Never used a Garrett Ace 250 in a Competition Hunt,

[KCK]

But for you guys that have...
I sure could use some help from any of you who have actually been involved in some competition hunts.

What advise could you guys give a newbie! Not to detecting but how do these Competition hunts stack up against a hour to two hours of happy hobby hunting? Are these guys really that competitive? And is there a sense of companionship and friends in these hunts or fierce debates and issues? Just wondering what I got myself into here?
If yo9u've been in some of these hunts, how should I start and hunt, tools I should have on hand, Shovel or trowel for digging? Pin pointer of not?
Anything you can add would be appreciated!!
Thanks
KCK/ Ohio

 

[alton]

At the very first of the hunt when the targets are plentiful, a pinpointer will slow you down. In fact, pinpointing period will slow you down.

It is best to pinpoint in Discriminate mode and quickly pull the flap back and retrieve the target. Once you have done it a time or two you will know what to look for. If you take much time, like 30 seconds, on one target it will cost you 2 to 3 coins by the end of the hunt for everytime you do it.

Everything is done fast in these hunts, you need a fast detector, you need to be fast. If you do have to dig, you need to do that fast.

That said, the first time, I would just go out and hunt like I normally do, but just do it faster. You will find coins. Maybe not as many as the old pros, but you should be very content with your take. The more you do it, the better you will do.

You may even go to your backyard and throw (no need to bury) out some clad and practice detecting, pinpointing (or lack thereof) and retrieving fast.

When you hunt, have your digging tool in your hand, and try not to get on the ground when you retrieve a target as this slows you down.

At the end of the hunt when all the targets are gone, then it is okay to pinpoint, dig and everything you normally do.

At our club hunt I go back to the truck and get a detector with a 14" coil to go back and see if I can find anything anyone missed.

Good Luck!

 

[KCK]

n/t

 

[BigCatDaddy]

We use hand cultivators for poppin' up the coins. One of those 3 pronged jobs you get at any garden shop. Just scratch the coin up, put it your pouch and head for the next signal.
Set your 250 with eveything below dime notched out. They usually only plant silver or tokens that hit like silver and it's real shallow so all you want to hear is the dime notch belltone. If you see someone else with a 250 move away from them as your machines will cross talk. Alton's right, never leave your feet, bend at the waist, scratch, retieve, move on. The pace will be fast and furious, so be ready to move like the wind!!
You'll have some good fun and get to see a bunch of different machines and styles. Good luck, hope you win a good prize!!