3 primary reasons for success with Detecting???

[bulletman]

Been thinking about this for awhile? Why are we successful with metal detecting, while others are not? Or, why are others successful and I seem to find nothing but junk? I have pondered this for some time now, let's say about the past 25 years. I think I have found the 3 primary reasons for success or failure with this hobby. I will list these in order of importance for success within metal detecting (hobby). Calling this a hobby may offend some of you, as I call it an affliction, or perhaps an addiction, or whatever you call it, it has been a large part of my life for the past 50 years. So here goes my list of three!

1. Persistence!!! Bottom line is this, if the coil does not pass over a good target, then you cannot find it. Persistence prevails, one has to keep up detecting even if the finds are not coming up, or move to a more prosperous location. A detectorist with a cheap machine will find the goods if he spends the time on the beach or turf. Time equals finds, both good and bad. The more you dig the more interesting the finds.

2. Equipment!!! The more persistent a detectorist becomes, the more he invests in quality gear! This equals success in my opinion. The ability to make finds that others are not capable of finding because of inferior gear cannot be under estimated. Todays detectors are vastly superior to let's say 20 years ago. The ability to go deeper and to separate targets that are in close proximity is what newer detectors are all about. I have seen this personally with multi frequency machines and smaller coils for trashy areas. Some of my finest finds comes from trashy areas that others avoid.

3. Love for the hobby and Luck!!! The worst day of detecting is still better than the best day at work!!! Luck seems to come in spurts. Currently, silver finds seem to come with regularity, my luck has been with me recently, even though I have been in a silver drought in the past. For me, my love of the occupation (hobby), is what keeps me going, and luck keeps the fire going. Just as my interest wanes, I make a good find, that fuels the fire for another few years. I call it a hobby with reluctance, more of a way of life for me. The discovery of what is unknown beckons me to keep going!!!


Your ideas for your success are greatly appreciated. I think that if we can all give some ideas for our success, then it will spurn us on. Give us a kick in the pants for the up coming spring time adventures.


Bulletman

 

[5900_XL-1]

Sometimes, it's just plain ol' luck.

 

[sprchng]

Location
Location
Location

 

[metalpopper]

Personally, I love the science of metal detecting. It is not every-ones motivation for enjoying detecting, but for me it is.

You must learn, by practical means or established theory, the capabilities AND LIMITATIONS, of what your search head size

and electronic control box combination, can SENSIBLY sense in air, using some standard targets that represent those that

are typical of what primarily interests you.

From that baseline, you should then realise the depth limiting effects your local soils have on those 'in-air' standards.

There are no standards for 'in-soil' that are 'universally' applicable, or for that matter, even locally.

Ground characteristics change with the daily/seasonal weather condition as well as usage.

The search FREQUENCY of your detector, is the foremost factor.

Every target has a 'most responsive' index frequency to which it best reacts, determined by its electrical conductivity, magnetic permeability, and dimensions.

REMEMBER; the soil itself is a 'target material'...which CLADS any other target buried within its mass.

The 'reaction signal' that your detector senses, is the SUMMATION of ALL the materials within its search-flux.

It is then dependent on the design capabilities of your electronics, as to how well it can distinguish / analyse, the different aspects of phase and rates of change

in amplitudes of that signal and inherent noise. YOUR SWEEP SPEED plays a very important part in that it can OPTIMISED the signal to best suit the detector's

filtration system. In the absence of technical understanding of the filtering, you simply learn by trial and experience, what is generally the most productive

rate of sweep.

It is a complexity made up of several factors. The size of the target; its depth, search-head diameter, sweep speed; to name but a few.

So your sweeping search speed is a skill that only you can learn best through practice over known targets.

After that, its all down to good practice and an a large element of good locations.

"So much to learn; and the best way is through understanding the challenges you face ....."......Matt

 

[Rick(ND)]

Got to add a couple too. First is to get to know your detector you are using and you do this by using it and know what it is telling you.
Do the research to find where some great places were years ago that many don't spend the time to look for and those that do the research get some great finds.
Here is a example of a guy I know that uses the first Explorer, the XS model and hunt with others that have other detectors both Minelab and others and does awesome as he knows that Explorer XS well. His research with some old area that are no longer there and some are still being used today, but got 350 silver coins this past year with 100 in 2 days at a ballfeild in MN that is still being used, his secret is knowing his Explorer and going slow plus from his research the older area is not where the ball field is now, but to the end on the one that is there now.
For me I don't do the research much and like to go to some of the older area we detected back in the early 70s looking for the older coins that are close to trash or at a angle, don't get as much, but get the better quality ones.

