The detecto metal detecting thread.

Well since our wish of a metal detecting sub-category did not come true, how about a thread. That way we can contain our activity in one, easily to follow thread.

Post your finds, talk about your metal detectors, etc.

Detecto , I changed the title of your thread as it is not a CT 'official' thread.

 

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I will begin with a little bit of my MD background.

I have been metal detecting since I was 10 years old. I've owned quite a few machines from Tesoro, to White's, Garret, Bounty Hunter and others.

Some of my best finds have been in the yards of very old houses. While I have never found anything of great value, I have found quite a few silver coins, relics, and other stuff.

As far as machines, I have had great luck with White's. I have owned the Eagle 2, MXT, and XLT. While all 3 are great machines, the XLT has quite a few adjustments that you can suit to your style. I have never used a minelab, but others say they are great as well.

As far as anyone wanting to get into the hobby, feel free to ask me questions. I can give you a recommendation as far as what you will be using it for and budget.

If your wondering why people metal detect, it's about the coolest hobby out there. You can learn a lot about an area by what's just a few inches under your feet.

 

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Just got started about a year ago. I have a bounty hunter pioneer 101 (cheap). Still have a hard time with it but have found some old square nails and the coolest thing I have found is a brass head to a shotgun shell dating back to 1887 to 1889 by Winchester repeating arms

 

Just got one over the winter as a gift so im gonna try it out, I like the idea of spending spring and summer days outside enjoying the fresh air and also the good exercise (not that i need anymore of it). What other equipment would you recommend to someone just getting started? Im pretty excited about searching my own house which was built here in N.H. in the 1860's.....:headphones:

 

Well no matter your setup, there are two tools that are invaluable.

The 1st one is the lesche digger. Picture here:



While it is not cheap (around $35), it's made in USA and carries a lifetime warranty. The saw tooth edge works well for cutting sod.

The other is called the Garret Pinpointer:



It's not cheap. About $128, but it's worth it's weight in gold. It's almost 100% water proof (except for the speaker hole).

Not only does it cut your target recovery time down a lot (no longer have to scoop dirt out and waive it over the coil), it allows you to accurately pinpoint the item's location, so you don't accidentally damage it. I saw someone on a detecting forum scratch a high value silver coin because he didn't use a pin pointer.

 

Ah gahead! Ya know ya want to! lol

 

I need a pinpointer but don't wanna spend over a hundred on one

 

Great topic!
I have a lot area picked out here Alabama /Madison county!!!!
.one thing is a Have too beforehand get a note from the land Owner . I been asked two times policemen:devil:

 

Metal detecting is not a hobby to cheap out on. If you can't afford one now, then just save until you can.

I see people spend $200 on a metal detector and then wonder why they have so much trouble in certain areas. More expensive detectors filter out the junk better, go down deeper, and are more fun to use.

I recommend the White's XLT. It does have over 40 settings, but you can also just turn it on and go, until you get used to it. They run about $400 used. They were around $800 new.

If you cheap out on a detector, there is always the chance you might miss something nice at an old house. I have gone back to areas where I used a cheap detector with the XLT, and found a bunch of stuff I missed.

In all honesty, if you can't afford $400 for a detector, then save until you can. There is also an even better detector called the White's V3i, they sell for $900 used, but that's a lot unless you can afford it.

Don't ever get a cheap detector, or it will drive you nuts knowing all the stuff you left behind.

They also make water proof detectors for beach hunting.

 

Post some coins you've found plz

 

I don't have any pics handy. The most valuable coin I found was a barber dime in XF condition. I sold it for $30 to a coin shop.

Then in a neighbors yard I found a bunch of old coins from Sweden, the oldest being 1767, with the rest from the early 1800s.

Besides coins, I love finding relics, like these.

 

A friend of mine (he lurks around here) went out to where an old house used to be and found some silver coins and a 1875 Indian! I just imagine the "what if's" --- it could have been a '77!!

I think I'm going to try metal detecting out... can't really think of any negatives other than time spent.

 

I have a Fisher CZ 5 quicksilver that i bought about 12 years ago.
Its cost was about 1300 with next day air shipping from Calif.
It has the built in pinpoint already in it.
Not sure if its in the surch coil or the machine head but its great.
You can find a target and zoom in on it with a push of a button.
I know from doing it you can miss a coin searching an area at one angle but try crossing the same area at another angle and you can find it.
I think no matter how good you search an area there is always something you will miss.
Amount of the water in soil or how dry it is and most of all mineral content play a handy roll into what you may find.
Ive almost always found more coins in areas where i have already searched.
Happy hunting.

 

I started 45 years ago with a $10 machine. It's a great hobby.

 

This is something that I think would be fun. I'm in Saratoga County, NY (Village of Ballston Spa.) In the early 1800's, it was the 11th most populous part of the US. I think my MD odds are pretty good around here.
They don't let you search the battlegrounds, however.

 

Detecto find below looks like award that my grandpa got in WWI .
I am not sure who was the issuing country was??it was not USA Ribbon it was Red+Yellow
I know my uncle Teo had after that????
Good Find!!D:thumb:

 

Find out more if you can, I always assumed this was part of a watch fob, but if you can link it to military that would be awesome!

 

My most interesting find. This parking meter from the early 60s. I guess someone pulled it out of the ground, busted it open and buried it for me to find 40 to 50 years later.

my first post

 

I currently use an Ace 350 but want to upgrade since I'm becoming more serious. What are your thoughts on the Garret AT Pro Vs Minelab E trac?