When people hear the word “metal detecting,” they immediately think of people dressed up in a goofy outfit looking for random trash at the beach. However, it is a lot more than that and this is the guide that will clear away the cobwebs to give you a better understanding of this activity and why it’s so revered.
A metal detector mainly consists of the following parts:
- Shaft: This is where all the other parts of the metal detector are hooked up to. There’s an armrest at the top of the shaft that offers swinging movement. There are small feet beneath the armrest where you can place your metal detector on.
- Control box: the control box can be found right under the handle. If the box features an LCD, then this can be quite handy when you want to quickly look at the screen while searching for valuable items. In some models, especially those without an LCD display screen, the box can also be attached to the top of the detector or can also be attached to the belt.
- Search coil: This coil is attached to the bottom of the shaft, with a nut, a bolt, and also rubbers.
Before you can even go out to buy yourself a metal detector, there are some essential features that you need to keep in mind first. Some of these features include:
Important Features to Look For The Best Metal Detectors
1. Discrimination
This feature helps metal detectorists distinguish one target from the other. In simpler words, it will let us know whether we have a coin or a trash item. This way, you’ll be able to save a lot of time digging out the garbage and instead dig out valuable finds.
2. Sensitivity
These days, metal detectors are designed to be highly sensitive. A metal detector of high quality comes with a high operating frequency. This helps strengthen the detector to pick up targets that are buried under the soil.
3. Ground Balance
The ground balance enables users to bypass the possibility of picking up metals like iron which interfere with the device’s ability to locate jewelry, coins and other precious finds.
4. Operating Frequency
Frequency is the number of times a detector receives and transmits a signal each second. Lower frequency detectors are able to scan deeper, providing a better detection depth. On the other hand, detectors of higher frequencies are more sensitive to smaller objects as well as gold.
5. Search depth
Search depth is the level of depth that the detector is able to pick up coins and other targets. Detectorists get better depth with lower frequency detectors. The soil’s composition can affect a detector’s search depth and also the search coil. The bigger the coil, the deeper you’ll be able to search.
6. Target identification
Target identification does as the name suggests, which is to help detectorists distinguish the accurate identity of their target. For instance, target identification can help users distinguish between coins like quarters, nickels, pennies and dimes.
Why Try Metal Detecting?
Those who aren’t familiar with the concept would normally ask themselves the question: “why do people find metal detecting fun?”
The average metal detectorist can’t even answer that question so easily as there’s so much to love surrounding this endeavor. What’s more, is that enthusiasts have a variety of reasons as to why they engage in this activity. Some of the more common reasons among them include:
- The thrill of seeking out lost or buried items that have never seen the light of day in over a hundred years or so.
- The thrill and love of collecting coins. This could be collecting ancient colonial silver coins or some of the more modern ones such as wheat pennies.
- Some metal detectorists love this activity due to the thrill of seeking out the unknown and venturing off in the places that may turn out to be lots of fun. Some even consider it to be an excellent form of exercise.
- And finally, perhaps easily the most common reason is that item hunters can profit off their finds by selling them.
Although some do engage in this outdoor activity as a means to earn a quick buck, that’s not exactly why it is so beloved. In fact, those who go off looking for precious items hidden right under their noses are typically collectors or history connoisseurs as they don’t visit pawn shops.
Who knows? Some of the readers of this article who aren’t fans of this endeavor might actually like it after giving it a try themselves.
What Equipment Do You Need?
So at last you have your metal detectors, have tested it out, and are well aware of every function it has. Of course, the first part of the task is done but now there’s the other matter of attaching a slew of essential accessories that will aid you in your treasure hunting expedition. These accessories will help you deal with the type of ground conditions, terrain, retrieval methods, and weather conditions that you’ll be facing out in the field.
The crucial accessories that will aid you in your treasure hunting adventures are as follows:
1. Search Coils And Coil Covers
Most metal detectors these days come with a basic search coil that measures somewhere between 7 inches and 9 inches in diameter. This is a great idea as standard search coils are typically useful in locating coins and can be applied in general-purpose detecting. These coils are generally lightweight, offer commendable scanning width, and are sensitive to a vast set of targets. However, if you’re looking in areas loaded with trash, then we suggest using a smaller search coil so as to separate signals from two targets closely positioned to one another.
