Newbie... er, PRE-newbie with (naive?) question about how to dig-

[apikoros]

I've done a fair amount of research, and I'm convinced that the MXT is the detector for me... after I retire, in a year or so. I'll get a Lesche digging tool

 

[Nancy-IL]

[size=medium]First of all, I think you've choose the right machine! It's a turn on and go detector and VERY accurate. I have a small digging tool and cut a horseshoe type plug 3-4 inches and lay the flap of the grass over like you would open a hinged lid. Then with a rag on the ground, take scoops of dirt out little by little and retrieve your target. I would suggest getting a pinpointer for when you have your whole open to see where the target is so you don't scratch it. Then after you retrieve your target, take your cloth rag and pour the dirt in the whole, lay the flap of grass back over it and make sure you stomp on it making sure you have the surface level. Sure hope that helps and usually 9 out of 10 times, you can't even see where you dug. This tool is simular to what I use. Good luck and happy hunting.[/size]

 

[khouse]

Always practice in your own yard. Don't detect someone else's nice yard if the ground is dry. I have found the Lesche and or Predator knife to be the best. It stays sharp the longest and has a thin strong blade. If you dig a plug or a flap make sure you cut strait into the ground. This way you don't cut through a lot of the root system. Use a small cloth or small Frisbee with about a 3 inch section of the rim cut out. Then put your loose soil in that. When your done just pour the dirt back into the hole through the slot.
PS. Don't wait until you retire. Buy a detector now! Your loosing valuable time to amass your goodies. Ebay has a lot of nice deals now that winter is setting in. I really would suggest the Classic ID/IDX or IDXpro. These can be purchased for 275.00 or less and I believe the best Whites has ever made for coins and jewelry. One thing about it is you buy one today you will get all your money back next year if you sell it.

 

[steelheadfever]

Hi, I think there are a lot of great detectors out there these days, but I think the MXT is by far one of the best. As for digging tools you did not mention where you would be hunting. I use the Lesche for unimproved areas only such as fields but for parks and private property I use a coin popper and balled end probe. My wife uses the same. My hunting partner uses the black handled screw driver. He has scratched some of his finds so I think he will be going to the coin popper and probe soon. The Lesche digger and others like it are illegal to use in parks and schools in my area because digging plugs in any fashion damages the sod. That is not my opinion but it is the opinion of the parks superintendent and his staff. You may think that using the coin popper and probe would be hard but they are pretty easy to use once you get used to them. The key is pinpointing the target accurately before you dig. I have dug targets as deep as 12 inches using the probe and popper and I have left no damage to sod. I hope this helps you out. HH Dennis in Idaho

 

[apikoros]

Thanks for the responses, folks.

[quote Nancy-IL]I would suggest getting a pinpointer for when you have your whole open to see where the target is so you don't scratch it.[/quote]

Is the Sunray DX-1 Target Probe a "pinpointer"? Or do you mean something like White's Bullseye II? If so, is the Bullseye II the best?

 

[apikoros]

[quote steelheadfever]I have dug targets as deep as 12 inches using the probe and popper and I have left no damage to sod.[/quote]

I'm impressed! Looking at those to tools, I can't imagine/envision how you could manipulate them in such a way that you do no damage

 

[khouse]

Both are pinpointer of a different type. I have used both and both work great. There are plusses and minuses to both. The Sunray uses your detector's electronics and battery to work. It's like a mini coil. But adds about 11 ounces to your detector. A hand held pinpointer uses it's own 9 volt battery and can vibrate. It doesn't add weight to your detector. I would stay away from the Automax pinpointer as they are really large.

 

[Nancy-IL]

[size=medium]I use the DX-1 pinpointer and don't have any other. Well worth the money. Is quite expensive but i'ts amazing! Good luck with whatever you use. [/size]

 

[xwyokid]

I think we are all aware of the damage we can cause while digging. I also feel that no matter how careful we are or what tool we use the damage will still be there. The techniques mentioned beforehand are all pretty much the standard and surely minimize our presence in the area. Out here in the West (old deserted homesites) I dig a hole at least twice the size of my target area to eliminate any chance of damage to an old coin. While hunting in parks I use and old folding knife and an ice pick with the tip rounded off. When I pinpoint a coin I gently probe with the ice pick until I "feel" it. If the coin is over 2" deep I will cut a slit straight down and then probe with the ice pick again. Then I use the ice pick to sort of scrape the coin out. I came about this method after our Parks Director saw me metal detecting. I explained to him my method and he said I could continue to detect but absolutely no cutting out any size plug whatsoever.

 

[Nancy-IL]

[size=medium]We do the same thing if the coin is only 2" down...It's easy once you get the technique down and very minimal sign of retrieving the object. [/size]