Rick

 

[Mega]

Researching a site is very important to me and this of course also comes under the general heading of location,location,location and we are also lucky that the internet has made this so much easier for us as it gives us access to alot more information that what we use to have years ago,

This is just my personal take on it that the more research that i do the greater success that i have,over the winter although i can still get out i have been doing alot of research on one site that we have found some Celtic Gold stators 55BC these are in a radius of sub 100 ft this has all the hall marks of a scattered hoard and also on the same location a roman silver hoard of a similar nature.I find that just going randomly on a permission or a site often gives random results as well.

Detecting equipment,well its nice to have the latest all singing and dancing detector that costs a fortune,but does it find you anymore than a cheaper less spec model detector,my reply would be 'NO' at the end of the day a detector is just a lump of plastic with some electronic bits inside,the detector does not find you anymore because of the higher cost involved,its the skill of the operator that makes all the differance,you give a old timer a old detector and he will still find items but you give the latest most expensive detector to a novice and he will still lack finding items.One of the pieces of equipment that i really do spend time and money on is the best set of headphones that i can buy,the reason behind my thinking is i can have a better chance of hearing those real deep feint signals that possibly a cheaper pair of headphones may miss.

The more time you spend out detecting and learning what your detector is telling you will pay you back many times over,some of my detectors are maybe 10 years old with 1000s of hours on the clock and i am still learning new things all the time,how anyone can come to a verdict on a new machine after just a few hours is beyond me and then sell it at a massive loss only to buy another one and repeat the process.With usually the comment that that brand or specif model is a load of rubbish.

You wont find items stuck inside behind the computer screen moaning that you are not finding coins or artifacts,you have to get out and detect and those folks that get out regular also find decent items regular,its easy when you think about it.

Of course luck also comes into play as well,as you have to go over a item with your coil,must admit i am lucky that i detect in the UK which does have a very rich history,and also have been lucky to find some nice finds over the years,bottom line for me is the enjoyment that is still get from detecting,things like the exercise ans looking at the wildlife and scenery as well.All these are a bonus and even when i come home with what my wife always calls rubbish i am always happy and look forward to the next adventure.

Detecting is and always will be a fun pastime with me.

 

[bootyhoundpa]

Beyond the above mentioned i might add this...once the easy targets are gone the rest of the targets are earned .... STRATEGY! i hunt a local beach and notice other detectorists give up after 30 minutes...these folks dont even make any adjustments ..they just assume everything has been found already...there is nothing more satisfying to me than returning to a previously hunted area and popping a few more good targets out ... once we have the basics down its just a matter of out thinking the ground we are working in.. dont be afraid to dig a little trash..mix it up with a few different machines and coil sizes...play your hunches sooner or later you will be right.. and last but not least understand that no matter how long you have been using a particular detector there is still something you havent mastered with it.. to think otherwise could be the difference between finding a few nice keepers or going home with empty pockets..

 

[mudpuppy]

Great Topic Bulletman!

TIMING....Sure this sport is an all season, all weather, all day, even hunting at night if a fellow is so inclined...After mastering a particular subset skill that applies to each one of our territories, Timing is crucial.
A guy has to be on that prime location on those few 'super perfect' days out of the year...at just the right TIME...even then, you may only have a few hours to hunt it...Lets say inland jewelry, or totlotting, or schoolyards...timing is key to getting in and out unnoticed and unbothered...which leads to:

SPEEDY RETRIEVAL SKILLS...A fellow can compress a learning curve, or really wipe out a place in half the TIME if a fellow can get 200 targets in less TIME than normal...Digging, scooping, or stabbing, they all apply...the faster you are at it, the quicker you are on to your next target, helps you learn your rig faster, also helps a guy learn the area's travel patterns and drop zones quickly, etc..

CONCENTRATION/ENDURANCE....The longer and tighter a guy can concentrate and physically endure a hunt, the more he will find..just a matter of grinding it out in a good area without tiring too fast.

