Silence Is Not Golden And My Eyes Still See.

[plidn1]

As of this moment, I have not seen the TV shows on Metal Detecting, but there is no need too. I have seen, in the last two weeks, the havoc they have reeked.
Most of my detecting spots show the tell tale signs of the uninformed novice. I am not only seeing 10" round holes refilled in the grass, but I am finding actual CRATERS in the tot lots. I can just picture a child falling into a two foot deep hole (yes) 3 feet wide and breaking an arm or leg.
Are people that stupid? Do they think Captain Kid Buried his chest of chucky cheese tokens under the slide next to the pole?

We are going to lose this fight if someone, maybe all of us, don't start educating people on proper etiquette of hunting and retrieval.

This has got to start with the detector manufactures. They need to quit selling HYPE and start selling people the right starter equipment.
YOU DON"T NEED A 12" SUPER COIL for a tot lot.
I have found close to 200 rings and other assorted jewelry pieces in the last 8 months ( mostly in the parks ) and aside from one 11" deep ring all were under 6" deep. ( I do find dimes and pennies at 9" regularly ). But the good stuff is not deep. I found a silver 1944 dime recently in a park at 2". This is with a 2 year old top of the line detector mounted with a 6 3/4" coil and preset sensitivity and no hand held pin pointer. By the way, that's why I paid extra to have a detector with a pin pointer built in. Believe it or not, you don't achieve a whole lot more depth with the large coils over smaller ones on coin size targets, and the smaller ones will generally pin point like a shot.

I have been detecting for 35 years and It amazes me the questions I have read asked on these forums. How can you learn how your detector is going to perform in your area, or how to use it correctly, if you don't get outside and experiment with it? How can someone in cyber space tell you what it is going to do under your conditions?

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET RICH WITH A WITCHING STICK. Even if it is a modern one.

Let's all make it a point to teach the novice so we can enjoy this hobby for years to come.

 

[blade310]

Nice post.

 

[Elton]

Your question..".I have been detecting for 35 years and It amazes me the questions I have read asked on these forums. How can you learn how your detector is going to perform in your area, or how to use it correctly, if you don't get outside and experiment with it? How can someone in cyber space tell you what it is going to do under your conditions?"

My answer... Comrade with people who share your chosen Hobby..and the willingness of most all here to share their experiences.. Pretty Nice I think !!

 

[jdstawker]

The only way the shows will destroy our hobby is if we stay silent. Novices are going to respond much more to a personal session in the park than a tv show.

 

[plidn1]

Your question..".I have been detecting for 35 years and It amazes me the questions I have read asked on these forums. How can you learn how your detector is going to perform in your area, or how to use it correctly, if you don't get outside and experiment with it? How can someone in cyber space tell you what it is going to do under your conditions?"

My answer... Comrade with people who share your chosen Hobby..and the willingness of most all here to share their experiences.. Pretty Nice I think !!

You of all people missed the whole point of the post.

 

[Sailorman]

Got approached today by a ranger in a park where they know I'm OK to be reminded of refilling holes and replacing divits. They're having issues again. He liked what he saw us doing......

 

[plidn1]

When you conduct yourself in a professional manner, You command respect from all. And are always welcomed back.

 

[Dirt slinger]

As of this moment, I have not seen the TV shows on Metal Detecting, but there is no need too. I have seen, in the last two weeks, the havoc they have reeked.
Most of my detecting spots show the tell tale signs of the uninformed novice. I am not only seeing 10" round holes refilled in the grass, but I am finding actual CRATERS in the tot lots. I can just picture a child falling into a two foot deep hole (yes) 3 feet wide and breaking an arm or leg.
Are people that stupid? Do they think Captain Kid Buried his chest of chucky cheese tokens under the slide next to the pole?

We are going to lose this fight if someone, maybe all of us, don't start educating people on proper etiquette of hunting and retrieval.

