Here are three important factors for beginners to take into consideration before jumping in at the deep end, starting with researching sites, choosing the correct metal detector and using that metal detector correctly in a systematic way.
Research
In my opinion, research is the key to having success using a metal detector. From choosing suitable equipment to detect what you are searching for in the areas you search, to finding locations that potentially hold what you are searching for.
If you do not do your research from the very beginning you will stunt your growth as a treasure hunter, it is important to have the right tools for any job and of course know how and where to use them.
One of the worst mistakes someone new to the hobby can make is to go somewhere because other people search the site without knowing why. The same applies to using a metal detector because they are popular or the latest must have metal detector, research applies to search sites and treasure hunting equipment.
The what and where will help you to hit the ground running and give you time to learn the next basic foundation of metal detecting which is sweep speed and search coil control.
Sweep speed & search coil control
These two basics prevent metal detectorists from using bad habits including covering the ground too quickly and raising the search coil at the end of each sweep.
The classic "Golf swing" you see so many newbies using, easily prevented by sweeping the search coil slow, low and level in front of you.
You will find yourself not moving forward until the end of each sweep, changing a walk into a step forward.
A search coil kept level and close to the ground will not swing up at the end of each sweep if you keep it level thru-out the sweeping motion.
Sweep speed and search coil control help you to get the maximum target depth from your metal detector and it also insures you detect targets instead of walking over them.
If you use a metal detector with a VDI screen and potential ferrous and conductive target numbers, those readouts will be more accurate sweeping your search coil slowly over targets.
Remember, it is not the amount of ground you cover its how you cover the ground!
Search patterns
Talking of covering the ground, how you search an area is very important no matter what metal detector you use and where you use it.
It is always best to use a search pattern or search grid, sometimes a combination of different search patterns work very well in areas known to have productive sites.
Beaches constantly change so you have to adapt to those changes to be successful, what search techniques may have worked before at the very same site may not work now under different site conditions.
I am prepared to use at least three different search patterns when I walk onto a search site and I only decide how I am going to grid a search site after I see what the search area looks like.
There is no one way to search a site all of the time, especially as there could be a potentially more interesting site within the area you may miss using the same old search pattern.
Take baby steps as you join the best hobby in the world, a hobby that can change your fortunes if you take your time to prepare the right way. For more advice on how to become a Bobby Dazzler hunter check out my treasure hunting guides at www.garydrayton.com
PS Happy wife happy life!
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