new to metal detecting

[taylorcold]

Hello all

I just got started in this hobby. I bought an Excalibur 1000. Since I live in SW Florida, I figured I would do alot of hunting at the beach. I haven't had much time lately but I discovered a place where a Drive in Theater used to be ad I figured it would be a good place to start. I think I made a mistake. I spent a couple of hours there and my treasures included pull tops and bottle tops. I really don't know what I am doing. I took some advice here about settings but there were so many targets I didn't know what to do.

I am looking forward to going to the beach. At least the digging is easier!

I see I have much to learn. This forum seems like a good place to start.

Thanks

Tom

 

[bottlebum]

I've always shied away from Drive-In's, just because of what you mentioned. They can be detected but you're going to dig a ton of junk. Welcome to the hobby.

 

[chuck ky]

you could start out by hunting in full discrimination. you'll get all the coins but the nickles.

 

[Gulf Hunter]

The 1000 is a poor choice, for such a trashy area. The 800 would better, for separation. The more I use the 800, the better I like it.

 

[sandman256]

For one thing, the size of the coil makes it difficult to detect a trashy area. For another the Excal nulls on Iron and at beach settings it will sound off on pull tabs and bottle tops. However 90% of the gold rings lost are in the pull tab range. If you disc. out pull tabs, you will not find any gold rings. The bottle tops will make a different rough low sound compared to a gold ring or pull tab for that matter. Coins are higher in tone or pitch.

It is best to lay different targets down on clean ground and compare the sounds.

Good Luck,
Sandman