Metal Detecting - An Expensive Hobby?

[spinnerbait825]

I spend more money on my girlfriend and that's not counting what her other boyfriendssssssss spend on her !

[dogbit]

I started with a BH, then I invested $225 in a good used detector, that was the last time I paid for anything with money from the bank, all the rest of my equipment has come from finds. So at the moment I have 4 detectors, 2 sandscoops, 2 pinpointers, and quite a bit of other gear(not to mention the 42" TV and tires for the vehicle last year) and it all came from clad, gold, and some silver. My only real expense with this hobby is gas, batteries will last quite awhile if you use decent ones, heck I maybe spend 10 bucks a year for them. Actually I guess my REAL biggest expense is in time, but meh, I enjoy myself so all is good

[skeeterbait]

Originally Posted by dogbit

I started with a BH, then I invested $225 in a good used detector, that was the last time I paid for anything with money from the bank, all the rest of my equipment has come from finds. So at the moment I have 4 detectors, 2 sandscoops, 2 pinpointers, and quite a bit of other gear(not to mention the 42" TV and tires for the vehicle last year) and it all came from clad, gold, and some silver. My only real expense with this hobby is gas, batteries will last quite awhile if you use decent ones, heck I maybe spend 10 bucks a year for them. Actually I guess my REAL biggest expense is in time, but meh, I enjoy myself so all is good

wow thats a business no doubt im happy so far i dont think i ever wont be with this hobby

[Mtnmn]

Since I switched over to rechargeable batteries, that is one cost that has really went down. Now if I could only afford a rechargeable car....

[Lineweed]

its definitely a lot cheaper than bowling - even the clubs charge really high prices per game and the balls... don't get me started... you need a spare and a main... and after 1-2 years you start thinking about getting more balls, ea are at least 200+!

[highvoltage]

I have not taken the harley out of the shed or the boat out since I started detecting so its really saving me money!!! thats what I tell my wife after I bought her a $2000 camera for X-mas

[ForlornOutcast]

MDing is a one time cost (unless it breaks of course)

Its one of the few hobbies that can pay you back just by doing it. You find silver, gold, and can resell for profit. Or you can collect for free, just have to put in the work to dig it up.

Thats really cool if you ask me.

[dan]

Originally Posted by highvoltage

... I bought her a $2000 camera for X-mas

Zowie! What camera costs two grand, and what does she use it for?

[newjak]

Metal detecting is costing me much less than one of my other hobbies R/C aircraft. the two items in my avatar are worth around 2K alone and I have several other airplanes and helicopter to keep them company. Besides the MD'ing is paying for itself.

[eichmar]

The upfront cost can be a bit high, but it is possible to get in for a reasonable price. However, I have to agree about the hobby paying for itself. Every time my wife and I go detecting, we find $3-5. That adds up pretty fast.

[PeterKennett]

Bring her home one of these..



Peter

[dc426]

The most expensive part of this hobby for me, and for others I'm sure is gas money. We don't pay greens fees, entry fees other than the initial cost of the equipment. I try to find free parking where ever I go. I'll walk a bit to do so. I switched from drag racing to this hobby last year. I'm here to tell you this hobby is CHEAP compared to that!
DC

[Yeki]

So far, in gold finds alone, I have just about broken even as far as equipment purchases. I would get out anyway so I dont really factor in gas.

[Lineweed]

Originally Posted by dc426

The most expensive part of this hobby for me, and for others I'm sure is gas money. We don't pay greens fees, entry fees other than the initial cost of the equipment. I try to find free parking where ever I go. I'll walk a bit to do so. I switched from drag racing to this hobby last year. I'm here to tell you this hobby is CHEAP compared to that!
DC

anything with Racing in the name sounds really expensive

[treasurenoir]

Originally Posted by BentRod

Like any hobby, it's as expensive as you want to make it. You can get a MD for less than $100 and be done with it. However, like most hobbies, once you start, you'll want to upgrade equipment and that is where the $$ comes in. My wife bought me a $100 BH. After I started, I then wanted a $16 pinpointer....and then a $10 trowel. Now, I want a $100 pinpointer....and a $300 MD. Of course my wife thinks I don't need anything more than the BH, but she's that way about my fishing gear too. "Why do you need more than one rod and one reel?" At least MDing can eventually pay for itself!

Bentrod is right. You can spend as little or as much as you'd like on the hobby, and if you compare this hobby to other sports or hobbies, the upkeep is very little.

I spent about $300 when I got into it, and although I do want a better detector, I'll still be spending probably under $1000, and I'll have it for a long time. Other than batteries, gas to your destination(s), and the occasional new tool, you truthfully are more apt to make money with this hobby than spend it (if you can find the good spots ).

[JohnUK]

In my experience people spend a lot on their hobby no matter what it is!

[Dark Chameleon]

Originally Posted by Joves

This hobby is a bargain compared to photography. My one lens cost more that my detector, including the extra coil and the Sunray probe. My next camera body will cost more than the XP Deus, so yeah it is far from. The Medium Format camera I want to justify getting is $10K body only and the only lens they have optimized for it is another $3K.

My wife does photography and i do metal detecting and collecting silver, baseball cards and antiques and her photography costs more then all mine put together, and i have the ability to sell my stuff for most of what i paid for them, she would be lucky to get 25% of what she paid for them.

My son is taking flying lessons at $150 an hour and needs 40 hours then wants to do jet and thats a minimum 1000 hours of flying....thats $150,000 to get a jet licence...not bad huh?

Try buying $150,000 of metal detecting equipment, unless your mel fisher or a archeologist you'd be hard pushed to do that, (my wife has spent more then $10k this year alone on equipment for photography, cemera, lenses, software, computer, computer upgrades, external hard drives (2), tablet, monitor (27"), and this is without paying for the away weekend of piccy taking, etc).

I have an AT Pro, PP, lesche, sand scoop, pouch, etc and im good for the whole day.....and i dont need three detectors (just in case).

[Dark Chameleon]

Originally Posted by dan

Zowie! What camera costs two grand, and what does she use it for?

I'd think maybe a 7D canon...how do i know..i have the bank account to prove it...or should i say the empty spot that used to be my account.

[Dark Chameleon]

I bought a pool table for $4000, so a $700 detector is cheap in which one do you think gets me out the most, i exercise the most with, gives me the most enjoyment and i dont feel guilty walking past it every day and not using it (actually the last one is the detector...lol)

[metaladdict]

MDing is the cheapest hobby Ive had! I do spend alot on gas to get around but its cheaper than fishing,boating,racing. My mountain bike might compete in cheapness.