You can purchase coils measuring between 3 to 5 inches in diameter online. These coils come with a narrow pattern that provides accurate target isolation. Bigger search coils can find targets in deeper depths underground. Those looking for relics very deep underground, usually opt for 12-inch or bigger search coils. With these coils, come search coil covers that prevent scuffs, scratches, and damages to the coil when in use. After all, it obviously makes sense that you would want to protect your equipment since it’s an investment. Fortunately, coil covers are quite affordable and can keep your coil in prime condition.
2. Electric Pinpointer
Even though metal detectors can give users a general idea about what their potential target is, the precise location of the target is something that still eludes them. That’s why an electric pinpointer is required.
When the metal detector picks up at targets, the pinpointer will push the pointer right into the ground. It comes with 360-degree scanning so it tones, both through vibration and audio, and increases in performance the closer you get to your target.
Some pinpointers, such as the Garrett Pro-Pointer, come with a flashlight as well, which comes in handy when you’re looking for items in the night. It also means that you don’t have to hold the pointer and a flashlight separately, making the whole search convenient and user-friendly. Furthermore, it comes with a scraping blade to help you dig out your treasure.
3. Headphones
These days, having headphones is an absolute must with every metal detector. These products allow users to pick up weak signals, prevent noise clutter, especially when other people are around, and help preserve batteries. They’re especially helpful looking for buried treasure around beach areas to help cut back the noise of people as well as noises of ocean or lake waves. There is a line of high-quality metal detecting headphones available, with the most popular one known as the over-ear type of stereo.
4. Sand Scoop
As the name implies, the sand scoop will help you with your search on the sandy shores of a beach. It’s a tiny plastic scoop that has small holes in its bottom. When the detector picks up an object, all you have to do is use the scooper to dig up the sand and filter whatever you’ve uncovered.
Scoops obviously give much better results when you’re looking for buried items under dry sand instead of wet sand. And even if you were digging through wet sand, you need to shake the scooper underwater to reveal whatever you’ve dug up. But when you’re doing this, be careful not to shake too hard or else you’ll accidentally lose the treasure back in the water. A good sand scoop will cost you no more than $12.
5. Harnesses and Rain Covers
Hip or shoulder harnesses have to bear the weight of the metal detector. The weight of your arm will be relieved and will be transferred instead to your body frame. Although, if you’re hunting for a short amount of time, holding the detector with your arms wouldn’t be that much of a trouble. However, if you’re hunting for long hours like you’re out in the field on a day trip, then it will cause great strain on your arms. Rain covers do exactly as their name implies, protecting your metal detectors from getting wet in the rain. Obviously, if water gets into any type of electronics, it could cause severe damage or have it malfunction.
6. Digger or Trowel
Another essential item for treasure hunting is a proper digging tool for the job. We recommend taking a tool that makes it easier to dig deeper holes that have the smallest diameter required to remove your targets. This way, it’ll be easier to fill in holes and make it look as if you were never at the site where you found your items.
7. Shovel
While the aforementioned digging tools can be helpful, sometimes you require big yard digging tools for targets that are buried way too deep, especially relics. You’ll need to use a regular garden shovel or one that is serrated along the edges, which is specially made for metal detectorists. Of course, you also need to be filling in the holes, so it’s best to use a larger shovel with proper consideration and care.
8. Rechargeable Batteries
If you’re really into metal detecting that much, then you’ll obviously need to use batteries. However, it would be best to use rechargeable batteries and they could save you plenty of money. Just be sure to inspect any detector that comes with rechargeable batteries, as some of them might not work. And if your detector doesn’t use rechargeable batteries, then it would be better if you carried some extra batteries with you before leaving to hunt.
Where Can You Go Metal Detecting & The Laws
If you’re stumped about where you should be digging around for buried treasure and other precious items, then you should consider the following popular places for starters:
- Beaches
- Private property
- Schoolyards
- Parks
- Churches
- Battle sites
- Old Homes
Before You Hunt
Even if you finally discovered your ideal digging site, you still need to check whether it is a public ground where digging is permitted by the authorities. This can be especially challenging for fresh metal detectorists. Also, if you happen to be digging around in areas that are off-limits, you could really end up in serious trouble.
That’s why you need to get permission to dig around such areas before you start making any holes. Without being cautious, you could face strict fines, or be charged with a felony in some cases, where you could even serve up prison time. Simply playing ignorant isn’t going to bail you out if you’re incarcerated. That’s why it’s best for you to do your research prior to digging around.
