Is This Hobby Exploding?

[Sonny b]

I was just wondering if metal detecting is growing rapidly as a hobby or am I just noticing it more because I started doing it. I am a baby boomer and a lot of us are engaging in healthy outdoorsy hobbies like running, cycling, fishing or playing golf. I used to play golf but the clubs have been gathering dust ever since I got my first detector. My average hunt is about the same amount of time It would take to play 18 holes. But now I don't have to spend 50 dollars every weekend and too, I make a little money. Diggin a pull tab doesn't cost me anything but hitting a ball in the water does.I have had days when I got home from playing golf very frustrated with my play. I only had one bad day detecting in over two years but I was a fairly new and had to learn to adjust my expectations. Are detector sales booming or does it just seem like it? Thoughts?

Sonny.

[dogpound]

i'm sure there has been an increase in sales the past couple years with the rising cost of gold/silver and also with the increase of people on unemployment which allowed for more free time and the search of easy money.........then they realize its not as easy as it seems and dump their gear on craigslist, its either in your blood or its not

[ATProGuy]

Originally Posted by dogpound

i'm sure there has been an increase in sales the past couple years with the rising cost of gold/silver and also with the increase of people on unemployment which allowed for more free time and the search of easy money.........then they realize its not as easy as it seems and dump their gear on craigslist, its either in your blood or its not

^ Pretty much said exactly what I was going to... ^

[Irons]

One of the reasons I wanted to get into it is I never see anybody else doing it.

But then again I live well out in the boonies and don't hit populated areas if I can avoid it.

[Vethraxx]

There is always a surge of new faces on the board around xmas time. Everyone gets their first machine, and then we never hear from after a few months I guess they found too many pull tabs and pawned their detectors.

I have only seen 2 other people detecting in my area.

[MD'ing in MD]

I am one of those new christmas people but I have had the bug to wanna get involved in metal detecting for years and now I have one a day dosen't go by when I am planning on checking out a site. It's taking all my will power not to get it out of the truck while I am at work lol so I think I will be here for the long run.

[Damianicus]

Originally Posted by dogpound

also with the increase of people on unemployment which allowed for more free time and the search of easy money.........then they realize its not as easy as it seems and dump their gear on craigslist

Panhandlers supposedly make $300 to $500 a day in a good spot.

[Xaquin]

I only know of 5 people in my area currently MDing.

I'm fine with that =)

[Milhaus]

Originally Posted by Damianicus

Panhandlers supposedly make $300 to $500 a day in a good spot.

Yeah panhandling puts MDing to shame by like a 50:1 ratio.

[dogpound]

Originally Posted by Damianicus

Panhandlers supposedly make $300 to $500 a day in a good spot.

yea i guess i'm in the wrong hobby

[searcher_65049]

Yep But The hardcore ones stick around even after frustration becomes almost to much to bear lol MD 3 yrs now love the good put up with the bad

[fred sanford]

In my area alone, there is about 15 of us that I know. Almost all of them are on this forum. Thats just 1 county. There is even more guys in surrounding counties. I would say yes it is growing . All the guys I know are dedicated and not one hit wonders.

[usafaviator]

Originally Posted by dogpound

i'm sure there has been an increase in sales the past couple years with the rising cost of gold/silver and also with the increase of people on unemployment which allowed for more free time and the search of easy money.........then they realize its not as easy as it seems and dump their gear on craigslist, its either in your blood or its not

x2. Once people take their detectors out and realize that gold coins, jewelry and silver aren't just sitting all over the ground (they actually have to learn their machine and dig a whole hell of a lot), then they lose interest and sell their gear. I actually read a post from a new MD'er on another forum that asked if it is reasonable to expect to pay for a new Whites V3 from one or two hunts...possible but extremely unlikely.

[DIGGER27]

Originally Posted by dogpound

its either in your blood or its not

Agree.

[dan]

Originally Posted by Sonny b

I was just wondering if metal detecting is growing rapidly as a hobby or am I just noticing it more because I started doing it...... Are detector sales booming or does it just seem like it? Thoughts?

Sonny.

Call me a contrarian, but I think the numbers are dropping. Here's why:

1. The number of participants in all outdoor sports (except soccer) is dropping. Mainly because the youngsters who normally would replace the oldsters are watching 250 cable channels and playing video games instead of getting outdoor exercise. X-Box, anyone?

2. The number of detector manufacturers has dropped from over 30 to about 6.

3. The number of treasure magazines has dropped from 8 to 3, and today's magazines are much thinner, with much less advertising.

4. There are not nearly as many conventions and formal hunts now as there were when I started.