Article: Detecting Tips
This is an ad-hoc list of helpful detecting tips and tricks.
A lot of these tips are the courtesy of the folks at TreasureNet.
- Read and adhere to the Metal Detecting Code of Ethics, especially the part about filling your holes.
- Ask permission first.
- Respect the rights and property of others.
- Observe all laws, whether national, state or local. Aid law enforcement officials whenever possible.
- Never destroy priceless, historical or archeological treasures.
- Leave the land and vegetation as it was. Fill in all holes.
- Remove all trash and litter when you leave.
- All treasure hunters may be judged by the example you set. Always conduct yourself with courtesy and consideration for others.
- Remember, all you want to leave behind are your footprints.
- Overlap your sweeps - for concentric coils overlap by 20-50% - for DD coils overlap by 10-30%.
- Keep your coil close to the ground and level throughout the entire swing.
- Always re-check the hole after retrieving the target.
- Do your research - location is the single most important parameter regarding the quality and quantity of finds.
- Know your detector - a knowledgeable detectorist with a low-end detector can outperform his better equipped fellows.
- Do not get disappointed or impatient - finds are generally proportional to time spent in the field and the number of holes dug.
- Use the right coil for the conditions - small for trashy areas, stock or larger coils for deep targets when there is not a lot of trash or obstructions.
- If an area is too trashy to hunt but has potential, concentrate on a small area and clean it out.
- Have spare batteries on hand.
- Bring some backup equipment if available.
- Use headphones - you can hear the signals more clearly and you will not cause undue attention to yourself - the new timpanic membrane headphones that go on your temple instead of in your ear (see AfterShoks) provide the best of both worlds - clear response and you can hear what's going on around you.
- A pinpointer, especially a Sunray, can save you a lot of time and reduce the size of the holes you dig.
- Discriminate as little as possible - gold rings and chains show up as pulltabs and foil.
- Re-balance your detector when soil conditions change or when you change your settings.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands from sharp objects.
- Attach an extra pouch (plastic grocery bag works) on your belt for trash.
- For modern sites, like the beach, visit when the crowds are there and observe their behavior.
- Keep tabs on the weather up until you leave for the hunt.
- Check the tide tables when planning a beach hunt.
- Have a backup plan in case your site is inaccessible for some reason or the weather intervenes.
- For longer hunts, bring a backpack with food, water and other essentials.
- A small camera is an excellent way to document your hunt and finds.
- Use a probe or screwdriver to retrieve shallow targets.
- Never show anyone your finds...just say "nothin' much" - tell the truth when hunting private lands.
- In potentially unsafe locations go with a partner and look around often.
- You might consider bringing along some form of self-protection depending on the hunt location.
- Having a cellphone is a good idea.
- Bring some test targets with you to ascertain your detector's performance at the hunt location.
- When hunting in the wilderness it is a good idea to bring a map and compass and/or a GPS if available.
- Using a cover for the control box and display and a coil cover keeps your detector in good shape and can increase its resale value.
- Create a test garden to familiarize yourself with your detector's settings and responses under various conditions.
- Search an area using a grid pattern - first two patterns at right angles to eachother - another pattern at a 45 degree angle to the first two.
- Check a target by sweeping over it at different angles.
- For DD coils pinpoint a target by pinpointing twice - the second time at a 90 degree angle to the first.
- Wearing a kneepad or two can make digging more comfortable.
- Having a rag hanging off your belt can help keep you, your probe and your detector clean.
- If a kit is available, hip-mount your detector's control box to reduce weight.
- Protection from the elements - hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug repellant, rainjacket.
- Bring a variety of digging tools to hunt an unfamiliar location - you'll have a choice and can pick the best one for the soil conditions.
- When hunting with a partner a pair of walkie-talkies can keep you from losing one another - cell phones work too.
- Prepare for a hunt by using Google Earth or other satellite imagery software to familiarize yourself with the lay of the land and find interesting spots.
- Go to the library and search old maps and newspapers to find out where old buildings were and where people used to gather.
- If heading into the wilderness bring items to create a fire like lighter, matches and tinder.
- On manicured lawns, place your dirt on a towel so you can get it all back into the hole.
- To help identify deep, large targets you can lift your coil six inches off the ground and sweep to see if the response diminishes.
- Always be aware of your surroundings, don't get too focused on your coil.
- Take a break every once in a while - give your arm, ears and brain a rest - improves focus when you resume.
- A multi tool, like a Leatherman, can come in handy.
- A large plastic trash bag can make a good rain coat.
- An old brush for sand and dirt removal can help clean up when putting things back in the car.
- An old Frisbee can be used to put the finds into at the car.
- If at the the beach, a dry pair of shoes and socks in the car can make the drive home more comfortable.
- A large jug of water at the car can help clean up you and your equipment.
- Keep special finds in a different place - your pocket or another compartment in your clothing or backpack - you may consider putting them in a pill bottle or small plastic box - lining the container with cotton can reduce scratches.
- Rings will generally give a response based on the thinnest part of the band.
- Chains with large enough links will "chatter" as the detector responds to each individual link.
- Think outside the box - put yourself in the minds of the people of the past and hunt where others may not have thought to hunt.
- Take time to read about your detector's settings and become familiar with them by practicing in the field.
- Iron will generally have a weak, spread out, variable pinpoint field and the DC Phase will be negative.
Happy Hunting!
The Beep Goes On