Fact: All of the coins and buttons in the picture (above) have all been found with a metal detector. Ready to buy one? You better keep reading...
In case you're wondering what my summer series is all about, I thought I would share a little bit of the background first. There is a reason why I'm sharing this information with all of you. I want to see you succeed. I started this series to help some of you who are new to metal detecting make good decisions and encourage you to stay the course. But at the same time, avoid making some of the same mistakes we've all made at some point. This hobby can be very rewarding but at the same very frustrating. Please don't set your expectations too high in the beginning.
In this article, I'm going to provide the real reality about metal detecting. The reality that you probably don't want to hear but often times is ignored. There is a lot more to this hobby besides watching a few YouTube videos to get started. While instructional videos do help, they don't always show you the reality of metal detecting. If you are new to the hobby, there are a few things you will want to know up front before you go out and spend hundreds of dollars on a new machine. Some great advice is coming...
My humble beginnings and why it matters...
I started metal detecting when I was about 22 years old and gave it up in just under a year but why? I started detecting in the early 1990's and gave because I didn't know what I was doing and I didn't have anyone to telling me what I was doing right let alone, what I was doing wrong. My very first machine was purchased via mail order. It was a Whites 5900. By all accounts back then and still today, I did purchase a great machine for its time. It came with an instructional manual that I didn't understand but I stumbled through some of settings and I could find modern coins. However, I never tapped the full potential of the machine. I had no idea how deep the machine could go, I had no idea what a threshold was or even how to use the discrimination knob. All I could do was basically power on the machine and leave it set at all the factory presets. Luckily, those presets did enable me to find targets but they weren't really good targets. After a few months of not really finding anything good, I had enough disappointment and frustration so I gave it up and put the machine in the closet for good. I spent about $400 on that machine. That's a lot of money for an Air Force E-4 (pay grade) at the time.
A reawakening begins...
Fortunately, I never sold the machine. In 2013 I had a reawakening and I picked up the machine again but only because I saw the show "Diggers" and I told my wife that I was fascinated with the little black probe they poked in the ground to pinpoint their targets. For my birthday that year, she ended up finding and buying me one of those little black probes made by Garrett called the Garrett Pro-Pointer (below) and that was all it took. I was hooked all over again. Two weeks later, I traded in the White's 5900 for a Garrett AT Pro.
This time around things were different. I was older and I was wiser. I sought out the people who knew what they were doing. I listened and did the things they recommended but most importantly, I didn't give up. As a result, I have found some amazing relics and coins over the last 5 years. Plus, I've made a ton of great friends and gained a mountain of knowledge along the way and you will too.
Lets be honest...
Most new folks come into the hobby thinking that they are going to turn on their machines and immediately begin finding rings, coins, civil war relics, treasure etc. However, there is a high probability that they WILL find something. But that something may not be what they were hoping or dreaming for. That's just the reality of metal detecting. In fact, most of you new to this hobby will only last about 2-3 months before you get frustrated, angry, disappointed, and probably want to quit and some of you will quit. But don't throw in the towel just yet. Keep reading.
You need the truth but you can handle it?
Here a some things you need to accept up front about metal detecting. I was never told any of this information when I first started out. I wish someone would have been up front and honest about the reality of metal detecting.
- You are going to dig aluminum cans, trash, junk, crap, bottle caps, and a lot of nails. This is normal.*
- You will be overwhelmed for the first couple of weeks with all the different sounds and numbers. This is normal.*
- You are going to think you machine doesn't go deep enough. This is normal.
- You are going to have 2nd thoughts about getting into the hobby. This is normal.
- You are going to wonder to yourself, "Will I ever dig something good?" This is normal.
- You are going to watch hours of YouTube videos and just get more confused. This is normal.
- Someone is going to tell you that another machine is better and goes deeper (insert sarcasm here). This is normal.
- You are going to get pissed off when the guy/gal next to you digs a silver coin, ring, or something valuable when all you have been digging is trash. This is normal.
The list could go on and on but I think you see my point. If you can accept all of those things and If you stick with it, you are going to master your machine and things will start to eventually make sense.
The first 100 hours is the magic number.
If you don't give yourself at least 100 hours of operating time on your machine, you won't learn it. That's a fact. You have to give yourself those first 100 hours before the light bulb goes off. At some point during those 100 hours, something will click and it will all start make sense but you have to give yourself the chance to get those 100 hours in. If you don't we'll probably see your gear for sale on Ebay.
Test gardens are a must.
To get to those 100 hours faster, plant targets in your backyard and make a test garden. Burying coins, rings, bullets etc. will helps your ears adjust to the different tones and force your brain to make those connections a lot faster and eventually shortens the learning curve.
Start out at parks and schools
Try going to local parks and schools where humans tend to lose their money but check your local laws to make sure you can metal detect at those areas. Dig the bottle caps and pull tabs. Dig it all at first, then slowly start making adjustments. It will start making sense.
This list could go on and on but it boils down to time.
In summary, we all made some crazy decisions in our lives, some good and some bad. Metal detecting shouldn't be one of those bad decisions. Take your time, do the research before you jump in and buy a new machine. There are a lot of great ones out there and they keep getting better and better. If you end up buying one, get a good one but give yourself at least 100 hours or more to learn the machine. It will be the wisest decision you could make. Surround yourself with someone who is an expert user of your machine. Pepper them with questions. Build a test bed and use it. Try out different settings to see how the machine reacts and take notes of those changes. Within a few short months you'll be amazed at what these machines can find for you. I don't have all the answers but hopefully some of this information will help you stay in the hobby. Now, go save some history!
Good Luck and Happy Hunting. Thanks for giving this a look.
Want to read more? Check out my previous posts below.
- Series #3 Paid Hunts Are They Worth it?
- Series #2 How To Get Permission
- Series #1 Treasure Hunting Water Tips
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