Anyone here into Metal Detecting or gone through the research of buying one recently that can offer some advice?
I lost my wedding ring while in the garden so I'm looking into buying a metal detector. Amazon has a million options and there seems to be generally speaking 3 price ranges. Basic $50-$150 Little better than basic $150-$300 and pro $500-$1000+.
I'm looking for something that will find my ring. But also I have always been interested in having one since i was a kid and think it would be something fun for my kids. I don't want to buy junk toy that doesn't work well and get frustrated with it, but i don't want to invest a bunch of money into it either. Where is that sweet spot of quality product but not too expensive???
For your purposes, I would recommend NOT to get the biggest & best. There is a learning curve to MD'ing, and requires patience (you will dig ALOT of trash!!!!). Not everything that beeps is gold.
I would recommend for a newbie - the Garrett Ace 250 (~$200) as a starter machine. LEARN THE MACHINE... Differences in tones, etc... a Ton of youtube vids out there. You will also need a pinpointer (trust me.. you NEED a pinpointer) and a good sturdy shovel.
Once you have a few seasons under your belt, and you have decided that this is (or isnt) the hobby for you... Graduate to a Garrett AT Pro or Max.
Hope that helps & GL!
For your purposes, I would recommend NOT to get the biggest & best. There is a learning curve to MD'ing, and requires patience (you will dig ALOT of trash!!!!). Not everything that beeps is gold.
I would recommend for a newbie - the Garrett Ace 250 (~$200) as a starter machine. LEARN THE MACHINE... Differences in tones, etc... a Ton of youtube vids out there. You will also need a pinpointer (trust me.. you NEED a pinpointer) and a good sturdy shovel.
Once you have a few seasons under your belt, and you have decided that this is (or isnt) the hobby for you... Graduate to a Garrett AT Pro or Max.
Hope that helps & GL!
Very helpful. Thank you.
Can i use my music headphones i already own?
I have the AT Max by Garrett but its not for beginners.
Check out TreasureNet web site for more info on every treasure hunting topic known to man.
If this is going to be a hobby then you will definitely need a pinpointer, digging tool or tools. Many times a target in the ground will be under roots etc, so a digger with serrated edge is key.
That’s Gary Drayton and he’s using a Minelabs detector. Goes for north of 3K...he’s pretty famous and I’m sure he gets his equipment like a golf pro gets clubs
IMO, your love for each other is what embodies your marriage, not a hunk of metal.
I’ve found quite a few and I never charged anything. I’ve even found class rings that I traced back to their owners.
That'd be my same question, as well as asking folks to post photos of their loot., which is probably frowned upon in the "detectorist" world. I'm sure it's all about the adventure not the loot.
For your purposes, I would recommend NOT to get the biggest & best. There is a learning curve to MD'ing, and requires patience (you will dig ALOT of trash!!!!). Not everything that beeps is gold.
I would recommend for a newbie - the Garrett Ace 250 (~$200) as a starter machine. LEARN THE MACHINE... Differences in tones, etc... a Ton of youtube vids out there. You will also need a pinpointer (trust me.. you NEED a pinpointer) and a good sturdy shovel.
Once you have a few seasons under your belt, and you have decided that this is (or isnt) the hobby for you... Graduate to a Garrett AT Pro or Max.
Hope that helps & GL!
I've been detecting for 20 years. Jim has given you a solid recommendation. The Ace 250 is a solid machine and not just a toy or cheap China import. I would recommend the Ace 350 as it has notch discrimination. The 250 will find your ring, but with the 350 you won't be in such a hurry to graduate to the AT Pro or Max. Check out Kellyco
I have the AT Max by Garrett but its not for beginners.
Check out TreasureNet web site for more info on every treasure hunting topic known to man.
Fast Eddie, I've been a member on TNet for over a decade with the same handle as here.
The most valuable coin I’ve found is a 1793 Large cent valued between $500 - $1000
Sounds like a cool hobby, do you have to pick your locations carefully, or if you're say on Cape Cod Bay, can you just fire up the metal detector and roam the beach? Do you stay on the sand or go in the water? Are these annoying beginner questions I should just google or ask on the forum you mentioned?
Are there any sovereignty laws like with treasure (at least I think there are with treasure)?
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Is a good start and you don’t necessarily need the headphones to find your ring. Headphones are great for hearing faint tones or when you don’t want to alert others. You might be able to use your music headphones but probably need an adapter to plug in.
I have the AT Max by Garrett but its not for beginners.
Check out TreasureNet web site for more info on every treasure hunting topic known to man.
