However, be informed if this is what you want to go after most? the equipment to do this successfully will cost you considerably more than a machine that is designed to find a wide variety of metals such as the ones you will generally get on a budget from Amazon deals. Also keep in mind that finding gold or precious metals in general are not as common as you may think. As a general rule of thumb it takes 50 digs of garbage to find a single item of interest. And it will take significantly more digs to get one item of a precious metal maybe around 2000 digs to get a gold pendant or chain. (Just as a rule of thumb). Now you may find more of those specialty items on a well used beach but you also get a high number of people detecting those areas too.

Here are some examples.

I am going to use #Minelab equipment as my detectors of choice

and you will quickly realize that the more narrowed down your field of range for finding targets the more expensive the equipment becomes, but the more you spend the greater your chances of finding the targets you are actually looking for.

So let’s look at the first model. And series

The Vanquish series. This series has 3 models, the 340,440,&540 models. The 540 also has the 540 Pro as well.

Essentially all of these models in the series search the exact same items. From tinfoil in cigarette packs, to gold rings. The differences for these machines are in the sensitivity settings, the higher number in the series the more settings you will get and better sensitivity you have along with noise canceling options with each machine, why does this matter? Well, how many bottle caps, and tin foil wrappers do you want to dig up? ( it matters). For me anyway, I personally have the vanquish 340 model (cheapest of the series) this is mainly because it was a financial decision. The 340 model was $379.00 which to me was more than I was willing to pay for a hobby I was not sure I’d even enjoy. However after finding a few interesting items, I’m quickly getting hooked on the hobby lol.

I’m quickly realizing that the more I enjoy heading out for a search, the more I want a more sensitive machine & one that will suit my ever growing needs and wants.

I will hang off buying another one straight away this time tho because I believe I should figure out what this machine can really do first and get my technique down before I go buy a more expensive machine. It will also allow me to re visit sites I’ve already been to and rediscover items I may have missed with the cheaper model.

Ok moving on to the medium cost range for the Minelab models. The Equinox series. You have a choice between the 600, & the 800 equinox.

First off the most visible difference is cost. The 600 retails for approx $895.00 vs the 800 model which retails for around )1279.00 Canadian.

Now the main differences between the 2 machines are that the 800 is specifically designed to have a gold detecting feature, the 800 has 2 extra frequencies that it detects with simultaneously compared with the 600 which uses 3 frequencies and my Vanquish uses only 2 frequencies. The frequencies used, help a detector to determine what metal is below a surface and accurately determine how far below the surface an item is.

The 800 also has a manual and and automatic function to eliminate noise return allowing you to dial in a specific type of terrain, opposed to the 600 which is only an automatic option for the machine. The 600 tone pitch is ferrous while the 800 has both non-ferrous & Ferrous.

So both these machines are waterproof for up to 3m or 10feet which means you can use them at the beach and for both fresh, and salt water applications. They both have an operational run time of approx 12 hours. So they are great for a full day of finding goodies.

So in short, what does this equate to?

The 600 has more functions than what my cheaper Vanquish series machine will do with a bit better accuracy for about $500 more than what I paid however if you really want to find those gold pendants and rings then it’s the 800 series you want to buy.

I myself as do many detectorists do want to find those gold items so it is the Minelab Equinox 800 that I will be looking at for my next machine.

After all that said does it mean that you can’t find the gold items with the other cheaper models?

No, that’s not what I’m saying at all. Each of the machines will find Gold and other precious metals but the more you spend on your machine the more items will become clear with visual and on the equinox 800 audible to determine what is worth digging, & what is best left buried.

And then if your only into finding the precious metals, coins, relics and, if your into diving, Then you get into the more expensive machines such as the Minelab Excalibur 2 costs approx $2047.00 and this model is great for divers as it is waterproof up to 200ft,

Or you can go with the highest end units like the Minelab CTX 3030 for the Professional Coin, relics, jewellery and beach detectorists. This machine is specifically designed to detect it all, the main advantage of this machine is that is used all frequencies from 15mhz to 100mhz and will give you some very accurate readings, & all For the low cost $3800.00 after that you get into detectors that are around 10 to 15 thousand dollars and personally I don’t see me ever getting into those. Simply because for me it’s just a fun hobby. (At least for the moment) lol.

These Minelab series give you an advantage over some of the competitors because they have options for interchangeable coils for different applications and they are all waterproof to some degree as well as they all use IQ multi frequencies technology unlike some of the competition.

So in conclusion and it is my personal preference that for the money and for my own personal interests that the Minelab 800 will be my next detector, however I will use the one I have for now and learn the inns and outs of it before I take on a new learning curve of a higher end machine.

2 determining what numbers mean on your machine?

Ok so now that you have chosen the right detector for you, you will need to do some tests before heading to a beach or field. I watched a great video ( I’ll put a link below) to help you with this process.

First grab a few different metals that you’d like to start finding. Maybe a few different carrots and styles of gold items, a silver item (spoon, pendant, ect…) and an iron item as well as some garbage items, like a bottle cap, a pull tab from a pop can and some tinfoil.

Once you have these items go outside and start digging a few holes. Make sure where you dig is clear of any signals dig a 2,4,6,8,10,&12” holes Put each item in each of the holes. 1 at a time and record the number reading you get for each of the items. Also try moving each item into different positions (vertical,& horizontal) again record the number your machine reads. Even change the settings to your machine and record the number and sound for each setting. Now you will have a decent understanding of the number and sound and in what setting on the machine and will allow you to be more efficient when your out in the field digging actual items out of the ground or sand. Soon these sounds will become second nature and you won’t need your book for reference every time you hear a beep. Or you can just head out and dig all sounds to figure this out the choice will be yours.

3rd YouTube

YouTube is an amazing resource. If you look up metal detecting and the unit you’ve chosen then you will get a lot of videos on everything I’ve explained above, & more. It can seriously limit the amount of time it takes to learn all these steps on your own and can help get you finding hidden treasures quickly without making some serious rookie mistakes. You will make some, that’s a given. But if you can limit the amount of mistakes you will make then the time spent detecting treasure will be that much more enjoyable.

4 equipment used in the field. What aids are necessary in order to be productive?

Again this will vary depending on where you plan to be detecting. Some of the items you may want to take with you no matter what terrain you dig will or should include the following.

A pack of som kind

A decent pack/pouch to put your treasures in. This could be a back pack or a side pack worn on your hip. The pack should be big enough to hold several items of interest garbage items you find to make sure to do our part and clean up after people. A water bottle, some snacks, a special container for the special items you find (like gold) extra batteries, and gloves. Any insurance and permission paperwork for attaining lands to dig in. (If applicable)

Now if you plan to dig dirt and hard ground areas then you may want a spade, trowel, a flat shovel to make precise ground plugs so when you put the plug back it’s nice and clean. and a pin pointer.

And if you are digging at a beach then you can forgo the spade and trowel and even a pin pointer, although a waterproof pin pointer can definitely be handy. But you will want a good sturdy sand sifter tool. I am currently getting one of these myself and have opted for the CKG sand scoop. It may seem like a lot of money for a shovel with holes, but remember you will probably be digging lots of holes every time you go out and you will want one that has a long handle and can take the abuse of long days in hot weather without compromising the integrity of the shovel. I have heard good things about the CKG so that’s what I’m trying out lol.

Pin pointers. You will want a decent pin pointer as well. You will want it to be waterproof as I mentioned above and something durable. This item will be bragged through sand, dirt, and rock every time you dig a hole, so don’t cheap out on this item. I’m still researching the one I want but leaning towards a Garrett pro pointer. Again it has some great reviews.