Maximizing Your Finds with Proper Metal Detector Use

Maximizing Your Finds with Proper Metal Detector Use

Metal detecting is a fun hobby that allows you to search for buried treasures, coins, relics, and all kinds of lost items. However, to have success and find interesting items, you need to know the proper metal detector Use. This article will teach you everything you need to know about how to proper metal detector use so you can find amazing discoveries.

We’ll cover how to choose the right metal detector for your needs and proper scanning techniques to maximize your search area. You’ll learn to understand various signals and detections your machine makes, discover proper shoveling methods that won’t damage detected items, and get more tips from experienced detectorists on operating these devices. Even if you’re brand new to the hobby, following the guidelines in this article will have you finding bottle caps, coins, and other metal items in no time!

Proper Metal Detector Use : How To Read Your Metal Detector

Reading your metal detector can initially seem intimidating, but following a few simple tips and tricks can make all the difference. Let’s look at how to read your detector from the beginning.

1. Turn it on: Simple enough.
2. Select the settings: Read the manual of your specific metal detector to figure out what setting options are available. The all-metal option is usually an excellent place to start.
3. Search with your detector: This is sometimes the most challenging stage, so be patient. For those who are familiar with this pastime, the popular adage is “low and slow.” Keep your coil as low to the ground as possible. Sweep your coil slowly and listen for the subtle sounds as you move your coil back and forth over the ground.

When you find a gold or metal object, depending on the type of detecting, you’ll need to read your metal detector. Here are the readings you’ll need to pay attention to.

PI detectors or Pulse induction metal detectors are often used in areas with a lot of iron in the ground. These detectors emit short pulses of electricity that pass through the ground and are reflected back to the receiver. It is determined by the time it takes for the pulse to be reflected back and what type of metal is present.

VLF metal detectors or very low-frequency detectors are the most common type of metal detector. A VLF detector works by creating an electromagnetic field that extends from the coil in the detector to the ground. When metal is present, it disrupts this field and creates a signal that is sent to the receiver. The detector sends out a low-frequency signal that is then returned to the receiver. Depending on how long it takes for the signal to be returned, one can determine what type of metal is present.

A successful recovery depends on understanding and interpreting the subtle differences in sounds, chirps, and pops that come from your headphones as you begin metal detecting. Taking the time to learn your equipment, the detection modes, and the individual areas below will help you to get the most out of your time in the field. To learn how to read your metal detector.

How to Proper Metal Detector Use : Discrimination Settings

Discrimination is like choosing only your favorite foods from a buffet. Just as you pick what you want to eat and leave the rest.

Discrimination settings on a metal detector help you filter out unwanted metals, making it easier to find valuable items.

• Why is Discrimination Important?: Imagine you’re looking for a gold ring on a beach. Without discrimination, you’d be alerted to every soda tab, bottle cap, or any other metallic trash.

Setting Up Discrimination:

• High Discrimination: This will ignore more metals, especially junk metals. It’s perfect when searching in trash-laden areas.
• Low Discrimination: More metals will be detected, including potentially junk metals. This is useful when you don’t want to miss anything.

1. Start Low:
   • Begin with a low discrimination setting to just barely filter out common iron targets like nails. This way, you won’t miss potential valuable finds while still reducing some junk.
2. Adjust Gradually:
   • If you’re still finding too much trash, slowly increase the discrimination. Bump it up a bit and see if it helps reduce the junk without missing out on good targets.
3. Balance is Key:
   • Remember, setting discrimination too high might cause you to miss valuable items. It’s important to find the right balance.
4. Adapt to Your Environment:
   • Adjust your settings based on the area you’re searching. Trashy areas often need higher discrimination to cut through the junk, while cleaner areas might require lower settings to ensure you don’t miss anything valuable.
5. Use Notch Discrimination:
   • Some metal detectors allow you to discriminate specific types of metals while accepting others. This is called notch discrimination. For example, you can set your detector to ignore pull-tabs while still picking up coins.
6. Visual Discrimination Indicators:
   • Modern detectors often come with visual displays showing the type of metal detected. Use these indicators to make quick decisions on whether to dig or not.
7. Audio Discrimination:
   • Some detectors use different tones for different types of metals. Familiarize yourself with these audio cues to help quickly identify valuable targets versus trash.
8. Practice Makes Perfect:
   • Spend time practicing with different discrimination settings in various environments. Bury different metal objects in your yard and practice identifying them with your detector. This helps you understand how your machine responds to different settings and targets.
9. Monitor Your Finds:
   • Keep track of what you’re finding. If you notice you’re missing valuable items or still picking up too much trash, adjust your settings accordingly.
10. Seasoned Detectorist Tips:

• Experienced detectorists often recommend a slightly lower discrimination in historic or older sites, as these areas might have valuable relics made from metals you might otherwise filter out.

By tweaking your discrimination settings carefully and using these additional features, you can maximize your chances of finding great treasures while avoiding most of the trash.

2. Proper Metal Detector Use : Sensitivity Settings

• Basics of Sensitivity: At its core, the sensitivity of a metal detector defines its ability to detect metal objects of varying sizes and depths.
• In simple terms, adjusting the sensitivity settings of metal detectors is like tuning a radio to catch your favorite station without any static or interference.

High vs. Low Sensitivity

High Sensitivity

• Best For: Detecting small items like gold nuggets or deeply buried objects.
• Drawback: Can also pick up more interference, making it challenging to use in areas with highly mineralized soils or lots of trash.

Low Sensitivity

• Best For: Reducing distractions from surrounding interference, such as in areas with lots of trash or electrical interference.
• Drawback: May not detect very small or deeply buried objects, but provides more stable and accurate signals.

Sensitivity Settings for Proper Metal Detector Use

Starting Point

• Recommended Setting: Begin by setting sensitivity at 60-70% of its maximum. This strikes a balance between depth detection and minimizing false signals.

Adjusting for Stability

• Observation: As you scan, pay attention to how your metal detector behaves. If it starts giving frequent false signals or becomes noisy, it’s too sensitive.
• Adjustment: Lower the sensitivity to reduce false signals, which might slightly decrease depth but improve accuracy.

Proper Metal Detector Use : How to Pinpoint a Target

Metal detecting requires a bit more art than digging a giant hole. Before you start digging, you need to narrow down the area where your signal is located.

The pinpointing process involves precisely locating your target in the smallest possible area by using a handheld pinpointer or the built-in pinpoint mode on your metal detector.

You can learn the exact location of potential finds by listening to the precise audio sound of your target. As your coil gets closer to the target, the audio tone will become louder. The audio response will be quieter as your coil moves away from the metal. Pinpointing is important for locating coins and other items like property markers and more.

You can use these methods to zero in on your target before digging if you’re pinpointing with your detector’s pinpoint mode. Some models like the Nokta Makro Legend and the Garrett Ace 400 include a built-in pinpoint mode. Other models like the older Bounty Hunter Tracker Iv do not. To find the target quickly, move your search coil in the shape of a + sign. To get the strongest audio signal, move your search head horizontally from side to side. In the next step, you should change directions and move your coil perpendicularly. If the sound gets stronger, you are moving closer to the target; if it gets weaker, you are moving further away.

The X marks the spot method is another method that can be used. In the beginning, when you find your target signal, you should begin pinpointing the target in an X pattern until you hear the strongest signal. If you mark this spot in your mind, then move your coil in a full 90 degrees and start sweeping your coil again once you have moved your coil a full 90 degrees. In this X-shaped pattern, your target will be in the center.