My second favorite metal detector the Minelab Excalibur

If I am not using a Minelab CTX 3030 you can be sure I have a Minelab Excalibur attached to my arm, in my opinion probably the best waterproof metal detector ever made. Based on the legendary Sovereign series the Excalibur has been very good to me. I have recovered roman coins in English fields using an Excalibur, US civil war relics in the deep South and modern gold jewelry in the Caribbean islands, you name it I have probably recovered it using an Excalibur. As a beach and water hunting enthusiast the Excalibur to this day is still an important part of my beach treasure hunting plans.  One of the main pros of the excalibur is the 200ft waterproof depth rating, making it an obvious choice for scuba divers like myself who like to search beyond the depth rating of the CTX 3030. 

The cons of using an Excalibur have to do with stock metal detector shafts designed for wading or diving, recovery speed and search coil selection, two of these cons can easily be dealt with. There are many after market straight shafts the Excalibur can be mounted on and a very slow sweep speed will help with detecting targets following any initial detected target. Unfortunately your only option is to use inline connectors to use different size search coils or have a second Excalibur with a different size search coil, I have never been a fan of modifying a hardwired search coil cable. I have found many pounds of gold jewelry using Excalibur's and I have reinvested some of that gold to make sure I have two Excalibur's, with hardwired 10 inch and 8 inch search coils. My 2004 Excalibur still purrs like a kitten in the water when I search for Bobby Dazzlers in Davy Jones locker and it has paid for itself many times over in gold and precious stones. The other Excalibur with the 8 inch search coil is so good in trashy sites and totally counters any target recovery issues associated with using the older BBS technology, the search coil is actually 7 1/4 inches and I see no real loss of target depth using the smaller coil as I can run the sensitivity hotter. At a tourist type beach you are often searching for recently lost jewelry the reason why these type of beaches are heavily hunted, target separation always rules the water hunting day in heavily searched areas. On the beach an Excalibur with an 8 inch search coil is a gold magnet, especially to an experienced Excalibur user who knows how to hunt by ear and knows exactly what gold sounds like. Whats the target numbers, yea right! good luck seeing numbers on a metal detector VDI screen in murky water or a driving rain storm, spend a few years using an Excalibur and you do not need target ID numbers to help you figure out if you should probably dig a target or not. I can identify a penny, dime, quarter, pull tab or bottle cap in two passes of a Excalibur search coil, I hear the unmistakable tone of gold on the first pass. Many beach and water hunters are now infatuated with potential ferrous and conductive target numbers, they are ok for a second opinion but your first opinion of a target should always be what you hear.  If I didn't own a CTX 3030 I would use the Excalibur full time, which is a testament to both of my favorite metal detectors that are passing the test of time. The Excalibur is a formidable beach and water hunting unit, taking only a few minor additions to make it even better, starting with a decent straight shaft and larger easier to turn control knobs.  For more information about my favorite water hunting metal detector check out my Excalibur Pro user guide on my website at www.garydrayton.com 

 

              

My favorite metal detector the Minelab CTX 3030

When you have a perfect metal detecting opportunity you always go to your favorite equipment and the Minelab CTX 3030 has been my "Go to" metal detector since its release back in 2012. 

I had the good fortune to be involved in the beach and water hunting testing of the metal detector back in the day, but it took me a while to warm up to the unit as I was a toggles and knobs kind of guy when it came to metal detectors.

During and after testing I quickly learned to customize the CTX 3030 settings to suit my metal detecting needs, a case of learning what bells and whistles helped me to detect what I search for in the areas I search.

Versatility and adaptability are things treasure hunters and metal detecting equipment need to be, it is even more important if you specialize in searching for various treasures in different locations.

I have used many different Minelab metal detectors over the years, but the CTX 3030 has a little of every one of my old favorites in it helping me avoid looking back at my previous favorite metal detectors with rose tinted glasses.

The CTX 3030 has a little of the things I liked about the Sovereign, Excalibur, Explorer and Etrac series all rolled into one metal detector.

I would say the only drawback to the CTX 3030 is the price, but it is worth every darn penny if it is within your budget, a Minelab Equinox would be my second choice after the CTX 3030.

Lighter, less bells and whistles but with a little faster recovery speed in iron infested areas. 

