... This was asked on another forum, somewhere in cyber space. After nearly two decades as a detectorist, here are the basics as I've leanred them - do with it what you will.
"You want Tips for Newbies? Well, okay, if you insist:
1. DIG! You wont find anything and you wont learn what your machine is telling you or what it is doing if you don't.
2. DO NOT rely on that meter to solve your problems. There is A LOT of junk out there and plenty of it masquerades as good stuff. The best thing about Imaging is it will tell you probable size - which might be meaningless if you happen on a roman brooch that looks like a big old can lid.
3. Turn the sensitivity down to start. Dont expect to find stuff halfway to China, as most good things are within the first FOOT. SENS that is too high only results in false signals and lots of frustration. Id say start it about 7.
4. Set time limits.
A. Plan to detect for a certain amount of time, as often as possible. Like any activity, good practice makes you better.
B. DO NOT detect longer that you should - set a limit on that, too. Remember you have a job and a family and friends.
5. Set Recovery Goals. A certain coin, or artifact, a certain number of coins, etc. Then work to achieve them.
6. Carry your detector with you as much as possible. You never know when a chance to detect will come along.
(but dont leave it in your car - EVER!! The heat is murder on it and thieves know what they are worth, too).
7. Learn about your area and what you might actually find. It does no good to take your detector to a parking lot.
8. Talk to your friends and family about your new hobby. Ask if they know any old places, or good modern places, where lots of people have been active.
9. Plan to do all sorts of detecting. You are new and this hobby has lots to offer. Dont imagine yourself only "this sort" of detectorist or "that sort." Try it all.
10. Get a carry bag and keep these things in it:
Extra headphones.
Extra batteries
2 Digging trowels
1 recovery apron
1 probe
1 long screwdriver
1 8-10" inch hunting knife
Garden gloves
Super glue and duct tape
...You can have more but youll need these.
11. Learn, understand and practice the Detectorists Code of Ethics.
BONUS TIP: Determine to Have Fun."
"You want Tips for Newbies? Well, okay, if you insist:
1. DIG! You wont find anything and you wont learn what your machine is telling you or what it is doing if you don't.
2. DO NOT rely on that meter to solve your problems. There is A LOT of junk out there and plenty of it masquerades as good stuff. The best thing about Imaging is it will tell you probable size - which might be meaningless if you happen on a roman brooch that looks like a big old can lid.
3. Turn the sensitivity down to start. Dont expect to find stuff halfway to China, as most good things are within the first FOOT. SENS that is too high only results in false signals and lots of frustration. Id say start it about 7.
4. Set time limits.
A. Plan to detect for a certain amount of time, as often as possible. Like any activity, good practice makes you better.
B. DO NOT detect longer that you should - set a limit on that, too. Remember you have a job and a family and friends.
5. Set Recovery Goals. A certain coin, or artifact, a certain number of coins, etc. Then work to achieve them.
6. Carry your detector with you as much as possible. You never know when a chance to detect will come along.
(but dont leave it in your car - EVER!! The heat is murder on it and thieves know what they are worth, too).
7. Learn about your area and what you might actually find. It does no good to take your detector to a parking lot.
8. Talk to your friends and family about your new hobby. Ask if they know any old places, or good modern places, where lots of people have been active.
9. Plan to do all sorts of detecting. You are new and this hobby has lots to offer. Dont imagine yourself only "this sort" of detectorist or "that sort." Try it all.
10. Get a carry bag and keep these things in it:
Extra headphones.
Extra batteries
2 Digging trowels
1 recovery apron
1 probe
1 long screwdriver
1 8-10" inch hunting knife
Garden gloves
Super glue and duct tape
...You can have more but youll need these.
11. Learn, understand and practice the Detectorists Code of Ethics.
BONUS TIP: Determine to Have Fun."
