One Noobies way to not get frustrated

[AZWIP]

From one noobie to another…

Ok, have been at this long enough to offer “some” free advice to another noobie… and yet short enough to still know I am still a rookie as well. Having said that… let me start off saying at this time I have the Tesoro Silver uMax (still) and am very satisfied with this not too expensive machine… 7 months into this hobby… am still enjoying it. Also, started off Mding without a pin pointer, then graduated to the Harbor Freight one and thought how much better and faster I could retrieve finds etc… then after having it break a few times, decided to see what all the fuss was with the Garrett Propointer (Father’s Day gift…)… and wow! Did not know what I had been missing.

So, all that to say… my current set up works real well for me now… tend to target jewelry etc… versus relics.

That out of the way, thought I would offer up some general noobie suggestions etc. That may or may not help.
First, get out there and use your machine. Used to read so often how your machine will start to talk to you, and thought yeah, right… 2 months into it… the speech seemed no different… but now, 7 months into it… yup, it does start to talk to you.

So, hang in there. Now, get ready to dig everything… seriously. It will help in the long run. After much trial and error, what eventually worked for me (and still does for the most part) was my rule of when hunting in parks and school yards… I typically stay with targets that are at 6 inches or less, until I really learn my machine this way I can retrieve quickly without making a large crater.

Also, I tend to stay away from large deep targets (again, you relic hunters this probably does not apply). That’s not to say there are not larger etc valuable things… there are, we know that… but for me, again, goal was to have fun, learn the machine, find coins and jewelry and not destroy the fields I was digging in. I find, using a simple 3-4” blade with strong sturdy knife as my “digger” has worked out pretty good for the 6 inch or less targets… using the PP if the target was real near the surface (again even the PP will start to talk to you as well – hang in there) I could simply pry the object out… if not, dug a quick 2 inch deep by 3 inch wide hinged plug… tried again… stick the PP in there, if the sound increases etc… you are real close… and will probably just have to dig a few inches to the treasure.

My average retrieval now, is under a minute (hey – for me, that real good, lol). This way I get many targets quickly and seem to learn more about my machine and the PP (propointer). Quick tip for using the Garret PP as well… when I get a hit I want to chase, first thing I do is use the PP right from the get go… often, it will register from the top without having made any cuts etc… that tells me the item is probably within 3-4 inches… (yes, could be bigger and deeper object, and yes, could be smaller, shallower object… you will learn over time and be correct more often than not)… so I try the PP, did it hit on something? How big could that something be? Ok, target seems close to top of surface… simply stick the knife in “under” the target and see if you can simply flip out of the ground. No? Dig quick hinged plug… read again to see if its there, or deeper, or on the side. Now, get it. Again, I average less than a minute doing this… quick note, you have dug a quick plug and find the signal with the PP does not change… it very well could be a larger item, deeper… I usually walk from those… I know, I may be missing awesome targets… but for me, in the beginning anyways… don’t want to get frustrated.

Someday I will go after those, and again folks, this is what works for me… people are different, I know that. (-;

Now, folks, including myself are always… “where” can I go?

Skies the limit, right… but again, for me the goal is to not frustrate myself, so what I suggest to my new(er) friends is… hunt the parks, school yards and tot lots. You will learn a lot and will find goodies as well. Plus they are usually more convenient than say hunting for a meteor. (-;

Now, what I find for those places, so far, is… they can be very trashy, they can be very empty or they can be a ton of fun. Ok, lets talk the trashy first, pros and cons… first, trashy means, lots of activity etc… well that’s cool, but it can also quickly frustrate the new comer. It did me. Man, 1 hour of digging and its like 50 pull tabs later… gee, that’s fun. Not. Ha ha… we know there are indeed goodies there, and if you have tons of patience etc… you will find them… but often, if folks think that this what detecting is about… they will walk.

So, that in mind, lets wait a bit until you learn your machine better… unless you want to hunt just coin or silver, sure then set your machine to disc out around that area and have at it… but in “my” case… I want the jewelry as well)… so, what works for me is….

If I hit a real trashy new area… I will usually spend 20-30 minutes there… if still consistent trash.. I will walk away… maybe just 10 feet farther away is all it may take. Knowing someday I will probably come back and tackle the rest of that trashy area… just not right now. Leads me to another thing… hunt methodically. What do I mean by that? Don’t just hit a field and walk at random all over the place… you will NOT know where you have already hit and where you have not. Pick a start and end, then walk to the end, make a uturn and walk the return next to where you already walked… at least you will now you are providing coverage. Its when I started to do that, that I finally started hitting the cool stuff like jewelry.

