Welcome to the hobby of metal detecting. If you have never tried this hobby, I am telling you right now, this is going to be a wonderful adventure for you! Remember when you were a kid and the first one to open up a new box of cereal at the start of breakfast? What did you immediately look for? You dug out the prize at the bottom of the box! Well, I did anyway…maybe you waited for the box to become empty before opening up the prize! Well, metal detecting is a lot like that except you never know what the target you found is going to be! That is where the adventure and excitement comes in. I say come with me to explore a new way to look at the grass you stand on and let the adventure begin.
I am going to start with the basics first. Follow along with me, so that your experience into the hobby is a smooth one, so that you can get started finding cool stuff as soon as possible!
1. Purchasing a detector. You can go with a used one or a new one, but either way, I recommend you have access to the detector before you buy it. If you purchase from a detector dealer, they should have a wide variety of new and used detectors. Call before you so that you know what they have in stock. Ask yourself these questions when you get there: Is the detector too heavy? Is it comfortably balanced in my hand and on my arm? Is it easy to use or will a learning curve be required? Do I like the sound of the detector? Believe me, each brand has its own sound and you best like the sound of the machine before you buy it. Some detectors allow you to adjust the tone of the machine. Know your options before you purchase. Do you want all the extra capabilities, or do you want a machine that is simple yet powerful? What is the cost? Detectors come in all price ranges, so compare different brands and options and pick one closest to what you can afford. Get through the hard questions before you buy and you will make the right purchase.
2. What equipment do I need? I have learned from years of experience that anything you can do to help keep you comfortable while detecting is a good thing. Things I recommend you purchase: kneepads, a sturdy digging tool (garden digging tools will work for now, but if you stick with the hobby, get a detecting digging tool), and a nail pouch to hold trash and treasure (it will keep your cost down just starting out).
3. Find a place to detect. I suggest you start with your yard or the yard of a friend. You will dig lots of signals at first and doing it in your yard is the best place to start. You will learn how to dig properly and get used to bagging up the trash and keeping the treasure. Always ask for permission if you are not the landowner. If you want to try parks or schoolyards, etc., always check with the local park department, city and school officials.
4. Ground conditions. This is something that someone new to the hobby might not have considered. Wet and moist soil is the best conditions you can hope for as your detector works the best in this type of environment. Dry conditions will affect your detectors depth ability and the grass will also be at risk of dying once a plug has been made. I use a rule of thumb for myself. I check my yard first and if the soil conditions are not good, I don’t bother to detect on someone else’s property. I don’t want to harm anyone’s lawn. Now, if I have access to an area where the grass is already dead or a big dirt patch where little grass is growing, then, I will go ahead. Fields are also fine, as you only have to fill in the hole with dirt and nothing else. Pretend like everyone’s property is your own and respect it as you would your own lawn.
