If you are wondering how to get started in the world of Metal detecting, this guide will help you to find out more about this activity that has become a popular hobby for many people. As the name suggests, metal detecting involves looking for metal items beneath the ground such as coins, jewelry, medals and more. Metal detecting takes a lot of patience and research to make sure that you use your detector accordingly and that you comply with local regulations regarding these devices. The majority of metal detectors have a control box, a coil, which is the round part that is used to search the ground and a shaft, which connects the coil and the control box. Here are some of the best metal detectors available for new users, as well as a few tips that will help beginners.

What to Look for in a Metal Detector

In order to find the right metal detector for you, it is important to consider your personal preferences. What mat be the best metal detector for you, may not the ideal choice for someone else. You should opt for a metal detector that makes things simple for you and that offers all the features that you want. Some users prefer the easy set up that an LCD screen with button interface provides, while others feel more comfortable with the level of precision that metal detectors with knobs can offer when it comes to sensitivity and discrimination. The LCD Screen with button interface is ideal for selecting popular presets, while the knobs allow you to tune options manually. In both cases, you can customize the options so it all depends on what you prefer.

Sensitivity and Discrimination

It can be difficult to control sensitivity as it determines the balance between depth and reliability of the signal. The higher the sensitivity, the more depth you can get. The level of sensitivity that should be selected would depend on the soil and it is also important to keep in to consideration that items with electrical interference can affect the stability of your detector. This means that if you are moving the detector and it is sounding off randomly (meaning that it is triggered by false positives), you would need to adjust the sensitivity as it is probably too high. However, if you bury a test target and you are unable to detect it, you may need to turn the sensitivity up. For beginners, the best option would be to keep the sensitivity at the middle range and once you become more familiar with your detector, you can increase or reduce the sensitivity according to the area.

Discrimination is another aspect that should be taken into consideration as it is what determines what items should be detected. For instance, if the discrimination is turned up high, you will probably not be able to detect items like foils, metal caps, foils or iron. While this may help you to avoid irrelevant items, you may also miss high value targets that may be confused with junk. One of the bets options may be to let the sound guide you in these cases. The sound of some detectors would vary according to the target and they would generally emit a different tone if the target is a consistent repeated signal. When you are starting, you may have a few hit and miss moments while you find the adjustments that suit your personal preferences.

Best Metal Detector for Newbies

If you don’t have previous experience with metal detectors, the best option is to look for a device that is affordable and easy to use. There is a good selection of metal detectors with prices starting at $100 that can be managed easily by pushing a few buttons. The options in this list will allow you to become familiar with metal detection and will save you time and money while you learn more about this hobby. Here are some of the best introductory devices that will suit different requirements.

Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector
The Bounty Hunter TK4 stands out for offering a convenient price and the possibility of manage features like sensitivity and discrimination using two simple knobs. This metal detector features motion all-metal detector mode, discrimination mode and 2-Tone audio mode. It works well even in extreme ground conditions and it can distinguish between actual targets and unwanted metals. Its ease of use make this metal detector an ideal solution for new users. You can get it for just over $120.

Garret Ace 150 Metal Detector
This metal detector boasts target ID, LCD screen with intuitive controls, coin depth indicator and headphone jack. It offers a practical design and its rigged 3-piece build ensures that it can be stored easily. This is an entry level metal detector that will help you to enjoy your treasure hunting experience without any hassle. You can find the Garret Ace 150 from around $150.

Fisher F2 Metal Detector
This entry level Metal Detector from Fisher is a fast and effective device that features 8-segment visual target ID and 4-tone audio ID. It comes with LCD screen, Fisher FPoint Pinpointer and 4 inch search coil. The discrimination and notch can be adjusted and it has 2-digit numeric target value. The Fisher F2 Metal Detector is more suitable for users who want an advanced metal detection solution. It is available for $215.

Tesoro Compadre Metal Detector
This practical metal detector can be controlled with one knob and it is so easy to use that it is suitable for users of all ages. It features silent search all metal and discrimination modes. The Tesoro Compadre offers durability and convenience and it can be your from around $160. It comes supported with lifetime warranty.

What Can a Metal Detector offer?

Regardless of the metal detector you choose, you are likely to find items beneath the ground. What you find will depend on the area you explore, the level of research applied and it will also take a bit of luck. If you use the metal detector in the local park that was only built recently, you will probably not find valuable antiques or old silver coins. Researching the area beforehand will allow you to have a better idea of what you may find and will let you decide if it is worth checking that location. When you start metal detection, it is important to keep in mind that will probably have to try again and again until you find something of value. You will need to be prepared for disappointment, but don’t give up and learn to enjoy the hunt. It is always a good sign to find a target, even if it is not a piece of jewelry or a golden coin because it means that your detector is working. Besides, part of the fun of metal detection is that you never know what you may find. Learning more about how your detector works and researching the possible areas to use it will allow you to get the most out of your hobby.