It was 30 years ago, but...

[wcorney]

Just thinking about getting back into "metal detecting" after stopping about 20 years ago. One hunt I had about 25-30 years ago was a motherlode. We (with two other friends) were given permission to enter Coney Island (an amusement park in Cincinnati) after it was sold and some parts (roller coaster, etc.) moved to Kings Island. We had one weekend to hunt the park. Unfortunately it rained almost constantly that weekend, but that didn't stop us (rainsuits, plastic bags over the metel detectors, a Whites Coinmaster, Whites GoldMaster, and a Gardinar's).

Over that Saturday and Sunday the three of us found over $1,000 in coins. Interesting though, almost all were clad coins although the park had been there for many years. We guessed that because the park got flooded every year or so, all the silver was real deep. We were wet and cold, but couldn't complain. It was almost constant tone "hits" and digging.

Still have the Whites but the batteries are dead and don't have the accessory battery cases that allowed you to use regular batteries. Anyone know where those can be purchased? I plan to buy a new detector (maybe an E-Trac) but it might be fun to see what these old machines can do compared to the new ones.

Wayne

 

[tabdog]

Hay Wayne,

I came back to MDing last year in July.

I was out of it for 24 years.

Here's a story from back then:

The old zoo had a duck pond.

It filled up with sediment.

They cleaned it out and had a pile

of muck from the bottom of the pond.

One day I noticed that they spread the muck

out with a machine.

I detected that and it was coins all over the place.

Most of them were old. Got my first silver dollar

and several other first that day.

Sense I got back into detecting, I tried a BH, a

Garrett, a couple of Fishers. But I have setteled

into the light weight and good performance of

Tesoro metal detectors now.

My old body appreciates the light weight.

They are a joy to swing.

Happy Hunting,

Tabdog

 

[jim tn]

Wayne, hope you do decide to get back in this great hobby. I have been in it since 1972 and am enjoying it even more today then I did back then. Yes, there has been considerable change over the last three decades, but as you can tell from the treasure forums, there is still much yet to be recovered. Every mfg has several excellent detector models that will all find coins and other goodies. As an ardent coin shooter myself, I am pretty partial to Fisher's F series detectors. I have the F 75 and it is one hot detector for finding old silver coins nestled among the trash. Welcome back and HH jim tn

 

[zeekeys]

Wayne welcome back
I to was off for more than 15+ years and just came back a few summers ago. Equipment has changed a lot. The detectors, I think are much better. They are much lighter and more hi-tech. I would go with lighter machines, you are 30 years older and the old arm just isn't up to those heavy machines. I think a light, easy, simple, cheaper machine to start off with just to see if it is what you want to do. It is much harder on the old body especially if your work isn't very physical in nature the last few years.I am enjoying retirement (9 years) so much more since starting metal detecting. Get out 3 or more times a week. My wife was the one that wanted me to get back to metal detecting because I was spending too much time watching TV and working on the computer. Watched 400 movies from Netflix in first 5 years of retirement. I no longer get Netflix because no time, out metal detecting. It is a great hobby Wayne. Good luck and hope to see many posts of your finds......Z

 

[dahut]

Youll find todays intreuments to be easier to swing and full of all sorts of automated functions. Try the old Whites but be sure you test out some of the newer ones.

 

[coinnut]

Hey Jim Tn and Wayne. I've been detecting since around 1972 also. Great hobby and started with a White's Coinmaster V Supreme. What a monster both in depth (for it's time) and in weight!!! Old machines are heavy and the handle is positioned incorrectly for long hunts. I do believe they will still work, but modern is great!! I have a White's DFX and a Minelab E Trac, and unbeatable combination, at least for me. Bought an old Coinmaster V and tried to use it. Lasted one trip and was resold on E Bay. Good luck and welcome back!!!