Another thing, for me anyways… to help avoid the trashy areas… when you hunt next to a fence… start a few feet away, same with sidewalks (I know, there is tons of good stuff in those areas, but again, they can be pretty trashy as well) or use the 30 minute rule (I like the 30 min rule… hit the trashy area for 30 mins… believe it or not, this will help you learn your machine as well as increase your digging skills… then walk and spend some time in less trashy area). Someday though, you will want to clear those areas… maybe you tell yourself, whenever you hit that park etc… first 30 minutes you will clean the trashy area a bit… never know what goodies are there). So, yes, for me not being right next to the fence, sidewalk and picnic table was helpful… again though… I like the 30 minute rule. (-;

I have a blast in tot lots, school yards and parks doing this and have learned a lot about my machine. Other things I have learned include, “Wow, I found that nice silver ring in the “middle of nowhere””, when I have had enough of the trashy areas and go somewhere a little less hectic… and find something of value… always a nice surprise. Amazing when you find something in an area, that it seems very unlikely that anyone could have lost anything there… its near, nothing. (-;

Biggest things for me, in the beginning are to not get bored… learn the machine and find some goodies along the way… these things I mentioned above, help. For me anyways.

Another big thing, the Garrett ProPointer… for me (I know there are debates etc all around) anyways, was good money spent and no I do NOT work for Garrett etc. This is simply a tool that works and works well, and saves me a lot of time and energy… also allows me to make much smaller holes. Always a plus for me in the fields I hunt in. Hunting a sandy tot lot? Bring a sifter from home (mine is a plastic bowl with holes in the bottom big enough to let the sand through)… works like a charm… or use your PP again. I kind of like the sifter… I simply use it as a scoop and sift real quick like.

Basically when I hunt, I hold the Knife and PP in my left hand, and the detector in the right and go at it. Bottom line… this is all stuff that has helped me. I know that others will probably think I am nuts etc… but again, this has helped me… its not for everyone I reckon. But for now, figured it may help someone thinking of giving in… to just continue to keep trying. Experiment! I now head out thinking, gonna just see whats under there… anything of value… icing on the cake. (-;

Anyways, just thought I’d post some thoughts that may or may not help some noobie that may be getting frustrated and increase his/her chances on sticking with it for a while longer. Have fun – it gets better the more you learn. And, of yeah, frequent this forum! There are tons of folks here who “really” know their stuff (unlike myself), that are more than willing to help out. The advice and suggestions etc I have received from here have been fantastic! Lots of knowledgeable folks.

Like I said, take my suggestions with a grain of salt… and again, realize this is all based on my opinion and current rookie experience. (-; Enjoy!

[Metalbender]

Thanks. A lot of good advice. I think hearing from another new MD'er is the kind of boost we need to hang in there. Good luck!

[OldNBroken]

I don't think enough can be said for the durability and necessity of the Garrett pro pointer. Left mine at home last weekend and, for the most part, detecting without it was a huge PIA and rather boring and frustrating.

I know it's a pricey little piece of plastic but, trust me, it's indispensible and worth every last cent.

BTW, I have no ties to Garrett either. I'm strictly a Minelab fan.

[mooncalfmetal]

good tips for anyone! i like and unknowingly use the "30 minute rule"!!

[cjah83]

Thanks for the advice

[Con]

Good Post and Good advice

[SeabeeRon]

Great post!! Sharing info is what this forum is all about!! Good stuff for both Noobie or Oldie!!

[cfuller3]

I've detected since back when my first detector was an electronics kit (Heathkit) that had to be assembled. It's a long lasting hobby. I've always used a nice thin music wire probe and gently 'felt' for the coin. I learned the sounds and feels of everything normally found. Scoffed at the electronic pinpointers. Well, one of them evil things came with my V3i and I thought it was ugly and huge. It was ugly and huge but it actually changed the way I got stuff out of the ground. I've now got three of them and won't leave home without them. The one I've gravitated to now is the ProPointer. Handy size, rugged and instead of a horrible noise or vibration regardless of how close you are, it comes on soft and gets stronger when you get closer. I like that. Smaller holes, no holes, flipping, just great housecleaning. Recommend it highly.

[Fishbone]

THANK YOU
Basic stuff like this will help us 'newbees' stay focused and not get too frustrated.

