10 Tips to Using Your Metal Detector Correctly

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A metal detector can be a huge investment for anyone. There are many expensive metal detectors on the market, but unless the investor knows how to use it properly, he won't get nearly the results he expects to get. Though a metal detector may seem simple to use, it is important that investors know all they can about the machine to get the greatest outcome. This guide serves to help people understand the metal detector through learning about its history and how it works, and provides 10 tips to using the metal detector correctly. It also covers where and how to buy one.

Discover the Metal Detector
Metal detectors are machines that respond to metal that may not be apparent to the user's eye. One of the simplest types of metal detectors consists of an oscillator that produces alternate currents which pass through a coil with an alternating magnetic field. When a piece of electrically conductive metal gets close to the coil, eddy currents become induced in the metal thus an alternating electric field of its own is produced. If the coil is being used to measure this electric field, the change in the magnetic field due to the conductive metal object will be detected by the metal detector. The metal detector acts like a magnetometer.

A German physicist named Heinrich Wilhelm Dove, who lived from 1803 to 1879, developed the induction balance system which was incorporated into metal detectors one hundred years later. Earlier machines were simple, worked only to limited degrees, and used a lot of battery power. Alexander Graham Bell attempted to use an earlier device to locate a bullet that was lodged in President James Garfield's chest in 1881. The metal detector worked correctly; however, the attempt to save the president was not successful because the bed Garfield was lying on had metal coil springs and confused the detector.

In the 1960s, metal detectors were widely used for extensive mining and industrial growth. Some of the uses of the metal detector have included the detection of landmines; the detection of knives, guns, or other weapons particularly in airport security; geophysical prospecting; archaeology; and treasure hunting endeavors. They can even be used to detect foreign objects in food.

By the end of the nineteenth century, several scientists as well as engineers used their knowledge of electrical theory in an attempt to create a device that would pinpoint metal. This sort of device would give a huge advantage to any miner who used it. Thus, the various models of metal detectors can be found all over the world.

It does not matter how sophisticated or how simple a metal detector may seem, the first step to using any detector is to read the instruction book. Using a metal detector is not as simple as turning it on and waiting for it to make some kind of noise or beep. Users need to know what different sounds mean, how to adjust the detector, and how to take care of it. The following 10 tips will help investors to use their metal detector accurately.

1. Ask for Assistance the First Time
If it is the investor's first time using a metal detector, it is important for him to ask for assistance from the person he bought it from, or to read the manual thoroughly. This is important because every machine is different. They can have different sounds when they find different pieces of metal.

2. Practice Makes Perfect
Practice really does make perfect. Investors should practice with a few items until they become familiar with the different sounds that the device makes. For example, the investor can run the metal detector over a pull tab from a pop can, a nail, a coin, and over a gold ring to distinguish the various sounds the metal detector makes for each item. This will save the investor time when looking for specific items and prevent digging for unwanted objects. When beginning, move the metal detector slowly over the area being searched while keeping track of the area that has already been searched. Practice doing this on small pieces of ground at a time.

3. Train the Ear to Hear the Beep
It is important that investors train their ears to hear the different beeps. Place a gold ring and a penny on the ground; slowly run the detector over both of them, and listen for the difference in the beep. If a detector is set properly, the investor will hear a much stronger beep from the ring than from the penny. The investor should continue doing this for awhile until he feels confident in knowing the difference between a hit and just a small beep.

4. Search in a Pattern
Once an investor starts searching, it is important for him to work in an orderly pattern. This can be done by picking an area of choice and working it in a methodical way. There are various patterns that an investor could choose to use. One method that works for many is to do the border of the area first, all the way around, and then to search from left to right. The exact pattern is not as important as actually using one as it would be a waste of time to search an area that has already been covered. The pattern keeps the investor on track, and helps him to establish which ground he has searched and which ground still needs to be searched.

