newbie needs help

[DK]

I am a newbie to the hobby. I have just received one of my father in laws used detectors. It is a Garrett Master Hunter, Deepseeker ADS III. He passed away recently, and I came in possession of this detector. I have used it in my backyard, and found some items. I would like to know how to go about detecting in the right way. How do I find sites to hunt in my area? I have been reading up on how to use the detector, and some ideas on how to go about detecting, but would appreciate any input from experienced detectorists. My father in law enjoyed using his Garrett, and I can see how it could become an exciting hobby.

Thank you and God Bless all who read this

Doug Keller

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

Where are you from?
What type of detecting do you plan on doing?

God bless.

Mike

 

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the Forum, Doug K, and read the manual if you have one and search the forums for ideas....there are a lot of Professionals on this forum and others....might be a Garrett Forum that you can find out about your Garrett detector! I have always used Whites, so don't know about the detector you'll be using! Best thing to do is read what it will and won't do and then practice, practice and practice until you learn the way yours sounds on different coins, jewelry and junk! Get out often as you are able to do so and you will learn quickly! Swing low and slow for the deeper old coins and jewelry. God Bless! Betty

 

[steve in so la]

Welcome aboard - a bunch of very nice people here with a lot of experience to help you. When I started detecting there was no internet so I didn't have the advantage you have.
What I would suggest is to go to your local kid's play areas to learn your machine and how to dig. The play areas are in city parks & elementary schools and are almost always open to us. Spend a lot of hours figuring out your machine and then think about bigger & better places & finds. Good luck, keep in touch with us, steve in so az

 

[Graw]

Welcome Doug
This is a great site for learning Try Play grounds abandon homes and Beaches -- But make sure it's ok to hunt first and always fill in your holes . Good Luck -- Graw

 

[mohayes1046]

Don't forget about us, this is the greatest bunch on the net.

Mark

http://www.findmall.com/list.php?32

Be sure to read the FAQFAQ section it will help a lot.

 

[dobbie]

though it is very addicting it is still a hobby and you should be out having lots of fun. Dont be in too much of a hurry to find the good stuff, take your time and enjoy the greatdoors. the good stuff will come in due time. Obey all laws and follow the Code of Ethics. and remember to post your finds with us we will love to see them whatever they may be..welcome aboard and Happy Hunting. God Bless

 

[Leslie(nova scotia)]

From the land of the Bluenose.....sorry first off to hear of your loss and secondly I think someone already mentioned trying the Garrett forum. That is a good ole machine my son and looking forward to your posts!

 

[DK]

Thanks to you all who have offered advice on getting started in the hobby of metal detecting. I will take note of all advice given, and keep you all updated on my progress and results. Just FYI, I am from Connersville, Indiana, and I plan on detecting for coins and relics mostly, but being a history nut, I will take any thing I find, just for the excitement of the find, but also I like to think about where the item originated, how it got there and who may have caused it to be there in the first place. My wife is going to be joining me in this new found hobby. Thank you all again, and I look forward to reading your posts and keeping in contact with you all.

Doug

 

[KyBud(InezKy)]

The ADS III is a great machine. A little heavy but it can hold its own with any of the newer machines. I still have one but I simi-retired it in favor of the newer lighter weight models. I now use the Garrett Ace 250 and the GTI 2500 but I still enjoy getting the old ADS out and playing with it. Like I said its a great machine and with the right adjustment it can go deep. Heres the address to the Garrett website fer the ADS III manual http://www.garrett.com/hobby/manuals2/Master-Hunters-II-and-III.pdf
Enjoy the new hobbie and Happy Hunting.
God Bless,
KyBud

 

[John316]

My condolences to you and your family. I'm sure your father is happy that you continued this great hobby, especially with his detector.

I highly recommend kids playgrounds, beaches, or any area with sand. It is easier to scoop and sift they to dig up a target from hard soil and grass. Most of my best finds have been from playgrounds. I start by hunting below the swings, in front of slides and any bars where kids can hang from. Just yesterday I found a beautiful thick silver bracelet slightly behind a swing. It appears that the person may have been pushing a child on the swing and the bracelet came off. Also, kids hang upside down on bars and lose lots of change. I have found lots of change and 2 silver bracelets under school's pull up bars as well.

Don't get frustrated though. You WILL find more trash then goodies 99.9% of the time. Since playgrounds are small, I pull up every target I hear. Earlier this year I almost passed up on a good ring because it sounded like foil. It was a small playground so I scooped up anyway. Turned out to be a nice ladies gold ring.

Get a few items and bury them in the sand and create your own "sound garden". Bury a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, gold and silver ring, bracelet, pulltabs, bottle caps and aluminum foil. Practice swinging your detector and learn the sound pitch and meter reading of each target. Hang in there. This is a fun and very rewarding hobby. Not only will you find valuable coins and jewelry, but you'll find and make more valuable friends. Amen

Frank
let go and let God

 

[PeggyK]

My advice -
Find out if your area has a metal detecting/treasure hunting club. You can gain a lot of experience by attending club hunts.
Start out small - I MD'd a small park in my area that I knew I wouldn't find anything good at (it dated from the 1970s) - clearing out pull tabs, bottle caps & pennies - but I learned my machine.
Playground areas with sand or pea-gravel are another good area, because they let you learn the sounds your machine makes for various metals without a lot of heavy digging. I've actually found some nice costume jewellery in those areas - but you will also (especially in school yards) get zipper pulls & pencil ends.
You can research your area's history, and see what went, and when. If you have older relatives in the area they are a wealth of information - Can someone tell you where the school picnics were held in the 20's or 30's?
Have Fun!

Peggy

 

[John316]

Sorry, I meant your father in law

My condolences to you and your family. I'm sure your father is happy that you continued this great hobby, especially with his detector.

I highly recommend kids playgrounds, beaches, or any area with sand. It is easier to scoop and sift they to dig up a target from hard soil and grass. Most of my best finds have been from playgrounds. I start by hunting below the swings, in front of slides and any bars where kids can hang from. Just yesterday I found a beautiful thick silver bracelet slightly behind a swing. It appears that the person may have been pushing a child on the swing and the bracelet came off. Also, kids hang upside down on bars and lose lots of change. I have found lots of change and 2 silver bracelets under school's pull up bars as well.

Don't get frustrated though. You WILL find more trash then goodies 99.9% of the time. Since playgrounds are small, I pull up every target I hear. Earlier this year I almost passed up on a good ring because it sounded like foil. It was a small playground so I scooped up anyway. Turned out to be a nice ladies gold ring.

Get a few items and bury them in the sand and create your own "sound garden". Bury a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, gold and silver ring, bracelet, pulltabs, bottle caps and aluminum foil. Practice swinging your detector and learn the sound pitch and meter reading of each target. Hang in there. This is a fun and very rewarding hobby. Not only will you find valuable coins and jewelry, but you'll find and make more valuable friends. Amen

Frank
let go and let God

 

[Mike Chgo area]

n/t