| So you've decided to take up metal detecting as | | | | out with and try to get the best metal detector |
| a hobby. Maybe you came across an old metal | | | | you can afford which has the features you |
| detector in the garage or at a yard sale. Or | | | | require. This is a decision you will need help with, |
| maybe you talked to somebody and they got | | | | so by all means, look around and then when you |
| you hooked on the idea of treasure hunting for | | | | have narrowed your choices down to two or |
| fun or profit. Metal detecting can be a great | | | | three detectors, ask questions of everyone you |
| hobby for anyone; it involves history and the | | | | can talk to. People who have actually used the |
| romantic notion of a treasure hunt, all rolled up | | | | type of metal detector you are interested in can |
| into a fantastic outdoor, fresh air experience. Now | | | | give you a lot of good feedback on what they |
| you've decided to check it out but what is the | | | | like and don't like about it and help you to make |
| next step? | | | | your final decision. |
| If you are lucky, you know someone with some | | | | Your first metal detector should not be too |
| equipment who will take you out and show you | | | | complicated to operate yet it should be versatile |
| how to use a metal detector and give you some | | | | enough to grow with you as you gain experience. |
| great tips and tricks to get you started. This is a | | | | There are three basic types of metal detectors: |
| great way to test the waters and to see if metal | | | | VLF, pulse detectors and beat-frequency |
| detecting is something you want to pursue. Doing | | | | oscillation. The type you choose will be mainly |
| this can save you a lot of expense if you | | | | determined by where you will be hunting and |
| discover metal detecting is just not "for you". Not | | | | what you will be looking for and finally, how much |
| only that, but you will have experienced partners | | | | you want to spend. |
| to go out on hunts with. They can show you | | | | Very Low Frequency, VLF, are about the most |
| some of the better places to look for relics and | | | | versatile metal detectors. They can be used in a |
| coins in your area. You can learn an awful lot | | | | variety of terrain and for locating a variety of |
| from them and this can shorten the learning | | | | metal objects. To add to their versatility, they |
| curve tremendously. | | | | can be ground balanced to account for various |
| However, if you are anything like me, you know | | | | minerals in the soil and they can discriminate |
| absolutely zero about metal detecting and you | | | | between types of metals so you can have a |
| don't have any friends who do, either. Don't let | | | | good idea what you have located before you dig |
| that stop you! There is so much information on | | | | it up. This helps you know whether you have |
| the internet; a beginner to metal detecting can | | | | found trash or treasure. Most general purpose |
| find the answer to just about any question they | | | | models operate at lower frequencies. |
| might have. In the short time that I have been | | | | Pulse induction, or PI metal detectors are best for |
| investigating this hobby I have come across some | | | | the beach, they can detect metal at good depth |
| really helpful resources on the internet. There are | | | | in sand and are especially good in salt water |
| some great local resources available, too, all you | | | | conditions. They are able to detect objects buried |
| need to do is look for them. I have found that | | | | deep underground, and are more sensitive than |
| people who have a passion for metal detecting | | | | VLF detectors but they are not as good at |
| are more than happy to answer questions and | | | | discriminating between trash or treasure. Most |
| help a newbie out. Lots of areas have metal | | | | gold prospecting detectors are pulse induction. |
| detecting clubs which hold local events and most | | | | BFO or beat-frequency oscillation metal detectors |
| will have a website and a newsletter. Most stores | | | | are the most basic type and are usually fairly |
| which sell metal detecting tools and equipment can | | | | inexpensive. When the BFO metal detector is |
| put you in contact with others in your area who | | | | passed over a metallic object, the radio |
| are involved in the hobby. | | | | frequencies in the magnetic field of the search coil |
| One of the first, most important decisions you will | | | | are disturbed. The detector will then produce an |
| have to make is what metal detector you will get. | | | | audible signal. This type of detector might be a |
| If you can "test drive" a couple of models before | | | | good choice for a beginner although it might not |
| you commit to investing in one, then so much the | | | | be as versatile as a VLF model. |
| better. If, on the other hand, you do not have | | | | The cost of a metal detector makes it the single |
| the luxury to try one out before you buy, then | | | | most expensive tool you will need for your new |
| your preliminary research is going to be much | | | | hobby and therefore, choosing a metal detector |
| more critical. This is one decision you want to get | | | | should be done very carefully. Take a look at |
| right! | | | | what type of metal detecting you are likely to be |
| I know you are probably anxious to get out there | | | | doing and the terrain you will be hunting in. Get |
| and locate some treasure but I would advise you | | | | the best, most versatile machine your budget will |
| to take your time here. The time you spend | | | | allow and then go have some fun! If metal |
| finding the right metal detector is going to pay off | | | | detecting turns out to be something you want to |
| big in the long run so don't rush into making that | | | | get serious about, you can always upgrade your |
| first purchase. You should carefully consider what | | | | metal detector later, when your skills have |
| type of metal detecting you will be doing to start | | | | improved. |