What do I need to start this hobby ?

Jimnight

I would be searching on the ground and would like decent equipment. Any help would be appreciated.

Jim

AUandAG

Where are you going to search? For what? If it's for gold nuggets then find a local detecting club and join. They will let you know what works and what does not work in the goldfields. Mineralization, etc will affect what brand and price you'll need. If it's in the parks and such for coins then any decent detector will work. I have a Whites and a Tesoro Lobo. Neither are designed for coins.
bob

Jimnight

@AUandAG

Old farm land for coins.

AUandAG

Just about any machine will do it. You will likely dig all targets on farmland. If you think that there will be a lot of iron, like nails, then get one that shows on the visual display what the target metal is or what the number is so that you can learn what is what in the ground. As far as brand, there are way too many choices. Any metal detector shop should be able to help out.
My Whites weighs about 7 pounds and my Tesoro about 2. Huge difference in swinging. Many detectors will allow you to separate the brain from the wand and put the brain on your belt and thus reducing the weight on your arm. Then there are shoulder harnesses that take the weight off your arm as well. When I was younger weight made no difference but as I aged my tolerance for all the weight on my arm all day did too!
Don't be afraid to ask questions and then take the dealers advice and buy from them. Pricing might be a bit cheaper on the web but having a go to guy at the shop can be invaluable. You will also needs some digging supplies/tools and he's going to have them as well.
good luck,
bob

ricko

A lot depends on your budget.... I like White's for quality, reliability and - most important - customer service. You can buy cheap units in any brand - some cheap one's are almost worthless in my experience. I have six White machines... I have used, and have friends who use, other brands... Garrett is also good. If you think you will be serious about the hobby, get a good one...You will not regret it....Let us know what you decide... Cheers, RickO

1630Boston

@ricko said:
A lot depends on your budget.... I like White's for quality, reliability and - most important - customer service. You can buy cheap units in any brand - some cheap one's are almost worthless in my experience. I have six White machines... I have used, and have friends who use, other brands... Garrett is also good. If you think you will be serious about the hobby, get a good one...You will not regret it....Let us know what you decide... Cheers, RickO

AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU FIND

Namvet69

Great hobby, find an area detecting club and attend a meeting. I am sure club members will show you which machines work best on local soil. I have a Garrett AT pro and it has good depth and discrimination. Peace Roy

Yacorie1

So I'm a rookie at metal detecting just based on how many times I typically get out. I've had a lot of luck with my AT Pro and it does great for what I do (land and freshwater). However, the new minelab equinox is probably what I would buy given the reviews that it has been getting on its ability to discriminate and cherry pick in high iron locations. It can also handle the salt water too.

For the price (650-850 depending on the model) if that is within your budget, I would probably recommend going that route just to give yourself a wider range of options.

I'll be picking up a new 600 this week and hope to test it out once the snow is gone, although we're supposed to get hit again tomorrow.

Cougar1978

Money

Jimnight

@Cougar1978 said:

Money

Oh yeah... it goes with the territory for sure.

metalmeister

What ever you are searching for, go with a lighter weight unit if at all possible. Lot's of good second hand detectors out there also.

ricko

Of course there are the accessories... digging tool(s), apron or other pocket garment, drop cloth, water bottle and belt holder, good shoes/boots, knee pads, junk bag (I use a plastic bag in one of my apron pockets.. then toss the garbage when full)...I will think of more... Cheers, RickO

1630Boston

Magnifying glass
snacks
gps/cell phone. if you are deep in the woods
lunch
flashlight, in case you are having luck and stay past dusk
pin-pointer
spare battery
gloves
dinner
a good attitude

Jimnight

@1630Boston
gps/cell phone. if you are deep in the woods

I own woods...what would I be looking for in the woods??

1630Boston

Depending on your location......................the woods were not always there.

1630Boston

If there are stone walls in the woods then the 'woods' used to be fields and pastures.

1630Boston

Where there are man made fields and pastures...there were people....where there were people.......they lost things.

Jimnight

@1630Boston
My woods are very old with no stone wall fences... in fact I have found very old bottles sticking up out of the ground in them...never really gave it any thought to metal detecting in them.