Your favorite metal detector should always be the one you feel comfortable using and just as importantly the one you do not hesitate to take with you when faced with a perfect metal detecting opportunity. 

I have found some pretty amazing things with my CTX 3030, some you will see on upcoming treasure hunting shows, others I will post at a future date to avoid being followed to the productive sites. 

Over the years I put certain customizable aspects of the CTX 3030 to good use to deal with special circumstances, from searching eroded tourist beaches for modern jewelry to searching for artifacts on old sites. 

Back in 2012 I recovered 50 pieces of gold jewelry over a seven day period searching a couple of hours before dawn each day to avoid being seen in the hours of daylight and protect the site.

I relied on audio tones and target ID numbers to hone in on just potential gold targets, ignoring clad coins and other obvious non high value targets, not something I would normally do at every beach site.

On another perfect metal detecting opportunity I spotted on a beach webcam I drove 3 hours to detect 12 pieces of gold jewelry, I regret not staying longer that afternoon as I could have recovered more gold. 

Site reading skills always pay off when you are armed with the "Dirty thirty" to take advantage of them. 

Another thing I like about the CTX 3030 is the range of search coils designed for the metal detector between the Minelab and the Coiltek options, making it easy to go deep, winkle out treasure between the trash or detect in hard to navigate areas. 

All in all the CTX 3030 has aged well since its release, perhaps not the lightest and easiest to travel with metal detector out there but I prefer to recover more in less time!

If you would like to know how more about this incredible metal detector check out my Minelab CTX 3030 guides on my website at www.garydrayton.com

 

What and where

The first thing I always ask people with metal detector questions is what are you hoping to detect and where do you intend to search. 

The what and where are very important especially for people choosing a metal detector as not all metal detectors are suitable for certain areas and detecting certain metal objects.

In other words what metal detector will work for people in one area may not work so good when used in a completely different area, the reason why research is the key to using the correct metal detector or tool for the job.

I metal detect for a living so it is important for me to use the right tool for the job, before traveling I make sure I know what I am likely to detect in my intended search areas, along with what recovery tool I need to recover targets in the search area.

Knowing what and where helps you to avoid the frustration of using the wrong type of metal detecting equipment, especially in prime metal detecting situations when you have a perfect opportunity to recover something really good.

Target separation and target depth are two important and often overlooked factors connected to the what and where question. 

Some metal detectors are good at being able to detect coins, jewelry or artifacts in trashy areas, other metal detectors stink in trashy areas where target separation is the name of the game.

Pulse induction metal detectors rule over VLF metal detectors when raw target depth is the most important part of the what and where question, especially if it is a dig it all type of situation in less trashy areas.

With so many variables connected to metal detecting it is wise to consider what and where before jumping in with two feet in this age of influencers promoting the latest and greatest metal detector or search coil.

Imitation can still be the sincerest form of flattery if you have a seasoned veteran treasure hunter in your area, you can be darn sure the metal detecting equipment they use works very well in that area.

Researching the same metal detecting equipment will give you the answers to why they are using it, no doubt it will be because it detects the same thing you want to find in the area. 

So the next time you ask for advice from someone you assume knows what they are talking about, make sure you get a what and a where in the response. 

www.garydrayton.com 

Small talk

Less really is more when it comes to beach treasure hunting, from using less metal detector discrimination and sensitivity to using average size search coils and covering small areas. I have always gone out of my way to detect and recover small size pieces of metal no matter where I search using my metal detector. Some of the most highly desirable pieces of jewelry you can find at the beach are small bands with prongs holding diamonds or other precious gemstones. Diamond engagement bands are often all diamond and very little platinum or gold band, they are all about the diamonds. 

You are in effect searching for a small platinum or gold band which can easily be missed for a wide variety of reasons, including iron or target masking. This 3 carat diamond Bobby Dazzler was recovered "parachuted" meaning the diamond was on top with the band on edge. Sweep speed, search coil control and a lack of discrimination meant this top pocket find came home with me. I remember digging half a dozen pennies in the same area before pulling the diamond ring out of the sand, no doubt the pennies masked the presence of the Bobby Dazzler. If I had relied on FE & CO numbers and based my digging decisions on numbers like so many newbies do, I could have easily decided the area was full of pennies and walked past the diamond ring.  Average to small size search coils help to cut down on iron and non ferrous objects potentially masking a valuable object. Target separation is the ability to separate and locate what you are searching for, something not possible using large sized search coils that increase the chances of you reading multiple targets under the search coil.