Tell us more how the machine 'talks to you'
I'm sure it's a machine/person type of thing but tell us about it.

How did you come to picking that make/model?

Did you practice in a controlled setting like setting up targets in the yard?
Or just in the field/tot lot?

Thanks again,

[Brucem]

I picked the Tesoro Silver Umax as well. It gets great reviews and it does exactly what its supposed to. I've only had mine for a few weeks, and I think I know what you mean, it does speak to you. Sort of like learning the same language , but a different dialect.Its not the same beep ,beep noise, and it almost does tell you the difference beween a pull tab and a penny.
The tone is much more solid from a coin.And after a few weeks I also got the propointer as well. I'm on a budget, but I expect that propointer to last me a long, long time. Once in a hole it just cuts the time and frustration down to nothing.
I also do detecting with it just by itself sometimes, just for surface objects.

[MClever]

How did you know I was very frustrated today? Must have heard me singing my pissed off song digging junk

Can only handle so many foil balls, pie plates, & scrap pieces of alum in a late 1700/early 1800 site (trashed up in the last 50 yrs)

I'm going trying to clean this site up for the deeper finds.

Thanks for the tips... uh... sanity checks.

[AZWIP]

Howdy again, thought I’d address some of the questions etc… plus give ya’ll an update… few days back, found my first GOLD!!! Picture posted in Finds area....

Yup, pretty excited! Found it “in the middle of nowhere” in a huge park I was about to give up on but was close to my house.

What happened was I bought a new knife to try… so figured I’d run to the park and just pick some trash (as that’s what I have come to know this park as, as its loaded with tabs etc and can easily frustrate)… just to see how the new knife/digger would work… ok, so I get there, there are people around (that’s another topic… ha ha, had to get used to MD’ing in public, my issue though, lol)… decide I’ll go experiment “in the middle of nowhere” where there are no people… take ten steps, had dug 3 pulltabs… and get a nice “rounded” hit, figure maybe coin, or ring… dig it, and pull out a “dirt clod” (ya’ll know what I mean), begin to crumble the dirt, and see some “silver” looking out… figure, cool, silver ring again (have found tons of those), then crumble the rest, poke the center dirt clod out, see the writing “14K”… begin the serious “Happy Dance”, ha ha. 14k white gold!!!

First “verifiable” gold! I was thrilled. Not sure though if my “old” way of hunting would have nailed this or not… my newer way, I hit it fine and dandy, makes me wonder what (if any) gold I may have missed hunting the old way up until about 2 weeks ago… Again, it just proves the point, stick with it.

So, first gold under my belt, using new style of hunting… happy don’t begin to describe, was starting to take it personally, Lol! Just thought I’d mention this, to anyone getting frustrated.

> Tell us more how the machine 'talks to you'
> I'm sure it's a machine/person type of thing but tell us about it.

Hard to explain, it just “does” (I know, what a lousy answer)… but, for me, I hunt (again, using the Silver uMax) I keep my thumb on the little metal switch (used to go from AM to Disc to Test)… and each item category begins to have a “different” feel (in that switch) as well as in the hand itself, plus the sound begins to take on a bit of “meaning”. For me, its gotten “much” easier to tell the difference between coin (usually a nice solid hit on the thumb and hand, solid “sound” in all directions) and junk.

Before I go further, I should mention, part of my new way of hunting (thanks to the many gurus on this site for their advice etc) is to “hunt” in AM mode, this allows me a bit faster swing to initially hunt as my machine seems to definitely be more sensitive in this mode, thereby covering more ground.

So, I hunt in AM, get a nice solid, rounded hit, this “tells” me the item is most likely round (good shape ha ha), then I can quickly (still in AM mode) “measure” the “size” of the item by moving the coil in all directions, then, if it remains about the same size/length, I can sort of tell, coin or ring (they size about the same in my opinion with a coin usually “hitting” a bit “harder” (via vibrations/sound) – of course if they are edge, or on surface, they will hit/sound a bit different again… with mine, on edge, I may get a “non-rounded” hit… or even a double blip in one or even two directions… so assuming they are laying flat, it’s a nice short “rounded” hit.

Yes, a pulltab sounds “very” much the same and even feels somewhat the same… but a pulltab (for mine) also has a bit “longer” signal in one direction, making it a “hair” uneven when you check the roundness of the signal (I check “roundness” by going left to right and right to left, then up and back down (think a crosshairs), then I will also check using the classic “X” pattern… sounds the same all directions? Raise the coil a bit, repeat the X or the crosshairs, that will tell me the possible depth… not too deep? Gotta dig it. Period. Lol.

