Tips and Techniques

1. The fun of metal detecting

Consider metal detecting as a hobby. It’s a fun outdoor activity that helps you find all sorts of coins, jewelry, historic relics, and even gold nuggets! More.

2. Choosing a detector for yourself

Before you buy a detector, review what is possible in your area. If you live near a beach, then surf and even underwater detecting might be on your menu. If  you live in Oregon, the you are not going to find Civil War relics. The three main types of detecting are for 1) On-land detecting for coins and jewelry and historic relics, 2) beach and water detecting, and 3) gold, silver, and metallic prospecting. More to follow.

3. Discrimination and how it works

Metal detector discrimination is the ability to electronically tell the difference between objects in the ground that your detector locates. Each denomination of coin has a distinctive "ring" to it, and the detector can recognize that signature and alert you to its value. Jewelry and trash metals come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes these signals are mixed in with the coin responses. The operator, then, must learn techniques to interpret what the detector is telling him. More.

4. How to use Topo maps for metal detecting

Metal detecting can be improved by knowing where to look. The Topo maps from the US Geological Survey are an excellent resource for finding old structures, old schools, even old towns. More.