Not Easy Knowing the Law
Even when you think you followed everything according to the official metal detecting guidelines, it can be difficult knowing what’s what depending on where you are. This especially applies to private properties. For that, you basically need permission from owners of that property before you start excavating for valuable loot.
However, there are certain exceptions that you need to be wary of. For instance, if the area you’re looking to hunt is an important archaeological or historical site, or even a well known Native American burial site, then you won’t just be disallowed to dig, but you could also face dire penalties for as well.
Much like anything else the government touches, nothing is really set in stone when it comes to what we should and shouldn’t do. It’s like when you think you figured something out, you realized later on that you haven’t. In other words, what’s permitted in one place might not be so in another.
The point is that every city has a variety of rules from one property to another. One city might permit metal detecting in their parts, while the Other may not. And some cities don’t even put up any signs indicating where you can and cannot use your metal detectors, which makes the whole process all the more difficult.
The one sure way of finding out the rules is by asking the City Hall whether it has any ordnance on file that prohibits detecting. If there isn’t any record, then you should have no problems. However, if the clerk is uncertain, then you’ll have to wait until they give you their feedback. You need to get your passion under control as you don’t want to end up making any mistakes that will have you behind bars by the end of it.
As for schools, the old days where schools were considered public property due to the taxes paying for them is quickly dying. Besides that, there are fences now enclosing school grounds followed by school teachers and principals frowning on people who attempt to step on the grounds after school hours.
Still, if you really want to dig around a school area, you’ll need to place a call to the school officials first. If not that, then you can also start with the building principal. However, it’s better to see your time and go straight to the superintendent for permission. That’s the one who ultimately decides whether you can or cannot use metal detectors on school grounds. However, there is also a chance that they could take it to the school board as well. And since school boards have a monthly meeting, you need to wait to seek out permission.
As far as beaches go, you’ve got nothing to worry about as most of them permit metal detectors. But to be honest, there really isn’t any way to tell where we should and shouldn’t start digging around for buried items. There’s also no way of knowing where we shouldn’t dig especially when there are areas that are the most popular things to do on a beach.
There are also some countries that don’t allow people to engage in detecting, even in beach areas. That’s because some of those beaches could be a piece of federal or state park, or even a sanctuary, thereby disqualifying any right to go dig up any loot. That’s why it’s smart to play it safe by asking whatever authority, even on beaches, to acquire their permission before you start.
How To Use A Metal Detector – From The Start!
Once you have acquired all the essential equipment as well as your permissions for a particular location, it’s time for the best part; the metal detecting itself. To ensure you don’t miss out on anything, take heed of the following practices:
1. Practice Using Your Metal Detector
If you’re partaking in metal detecting for the first time, then it’s best to try your hand with your equipment and get used to it before going out on your first-ever treasure hunt. Fortunately, virtually every metal detector that is sold these days comes with a manual or perhaps even an instructional DVD. There are also online tutorials available for your convenience. So just go over the basics first, before going outside and giving your equipment a whirl.
2. Buy the Right Metal Detector
As a beginner, it is highly imperative that you buy a detector that’s not too difficult to use. And if you’re using a detector for the first time, then we suggest getting an entry-level model that is both user-friendly as well as powerful enough to offer “real” detecting. Also, you should avoid getting your hands on the cheapest detectors, as their performance is inferior to the ones from renowned brands.
3. Start in Your Own Backyard First
Before going out and looking at other places, it would be nice to get the hang of your detector first by starting in your own backyard or in a deserted area that’s close to your house. This will give you lots of opportunities to fiddle around with the settings and find out what works best for you.
4. Be as Curious as Possible
Using a metal detector for the first time can be quite daunting, especially when you don’t know where to start looking. But, the more you spend your time using your device, the more practice you’ll get, and the better the finds will be.
5. Look in High-Traffic Areas
Like choosing the right detector for the job, it’s also important to choose the best location to look for precious items. Suggest choosing a certain area that offers the highest probability of yielding what you’re looking for. Find out which of the areas have been frequented by other metal detectorists, which will give you a better chance of looking for high-quality loots.
6. Double-Check Essential Accessories
You don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune to acquire the essential accessories necessary for metal detectors. Some of the most important items you need for treasure hunting include digging tools, headphones, batteries, gloves, coil covers, and strong boots. And although it sounds obvious, you really should get into the habit of double-checking those items before heading out for your hunt. Lots of beginner level detectorists have experienced frustration about leaving their headphones or digging tools behind after getting to the target area or after picking up a signal on their potential target.
