Metal Detecting

I was thinking of getting a Detector. Any Suggestions on kind/model? What are the laws about detecting in public places? I imagine you can't "search" in national parks...etc. "I found this neat button at the Alamo" or "this bullet at Gettysburg" just won't happen. Any thoughts or tips?

 

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Yes, first, NEVER go near a National Park with a metal detector!!!!!
You would be subject to arrest, confiscation of the detector and possibly your vehicle! Defense attorneys are very expensive.
Then, as for areas to detect, go to FMDAC.org, click on the map for your state and contact the Chapter President for further info. He will either answer your question or direct you to someone in your area. Also, consider joining. Dues are very inexpensive.
To select a detector, you can also ask for opinion from the same web site, but -- beware, users of particular brands are very prejudiced! (As I am with my Whites' detectors.)

 

I have a cheapo Bounty Hunter, but the consensus usually seems to be that White's are indeed the best.

 

Thanks "other" Frank! I will look into that.

 

Jhonn:
As I said, we are a prejudiced group. Yup I like my Whites (both of them, hoping to get another).
But, Bounty Hunter also makes expensive units, up to (or more than) $500. Sure there are more expensive units (Whites goes up to $1200) , but no unit is any good if it sits in the closet, and any unit is only as good as the user.

 

Thanks all. I have some homework to do.

 

Would love to get one!
But really don't need to much around here Heidelberg,Germany
About 8 months ago A friend of mine who works on a old Germany base
showed me where german crews were digging a long trench and all this metal crap came out . That metal crap was loads of german helmets,pieces of gas masks,old bottles...etc What had happened was the allies captured this base in 1945 without a fight and bascially what they could confiscate was thrown in this giant pit along with garbage and lots and i mean lots of empty wine bottles then they threw gas on it and lit .
Alot of the stuff that was found was in bad shape but al least 7 or 8 of the helmets were in good shape
And most of the china was in great shape (with swastiza marked bavaria 1942)
So all in all I have 1 helmet,many pices of china Couple of military badges
bayonet(not much left of it)
But the china makes up for it full pieces not touched since it was buried in 45 As for the german crew they don't care for it since they try to bury the past also for the fact that having anything with nazi symbol is illegal here. If anybody has similar stories I would love to hear them.

 

I have a Garrett and a Tesoro, both great machines. I just passed the 5000 coin mark for finds this year. You should look into the Garrett Treasure Ace 250. The right mix of technology and price.

 

Dock:
I just saw the Garrett 250 at the FMDAC convention, and it is supposed to be HOT!
They can't make them fast enough. Supposedly they screwed up and should have charge $100 more!
(Current list is $250).
Everyone with one says it is a definite thumbs up!

 

WOW! 5000 coins? how many hours did it take, what was your best find?

 

Dock:
Okay, how many times have you NOT heard that question?
[what was your best find?]

Frank

 

i got mine at wal-mart. wal mart detectors are pretty darn good too. mine cost $200.

 

I have one also , from wal mart, all i found so far is new coins, and a LOT of trash, nales, soda tabs, where to look!!

 

Where do you live?
I mostly do schools parks, etc when the ground is soft, although my arm has been bothering me lately, so I have been donig the beaches.
See web site above for contacts.

 

I saw a Bounty Hunter at Walmart today but didn't have time to really look at it. $300. All I have is a cheap one from many years ago.

 

Reggie:
Look for a Garrett dealer near you, see above, and look at the 250.
Good machine.
Where do you live? you can PM me, and I'll try to find a dealer near you.

 

I live just west of Charlotte NC. There's probably a dealer in Charlotte.

 

Reggie:
See your PM and e-mail
Frank

 

Buy over the internet. Lowest prices and no sales tax. The Ace 250 can be found online for about $215 and lots of places have free shipping.

 

Check here.
http://www.djsdetectors.com/cgi-bin/plugins/MivaEmpresas/miva?plugins/MivaMerchants/merchant.mvc+
Or here...
http://www.kellycodetectors.com/garrett/garrett-ace250.htm
This is new....
http://www.kellycodetectors.com/garrett/garrett-ace250pro.htm
Plenty of others Im sure.