what do you think is the single best thing to happen to our hobby in the last 20 years?

[GRAY GHOST]

i think metal detecting forums are. i mean, sure, we've had a lot of nice machines come out. they are detecting deeper and more accurately all the time. BUT, our almost newfound abilty to communicate and show our finds to an endless menagerie of like minded hobbyists is just incredible. it seems no question goes unanswered and no whatzit escapes the truth as to what it is. it's a veritable college of detecting in these forums, and we do have some very good professors! [ a fella mentioned that line on here not too long ago!] i think that metal detecting forums have definetly taken our hobby to a higher place, and have changed the way we think and do our detecting. what do you think? thanks, and hh!

 

[nad]

TOTALLY AGREE with you..I've been hunting a long time as a loner.Made more mistakes for years then Carter had little pills. As Dave said, this is a college course in metal detecting..Maybe no sheep skin, but barbers and gold more than make up for a piece of paper earned sitting down, cordially Nad

 

[stonecracker59]

I'm new to the hobby but do agree with you there is a lot more info on the forums that keeps new people from messing up so much.Howard

 

[tab-nabit]

Internet - not only the forum but the mapping, satellite views, history, reviews, etc. all that kind of stuff and more

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Gray Ghost,the Internet forums are a big plus.I think overall the equipment has improved.Biggest improvement is instant information from the dealer sites,magazines,and related forums through the Internet system.

 

[GRAY GHOST]

n/t

 

[Beale]

I agrre wit the internet and the forums. I have learned so much just by reading the sites. Thanks to all those that help us Newbs, Beale.

 

[Elton]

Technology is one of the best things.( Around 1989 - 20 years ago Whites developed the Eagle II) Digital arrived.

Then the next biggie..As you said the Internet ( Thanks Al Gore) HAHAHA LOL

But in all truthfulness, the People who bought detectors, joined the forums, their willingness to teach us, encourage us, work with us on detecting issues
The Guv for bringing us all together here ( Findmall) You" Louis" (Gray Ghost) who has given us all insight of a great hobby, Bryce IL -Silver streak, Larry IL, Digger just to name a few. Their are many, many more people who improved our hobby. The friendships you develop over time here on the forum are special for sure.
I could go on, and on but you get my point I am sure.

So my vote for the most improvement is one word.. Communication

 

[jim tn]

I would say the internet/forums, as well. As an example, I knew when the Fisher F 75 was introduced that I wanted one from what I was reading on the forums here. I was also reading about some of the early problems some were having and as a result, I waited about six months before finally purchasing one. Whether I just got lucky or because I waited a bit hoping that a little later batch had gotten the problems resolved, I did get a good one and have yet to experience the first problem with it. Thanks to the internet, there are no detecting secrets anymore. HH jim tn

 

[DonNWF]

A glance to the top of the page reveals a problem that might be a direct result of metal detecting communication , restrictive backlash. If you consider Internet forums and communication an asset to our hobby then you might also consider the possibility of a downside. That downside is no-limit growth in our numbers and the demand that growth places on a fixed and limited number of public detecting sites . I'm not saying that is the case in the city park identified above. I don't know their reasoning, but it certainly has something to do with detectorist visibility.
We recently experienced an instance of a communications hands-off policy regarding discussion of these matters on this very forum. Many did not notice. Others just do not care because their not getting locked out of their personal honey lots. But the Guv has invited members to join the fight and that is a good thing.
Assuming there is good in hobby growth and in our communication fellowship , should not the on-line detecting community be discussing and communicating ways to solve this problem.? If your first response is to say fill your holes and keep a low profile that approach has not worked.
Don

 

[Tom_in_CA]

If I understand what you are saying, I agree. I remember 25 to 30 yrs. ago, before there was any FMDAC (and their scary newsletters!) and before the internet (where you randomly click on isolated scary stories of bootings!), that no one ever gave a second thought to where to detect. I mean, we had the "presence of mind" to avoid obviously historic monuments, posted places, etc... But beyond that, no one ever thought there was anything wrong with going to ANY park or school (yup, even state or federal parks, campgrounds, etc..). Why should we have? It never occured to us anything was wrong to begin with (afterall, they're public, right?). But then flash forward to the mid 1980s, and then flash further forward to the internet age. Because of the lightening fast blitz of information, stories (however so isolated) of bootings and legal struggles are blasted about. You can guess what happens next: people in every type of locale ask themselves "gee, I guess I should ask permission in my locale, 'just to be sure'" And then it just snowballs and before you know it, we are our own worst enemies, creating "concern" where it never even existed before.