If you struggle to find small gold it probably has more to do with your sweep speed, search coil size or discrimination setting than anything else but there is only one way to find out and that is by testing sample targets in the areas you search. Take a small gold band, ear ring, thin chain or bracelet to the beach and see what you have to do to detect them, but make sure you place each jewelry item in plastic baggies because you will struggle to detect each piece at first. Experiment with your discrimination setting, sweep speed and metal detector sensitivity, try different size search coils if you have them. You will be surprised at just what it takes to detect small gold on a regular basis and more importantly what the signal responses are from small gold. I have no doubt you will look at things very differently after testing small gold samples at the beach. For more tips on finding what you are searching for check out my beach treasure hunting related guides at www.garydrayton.com 

Metal detector choices

Like any other task in hand if you want to have success at metal detecting choosing the right tool for the job is important. 

There are many different brands and types of metal detectors you can choose from but from a beginners prospective the choice can be confusing.  

In my opinion it all comes down to what is the best metal detector to use at the sites you intend to search. 

Some metal detector advertising can be misleading, for example waterproof does not always mean a metal detector will work at a saltwater beach and handle salt.

I guess they work if you dumb down the metal detector to cancel out the effects of the salt on the lower beach.

Waterproof should read water resistant for a certain time on some "Waterproof" metal detectors, I have iPhone and camera cases more waterproof than some metal detectors advertised as waterproof so always read the reviews. 

All terrain does not mean jack if the metal detector weighs a ton and you can hardly carry it never mind hold it level while sweeping the search coil over rough terrain. 

The best metal detector for you is quite often not the metal detector everyone else is using, especially if you intend to search for one thing at a particular site. 

The majority of metal detecting enthusiasts are too often influenced by the herd mentality, everyone else is using it so it must be good right?

When I meet people metal detecting I usually start the conversation with do they like their metal detector.

Its ok I am getting used to it or I bought it because it is the most popular metal detector are usually the two most common answers. 

The surprising thing to me is just how many people with a little experience I meet give me those same answers.

If you intend to search beaches the answer is simple when it comes to what metal detector you need to have success on the beach, you need a waterproof metal detector with a reputation for cancelling out the effects of salt.

The price tag is not that important, I own a metal detector worth several thousand dollars but it will struggle at a salt water beach where a $200 metal detector runs smoothly. 

Different horses for different courses, I have another "Waterproof" metal detector I would not dream of submerging in the water but it purrs like a kitten at saltwater beaches.

Unfortunately choosing the correct metal detector for the sites you search is often only solved after trial and error, but it does not have to be that way if you avoid the influencers and do your own research.

What may work perfectly well for one metal detecting application or site, may not work out so well searching for different things at other sites.

Your choice of metal detector should always be about the sites you intend to search and of course the metal objects you are likely to detect and recover at those sites.

I travel to metal detect for a living so I tend to use metal detectors that work well in a wide variety of sites searching for a wide variety of targets, but the back up metal detector I travel with is always more site specific and it often becomes the main metal detector. 

Understanding the site to potential targets equation is often overlooked by beginners lured by the feel good look what this person found using this metal detector ads. 

Research is always the key to finding the right metal detector for you.

I know a book that will save you a lot of bucks!  available at www.garydrayton.com

I love ironing

If like me you enjoy searching for old coins or artifacts at the beach, old iron artifacts are always a welcome sight. 

It helps if you know how to identify and date old iron artifacts, especially iron nails found at the beach as that information can be useful searching for other materials you hope to recover in the same area.

These hand forged iron ship nails (Spikes) are from an early 1600s Spanish shipwreck in Florida, just a few of the dozens I have recovered at this site.

They were recovered several years ago on a low tide using no metal detector discrimination.

It is the kind of area you need to remove as much iron as possible because just a single iron ship spike is capable of masking a good target like a treasure coin. 