Now, does this mean, you “don’t” dig the other signals? Of course you can and should.

Often jewelry may not have rounded signal, as it could be a variety of shapes… that’s where my part 2 of my new way (for me) of hunting comes in… once I see its NOT a huge item and its repeatable (for now, for me, repeatable has usually meant Non-Trash, as I have so far found, non-repeatable to be uneven shaped pieces of foil, needles, staples etc, not always, but frequently enough to where for now I pass on those… could they be a small earring etc, sure, but for now, not for me.)… anyways, my Part 2 is… switch quickly to Disc mode (where I have it already set to MIN, to lose “small” iron)… repeat the sequence again (this all happens in seconds, sounds long, but it’s not, its all done quickly)… if things still sound the “same” as in AM mode, it gets dug… if my machine starts to “balk” in any of the sequence… for my machine, its trying to tell me “want to disc it out – don’t like it”… so I “probably” won’t dig it, for now anyways. But if all feels and sounds the same, machine is telling me, it does not find anything to MIN Disc out… good enough for me. I dig it. Often, its coin or jewelry using this method.

Yes, I could continue to move Disc to try and get a better “feel”, but as I now really want to hit gold as well… I know I will dig whatever is not lost in MIN. So, why not hunt in MIN to begin with??? Good question… one I had for a while, until I experimented etc… for “MY” machine, to have hit a small gold wedding band at 3 to 4 inches… in AM, it hits nicely at the swing and walk speed I like… yet, once I go into DISC mode… “IF” I were using the identical swing and walk speed, I very likely would NOT have picked up a gold wedding band (silver yes, silver hits HARD on my machine and will almost rattle the switch, but small gold hits less hard… so, if I wanted to hunt say in MIN Disc mode and still hit a thing gold band, I would have to slow down both my walk and my swing.)

Summary, for me, hunt in AM… get the hits, switch to MIN Disc… all the same? Go for it, if things change? Make a decision…. If pressed for time, walk, if curious (which I am frequently anyways), go after it… helps you learn.
I mean sure, I could use DISC tell me pretty certainly if ITS NOT GOLD… if it goes away between TAB and Zinc its “probably” not gold (unless its huge, would be nice Lol)….

But again, for my style… I want to dig everything not MIN’d out. At some point, I may decide to just not use MIN at all… but for now, this has been working out pretty good… hunt in AM, quick flip to MIN… all the same = good. Again, though, repeatable, rounded, right depth, right length in all directions (shorter than say a signal that reads for 6 plus inches)…. Either coin or ring (laying flat). If the signal is a hair longer on one direction and does not Disc Out in MIN, usually a pulltab. I’ll keep digging those though, just to be sure, ha ha. But, yes, it does start to talk to you.

Yes, I also did a number of experiments with various items, small thin gold band, engagement rings, coins, pull tabs etc, lay them flat, lay them on edge… use AM, check the direction and size and depth etc… that helped… but what helped most was just getting out these and “digging” it all for a while, while first trying to figure it out before I dug (still ignore the LONG signals, nothing like a coke can 12 inches under to mess with your head, ha ha).

Also, again, before I dig anything at all, I will double check with the Propointer… if it hits hard without digging, step 2 is how big is the item… if I use the propointer and it gives a nice hit, in a 1 inch diameter…, again, usually coin or ring – try an experiment, place a dime 2 inches under, and place a gold wedding band 2 inches under, bury it, try your PP, You can get a feel for the items size and type. Even the mighty Pro Pointer, wants to be fairly close to a gold band… so if it does not pick up something right away from the surface, this may be a “good” thing, ha ha.

The PP can help you size the item and figure its depth, all helping you choose what to do. Do it enough times and things do begin to fall in place, they really do.

> How did you come to picking that make/model?

I chose the Silver uMax after doing a ton of research. Wanted something solid, not too pricey that would allow me to find Gold (perhaps not flake size, but the size of a pencil eraser/small earring) jewelry, and other items, that was not too difficult to learn and that I would not outgrow anytime soon. Review after review for the Silver uMax kept telling the same story… folks really liked this machine, even many with more pricey machines. Ok, felt secure in that purchase. Went for it, no regrets. Really enjoy this machine. It does one thing and it does it pretty good IMO. It finds stuff under the ground, and it does develop it’s own language after awhile… its really weird. Ha ha.