This has got to start with the detector manufactures. They need to quit selling HYPE and start selling people the right starter equipment.
YOU DON"T NEED A 12" SUPER COIL for a tot lot.
I have found close to 200 rings and other assorted jewelry pieces in the last 8 months ( mostly in the parks ) and aside from one 11" deep ring all were under 6" deep. ( I do find dimes and pennies at 9" regularly ). But the good stuff is not deep. I found a silver 1944 dime recently in a park at 2". This is with a 2 year old top of the line detector mounted with a 6 3/4" coil and preset sensitivity and no hand held pin pointer. By the way, that's why I paid extra to have a detector with a pin pointer built in. Believe it or not, you don't achieve a whole lot more depth with the large coils over smaller ones on coin size targets, and the smaller ones will generally pin point like a shot.

I have been detecting for 35 years and It amazes me the questions I have read asked on these forums. How can you learn how your detector is going to perform in your area, or how to use it correctly, if you don't get outside and experiment with it? How can someone in cyber space tell you what it is going to do under your conditions?

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET RICH WITH A WITCHING STICK. Even if it is a modern one.

Let's all make it a point to teach the novice so we can enjoy this hobby for years to come.

I as someone who is still pretty new to the hobby agree with and appreciate your post, until I read the paragraph in bold print. Unless I'm reading it wrong, it contradicts what you said before that. It sounds like a guy with many many years of experience that needs to ask nothing cuz he's already been through the learning process, telling new folks not to ask questions, just go do it. Forums like this are here not just for showing off your finds and the stories behind it, but FOR LEARNING, and its humbling as a newb to actually speak up and ask "the dumb question", dont discourage guys from asking questions. I think its just smart to learn as much as you can BEFORE hitting the field. It looks like your passionate about teaching the new guys, but then scold them for asking questions?? Hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[JASONSPAZ1]

It is sad to see what these shows are spawning.

 

[plidn1]

As of this moment, I have not seen the TV shows on Metal Detecting, but there is no need too. I have seen, in the last two weeks, the havoc they have reeked.
Most of my detecting spots show the tell tale signs of the uninformed novice. I am not only seeing 10" round holes refilled in the grass, but I am finding actual CRATERS in the tot lots. I can just picture a child falling into a two foot deep hole (yes) 3 feet wide and breaking an arm or leg.
Are people that stupid? Do they think Captain Kid Buried his chest of chucky cheese tokens under the slide next to the pole?

We are going to lose this fight if someone, maybe all of us, don't start educating people on proper etiquette of hunting and retrieval.

This has got to start with the detector manufactures. They need to quit selling HYPE and start selling people the right starter equipment.
YOU DON"T NEED A 12" SUPER COIL for a tot lot.
I have found close to 200 rings and other assorted jewelry pieces in the last 8 months ( mostly in the parks ) and aside from one 11" deep ring all were under 6" deep. ( I do find dimes and pennies at 9" regularly ). But the good stuff is not deep. I found a silver 1944 dime recently in a park at 2". This is with a 2 year old top of the line detector mounted with a 6 3/4" coil and preset sensitivity and no hand held pin pointer. By the way, that's why I paid extra to have a detector with a pin pointer built in. Believe it or not, you don't achieve a whole lot more depth with the large coils over smaller ones on coin size targets, and the smaller ones will generally pin point like a shot.

I have been detecting for 35 years and It amazes me the questions I have read asked on these forums. How can you learn how your detector is going to perform in your area, or how to use it correctly, if you don't get outside and experiment with it? How can someone in cyber space tell you what it is going to do under your conditions?

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET RICH WITH A WITCHING STICK. Even if it is a modern one.

Let's all make it a point to teach the novice so we can enjoy this hobby for years to come.

I as someone who is still pretty new to the hobby agree with and appreciate your post, until I read the paragraph in bold print. Unless I'm reading it wrong, it contradicts what you said before that. It sounds like a guy with many many years of experience that needs to ask nothing cuz he's already been through the learning process, telling new folks not to ask questions, just go do it. Forums like this are here not just for showing off your finds and the stories behind it, but FOR LEARNING, and its humbling as a newb to actually speak up and ask "the dumb question", dont discourage guys from asking questions. I think its just smart to learn as much as you can BEFORE hitting the field. It looks like your passionate about teaching the new guys, but then scold them for asking questions?? Hopefully I'm wrong.