That is what I miss about the "old days" (prior to 20+ yrs. ago) when we were just ignored oddballs.

 

[Leslie(nova scotia)]

n/t

 

[GRAY GHOST]

hi don. i'm with you and tom in ca on this important and looming issue. i understand the frustration. i fear it will also snowball, and create a negative momentum in our hobby. for what it's worth, i did sign the louisville petition [i'm proud to be #948] and last year filled out another in washington state. but, your're right - nobody knows how it feels until they get locked out. they're discussing new laws in virginia too.

it seems to be a multi - headed problem where there is no one solution. some people and bureaucracies can't be swayed no matter what you say or do. i'm well aware that many newer hobbyists read this forum, and they need to know that leaving open holes and disrespecting another's land is unacceptable. they need to hear that from us. once our newer people develop these good habits, then they tend to develop other good habits, and then hopefully pass their knowledge along. it's a good starting point. experience is still the best teacher.

there is a myriad of reasons why city councils, mayors, and other elected officials close down parks and beaches to detecting. i think the main reason is a question of liability. it's also much easier for them to simply say no, especially coming from someone in their position. i don't personally believe that there are too many people detecting, but i do believe the press is a great enemy. they've made such a big deal out of not much of anything. with lagging newspaper sales, they've been declining for years, it seems that drama, yellow journalism, and sensationalism has again reared it's ugly head. and people buy into it in droves.

perhaps a good move on our part would be to start contacting our congressmen and let them know what's up. i do feel bad for our locked out brothers and sisters, but in the absence of good answers, there's little any of us can do. maybe we need our own lobbyists. just my two cents, thanks, and hh!

 

[jmaryt]

filling your holes,and keeping a low profile is really ALL you can do!..trying to educate others to do the RIGHT thing is generally an exercise in futility when apathy and indifference are guiding people's thoughts and actions!...in the final analysis,,one ONLY has control over how one conducts his own behavior a field.

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[jmaryt]

as negative as this sounds,one has to realize that just being responsible for one's actions is the real issue here!..to elaborate..why the holy hell should anyone HAVE to tell someone else to fill their god*** holes?..it is obviously the correct action to take,and unless "people are STUPID,they SHOULD know this!..as was mentioned previously,APATHY,and INDIFFERENCE is WHAT is killing the hobby!....(w.t.f!)

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[jmaryt]

believe it or not!..in my neck of the woods,we are still LARGELY ignored,and i gotta tell ya!..thank god for that!..i would much rather be thought a weirdo,and be left alone to detect,than have everybody and his brother hassling me every time i got out!

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

j.t. I like things the way they are in my locale too Avoid busy-bodies, and you stay off their radar. It's even gotten to where I hunt parks and schools at night (or at least afterhours, or early AMs, etc...). NOT because there's anything written or wrong with it, but merely because I don't want to hear anything, or be one someone's radar, for them to even get that "bee in their bonnett" to BEGIN with.

 

[jmaryt]

yeah!..good point!..truth be told,and let it be understood, we DO like people,however in THIS hobby in order to enjoy the hobby the way it was meant to be enjoyed,does NOT include looking over your shoulder every 5 minutes to check if you might get 'jumped" or "blind-sided" by some a***OLE who wants to "ask you whatcha doin'?..or WORSE!..also!..to be concerned if the next person to walk up to ya will toss ya out on your ass,because he got a complaint from a observer who doesn't like what you are doing,and thinks you are a "bad" evil doer!...(w.t.f!)

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[DonNWF]

n/t

 

[DonNWF]

n/t