> Did you practice in a controlled setting like setting up targets in the yard?
> Or just in the field/tot lot?

Yup, did the controlled setting, even devised a chart with my findings in an earlier posting somewhere in this forum… was cool, does tell me “some” things… but all in all, getting out there… and hunting and digging pretty much everything (not large items, again, I wanted the coins and jewelry not relics), told me a lot more. And realize, it’s not forever, after a while you will come up with a strategy that works for you and you will begin to understand the machine better… then you can at least decide, yup, I want the gold, yup will be digging plenty or hey, could care less about gold, and then dig much less.

I know, I wrote a bloomin novel… sorry, here is a condensed version of what seems to be working for me, with goal of coin and jewelry, rings preferred.

Hunt in AM
Test for well rounded hits that do NOT indicate a large or uneven item
Test for depth
Switch to Min, do the same test, all things are similar/identical… if not, done.
Using PP, check before the dig, item may or may not be sniffed.
If sniffed, and right size, go after it.
If sniffed and nothing? Dig 1 to 2 inches deep…
Got signal, go after it
Still no signal, maybe dig a bit deeper… and try again.
Nice thing about the garret PP… if I dig and the signal does not change or is all over the hole… it may be big iron, buried deeper than I care to go.

As always, other folks' advice and experiences are welcome - still learning...

Have fun.

[donnyjaguar]

Good input. I like the 30 minute's worth of trash and move on rule myself. I find myself doing one thing differently than most. After I'm satisfied I'm over ground zero, I use a plastic trowel and dig a 2" plug right out. Then, if I can't see anything, I wave it in front of the coil which I have resting on the ground alongside. I do this with subsequent scoops until I have the target.

[Bonesquat]

Nice advice.

"Basically when I hunt, I hold the Knife and PP in my left hand, and the detector in the right and go at it"

This is exactly what I do. Works perfectly. Why use a stupid holster and stuff when every 10 seconds you have to stoop down and dig anyways?

[AZWIP]

Yup, me jeans work fine and dandy... trash in left front pocket, good stuff in front right pocket... cellphone in back pocket. The simpler the better for me anyways.

One last item, although I try not to look too dorky (but as I hunt mostly at night, not too much of an issue, ha ha)... out here in AZ, it does tend to get a wee bit warm... bought myself a nice thick wristband/sweatband. Worth its weight in platinum. Although it does tend to get lost in the wash, ha ha.

[Keith K]

I just received my Garrett PP and got out today..what a difference. I actully popped 4 coins in five hits. The only other thing to add to all this..is the Lesche digger and GPP should get married as soon as possible. What a combo.

[AZWIP]

Just received my Lesche Model 85 on Saturday... have hunted for a few hours using it... all I can say is WOW! One of those "did not know what I was missing" moments. For the HARD ground out here in AZ... this thing is by far the best knife like digger I have used. For me, was worth the $$$. This thing is indeed a tank and it rocks. Just my 2 cents.

Feel pretty well equipped now... between my detector, my Garrett PP and this digger. They have increased my enjoyment. Again, folks are different... but for me... all good buys. Smaller holes, big decrease in target retrieval time, etc. HH folks.

[Sparky747]

Originally Posted by OldNBroken

I don't think enough can be said for the durability and necessity of the Garrett pro pointer. Left mine at home last weekend and, for the most part, detecting without it was a huge PIA and rather boring and frustrating.

I know it's a pricey little piece of plastic but, trust me, it's indispensible and worth every last cent.

BTW, I have no ties to Garrett either. I'm strictly a Minelab fan.

Never Trust anyone that says "Trust Me"

Trust Must Be Earned

[Swamped]

Good post. I find myself using the coil to try and pinpoint coins with mixed results. Sometimes I keep widening my plug to retrieve coin (especially those small dimes) A pinpointer would be a great addition. Just not in the budget at this time.

Would it be worth the waste of money to go with a Harbor Freight PP or just wait and save up ?

[Dustyloins]

Originally Posted by Swamped

Good post. I find myself using the coil to try and pinpoint coins with mixed results. Sometimes I keep widening my plug to retrieve coin (especially those small dimes) A pinpointer would be a great addition. Just not in the budget at this time.

Would it be worth the waste of money to go with a Harbor Freight PP or just wait and save up ?

A HF is better than nothing, but kinda fragile.....use accordingly.

Dusty