That was not my intention at all.


All I was trying to point out was that unless you get out and try your detector for a substantial amount of time, learn and understand what it is trying to tell you according to what you are digging from the ground, getting very familiar with how it reacts under a vast amount of different situations, you will not know if it is doing something wrong or not.
Then if you get up against it, and need help, the forums are an excellent place for information.
But often times, too much information to soon, can confuse the novice. Especially with a machine
that is communicating in a foreign language. You can't help someone who has not yet read the manual or is able to describe what he is experiencing.
Compound that with the fact that a lot of information given on these forums is incorrect, or bias, you have no basis to know what information can help you or not.

I went from an analog detector to the MXT. After the first week I almost sold it. It had me up a tree. It was the most miserable machine I have ever owned. Only because of past experience, I went back to the basics and I was able to solve it's ( or my ) problems with it. Fortunately I had the knowledge to fall back on. Then it took me about 2 months to learn what it was telling me. I had the book MXT edge, but it only confused me more.
Too much information without being able to correlate it, is very confusing. I detect for 2 to 3 hours each day. I learn something new about my machine almost every time I go out. You never stop learning.


All I was trying to say was, before you anticipate a problem, get out in the field to see if you really have one.
Then Ask for help. You will be able to express yourself and problem better, getting a more helpful answer in return.

 

[jmaryt]

yup! that's unfortunate!

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[Blank Planet]

let the games begin we can't even agree on here about which coil to use etc... and people are saying unite??

i have a bit of a giggle and then just have to get my timing right about when to sell my gear because pretty soon it will be worthless junk, like most of the stuff i recover.

see the big company's are not hurting right now they are selling heaps of gear they are smiling but the pain will come and by then it will be too late, and they wont even see it coming because they too see the $$$$$ signs of sales up so who really are our friends?? this is the question we need ask?? who will really help us??

oh well it was fun while it lasted everything comes to an end that's how it is and always will be.

BP

 

[Dirt slinger]

As of this moment, I have not seen the TV shows on Metal Detecting, but there is no need too. I have seen, in the last two weeks, the havoc they have reeked.
Most of my detecting spots show the tell tale signs of the uninformed novice. I am not only seeing 10" round holes refilled in the grass, but I am finding actual CRATERS in the tot lots. I can just picture a child falling into a two foot deep hole (yes) 3 feet wide and breaking an arm or leg.
Are people that stupid? Do they think Captain Kid Buried his chest of chucky cheese tokens under the slide next to the pole?

We are going to lose this fight if someone, maybe all of us, don't start educating people on proper etiquette of hunting and retrieval.

This has got to start with the detector manufactures. They need to quit selling HYPE and start selling people the right starter equipment.
YOU DON"T NEED A 12" SUPER COIL for a tot lot.
I have found close to 200 rings and other assorted jewelry pieces in the last 8 months ( mostly in the parks ) and aside from one 11" deep ring all were under 6" deep. ( I do find dimes and pennies at 9" regularly ). But the good stuff is not deep. I found a silver 1944 dime recently in a park at 2". This is with a 2 year old top of the line detector mounted with a 6 3/4" coil and preset sensitivity and no hand held pin pointer. By the way, that's why I paid extra to have a detector with a pin pointer built in. Believe it or not, you don't achieve a whole lot more depth with the large coils over smaller ones on coin size targets, and the smaller ones will generally pin point like a shot.

I have been detecting for 35 years and It amazes me the questions I have read asked on these forums. How can you learn how your detector is going to perform in your area, or how to use it correctly, if you don't get outside and experiment with it? How can someone in cyber space tell you what it is going to do under your conditions?

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET RICH WITH A WITCHING STICK. Even if it is a modern one.

Let's all make it a point to teach the novice so we can enjoy this hobby for years to come.

