How to Use a Metal Detector? 1001 super treasures wait for you

Metal detectors are strong tools that can alert the user if something precious is buried beneath the ground or lost at sea. It might be the most important tool to take on a treasure hunt. Metal detectors are to treasure hunters what swords are to warriors.

Knowing how to utilize your metal detector is a key factor in determining whether you find treasure or not.

The good news is that we’ll talk about the key aspects of using a metal detector.

The metal detector sends a magnetic wave into the soil or seabed and measures the magnetic field. Any metal in this place produces its own electromagnetic wave that moves in eddy currents in response.

The searchcoil detects and gathers this information, then converts it into a signal that the user can understand through auditory, visual, or tactile warnings.

Electricity is transmitted to the coil at the base of your detector by the battery in its compartment. Depending on the specifications of the detector, the coil produces a powerful electromagnetic field (EMF) that penetrates to a specific depth.

The ground’s metals become “excited” by the electromagnetic field. In essence, the metallic object glows as a result of your detector at an atomic level. Be aware that non-metals can also be energized by the electromagnetic field.

The search coil has a second coil. It takes in the transmissions that the energized metals produce. Keep in mind that the conductivity of metals varies.

Therefore, based on the metal’s conductivity and ferrousness, your detector will emit a tone. The equivalent reading will also be displayed on the electronic target identification on the monitor.

---

Let’s see some general instructions for using a metal detector right away:

Put the metal detector together

Every device requires a distinct assembly process, but the basic steps are to connect and wrap the coil cable, attach the searchcoil to the bottom shaft, organize the other Power Off or Factory Reset shafts, and attach the armrest. For detailed information, consult your user handbook.

Switch on

The Switch On button frequently serves as both a power off and a factory reset.

Choose Mode

If you’ve got a simple metal detector for beginners, it might already be set to its default mode of search, which is typically an option called “All Metal.” You must choose the search mode for your device that best fits the terrain where you are hunting if it has more than one. Many metal detectors could potentially turn on in the mode you used before turning them off. Using the visual digital screen’s switches, knobs, and potentiometers, users can choose search modes and alter settings.

Go to Detailed User Settings

This step might not be necessary for a basic device because it might already have fixed settings and cannot be changed. Ground balance setting, noise canceling, setup of thresholds, discrimination, and sensitivity adjustment are typically included in this stage.

Let’s start metal detecting

The objective is to reach the main display, which should show DISC segments,Target ID, an indication of depth, etc. on one screen. There may be a dedicated button to exit all the menus you’ve just accessed.

Basic metal detectors could be even simpler to start because they might only require turning on and heading outside. This might be a result of the limited number of search modes (only one or two), the automatic balancing of ground, and the possibility of default sensitivity settings.

---

---

Characteristics of Metal Detectors

Also, I want to draw your attention to essential metal detector features, which are present in all models, whether automated or preset. Here’s a quick explanation of how they function and why understanding them can help you improve detection efficiency.

Frequency

By looking at the frequency, you can tell how well it will work for various targets and depths. There are detectors that are single-, selective-, and multi-frequency. High-frequency single-frequency detectors are effective in finding small and even low-conductive objects. Low-frequency single-frequency detectors work well for finding massive, deeply buried items. Selectable frequency detectors still function as single-frequency devices, but they give the hunter the option to choose between a variety of frequencies. Multiple frequencies can be used simultaneously using multi-frequency metal detectors.

The sensitivities

The sensivity is the detector’s capacity to detect smaller targets and metallic materials with the lowest electromagnetic fields, as well as to modify the detector’s capacity to react to changing environmental conditions. Able to run the detector “hot” implies operating it at its highest sensitivity, which may be effective for seasoned users but also indicates a device might become “noisy.” For instance, sensing heat enables the detector to respond to ground signals produced by highly mineralized soils while also enabling you to catch more faint alerts from small or deep targets. Thus, in addition to weak signals being amplified, misleading signals caused by iron, electrical interference, and other naturally occurring magnetic minerals are also amplified.