And of course LUCK....a high percentage of successful people in all pursuit oriented sports and even Life in general actually feel they are 'Lucky', and that belief drives them to produce a lucky score...heck, even at some job interviews folks get asked if they consider themselves 'lucky' or not....Luck is really Preparation combined with Timing..."At the right Place, at the right Time, with the right Gear, and the right Mind"
Mud

 

[Goldstrike]

Yes, a great topic to comment on! I want to approach this topic from a different perspective if I may.
I smiled when I read metalpopper's post because he reminded me of one of my nephews who loves science/physic's/electro mechanical stuff! I am still trying to get him to focus on finding or creating the technology and designing a gold only detector but he has a brain that skips and dances from one idea to another and I would classify him as a 'boffin' or kinda like a mad scientist!!
The thing that popped into my mind when I read Bulletman's question is the statement by Andy Sabich which goes something like......"The most valuable thing I have found when metal detecting is peace of mind".
I think that this hobby means different things to different people and yes, for me being successful must mean peace of mind as well. When I find a gold or silver ring, an interesting relic or coin or something of interest or value, it's a thrill that will last a short while but then for the next month or two, I hit a slump which might (if I allowed it) to make me not enjoy this hobby I love so much.
I can honestly say I still get great satisfaction of meeting new and interesting people, seeing sunrises or sunsets at a beach and just the tranquility from being away from the craziness of life and the drama that some people want you to endure with them!
I still remember the thrill of finding a medallion on a beach which said "First time at Disneyland". About 10 minutes or so later further down that same beach, I got into a little conversation with a lady who was with her young daughter who had come down from Canada for a few day's vacation. They had recently gone to Disneyland for the very first time.....I thought to myself what a coincidence! and so I just had to give the little girl the "First time at Disneyland " medallion which she was thrilled to have. By the way, it did not belong to her, someone else had lost it. It really made my day. That was a successful day for me!!
In summation, the desire for the gold and silver rings, jewellery, coins and such are insatiable and I love to hunt them down!!! and also, I get a natural high when I detect them but I also feel successful when I have had something happen to me that gave me pleasure that otherwise I wouldn't have had, had I not been at a park, or beach, or somewhere else. Now to get packed up and hit a local park in search of those elusive yellow and silver metals!!!!! A great topic

 

[Elton]

If the goodies are not there.. You can detect and enjoy the hobby..but you'll still have to keep looking for a great location.

 

[ironsight]

Location
Location
Location

Yep, once one has a decent metal detector, experience with it and then knows how to use it,
Its
Location, Location, Location,
How does one find the Location?

Unfortunately in areas with a high population of detectorists like in my area with hyper pounded parks for example, it could be frustrating for a novice starting out at this hobby.
In these areas it takes research and more research. Then it takes pushing the envelope of the detector, digging shallow, moderately deep and especially the will to dig deep iffy's, etc.
I've searched pounded parks and dug up hundreds of silver and Indian coins and other keepers over the years that others apparently walked over. In these areas one can't be casual about detecting but has to get serious about it. The majority of my pre 1900 coins i found in parks have been 10+ inches deep with some well over. Its no wonder they were walked over by others.

Some are lucky in that they live in areas where detectorists are few to none. Some have the cajonas to knock on doors, others research long gone homestead or fairgrounds sites which are now bean fields while some detect just about everyday. Its all fair game.

If 'successful' metal detecting were easy, everyone would be doing it.

 

[Southwind]

I cast a vote for the LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION.

I found my best stuff with what would be a POS detector today. A Tesoro Mayan. Lucky to get 5" in VLF with no discrimination except in TR mode. But because I was the first to the location, and the location had the history to contain the goods, I pulled my best stuff. Yes having a good detector can be key in the right conditions, but I think Location trumps it all. I have seen newbie's with a $100 detector find loads of nice keepers and veterans with the top machines finding hardly anything. The difference is location.

 

[joe dirt_1]

I have to agree with the posters above, location is a big factor in being successful in this hobby. The trick in finding the locations is by doing research and the internet has been a major help in doing this research.
I like to spend the winter months looking at old maps in the county atlas books online for my state. There is a wealth of information in these books and I've found several sites by doing this. I try to think outside the box to
find sites that everyone with a detector hasn't visited. I would much rather find a few nice old coins than a bunch of rotten zinc coins that are in the obvious spots like parks and schools. Some are happy just finding clad coins, and that's fine.

To find these old coins you need a decent detector. Not all people can afford to spend 1k or more on a detector, including myself. A good quality mid priced detector will find 90% of all targets in the ground. You don't need to spend a fortune to dig up wheat pennies.
Buying a good detector and learning what it's telling you will make you more successful than trading detectors every week and never really learning what you have. I like getting a new machine as well as anyone, but I try to learn what I have before trading it off for something different.

Persistence is another trait a good hunter needs. We all have dry spells where it seems all we can find is clad coins and trash, then when you are about to say heck with it you make a nice find. Many new hunters buy a detector and if they don't find a gold coin their first trip out, they give up.
I've been hunting for about 34 years now and still enjoy it as much as when I first started. There is nothing better than spending a day with a buddy hunting coins or relics at an old site............HH

Roger