getting started questions?
hardcorehockeyfan
Posts: 573
I have come across this area of the CU boards, and metal detecting is something that I have really thought about in the previous few years, and hopefully some of you can answer a few questions.
1. For a beginner, what is a good price to pay for a metal detector that is not the best thing in the world, but definitely not the worst?
2. Do metal detectors really tell you what is in the ground, and how deep it is?
3. I know one cannot go detecting on private land without permission, but is public land "open access?"
4. Is it technically legal to dig in public land without permission?
5. Do I get to keep any and all things I find?
6. Can someone recommend a specific metal detector to buy for a beginner?
I see some great finds from viewing the threads on these boards, and it looks like something I would love to do, even if nothing is found, would get me out of the house for some exercise!!!
1. For a beginner, what is a good price to pay for a metal detector that is not the best thing in the world, but definitely not the worst?
2. Do metal detectors really tell you what is in the ground, and how deep it is?
3. I know one cannot go detecting on private land without permission, but is public land "open access?"
4. Is it technically legal to dig in public land without permission?
5. Do I get to keep any and all things I find?
6. Can someone recommend a specific metal detector to buy for a beginner?
I see some great finds from viewing the threads on these boards, and it looks like something I would love to do, even if nothing is found, would get me out of the house for some exercise!!!
0
Comments
1. Probably between $200 and $300, new.
2. Yes, to a certain extent. While never 100% accurate, those with target ID will make a decent "educated guess" about an item in the ground. And some models have depth meters that likewise guess at the depth.
3. It depends on your local laws- you should always check beforehand.
4. See the answer to #3 above. If there are no local ordinances against it, the answer is usually yes. Some cities like mine issue permits.
5. Usually, though if you are on private land you should work that out with the landowner. Obviously, he or she should get a share.
6. The Garrett Ace 250 (affectionately nicknamed "The Yeller Feller" for its distinctive color), is a very popular starter machine. Of course, it's not the only one out there. I use a Garrett 550, and that dang 250 does practically everything my more expensive machine does.
You can check metaldetectorreviews.net for reviews on various detector models.
The only thing different would be my recommendation for #6. I would go with this series from whites link
2) As stated, depth and object I.D. are electronic best guesses. They can be suprisingly accurate at times, but there are always objects [in abundance,at times] that will fool them. Little aluminum chunks are notorious for imitating coins, and bottle caps, foil and pull tabs do a great job of immitating gold.
To a degree, with practice and once you dig up tons of junk and treasure, and get a feel for what the machine is trying to tell you, these can be greatly reduced, but never eliminated [how fun would it be if it really was that easy?].
Also, target I.D. accuracey tends to diminish with depth, and here is when you get what you pay for, as the higher end machines are usually not only capable of finding metal objects at greater depths, but indentifying them accurately as well.
I have seen that Whites info-mercial, with the old guy pulling Morgans out of his back yard on his first try.
While possible in theory, there are no magic shortcuts here. Like most anything else, you'll get back what you put into it.
Sure, plain old luck is a factor, and thats one element that makes the hobby so enjoyable.
But practice, patience, perisistance and researching are, in the long run, what will make or break you as far as finding the goodies.
3) Always ask when in doubt. Alot of state/federal parks are out of bounds, some have certain areas that are detectable within a park.
Established battlefields, Gettysburg, Antitem ect are most defenetly forbidden ... As are historical sites, usually marked with a green sign.
There plenty out there to detect, depending on what whets your interest the most.
My favorite is old lots where houses once stood. Some have had great luck on demo sites.
6) I would second the Ace 250 as an unbeatable low/mid end detector at a great price. Thats what I use, though I upgraded to a high end machine, I still use it quite a bit, as it is actually much better in certain situations than my $900 Minelab.
Stay away from the low end radio shack/walmart offerings ... And also I'd suggest you make sure to get a model with the pinpoint feature [most have it these days, some don't. It makes the underground object a whole lot easier to find].