7. Walk Slowly
The thing about metal detectors is that if you walk around too fast, you’ll likely miss out on crucial targets. Apart from maintaining your pace, you must also keep the coil close – but not too close – to the ground and low to the point that it’s hovering over the ground without touching or bumping into it.
8. If You’re Hunting for Relics, Go to the Local Hot Spot
If you’re looking to find relics, then you’ll have a better chance by visiting your City Hall, talking to local historians, and going to the library.
9. Return to the Hunting Grounds After a While
Once you’ve done looking into an area or a park, there’s little point going back. That is unless you did find plenty of other targets later and didn’t have time to finish looking. There’s also the matter of waiting a couple of weeks or months, before going back to your last hunting location and picking up new items dropped by visitors.
10. Use Your Pinpointer if You Can’t see Your Target Immediately
Pinpointers are extremely effective in letting you know the precise location of your potential target and guide you where you need to look. This way, you won’t have to dig a massive hole and end up right on your target.
11. Don’t Go Hunting During Busy Times
Some of the best places to hunt for buried items are parks, popular words, and other public areas. However, it would also be best to avoid such areas, especially during their busiest moments. You won’t only be dealing with plenty of people getting in the way, but you’ll also be answering a number of questions about what you were doing. the best thing to do would be to hunt during those times when there are fewer people around.
12. Place Whatever You Find in Your Pack or Pouch
It’s a great idea to place your precious fines in a pack or pouch, so you can safely take them back home with you until they’re nice and clean.
How To Dig Responsibly
Remember that when you have finally closed in on your target, you shouldn’t start digging away like a maniac. Yes, there are etiquettes for digging as well. A hand digger must be used on properties that are less than two acres. if you’re thinking something bigger, which also offers quicker digging facilities, then a mid-sized digger would be more appropriate.
When it comes to metal detectors, however, the ideal digging equipment is the Lesche digging tool. This tool can also be regarded as a digging knife at times. It is serrated on one end that allows detectorists to cut through roots and offers easier digging.
But even when you have the proper tools, you need to consider other aspects in the field of metal detecting to ensure there are no controversies brewing out of your actions. Besides getting permission and checking local laws, here are some of the other things you need to consider to dig responsibly:
1. Don’t Dig When it’s Too Hot Outside
If you dig dirt plugs in the hot summer weather, it will kill the grass. When this happens, it will leave yellow circles in the spot where we dug. Instead, you should go metal detecting in the fall, spring, or after heavy rainfall, which is when the ground becomes moist. But if you don’t want to miss an opportunity with dry ground, you can pour some water below the dirt plug before closing it. This way the moisture will revitalize freshly cut roots.
2. Make Dirt Plugs With One Side Attached
Metal detecting maybe a hobby too many, but one should never be so careless and hasty in their pursuits. As we mentioned earlier, opening a dirt plug will kill the grass because the roots beneath the dirt will be cut off. Besides that, it will just leave a huge mess behind.
That’s why the best way to cut yourself a dirt plug is to use a digging tool with a serrated spade or perhaps a T-handle shovel. And when you do cut a dirt block, be sure to leave one side of it attached so that it works as a door or a flap, allowing you to put it back in place when you’re done. This prevents any exposed root or gaps around the edges.
3. Keep a Towel Under the Dirt Plug
Another thing that metal detectorists should keep in mind when digging up dirt plugs is to find a way to prevent the dirt under the plugs from hitting the grass after it’s dug up. So to keep this from happening, it would be best to keep the plug on top of a small towel or a handkerchief to prevent any crumbling dirt from spoiling your beautiful green grass. This also ensures that the grass remains clean after you put the plug back into place.
How To Dig The Perfect Dirt Plug
There’s a proper way to dig a dirt plug, and the following steps will show you how:
Step 1
After you find an ideal digging spot, take out the hand digger and kneel down. You need to be about 3 to 5 inches away from the exact location of your target before placing your digger to the ground.
Step 2
Now start cutting the grass sod away counterclockwise until a horseshoe-type shape forms around the target. Be sure to only go down 3 inches at max into the ground to ensure none of the grassroots are killed in the process.
Step 3
Once you have dug a horseshoe-shaped plug, use the digger to flip the plug open so it lands on its head. This way, the plug will behave like a door.
Step 4
Take out a towel and lay it down on the grass right in front of the hole. If you can’t see your target immediately, then use your pinpointer to inspect the plug and then the hole. If you’re taking out extra dirt from the whole or the plug, then be sure to place it on the towel.
