Metal Detectors

Metal detectors bring to mind certain vibrant images. Maybe it’s hobbyists combing local beaches, eager to excavate for Spanish doubloons. They possess an adventurous spirit and a curious mind. What treasures await just a few feet below the sugary surface, they wonder. Other people think of airport security scrupulously screening baggage and passengers for weapons. Still others think of military personnel sweeping dangerous areas for land mines.

All of these images add up to a water-tight case for the usefulness of metal detectors. A specific type of Garrett detector has been created for any situation, from the fun and frivolous to the daring and heroic. Next time you see someone walking along the shoreline in search of buried treasure, consider the many other ways people are using metal detectors every day.

I’ve been involved in treasure hunting for years now. It began as an occasional hobby I’d resume on family vacations to the beach in Michigan, but eventually it became more of a passion. I became finicky about my equipment and got burned on one occasion by wasting money on an expensive but faulty metal detector. I would recommend that others avoid my past mistakes by checking with reputable sources.

The first step in purchasing a metal detector – after determining which type of detector suits your needs – is to consult metal detector reviews. That way, you can learn from fellow treasure hunters about the most reliable brands. Successful treasure hunting can mean a serious investment in equipment, so be sure to get all the information you can.

Metal detecting is not just a hobby it can be a way of life. I mean just think, sometimes even when you’re out shopping or you go out to dinner, in the parking lot  before going in the store or restaurant you look down and spot a coin or some shiny object and you bend down to pick it up. It feels good to have found that coin or object and have it in your pocket. You get that same feeling or stronger when you’re out with your metal detector in hand breathing that fresh air and getting your daily exercise in without it even feeling like it’s a chore to get in that 30 minutes plus bending & squatting to dig for your findings. Then don’t forget the water you’ll be drinking to keep yourself hydrated which is also good for your body. Investing in a metal detector could be the addition to your life that you’ve been missing. No matter the reason why you invest in a metal detector the outcome will always be positive.  It can get you to meet other people that are interested in metal detectors, you can detect on your own, meet other fellow detectorists and learn of interesting places to go metal detecting. You can also become a more active & healthy person, stay in good health, get out of depression, because the activity will help you physically and mentally. So you see my friend, investing in a metal detector brings with it a wealth of knowledge as well as a wealth in the treasure you have yet to discover. You have nothing to lose but a lot to gain.

If you’ve recently purchased a metal detector or you’re looking into making that kind of purchase, there are many fun detecting activities you can do either with the whole family or alone. The first and most common activity is to head to the beach and comb the sand. People frequently lose jewelry at the beach because they remove rings, necklaces, and earrings before they get in the water. Then they are either lost in the sand or simply left behind.

Another fun activity is called “coin shooting.” This is simply using your metal detector in areas where there are or were large crowds in order to find lost change. At the end of the day, one of three things will have happened. The two most likely situations are that your Headhunter Land Pro metal detector will have yielded a pocket full of change or you’ll go home empty handed except for the fond memories. But sometimes, you’ll find really old coins or treasures that are actually quite valuable. While it’s not the norm, it does happen, and the possibility always keeps it exciting.

Metal Detecting in Old School

Glad you came back to contunue in your search of great places to treasure seek. Now, regardless of where you live, there will most likely be or has been a school in or around your area that are hundreds of years old some may not be standing, that is what makes this next resource so valuable. I am talking about school records. Using school records you can find when and where school building once stood and find the routes student took to and from school. You can also find out where the playground was, this is an excellent place to metal detect. We all know that schools hold carnivals and all sorts of fundraisers which always includes the handling of money or should I say the mishandling of money. So go ahead and add these great sources to your list of great places to go metal detecting in. Other good sources include you local school board members, many of these people are involved in the community in other way and know about your towns history.

Garrett's Ace 250

People bury treasure in their own backyard and forget about it or they move away and never come back leaving the treasure behind. I once buried a jar full of coins in my dad’s backyard, I recently dug it up using my Garrett Ace 250 metal detector. It had been about 30 years since I buried that jar. Although the coins aren’t really that old or valuable, they sure did bring back a lot of good memories. Of course, there have also been times where people bury a fortune in gold coins or gold artifacts and for some reason they never dig it up. I think that the reason for burying treasure was so popular back then was because at a time in our history people did not trust banks with their money, bank were often robbed by outlaws. I remember seeing old pirate movies, I saw these mean ugly looking pirates bury their stolen treasure, so I guess I thought that was a good thing to do so I buried my jar full of coins and simply forgot to dig it up until 30 years later. When ever you get your metal detector start looking in your own back yard you never know who lived there before you, maybe they buried some valuables and never came back for them happy hunting.

I have heard accounts from people of finding treasure under the edge of cement slabs, or in old pumphouses. People used to hide valuables in their old pump house. They would dig a hole in the ground inside the pumphouse, they would put their valuables inside the hole and then cover it up. Why would they do such a thing? One obvious reason was to keep thier valuables away from thieves. Why did people bury their treasure under rocks, the edge of a cement slab, inside pipes, or inside their pumphouse? They did this because they used the rock, pipes etc….. as markers, this was how they would know where they buried the loot. Next time you go to an old farm house that has a pumphouse, check it out. Use your metal detector on the ground of the pumphouse and a flash light to look inside old pipes, you just might be pleasantly surprised.

Metal Detecting in old home

An excellent source that you shouldn’t over look is old property tax records. These records show where old houses, old farms, service stations, interstate bus stops and old taverns once stood. These are all excellent locations to find coins. I have known people who have found fortunes in old farms. One such incident was that of a local Forman of a farm who was watering the fields, he noticed that the water reached to the half way point of the field and wouldn’t advance from there. The water created a huge hole in the middle of the field. Inside the hole was a big chest full of gold items and coins. There are times when it seems that some people are at the right place at the right time. One day it will be your turn in the mean time don’t forget your metal detector it will definitely improve you odds of finding your own hidden treasure.

Garrett's GTP 1350

Where can you find old sites to search in? The answer lies with “research”. Look for old maps of your area. You can find them in your local library, local history books, or internet etc…. Maps show old roads that were once traveled on. Maps also show where abandoned railroad stations, also old school building and maybe even whole towns once stood. These place don’t exist anymore and they have been forgotten over the years, It’s time we grab hold of our metal detectors and revisit these places.  I have a friend that has a map from 1807, it tells of a hidden treasure buried a few miles from where I live. Is it real? Don’t know, but I intend to find out soon.