3. Pinpointing. A very valuable skill. If you can pinpoint well and verify your target, you'll save a lot of time. Ask your dealer to show you techniques. also, if you really start to like the hobby, a pinpointing device is an excellent investment. For about $100 or so (I use a Whites Bullseye II), you can purchase a smaller metal detector that you hold in your hand. When you dig a target, many times it's hard to find it in the hole. That's where the hand-held pinpointer comes in. It will locate the exact location of your target in a hole. Can't live without mine.
4. Permission. Make sure you are detecting in a location where it is allowed. Many places are very, very picky. I'm lucky in Ohio, because all parks and schools that are public allow detecting (it's actually a law). If you find a residence you'd like to hunt, ask for permission. It also helps to show them your digging techniques and let them know you won't destroy the lawn. also, it's sometimes nice to offer a portion of your finds to the owner. Whatever you're comfortable with.
Some other tools you might want to look into are gloves, a coin popper, a probe (non-electronic), extra batteries, a knife (for root cutting, unless your trowel has a nice serrated edge) and kneepads. Kneepads are essential for most detectorists, because most detectorists are 40+ and have bad knees! Still, I love mine. I only wear one, as I bend down on my right knee when recovering a target.
Expect to get dirty. It's not a clean hobby. Expect to get tired. Expect a sore arm. Expect long moments of swinging the coil without finding anything. Expect to find a lot of clad (1964-present) coins, mostly pennies. Expect to have some days where you pull 100+ coins out of the ground. It's a great feeling. Expect to find a great assortment of old coins, mostly silver dimes and quarters (pre-1964). Expect to have a great time.
I love this hobby, and I've made some great finds. I'm always looking for the right spot to hunt. Like real estate, this game is all about location. The older, the better. It sounds like you've got some amazing spots to hunt already.
If you'd like to discuss this in greater detail, or have any questions at all, email me and I'll give you my number so we can chat about it on the phone. My fingers are sore. :)
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2008-03-28 04:51 pm (UTC)3. Pinpointing. A very valuable skill. If you can pinpoint well and verify your target, you'll save a lot of time. Ask your dealer to show you techniques. also, if you really start to like the hobby, a pinpointing device is an excellent investment. For about $100 or so (I use a Whites Bullseye II), you can purchase a smaller metal detector that you hold in your hand. When you dig a target, many times it's hard to find it in the hole. That's where the hand-held pinpointer comes in. It will locate the exact location of your target in a hole. Can't live without mine.
4. Permission. Make sure you are detecting in a location where it is allowed. Many places are very, very picky. I'm lucky in Ohio, because all parks and schools that are public allow detecting (it's actually a law). If you find a residence you'd like to hunt, ask for permission. It also helps to show them your digging techniques and let them know you won't destroy the lawn. also, it's sometimes nice to offer a portion of your finds to the owner. Whatever you're comfortable with.
Some other tools you might want to look into are gloves, a coin popper, a probe (non-electronic), extra batteries, a knife (for root cutting, unless your trowel has a nice serrated edge) and kneepads. Kneepads are essential for most detectorists, because most detectorists are 40+ and have bad knees! Still, I love mine. I only wear one, as I bend down on my right knee when recovering a target.
Expect to get dirty. It's not a clean hobby. Expect to get tired. Expect a sore arm. Expect long moments of swinging the coil without finding anything. Expect to find a lot of clad (1964-present) coins, mostly pennies. Expect to have some days where you pull 100+ coins out of the ground. It's a great feeling. Expect to find a great assortment of old coins, mostly silver dimes and quarters (pre-1964). Expect to have a great time.
I love this hobby, and I've made some great finds. I'm always looking for the right spot to hunt. Like real estate, this game is all about location. The older, the better. It sounds like you've got some amazing spots to hunt already.
If you'd like to discuss this in greater detail, or have any questions at all, email me and I'll give you my number so we can chat about it on the phone. My fingers are sore. :)
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