Although it would be nice to always operate at maximum sensitivity, you don’t drive at 100 mph wherever you go. Sometimes sensitivity needs to be reduced in order to function better. You can distinguish between legitimate targets and erroneous signals from ground minerals by lowering the intensity. Additionally, it removes “noise” from other electromagnetic interference sources like power lines.

Ground Balance

Minerals (seawater, black sand, or soil rich in iron ) in a metal detecting area cause misleading signals to be produced by detectors. This suggests that all these elements respond to a searchcoil’s electromagnetic field in a way that is comparable to how metallic objects respond, leading the metal detector to give off a response to the user that they are unable to distinguish from ground signals. In order to hear the genuine signals from the intended metallic targets more clearly, a detector can effectively neutralize these signals and minerals using the ground balancing feature, which is an adjustable feature.

It could be 4 varieties of ground balance:

• Manual: Gives the user the option to set the ground balance manually. High-mineralized and difficult terrain, such as seawater and heated rocks, may benefit from this.
• Automatic: Auto ground balance sets the ideal options for metal detecting in your hunting environment, which is quick and easy to use.
• Preset: A factory setting made by the manufacturer for typical user settings. In most cases, this environment is suitable for low-mineralized ground.
• Tracking: Similar to automated ground balancing, it automatically adjusts its balance to the state of the earth. As you traverse additional ground, though, it keeps updating the ground balance automatically if the ground episode and the circumstances alter.

Discrimination

This type affects the detector’s capacity to determine if a target is non-ferrous or ferrous and to convey this knowledge to the customer in a variety of ways. The most popular methods for understanding this data are through audio tones and Target ID. Target ID typically uses a two-digit structure to display an approximated goal conductivity value, albeit the scale range varies between models and manufacturers. Larger values relate to targets that are extremely conductive (silver, etc.), whereas lower values correspond to ferrous targets like iron.

Discrimination allows you to choose whether to dig for a target or not. However, certain items offer a target ID and a reaction signal that is comparable to that of reliable targets. The shovel makes the best distinction, which is why I suggest beginning by digging everything.

Let’s see several prevalent forms of discrimination:

• Variable DISC: Typically, the degree of discrimination is adjustable by turning a lever. The risk that modest, worthwhile goals will be overlooked and silenced increases with your progress.
• Iron Reject: Items that are ferrous and trash are rejected so they do not appear on the Target ID and the signals are silenced.
• Notch Discrimination: In order for the detector to only alert you to potentially desirable objects, this function gives the user the option to accept or reject certain metal types.

---

---

Metal detector types

Very-low frequency, multi-frequency, and pulse induction detectors are the three primary categories of metal detectors. They differ in terms of their capabilities, costs, etc.

Let’s talk about them more now:

Pulse induction detectors

The pulse induction models employ a single inner coil to broadcast and receive signals, unlike the VLF metal detector. They are expensive (a few thousand dollars) since they are advanced.

Multi-frequency

These devices have the ability to detect both small and large targets at various frequencies. The frequencies can be used simultaneously. They are at least five hundred dollars each.

Very low-frequency

The most basic kind of metal detector is this one. It transmits and receives signals using two coils. The devices are inexpensive, and you can purchase a decent model for 100-200 dollars.

---

---

Metal Detection Depth: How deep could detection go and why?

The topic of depth is among the most frequently questioned in metal detecting. How far down could metal detectors go? The majority of responses—including mine—include the phrase “It depends…” Unfortunately, this response is inadequate, which will frustrate the eager novice. Do you desire the unvarnished truth? For objects the size of coins, the depth is often similar to the searchcoil’s diameter.

As a searchcoil gets bigger, it will be able to “look” farther into the field. This fact makes it a fantastic alternative for searching across wide areas and digging deeper for bigger objects. Because of this, smaller goals will be missed because of its less focused field pattern. Even though smaller searchcoils might not have a high depth, their focused metal detecting field makes it simple to find shallow and small items. Additionally, it might enhance functionality in mineralized locations.

