Today, the market is full of various series and models of metal detectors – from noob-level to professional level, suited for people who have been metal detecting for years already. The price vary, as well, mostly depending on the brand and set of features. Yet, even with a cheap metal detector for beginners, one can achieve impressive results – if they use their device sensibly, and if they avoid those widespread mistakes that many beginner detectorists make. Potential Mistakes To Consider Being a newbie literally means doing tons of mistakes, and learning from own experience. However, many of those can be avoided. Mistake #1 One has to know all the features and settings of their machines, and also learn some theory, in order to start detecting. This is a must, so all beginners have to explore their devices, at home or in their backyard if possible, checking the performance, and remembering carefully how the machine behaves. In case the machine is not a brand new one, but already used (which does not mean it is automatically worse than new ones), the user should find out whether there are any peculiarities in signals, reactions, etc., of this particular machine. But one of the gravest mistakes one can make is to copy other detectorist’s settings and manner of detecting. This makes little sense, because even machines of the same model can differ a bit due to peculiarities of the hardware, and secondly, the same machine can react a bit differently in other person’s hands. One treasure hunter swipes closer to the ground, or faster, than the other, so signals will differ a bit, therefore, to interpret the signal correctly, one has to know how his particular machine behaves. Copying others is a mistake. Mistake #2 Another typical noob mistake is eagerness that can become harmful. On the one hand, unless metal detecting is one’s job, it should not be treated as a task, rather as an entertainment. Detecting in bad weather conditions, or when one is tired, makes little sense. Moreover, too eager detecting can cause damage to the detector. Mistake #3 Don’t try to detect all and everything around you by simply increasing all possible sensitivity of the detector. You will get the machine reacting hysterically to every piece of trash. Remember that different frequencies work for different targets, while in combination with other features like discrimination, the sensitivity will vary. If you feel the location is promising, better take your time and comb through it with different search modes. If your metal detector shows you a potential find, but you fail to dig it out, perhaps you need additional accessories like metal detector pinpointer, or some metal detecting digging tools. These and other mistakes can be avoided by careful learning of theory, and asking advice from other treasure hunters. Yet, in any case, theory and advice will not work until you start detecting on your own. Only own experience, with one and the same detector if possible, will teach you to interpret and assess the signals, locate targets, and get them out successfully. Michael Moore 2 years ago