Step 5
After acquiring your target, list the left and right ends of your towel and put any dirt back into the hole by sliding it. Then flip the dirt plug back into its original position and then firmly press it down. You can also firmly step on the plug to make sure it’s placed in there nice and good. Make sure the grass isn’t matted down by brushing it with your hand.
Now you know how to be cautious when digging dirt plugs.
What To Do With Your Finds?
After finding what you’ve been looking for, the big question on top of every metal detectorist’s mind is “what to do with the finds?” There are several options to consider.
As we said earlier, lots of metal detectorists want to keep whatever they’ve dug up to themselves for their own personal collection. Some could keep a couple of Old Colonial coins so they can use it as a reference point for, let’s say, an interest in the Seven Year’s War.
And if you’re going to keep whatever you found, you’re going to want to clean them, obviously, just so your collection ends up looking neat and tidy and that you can appreciate them more that way.
There are several methods you can use to clean antiquated metal items, but your best bet and perhaps the simplest of methods is using soap and lukewarm water. Use a soft brush or cloth to gently rub your precious item in order to remove stubborn debris or dirt.
On the other hand, if you wish to sell the finds or are a true historic collector who highly values the genuine article, then you shouldn’t clean them. This doesn’t only apply to coins but other precious items as well.
What Are The Most Valuable?
If you’re going to profit from your finds, then you’re going to have to look for items that come in precious materials like gold, silver, and bronze among others. The best part about this activity is that some people get to earn some extra cash from whatever they find all while venturing off into the unknown.
To sell whatever you pick up from your metal detector, you’re going to need to consider the following tips first:
1. Identify Your Finds
This can be a bit challenging, especially when you’re just getting your feet wet with metal detecting. Let’s just assume that you found an old piece of coin. How are you going to determine whether it’s just an ordinary coin or one that belonged in the old colonial era?
We highly suggest that you research the object you’ve procured before determining its selling estimate. Try determining the markings of the coin and then find out whether it is from a couple of years ago, or from hundreds of years ago — only then will you be able to determine its value.
Get in touch with the local appraiser to give you an estimate of your object. Besides that, you can even post a photo of the object in a community forum for metal detectorists. Other like-minded members like yourself will be more than happy to help you determine the value or estimate of your item.
2. Determine the Estimate Of Your Item’s Value
For 18- and 14-karat jewelry, you need to observe their markings. You can determine the rest of the markings on the line and find out their worth.to find out a coin’s worth, you need to inspect popular websites like the American Numismatic Association’s NGC.
3. Where Should You Sell Your Items?
Once you know where to look, it’s pretty easy to find yourself a buyer online. Doing proper research will help you determine some of the most renowned relic and coin dealers online. There are dealers who have been buying and selling coins, silver, and gold through the mail for several decades. And if you’re going to sell items made of gold, silver, or platinum for melt value, then you have to do it in person. We suggest taking the item to a variety of jewelers to see which of them offer the best price.
Places To Find Valuable Items
If you’re going to be looking for valuable items, then you need to consider the following areas for potential finds:
1. Jewelry at Swimming Holes, Under River bridges, or Beaches
Beaches are some of the most common places where you can almost find anything worth of great value – like common coins, to even expensive gold or silver jewelry. It’s surprising how many people lose their jewelry items the moment they hit the water at the beach or even their own swimming hole.
Sometimes, other pieces of jewelry get buried or lost in the sand, just waiting for your detector to pick them up the moment you swing the device over them. People can also lose their jewelry in the water, especially colder water causes fingers to shrink, thereby making it easier for rings to slip out.
2. Look for Coins in Large Event Areas
Several large scale events like concerts, antique fairs, farmers’ markets, or anything else make it a huge opportunity for metal detectorists to get their hunting game on. Such events are known for taking place in open, public areas. Hundreds of people normally gather in a particular area and lose the coins while paying for a certain item.
3. Gold Nuggets in the West
Living in a western country like the United States offers metal detectorists several opportunities to look for gold nuggets. Several states are known to have detectable gold including Idaho, Nevada, California, Oregon, and Arizona – that is if you know where to look for them. Fortunately, that’s not something a little online research can’t help you out with. The one great thing about golden nuggets is that treasure hunters don’t need to know whether or not they’re valuable because they’re already made of gold and can immediately turn into cash just like that.
