So many questions, so little time!

[auggie69]

Newbie here! I haven't gone detecting yet, but I'm already hooked!! It's supposed to hit 48F tomorrow so I'm really jonesing to go out tomorrow, though the ground is still frozen. I've been researching tools and accessories (OMG what an expensive hobby, but I can't wait to get started!!) and am a bit overwhelmed...so here we go:

1) Digging tools - What do you prefer, a shovel or those hand tools? Which is the best? What type/style? What brand?
2) Gloves - Leather or rubber? If rubber, latex or nitrile?
3) Headphones - Can any type be used, like ear buds or should they cover the ears? Wouldn't the latter get sweaty in the summer? Is there a preferred brand specifically for detectors?
4) Coils - Do I really need extras? I know smaller ones help pinpoint in trashy areas, but cha-ching, are they really necessary? If so, what are the preferred extra sizes and types/styles?
5) Pin Pointers - I've settled on the Vibra-Probe 580 although I liked the Pistol Probe. Thoughts/comments?
6) Carrying cases - Do you use one? I can see they are handy...but necessary?
7) Did I forget anything??

Thanks in advance for any replies I may receive! Hopefully I'll go out tomorrow to a tot lot and will find some clad (check me out, I picked up some of the lingo already!). I'll only have the detector and a shovel, but my main goal is to try to decipher the different beeps. We won't see this temperature for another 4-5 months. So with your help, I'll be able to place an order for the additional gear I'll need to get started on my new hobby this Spring!
Also, if anyone is in the Chicagoland area that hunts in winter, would you give me some tips? I'm a wee bit jealous of those who can go out year round...how can you detect when the ground is frozen?? I can't wait to get started and hate to think after tomorrow I have to wait so long before going out again. It's like getting a new bike for Christmas as a kid...thanks, I can't wait to ride it in six months.

Peace,
Cathy

 

[silverman]

1) Digging tools - What do you prefer, a shovel or those hand tools? Which is the best? What type/style? What brand? Predator Tools are the best.

The RAPTOR is the greatest digger I have used.

2) Gloves - Leather or rubber? If rubber, latex or nitrile?
Don't use em.

3) Headphones - Can any type be used, like ear buds or should they cover the ears? Wouldn't the latter get sweaty in the summer? Is there a preferred brand specifically for detectors?
I like Black Widows

4) Coils - Do I really need extras? I know smaller ones help pinpoint in trashy areas, but cha-ching, are they really necessary? If so, what are the preferred extra sizes and types/styles?
What detector do you have?
Yes, a smaller coil is a must for trashy areas.

5) Pin Pointers - I've settled on the Vibra-Probe 580 although I liked the Pistol Probe. Thoughts/comments?
Sunray in-line, but again, Whay detector do you have?

6) Carrying cases - Do you use one? I can see they are handy...but necessary?
Don't use.
7) Did I forget anything??

 

[mrwilburino]

1) Digging tools - Lesche knife

2) Gloves - I don't use them - but you need to be careful if you don't

3) Headphones - I wear ear buds, they allow me to hear what's going on around me

4) Coils - I actually use my little 5" coil more than my stock 8". I do a lot of hunting in trashy parks

5) Pin Pointers - I use the pistol probe, but the pro pointer, vibra probe, and sunray inline probe are all worthy contenders

6) Carrying cases - Do you use one? - No

7) Did I forget anything?? - You forgot to tell us what detector you are using.

 

[hershey1]

If you have'nt bought a detector yet check with Lynn at Detector Depot he will take care of the good stuff you really need. Gloves? I do use gloves. They will give you some protection against needles ( as in crackhead needles) and sharp objects in holes. JMHO Good Luck! HH

 

[opus]

Before you spend next years disposable income you need to find out if you're really going to enjoy it! The best $150.00 detector, a nail apron, and a screw driver, and a whole lot of patience, persistence, and luck! Like it or not you have to pay your dues by digging up your weight in pulltabs and nails, only then are you going to get more skilled. If you can go out to a park and dig nothing but trash and still consider the day a success because you've pinpointed and recovered and no one could tell you were there, then it's time to go out and spend the real money. By then you'll be able to make a wiser choice. Good Luck, and Good Hunting!

 

[Dustyroundup]

Howdy,
Im new to this too, 1 year with an Mxt.

I bought a DD 6x10 coil , to use instead of my 9.5 inch standard concentric coil, and I like it.
I bought a Garrett Pro pointer, and dont know what I'd do without it.

Those were my big accesory costs.

Then, I go to the local pawn shop alot, sort of became a regular.
I found cheap stuff this way.
Like my pouch and belt, its a 2 compartment "Trap Shooters" hip bag, costed as much as a nail apron, and its tough material.
I found a $10.00 "Estwing" pick and it hangs on the back of belt, via hammer loop.( I hunt pastures alot)
I went through a few cheap garden trowels, and have one now , that should do me good till I come up with a "Lesche"
I dont wear gloves , but should.
Carrying case came with the MXT , I like it
headphones are run of the mill, but that is what is on my list for spring, Black widows, or SunRay Pro gold.

