Today's metal detecting novice has a wealth
of resources available to them. Check a newsstand for treasure/detector
magazines. your telephone "yellow pages"and of course the Web for metal detector
dealers. Your local newspaper meetings' calendar for related clubs and
organizations.Visit your local library's card catalog for related books and
periodicals.
It's a little like playing twenty questions
as one question (and answer) usually leads to another. Most hobby detector
users, first finds will be whatever can be found within a few miles of home.
Private yards can contain almost anything depending on property age and use.
Most will produce modern as well as some older coins and possibly some
jewelry.
You can buy a Metal Detector for as
low as $40.00 and as high as $1,500. Wherever there's a Tandy Radio Shack
you can buy a inexpensive detector for under $300.00 for there top of the
line model. I tend to stear clear of Radio Shack for metal detector's because
the models displayed are obsolete (Type Brands) of a few years ago. The Brands
are Identical with the exception of a different name. Even though, The Radio
Shack models are a little more than a toy you can actually find coins with
them. But, for the same price as Radio shacks top of the line $300.00 model
you can buy a much better detector.
Better detectors those sold by the major
manufacturers: Fisher,Garrett,Minelab,Tesoro,White's,Sunray and Bounty Hunter
range from approximately $189.00 to $300.00 (low end) through $300-550 (middle).
to $550-1,500 (high end). These are not the only brands available but those
most frequently seen advertised in detector
magazines.
Local Metal Detector dealers are prepared
to guide prospective detector purchasers through the maze of all the new
technology that's out today. A dealer has a vested interest in keeping a
satisfied customer. He or She wants your repeat business, future detector
purchases, and customer referrals. The dealer will have demo units, will
be more than happy to instruct you in using a detector and attempt to match
expectations with price/performance. Used "trade-ins" are sometimes available
with or without extended Warranties every major detector manufacturer will
provide contact information regarding your nearest authorized dealer.
One of the oldest and most passionate debates among experienced detector users is which detector is best and which goes deepest. It has been my experience that comparisons are best made within price ranges and design type only. A $150 unit will generally not perform as well as a $950 unit. Within similar prices ranges. all $600 detectors are essentially equal. as are all $300 detectors, or all $150 detectors. Detectors designed for specialized use: Surf/Beach, Nugget hunting/Prospecting and large deep Object/Cache recovery etc. are better when used in their own element.
Selection is sometimes mandated by type of use anticipated example: A underwater waterproof model. Most first time detector owners will probably opt for a general purpose all around land type detector. A good quality modern metal detector ($300.00 and up). with an industry standard 7-8" coil. can be expected to find coins and coin sized targets from surface to seven and one-half inches deep under good conditions. More expensive detectors with more features can be expected to find coins as deep as ten to Twelve inches or even a little more.
Target size/Composition,Ground Mineralization and Moisture, Length of time Target buried,Type/Size of coil and Detector user experience and ability dramatically affect these general guidelines. The lowest priced models may find the same targets as the highest priced model if depth is negligible. but it will be easier and take a lot less time with a model with more features. The greatest differential to be considered is you. the detector operator. The best detector finds are being made today by detector operators who know and understand the abilities and limitations of their own detectors. and who recognize the need for practice and persistence in acquiring this knowledge. This is best realized by a willingness to spend many hours in the field after first spending time on research and "better site" identification. By "better site" I mean those sites likely to produce the type of coins and/or relics you most want to find.
You may use your detector on private
land with permission of the property owner providing there is no federal.
state or local prohibition against it (historical or archaeological sites
protected by law).
If you are planning to Detect on someones Property, take a look at a sample Search and Salvage agreement (Click Here)."
Most national parks and recreational
areas (national seashores,wildlife reservations,etc.) prohibit use but it
doesn't hurt to check as there are always exceptions. State parks and
recreational areas vary widely, some do and some do not. prohibit use. Local
parks and school grounds are usually open but this is not always the case,
check with local officials. Public beaches may or may not be open, and may
also have certain seasonal restrictions. Always ask permission prior to searching
private property. " See Asking
Permission."(Click
Here) Request a policy and procedures
brochure if one is available prior to searching on public property. Your
local dealer can put you in contact with other local detector users and Clubs
in your area. Reading Periodicals Dealing with the Hobby of Metal Detecting
is one of the Best sources for you as a new Treasure Hunter to familiarize
yourself with many enjoyable aspects of the Hobby.
Checkout Golden Olde the on-line Treasure Hunting Magazine
Checkout Lost Treasure On line
Checkout
Western
and Eastern Treasures On line
The above links feature club news. club meeting dates and detector competition events (often involving hundreds of detectorists). Community newspapers have local club and organizational calendars you can check for a club near you. The national Federation of Metal Detectors and Archaeological Clubs. Inc. (FMDAC) is made up of hundreds of local member clubs across the United States. There is even a club for those individuals to join that are not near any established local club. Providing assistence to isolated detectorist. The FMDAC routinely provides club contact information to those who request it.
Detector clubs welcome visitors and
prospective detector purchasers. They are first and foremost a detector support
group. They will have members with a wide variety of detecting interests
and experience. A great place to see many detector models also a good place
to ask."What detector do you prefer?" Most clubs will have local
access/restriction information available. Clubs can provide "hands on" detector
"how to" to prospective members.
All Company Logo's
and Trade marks are property of the respective
owners.
For additional Information Visit our
Links
Page:
( Click Here)