Fast Eddie, I've been a member on TNet for over a decade with the same handle as here.
I’ll check you out there. Is it possible to send you a pm there? I’m coming to Ft. Lauderdale in June for a family occasion but if I can get it past the wife I’d love to do some shallow water hunting....
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I have found enough to finance the hobby many times over. There are coins/buttons etc etc worth a lot that are found everyday. Some people specialize in various types of hunting. I’m from upstate ny so I have the opportunity to find rev war relics. I just got back from Georgia near battlefield of chickamauga where we found a bunch of three ringer bullets of various calibers all worth money if you wanted to sell.
Sounds like a cool hobby, do you have to pick your locations carefully, or if you're say on Cape Cod Bay, can you just fire up the metal detector and roam the beach? Do you stay on the sand or go in the water? Are these annoying beginner questions I should just google or ask on the forum you mentioned?
Are there any sovereignty laws like with treasure (at least I think there are with treasure)?
National seashore beaches are off limits unfortunately. Can’t even bring your detector there...other beaches are ok in the cape. I do both dry sand and shallow water but you need special equipment for salt water as it makes a normal detector go wild and not useable
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In comment 14449611 Fast Eddie said:
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Is a good start and you don’t necessarily need the headphones to find your ring. Headphones are great for hearing faint tones or when you don’t want to alert others. You might be able to use your music headphones but probably need an adapter to plug in.
I have the AT Max by Garrett but its not for beginners.
Check out TreasureNet web site for more info on every treasure hunting topic known to man.
Fast Eddie, I've been a member on TNet for over a decade with the same handle as here.
I’ll check you out there. Is it possible to send you a pm there? I’m coming to Ft. Lauderdale in June for a family occasion but if I can get it past the wife I’d love to do some shallow water hunting....
You can send a PM there. Although to be fair, Ft. Lauderdale is quite a bit south for me. I'm in St. Augustine.
Yes, I have found 1600's , 1700's & 1800's coinage... That alone for the historic value is worth it for me. Musketballs, gold & silver jewelry.. Anything silver or gold just POPS like the day it was dropped - a rush.
I also have found what seems to be a zillion beaver tail pulltabs (from the 70's... I hate those F-in things... lol.
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In comment 14449885 Diver_Down said:
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In comment 14449611 Fast Eddie said:
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Is a good start and you don’t necessarily need the headphones to find your ring. Headphones are great for hearing faint tones or when you don’t want to alert others. You might be able to use your music headphones but probably need an adapter to plug in.
I have the AT Max by Garrett but its not for beginners.
Check out TreasureNet web site for more info on every treasure hunting topic known to man.
Fast Eddie, I've been a member on TNet for over a decade with the same handle as here.
I’ll check you out there. Is it possible to send you a pm there? I’m coming to Ft. Lauderdale in June for a family occasion but if I can get it past the wife I’d love to do some shallow water hunting....
You can send a PM there. Although to be fair, Ft. Lauderdale is quite a bit south for me. I'm in St. Augustine.
Also on Tnet.. Thigh66 is the handle! :)
Not that it's the case, but I'm picturing some guy in 1974 ripping the pop top off a can of Schlitz, tossing it on the ground, and laughing "Have fun digging that one up!"
Schlitz drinkers never did have any class
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no knocking the hobby, just interested
Yes, I have found 1600's , 1700's & 1800's coinage... That alone for the historic value is worth it for me. Musketballs, gold & silver jewelry.. Anything silver or gold just POPS like the day it was dropped - a rush.
I also have found what seems to be a zillion beaver tail pulltabs (from the 70's... I hate those F-in things... lol.
Do you find things mostly by oceans/bodies of water or do you go to historical/specific locations where you think maybe you have a better chance of finding something?
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no knocking the hobby, just interested
Yes, I have found 1600's , 1700's & 1800's coinage... That alone for the historic value is worth it for me. Musketballs, gold & silver jewelry.. Anything silver or gold just POPS like the day it was dropped - a rush.
I also have found what seems to be a zillion beaver tail pulltabs (from the 70's... I hate those F-in things... lol.
I love finding the beaver tails. As you know, every find tells a story. Hitting a site where old pull tabs are present let's you know that the site hasn't been hunted. And if it was, it was done by a novice as the pull tab is in the same frequency as gold. Let all the amateurs discriminate out the pull tabs (and gold) while cleaning out the clad.
Schlitz drinkers never did have any class
I just replied to Jim's response above and then continued scrolling to see your response that reiterates what I just said.