I actually go out of my way to try detect iron at beaches known for old shipwrecks, find the iron and silver or gold is often not far away. 
The morning I recovered the iron ship spikes I found a very old copper ring and a Spanish silver treasure coin.
The following low tide I recovered more iron ship spikes, a buckle and a second silver treasure coin.
Now imagine if I used discrimination or iron mask at this beach, I would have left the iron ship spikes in the sand, along with the other cool finds the iron spikes were helping to mask.
Although I often talk about the advantages of using discrimination at tourist beaches, the opposite is my preferred search method when searching for old coins and artifacts.
I hunt in all metal with an audible threshold and if I hear as much as a crab fart I stop and start digging.
Iron is always a happy sight in my scoop or in the bottom of a dug hole at old sites because it is so much more than a ship spike to me, it is a trail to follow in the sand. 

The more iron artifacts savvy you become the more you will understand the importance of iron when searching for non ferrous (Iron) artifacts like coins, jewelry and precious gems.

For example a ship wrecked close to shore is often discovered when large iron objects like cannons or anchors are detected by a magnetometer.

Salvage crew search for iron anomalies which in turn lead them to treasures made of precious metals. 

A beach hunter can do the same thing on beaches with known shipwrecks offshore, imagine how many iron spikes were in wood washed onto a beach after a ship was torn apart. 

An old galleon would have had thousands of iron fasteners holding it together, find the important clues like old iron spikes and potentially clean up treasure hunting.

If you know how to identify and date iron artifacts they become valuable clues to a metal detectorist who understands the way iron can mask what they are searching for.

I use iron infested areas to my advantage knowing other beach hunters are likely going to move on to less chattery areas in search of treasure coins or jewelry. 

The old saying still rings true, you have to go thru the trash to find the treasure. 

www.garydrayton.com

Weekend beach hunting tips

When people ask me when is the best time to go metal detecting over the weekend I agree with Bono the lead singer from U2 it is Sunday bloody Sunday, preferable in the afternoon or evening.

So many weekend warriors get off to a frustrating weekend of beach hunting by hitting the sand too early and missing opportunities crowded summer beaches bring.

If you only have the weekend to scratch your metal detecting itch patience is a virtue for a beach treasure hunter, especially for beach hunters trying to take advantage of crowded summer beaches.

Saturday mornings at popular beaches can look like a metal detecting convention with more people metal detecting at the crack of dawn than people walking the beach or watching the sunrise.

I once saw eighteen people swinging metal detectors at one popular South Florida beach on a Saturday morning at sunrise, at least six of those still had headlamps on inside the water.

Thankfully I was not there to metal detect, just checking a couple of nearby hot spots out for a planned late weekend search. 

If you hope to find Bobby Dazzlers at any crowded beach on the weekend you have to wait until the end of the weekend to improve your chances of finding jewelry or coins. 

Waiting until late Sunday afternoon or evening you are searching after nearly two full crowded days at the beach, instead of searching and leaving the beach before the busy weekend got started.

Other advantages to having a late Sunday beach hunting strategy include avoiding searching behind people metal detecting in front of you and answering a ton of questions from inquisitive beach goers every Saturday morning. 

But the main advantage to a late Sunday search strategy is actually detecting and recovering what you are searching for instead of hanging out with a bunch of Saturday morning metal detecting enthusiasts asking if you had any luck?

The answer to that question if you are a Saturday morning beach hunter is probably no! 

Taking advantage of crowded summer beaches is all about putting yourself in the right place at the right time, you pick the place but you have to use your noggin when it comes to timing.

If you are a weekend warrior and you go to the same beach every Saturday morning you know exactly what I am talking about, believe me it is pure torture knowing the beaches are crowded over the weekend and you are not there but changing your routine will pay off.

There are many many Sunday afternoon and evening Bobby Dazzlers on display on my website finds page and quite a few Friday afternoon and Friday evening Bobby Dazzlers but that will be a future blog post. 

Timing your weekend beach hunts will always help improve your chances of finding what you are searching for over the weekend, especially at heavily hunted beaches.

Over a three day holiday weekend, try pushing your search time to the Monday if possible and the later on the Monday the better.  

Remember the three Ps of beach treasure hunting, patience, persistence and perseverance.

Patient beach treasure hunters add Bobby Dazzlers to jewelry boxes on Sundays and Mondays.

  available at www.garydrayton.com