5. Navigate Exactly to Where the Artifact Is
It is important for the investor to really narrow down where the artifact is before deciding to dig. Not knowing precisely where the item is can make the digging process a whole lot longer. To narrow down the area, the investor should move the detector around side-to-side and front-to-back until he has a good idea of precisely where the object is. Digital detectors have an indicator screen that can help the investor really narrow in on the artifact. Once an investor decides to dig, use a plastic trowel to bring up a small area of the dirt. Put the grass and dirt into a bucket and then check the area again. It is important that the investor does not sift through the bucket until he is sure he has gotten the artifact out of the ground.

6. Get the Target Out of the Ground
When an investor finds something he really doesn't care for such as a penny or a piece of foil, he should not just throw it back in the ground. Chances are that if the investor throws the target back into the ground, he will find it again later and dig up the same worthless piece. Simply put the target in a bag or in the trash, but never back into the ground.

7. Don't Clean the Artifacts
The first response of new metal detector users when they find an artifact is to clean it up and find out what it is. Don't clean it. Cleaning an artifact can lower its value. Simply use a soft brush to get rid of the residue from the dirt, rinse in clean water, and pat it dry. When an investor is in doubt, he can always just put it into a zipper bag until he can get a professional to look at it.

8. Use the All Metal Search Option
Many metal detectors allow the user to choose what type of treasure he is looking for such as rings or coins which makes the machine not beep when it comes across a pull tab from a pop can or nail. However, it is important that investors use the all metal search option. Using this option gives the investor a higher chance of finding jewelry or gold as gold has a low conductivity and if foil or nails are tuned out, the investor may miss out on the gold also.

9. Be Aware of Salt Interference
Salt can interfere with many metal detectors' signals. It is important for investors to be aware of the salt at oceans and gulf beaches because of this fact. Metal detectors may need to have their sensitivity adjusted down so the signals are stabilized. This may cause the user to lose some depth; however, it allows the investor to continue searching for treasures without the interference of salt.

10. Wear Headphones
There are specific metal detector headphones that can be worn when treasure hunting. It is important for investors to wear headphones in order to enhance the experience. Headphones block out various other sounds such as wind, conversations, and radios and allow the investor to only focus on the beeps. They prevent the investor from disturbing others, and prevent kids or other nosey people from interrupting the investor.

Buying a Metal Detector
As an investor, it is important to buy a brand name metal detector that is well known as well-known brands can be resold if the investor doesn't like it or wants an upgrade. Therefore, when buying a metal detector, it is important to think of it as an investment. Buy brands that have established a reputation in the metal detecting community such as Bounty Hunter or Garrett, but don't buy those that are unknown. Doing research, reading reviews, and reading blogs can update the investor on the top brands in the metal detector industry.

Where to Buy Metal Detectors
Many investors choose to purchase detectors near where they live. Metal detectors can be purchased from various places such as local department stores, antique shops, or pawn shops. Some investors prefer to buy their metal detectors at online auction sites like eBay to get a great deal.

How to Buy a Metal Detector on eBay
Buying a metal detector on eBay is a pretty straight forward process. If you already know what metal detector you want, you can search for it directly by using the search bar. If you are unsure of what you want, you can type "metal detector" (without quotation marks) into the search bar and narrow down the search by using the categories such as gadgets and other electronics. However, if you would like a more refined method of searching, you can use the advanced search feature that allows you to search using specific criteria such as searching by title and description or only searching for items with free shipping.

Once you have found the metal detector of choice, it is important to ask the seller questions about the metal detector such as how old it is and what settings it offers. By asking the seller questions, you are getting to know your product thus giving you more confidence that you have picked the right metal detector for your needs.

Conclusion
Many people get metal detectors as an investment to help them find hidden treasures, but in order to really get their money's worth out of it, they need to know how to use it. It is important to take time to read the operator's manual, but for those who don't have one or need a quick guide, it is important to follow the 10 tips outlined in this guide to using a metal detector correctly in order to truly make treasure hunting an investment. Buy only the best quality metal detector and be sure it is a brand that can be trusted. An investor doesn't know how well he will like his new metal detector until he tries it out, and there are always upgrades when it comes to technology so it is important to go with a brand that can be resold if need be. Buying metal detectors is as simple as going to a nearby department store or clicking over to eBay.