1630Boston

You might be surprised at what you find.

ricko

If there are bottles, there will be other things... Well worth a MD trip or two... Might have been picnic spots or other activities... Cheers, RickO

Treashunt

A strong back

pcgs69

would love to see a pic or two of the old bottles if you have any

Jimnight

.

ricko

I grew up in this area, and then left for almost 50 years. I now see what were open fields that are covered in full grown trees... there is a hill (Daredevil hill) that we used to sleigh down in the winter... all trees now, but probably good to detect (I intend to) since change and rings were certainly lost there. The point is, things change... and there may be areas that were once frequented that now are totally wild. Cheers, RickO

AUandAG

@Treashunt said:
A strong back

A strong arm or two and a lot of sipp'n whiskey.

bob

Treashunt

@AUandAG said:

@Treashunt said:
A strong back

A strong arm or two and a lot of sipp'n whiskey.

bob

That would help with the frustration when you find nothing

ricko

I recommend the sippin' whiskey for the when you get back to the car.... a couple of missteps or stumbles could definitely mess up your day... Cheers, RickO

AUandAG

I carry a flask (stainless of course, safety you know!). Get a bit arm weary and just sit a marvel at the views and sip a few. Never had a problem stumbling but have crawled back to the car, once.

bob
PS: it's amazing what you see on your hands and knees!!

ricko

@AUandAG .... Still laughing at that.... by the way....on hands and knees was the search method prior to metal detectors..... Cheers, RickO

AUandAG

@ricko said:
@AUandAG .... Still laughing at that.... by the way....on hands and knees was the search method prior to metal detectors..... Cheers, RickO

I see you relate to this!!

Jimnight

Sounds like I can have a good time on my own land... maybe find two of everything.

ricko

Well, if partaking while detecting, it may be good to stay on your own land.... much safer for everyone... Cheers, RickO

Insider2

First, buy the book and also subscribe to the magazines. Next, find a club and some mentors. You may not need to buy any equipment at first (wink, wink) or get a hand-me-down to see how you like the hobby before going all in.

Swampboy

Happy birthday to me last Saturday from my daughters and son-in-laws.

Now to get out and learn how to use my new AT Pro

Jimnight

@Swampboy
Happy belated Birthday my friend and enjoy the hobby.

Jim

ricko

Happy Birthday... nice gifts indeed... Good luck in the field... Cheers, RickO

AUandAG

Now post the results!!!!!

bob

CRH4LIFE

I like to search around old foundation's Be sure to always check where you are hunting to make sure it is not private property and read up on your local and or state laws. As mentioned make sure you post those result'sults my favorite finds include a war medal from late 1800's a few large cents and a Spur!

ricko

Cellar hole searching is fun... and can be rewarding. Also, old stone walls - check around corners or near old, large trees...Cheers, RickO

Swampboy

@AUandAG said:
Now post the results!!!!!

bob

Will do bob.
1st day was fun and I'll give a quick report soon.
Meanwhile, I can add two items to the suggestions and @1630Boston 's list.

Knee pads (I had 'em)
Bug spray-Off (wish i had it)

AUandAG

Oh yeah, forgot about bugs. We don't have a bug problem here in the desert! I haven't seen a mosquito in probably 10 years (usually around standing water and there is not much of that here if you can imagine).

bob

Jimnight

Here in the NE watch for black flies, mosquitoes and ticks also watch for ground bees... to play it safe watch for really all kinds of bees.

AUandAG

What, might I ask, is a ground bee?

Nevermind, just YouTube'd it...............................................................oh, my fuk'n worst nightmare!

bob

Jimnight

@AUandAG
Nightmare ain't the word for it... them bast*rds will kill you. I was stung 13 times...they got up my pant leg...but a very good friend walked on their nest and was stung over 75 times.. it almost killed him. BEWARE in the NE.

ricko

Yep, ground bees can be nasty..... Also, this is a bad year for ticks in the NE...So, tick spray and tight pants legs... best to stay out of high brush... those bushes are loaded with them...The little buggers are nasty and carry a couple of bad diseases - not just Lyme disease. Cheers, RickO

metaldetectinghound

You will need patience. Don't get discouraged.

ricko

Yes... Patience and a lot of time....research will help you find good sites... random park searches will help to refine your skills....Cheers, RickO