 

[gear box]

Hey Auggie69. Welcome to the hobby. The first thing is don't a use shovel of any sorts in a public place. Use a tool such as a lesche digger, there are different ones out there also. Perception from on-looker's can make or break this hobby, if you are in a park with a shovel you can bet the police are not far behind. Headphones are a necessity, they help you hear subtle changes in the threshold and also block out outside noise. Get a good set though. Gloves, I wear them but never used to in the old day's. Now I wouldn't be without them. They help with the safety concern but also help your skin from becoming dry and cracked. Dirt seems to dry your skin. I use a pair of mechanic's gloves. I also never used a pinpointer before but my wife got me one last year and after having one now for about a year, I wouldn't go out without one. I use the garret and it is top notch quality and dependable without adding weight to your machine. A carrying case probably isn't neccasary I just but my machine on the back seat and go hunting. Stand it in the corner when I'm done. I would suggest using the standard coil that came with your machine until you became a little more proficient with it. You can add on later.
Have fun, Gary

 

[auggie69]

Thanks for all the tips (and the word of caution), good one about checking pawn shops too!
1) Digging tools - I just checked out the Lesche/Predator Tools and will make sure I buy from George (Predator) and not the old Lesche. (I went out today with a garden trowel and broke the blade...made in China, go figure.)
2) Gloves - Although apparently not popular, I went out with a pair of rubber dipped gloves today and trashed three nails (sigh). I'm going to have to check out leather gloves and get over not having long nails anymore!! I guess I could pass on these if I dug on a beach, but I'm land-locked.
3) Headphones - good to know I can use earbuds! I'll have to read up on the Black Widows too, since a couple of people mentioned these.
4) Coils - okay, I get it, I'll want to have other coils!!
5) Pin Pointer - I went with the Vibra because it's made in the USA & the Pistol is made offshore, Garrett's also made in the USA so and I was looking at those too. Am still open to other options (made in the USA)
6) Carrying case - not popular either, good to know! I'll pass on this accessory.
7) Forget anything - my bad, LOL, it's a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV - I also forgot to mention kneepads!!!

SO, I went out today for the first time. It was 50F and tried to practice in my backyard first, but ground too frozen to dig. Went to the tot lot and it was uber muddy, rained twice (had to take shelter), all around gross and dirty!! It was the shortest 2 hours of my life and I had a great time!!! I played with the settings a lot and after an hour I even knew I was going to be digging up an aluminum can before I dug it up! I dug anyway to confirm and It turned out to be an old Coors pull tab can, so that was cool since I haven't seen one in over 30 years (but what was it doing at the elementary school??) and my goal was just to familiarize myself with the MD so mission accomplished! I really wish I had a pin pointer with me! There were a couple of spots that I couldn't dig because the ground was frozen and my trowel was trashed.
My take: 4 aluminum cans, a steel washer, a galvanized piece of steel, a huge copper zipper hanger, a steel Blac Label tag, 2 copper pennies badly degraded, 3 pennies that can still be used for money, 2 quarters from the 90's and a 1982 hotwheels car in excellent condition. All in all, it was a very educational day for me! Regardless of what I found, it was SO COOL to dig and actually find what the MD picked up. Though I did have to bail on a few spots due to the frozen ground and lousy trowel (at least I can recycle that too!). Tomorrow is supposed to be 25F so I guess I'll have to be content with my early opportunity and wait another 3-4 months to get back into the mud & the sludge & the slime, but next time with a knee pad and more tools!!
BTW, I did put back all my plugs and followed the MD code of ethics!

 

[Uncle Willy]

Lesson # 1 - First of all, one way to get everybody banned from detecting sites is to go waltzing in with a shovel. You're looking for a tiny coin not excavating a basement. All you basically need is your detector and a civilized digging tool. It's best to learn the art of detecting first before loading yourself down with a ton of extras. Detecting ain't as easy as it may look and requires a good deal of practice, patience, and perseverance. Every detector has a learning curve, some more than others, so you need to figure your machine out and familiarize yourself with it before going off the deep end. Good luck.
Bill

 

[digginLa]

I use a lesche digging too, no gloves, jolly roger headphones, just recently purchased a 5.75 coil for trashy areas but have hunted for around 6 yrs with just the stock coil on my DeLeon (its always had good target seperation in the areas's I hunt) never have used a carrying case, just ordered a garrett pro pointer and I use a nail apron to put my finds in (79c at Lowes). Jimmie

 

[auggie69]

Hey Jimmie, thanks for the tip on the nail apron. I just added it to my list so I'm ready to go when everything thaws. I live by a Lowes, Home Depot and Menards, but I seek out everything I can to be MITUSA so I Googled aprons and found this link for various aprons. Thought I'd share in case anyone else out there is tired of seeing "Made in China" on everything they pick up at the local store. The Chinese have enough of our money, and our government continues to borrow from them and they refuse to make a decent trade agreement with us. Sorry for the rant, and thanks again for the apron tip!

http://www.needaprons.com/Waist-Aprons_c_14.html

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah they used to give those aprons away with a purchase and I used one for years but there ain't nothing free anymore.

Bill

 

[dewcon4414]

My tools....cloth nail pouch with a hammer holder, butcher knife, and garden trowel. I use an inline probe, ive used a vibra pro but didnt like the feed back and it frustrated me with the depth and finding the target. Gloves... one rubberized on my left hand. Coils... standard and SEF, thats it. Pro gold headphones. I do have a modified spade 24 inches long with the blade being the the same size as my garden trowel but 9 inches long that i use in the field and woods. I do have a carrying case.... but dont use it except to store all my extras like coil, headphone, batteries, digger, and things in case something breaks. I had to laugh at Bills comment about excavating. Pinpointing is the FIRST thing you need to learn.... digging the hole and filling it is the second.

Dew