When to dig?

[wmjstu]

I've only been MDing with he AT Pro for 1.5 months but am curious as to when to dig. I'm still learning the various tones, whether its a coin or bottle top, etc. As a newbie I would dig on a sound that sounded good even though the VDI numbers would fluctuate. I also would turn iron audio on to check before digging. However, I still seemed to be digging alot of trash. The last time out I dug only those signals that had a stable VDI number and seem to dig alot less trash to find those coins. Will I be missing out by continuing to wait for those stable VDI numbers, and not dig those that fluctuate?

 

[ArtWI]

Here's my opinion for what it's worth. Hunt like you did in your last time out. You will start to recognize the really good signals and the sounds they make and the reading on your VDI . You will still get some trash but that's ok it's part of the learning process. When comfortable with that then start digging the signals that sound pretty good but not as good as you would like. Yes you will dig more trash but again that's part of the learning process. When you feel comfortable with that start using the iron audio etc. to help picking out the good sounds from the trash and dig them. From here you will start getting good finds in some of the iffy signals. Remember as you learn more about the signal sounds and how to use the advanced settings of the PRO your good finds will increase. Don't try to move up the steps I've mentioned too quickly! Remember if your digging more trash and it gets to you just drop back in the steps I've recommended where you feel most confortable and find some good stuff and then keep trying to improve from there. From your post I think you have the desire and patience to learn the PRO. We all started out the same as you when we started to detect and after 14 years of detecting I'm still learning.

Good Hunting and let us know how its going. Lots of good folks here who will be glad to help you along the way.

ArtWI

 

[JOE in MD]

Here's my thoughts. Being new to detecting you don't want to get frustrated. Do an air test of different coins, jewelry, etc and learn their VDI numbers then I would dig all target VDI's above say 60. This way you will at least be digging coins YES you probably will not find gold, but you could find silver. After you get comfortable then expand your digs to targets lower in VDI's and get to know the sounds of the targets. Again this way you want get bored digging lots of pull tabs, bottle caps, etc. Just my opinion. Rule of thumb, if you want to dig GOLD you need to dig TRASH.
JOE

 

[widebody]

[size=large]this isn't a race. it's your time and you decide how long til you move up in steps. nobody is rushing you. you'll find you rush yourself. we've all been there. i would add that i have found vdi #s of 49, 50, 51 usually say nickel. it won't jump from those numbers. it can also mean a thin gold ring. if it goes below or above i won't dig unless i'm not too tired or as others have mentioned, i'm still learning also so i want to see what goes with these numbers. these numbers are based on my highly minerlized ground here in s.w. washington area. the best place to learn is outside in the dirt. right now some can't see the dirt for all the snow. so you can get some idea with airtest. just don't put much stock in them. the target in the ground will not be the same.or at least as clear. i for one find the learning is fun, the finding is fun and being alone in thought while hunting is very enjoyable. and yes you still learn regardless of time in the field or age. even some younger ones can and do teach the older ones things once in a while.i should add how impressed i've been with the ATP finding coins in the middle of iron. keep at it and it will come to you.

HH[/size]

 

[William-NM]

I found it helpful to hit the tot lots & schools when I started out - not too trashy, and a fair amount of clad. It was good to get the positive reinforcement. My challenge is still to slow down and not feel pressured to cover a large area. I try to slow down and enjoy the ride. Yesterday, I spent several hours working a picnic area and barely came home with gas money, but you can't beat the working conditions - it was a gorgeous day and i was hanging in a Ponderosa Pine grove, and over the last week, I found two gold rings and a silver pendant out there, and my first 1902 Barber quarter and Bufflalo nickle in a trashy area in town, so I don't sweat the slow days.

And, my single most important piece of advice is to get yourself stranded overnight on an icy mountain road in the middle of nowhere with a cracked oil pan and your cat in the car, as I did a couple of weeks ago. Once you have done so, we will teach you the secret handshake and untold treasures will be yours for the detecting.