These are just some of the obvious elements that you need to consider when we discuss the numerous other parameters that affect metal detection depth:

Types of metal

Copper and silver can be found at far deeper levels than reduced conductive objects like lead because high-conductive targets are quickly spotted by the metal detector.

The Target’s Dimension, Form, and Orientation

At increasing depths, small, thin, long, and skinny things are more difficult to detect than circular, wide, and massive objects. Their position relative to the ground matters too. For instance, a coin on its side, which is standing upright, is more difficult to locate than a coin lying flat on the land.

Ground Situation

Minerals may cause erroneous signals to be produced by detectors. This indicates that these minerals react to the electromagnetic field of a searchcoil in a manner similar to that of metallic objects, causing the metal detector to give off a signal to the user that they are unable to distinguish from ground signals.

---

---

Is using a metal detector challenging?

Metal detectors aren’t challenging to use.

However, the majority of newcomers experience initial overwhelm. But if they comprehend how the machines operate, everything becomes simple.

If you read and understand the directions in the manual, a metal detector is one of the easiest devices to operate. I always suggest watching some relevant lessons before utilizing your device. Then you can gather various coins, bury them in your yard, and analyze the tones that are created (practice makes perfect).

Understanding a detector’s settings is essential to using one. If you have the opportunity to utilize a few different metal detector brands, you will quickly realize how drastically different their operating principles are.

To master the settings from the all-metal to the top-notch features, you should take more time to understand the instructions.

You will mostly operate in the following modes:

• Discrimination:  This mode allows you to exclude objects from your search. You may configure the detector to ignore iron, for instance, if you’re in a metal-detecting area with a lot of garbage. This enables you to “discriminate” between objects based on their likelihood of being interesting.
• All-metal: Using this method, you can extract any form of metal, including silver, gold, and zinc. It provides the greatest metal detection depth. The term “non-discriminate mode” is another name for the all-metal detection mode.
• Notch: It is used to reject particular targets. For instance, you can prevent targets like zinc from being detected if you only want to find a specific target like golden old coins. Although deeper penetration is limited by higher frequency modes, they are ideal for locating high conductivity targets like copper and gold.

To identify the tones.

The majority of inexpensive metal detectors have three or more audio tones to distinguish between poor and good targets.

The usual ones are as follows:

• High tone: Silver and copper, which are highly conductive materials, produce a high tone.
• Medium:  This tone is what you can anticipate hearing when recovering targets like foil, pull-tabs, and zinc.
• Low tone: This tone is produced by low-conductivity materials like steel.

Additionally, if you’re lucky, your device may include an additional tone, such as the ferrous tone. You can avoid mining metal targets by using the FE tone to identify them.

---

---

A few final thoughts How to Use a Metal Detector

Purchasing a metal detector is just one step in beginning the hobby. You’ll soon discover that you need additional equipment to use it well. This entails purchasing the appropriate digging tools and equipment. You’ll need to dig them up, locate them precisely, and seal your holes, in addition to utilizing a metal detector to find the valuable items. Do you need a good shovel or a sand scoop? Which pinpointer ought you to pick? Knowing what will complement your hunting style and how to maximize success are essential if you want to use a metal detector.

Remember that selecting the ideal hunting areas, being familiar with the rules and regulations are just as crucial as learning how to detect properly. Hurry up and have fun practicing.

---

---

---

CONCLUSIONS

Every metal detector produces the same outcome: metal detection. Although the technology may be the same among models, its efficacy, extra features, and user configurations may differ, which can affect performance, detection depth, and usefulness for hunting in varied terrains.

It’s crucial that you get to know your metal detector because each one will differ somewhat due to these variations and manufacturer-patent technologies. Reading the user guide, seeing online user experiences, and, of course, using the product yourself are all effective ways to accomplish this.

Metal detectors operate on a basic principle. Your detector will provide a positive tone, and you’ll search the metal-detecting area until you locate your treasure.

---