I as someone who is still pretty new to the hobby agree with and appreciate your post, until I read the paragraph in bold print. Unless I'm reading it wrong, it contradicts what you said before that. It sounds like a guy with many many years of experience that needs to ask nothing cuz he's already been through the learning process, telling new folks not to ask questions, just go do it. Forums like this are here not just for showing off your finds and the stories behind it, but FOR LEARNING, and its humbling as a newb to actually speak up and ask "the dumb question", dont discourage guys from asking questions. I think its just smart to learn as much as you can BEFORE hitting the field. It looks like your passionate about teaching the new guys, but then scold them for asking questions?? Hopefully I'm wrong.

That was not my intention at all.


All I was trying to point out was that unless you get out and try your detector for a substantial amount of time, learn and understand what it is trying to tell you according to what you are digging from the ground, getting very familiar with how it reacts under a vast amount of different situations, you will not know if it is doing something wrong or not.
Then if you get up against it, and need help, the forums are an excellent place for information.
But often times, too much information to soon, can confuse the novice. Especially with a machine
that is communicating in a foreign language. You can't help someone who has not yet read the manual or is able to describe what he is experiencing.
Compound that with the fact that a lot of information given on these forums is incorrect, or bias, you have no basis to know what information can help you or not.

I went from an analog detector to the MXT. After the first week I almost sold it. It had me up a tree. It was the most miserable machine I have ever owned. Only because of past experience, I went back to the basics and I was able to solve it's ( or my ) problems with it. Fortunately I had the knowledge to fall back on. Then it took me about 2 months to learn what it was telling me. I had the book MXT edge, but it only confused me more.
Too much information without being able to correlate it, is very confusing. I detect for 2 to 3 hours each day. I learn something new about my machine almost every time I go out. You never stop learning.


All I was trying to say was, before you anticipate a problem, get out in the field to see if you really have one.
Then Ask for help. You will be able to express yourself and problem better, getting a more helpful answer in return.

When you state it that way I can better understand your intent, but I will say that for guys just getting started, I think its only natural for most folks to want to pick the brains of guys like yourself, I know I would and probably will at some point. I for one bought my ACE second hand with no manual so I did alot of searches online for info on my detector, which I was able to find, and its paid off, but when it comes to real world stuff, I and others will turn to you and guys like you for insight, so I hope you will be patient with us.
Continued good hunting.
Ken.

 

[Elton]

Your post is fine and very true..

 

[jmaryt]

take up golf,or go fishin' but be prepared to spend a lot more! those hobbies ain't cheap!
after 34 years in the hobby,it's STILL difficult to believe that "some" people are just so stupid as to not
realize what can happen if they DON'T dig properly in public areas!...just sayin'

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[plidn1]

I can't tell you how many people have walked up to my table at a gun show, picked up a strange gun, look down the barrel and pull the trigger. I'm talking on the average of 7 a day. Figure that one out.

 

[montanagold]

Its funny to see people bombing these shows for the animosity between detectorists, How do you think its gonna look if a new person who has seen the show googles metal detecting because of a long time interest and finds this site full of negative mean people. so far all I have gotten out of the many posts on the shows is that only people who have been detecting for 25 plus years should be able to detect. Maybe we should find it our responsibility to educate the wonderful new friends we make here when they come to check it out because the shows instead of showing them how we fight about small things.

 

[jmaryt]

scary! (hot damn!)

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[johnnywayne]

YOU DON"T NEED A 12" SUPER COIL for a tot lot.

You could of just stopped right there because it says it all.

The same people who do silly stuff like this are the same people who then would say you need to "Super Duper Ultra, Bigtime, Awesome Tune" (I coined that years ago) your machine as well because you might miss that Dime thats sitting 4 inches down in some woodchips. **eye roll**

 

[TerraDigger]

I don't think we are 'petty'. More likely, is that many of us are 'professional' hobbyists.
Montana...I really don't get you. And your defense of these low level detectorists.

I live next door to you...Idaho.....but it doesn't mean, as a detectorist, I have to have a careless Yahoo mentality.