4. Doing Research To Find Rare And Old Coins
Swimming holes and beaches offer great opportunities to look for coins, but you’ll have a more profitable get from rare or old coins. But to do this, you’ll need to commit to extensive research. You’ll have a better time hunting for these coins in ancient or historic sites – salons, churches, city halls, etc. Any of the oldest sites in the city are bound to be loaded with these rare finds.
How To Clean Your Gear
Obviously, since you took your equipment out in the open and used it in sandy, dirt, and other types of areas, you’ll want to clean your metal detector. After all, you’ll want to ensure it’s working properly if you’re going to be hunting for years to come.
So after completing a hunt, use a damp cloth and wipe the coil as well as other areas of your detector. But before you start wiping, please ensure that the equipment is powered off. And in case you took your equipment out during humid conditions, or if you were caught in a rainstorm, please ensure to remove all control house covers to allow the product to dry out properly. We must also advise you to remove the batteries from the control housing before storing your detector, as it will prevent them from getting rundown or, even leaking into the control housing.
Next, disassemble the entire equipment and start cleaning using a lint-free cloth. Be sure to wash every accessory using raw water along with 0.1% Teepol solution. Then, to remove the Teepol solution, wash the parts using raw water. Now use purified water to wash the equipment and then send rinse water samples to the QA for removal of any trace.
Finally, assemble the equipment back together. To make things easier for you, it would be better to document your cleaning process so that it will save you time when you want to clean it again In the future.
Where Can You Find More People Who Love Metal Detecting?
Whether you’re new to the hobby, want to share your 30 years of experience with others, or have found a rare artifact or coin and want to know its value or share it with the world, you are sure to find other metal detectorists like you online.
What’s more, is that the metal detecting community is full of kind and patient users who will take their time to guide and turn you from a beginner to an advanced user in no time. Not only will you be able to forge honest and real friendships, but you can also find yourself some good hunting partners as well.
Of course, like every other community, you were bound to bump into trolls and other unkind individuals from time to time, But fortunately, they’ll be taken care of immediately by moderators, the admins, and also the community.
To find a community where you belong, here are some of the topics that we feel will help you out:
1. Friendly Metal Detecting Forum
This is one of the largest metal detecting forums you’ll find online that is littered with incredible information that is provided by, as the name indicates, friendly metal detectorists. Both the moderation and admin team are fully knowledgeable when it comes to metal detecting and will gladly answer any question you have about conduct or rules.
This forum comes with a “supporter” option that the community can pitch in to, just so the forum keeps running. The “V bulletin” software powers the forum and is quite modern with user-generated galleries and “groups”. There are also user ratings for trades for every user, indicating who you can trust and who you should stay away from. It even comes with a live chat facility that is completely free to use.
2. Findmall
Find wall is another one of the largest metal detecting forums online. Unlike friendly in the last one, this forum is categorized by manufacturer models and brands and is powerfully sponsor-driven. It uses an older “Phorum” software, making it look and feel a bit more outdated compared to the other entries on this list. Nevertheless, The community is extremely polite and friendly due to the strict regulations imposed by the administrator and moderation team, and the content is of high quality.
This forum deals with gold prospecting which, in our opinion, is the best for that category. It was brought up by a very well known minor/prospector named Steve Herschbach and is teeming with passionate and enthusiastic gold hunters from around the world.
This forum, run by NASA Tom or Tom Dankowski, is where a group of the most intellectual metal detectorists hangs out. We should warn you, however, that this forum tens to be a little complex or “techy.” But that’s no indication that amateurs can’t make it over here. With that in mind, there is a certain hierarchy that runs here, and there can at times be hysterical arguments, regarding frequencies, algorithms, and how the moon’s angle on a Friday can interrupt one’s detecting. Even though the forum runs on a fairly old version of “Phorum” software which is due for an upgrade, the information provided by the members here, is new.
5. Treasurenet
Treasurenet is without a doubt the most popular and biggest metal detecting forum available today. It has over 5.4 million posts, 500,000 topics, and 120,000 members. The information contained on this forum would take one perhaps a lifetime to complete. But that’s not reason enough for rookies or freshman to walk away. As a matter of fact, if you’re just starting up on metal detecting, this is the go-to location where you’ll get the answers to all the questions you may be asking.
It has covered dozens of categories regarding including gold prospecting, relics, coins, brands, diving, technology, and bottles among so many others. The moderator and admin team are both helpful and friendly, who will always lend a helping hand to anyone in need. What’s more, is that it runs on the “vBadvanced” content system.