Myers Depot Metal Detectors

Books for Beginners

C

Clair

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Oct 7, 2015
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Swanton, Vermont
Searched "books" and didn't find a dedicated thread so thought I would start one.

First book I bought was so bad I threw it away: all hype and no info. Rather than pan it (be aware, it was either just under or just over 100 pages), here are a few really good ones:

Best all round: Metal Detecting for the Beginner, 2nd Edition, by Vince Migliore.

Next best all round: Metal Detecting: A Beginner's Guide, by Mark Smith

For coin-hunters, but lots of really good all round detecting info: The New Successful Coin Hunting, by Charles Garrett.

That last one is regularly revised and kept up to date. It is so good that even though I bought an earlier edition used, I think I will buy the latest one. And because I have almost no disposable income, that says something about the book right there!

Generally I think a good book should cover the really important basics thoroughly:

Ethics,
Permissions,
Places to hunt,
Research,
Info common to ALL machines,
Really good information about how to practice no matter what detector you have,
Resources

Hope others can add to this list. Will help newbies not waste their money!

edit added: I could not create the tag "books". I think there should be one -- is it possible for a more senior member to create one and add it to this post? Thanks much!
 
I don't know how or what that tag thing does but if I search for books, your thread comes up 2nd on the list.;) I asked awhile back about a tag feature for friends, like how you can tag a friend in a post on FB but I don't think anyone really liked the idea. :p :lol: I still like it! Lets say for example....I'm reading along in the Caches, bottles and other treasures section and I find a guy that posted about a cache that's possibly buried under a curb strip in Everett WA. I then tag Swing360 and bentrod and tell them to meet me there in 4hrs......:laughing: What!? It could happen! :pirates: :digginahole:
 
Just read detecting365.com no need to buy books! Learn everything you need to know about detecting!
 
lol -- I understand, but some of us old clunkers just plain love books -- no ads, batteries, no plugs needed, and just fine to read in car while waiting. And, they never go away.

I don't know how many 404s I've run into - -especially when looking up MD groups and associations.

You can't separate an old lit major from books. Ever!

And, yes, I have been several times to detecting365 -- very good site. The other really good one was MDTALK. I'm far from a total Luddite!

Cheers,
Clair
 
Detector said:
Finders Secrets of Success is a good book for tips than can make your hunting more successful. Not so much for the beginner, although I think anyone can benefit from it, but many tips from experienced detectorist.

http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=216600&highlight=Book
Click to expand...

Sweet!

I have this one and the updated garrett coin hunter one. both not read yet. lol who has time? Also looking forward to reading Brandon's (dr tones) new one when it comes out.
 
ARghh - be careful what you wish for . . . I seem to have started a thread that could prove dangerous to my financial health!!!

Well, my MD is paid for and I've got a few books, so now I guess I start feeding the piggy bank or making a Christmas list!

Thanks Detector!
 
Clair said:
ARghh - be careful what you wish for . . . I seem to have started a thread that could prove dangerous to my financial health!!!

Well, my MD is paid for and I've got a few books, so now I guess I start feeding the piggy bank or making a Christmas list!

Thanks Detector!
Click to expand...

You could see what your local library has as well. That's how I came across all the treasure books I read.
 
Can't help answer your question - but it sounds like you're gonna do awesome at this hobby, perhaps you'll score some sweet sweet gold that will earn you some "Disposable" income :)!

It can happen, even if you're not on the beach.

HH,

Mike
 
Gabbity --
I live in small town and my local library is rather small -- I've been giving them art books after seeing their almost non-existent section of art books. One good thing is that they have a good local history section! I will certainly be availing myself of that for researching.
MD books are non-existent!
 
Clair said:
lol -- I understand, but some of us old clunkers just plain love books -- no ads, batteries, no plugs needed, and just fine to read in car while waiting. And, they never go away.

I don't know how many 404s I've run into - -especially when looking up MD groups and associations.

You can't separate an old lit major from books. Ever!

And, yes, I have been several times to detecting365 -- very good site. The other really good one was MDTALK. I'm far from a total Luddite!

Cheers,
Clair
Click to expand...

That's md H talk dot org that I believe you're referring to...
 
Clair said:
Gabbity --
I live in small town and my local library is rather small -- I've been giving them art books after seeing their almost non-existent section of art books. One good thing is that they have a good local history section! I will certainly be availing myself of that for researching.
MD books are non-existent!
Click to expand...

That's too bad. It's always nice to have a library with a good selection of books. I guess I'm spoiled living in a college town: we have the regular county library and the multi-floor college library. Even with this, though, the selection for MDing books was very small. Maybe a few books, all found in the hobby section.

It was nice of you to donate books to your library. Especially art books. That's my other favorite section of the library! :D
 
TWO MORE BOOKs

Got a couple more books to add to the list:

Ideal companion for your MD's User Manual is "In Search of Treasure" by Dick Stout. This guy goes into wonderful detail about myriad places to hunt. Because his list is so exhaustive I would consider this book part of my found treasure. Nice writing style with solid information and, as I said, excellent suggestion of places that newbies would never think of. Beginning gives a general overview of detector use, but that's a small part of the book and the specific info is of course outdated. But forget that, the meat of the book is about places. As is said in the TV show detectorists, "Location, Location, Location"!

Gabbity posted about "the Urban Treasure Hunter" by Michael Chaplan and I must say, it is a splendid book. Lots of useful information on places to hunt and on finds other than metal -- bottles, artefacts. How to set up electrolysis. Research. And these things aren't just covered with a paragraph or two, but with real hard information. And lots of good illustrations.

It is about where and what -- doesn't tell you how to use your MD or how to select an MD.

Either one of these should be a must after you get your MD.
 
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I enjoyed "Gold beneath the waves". Won't help hunting all beaches. But it's just a book to keep you entertained. Some tips are worthless where I live.Like watching where Pelicans glide. If I did that I'd be detecting tall buildings most days since they use the wind current coming off them. Or I'd need diving equipment:lol:
 
I actually learned a boatload from youtube videos. I think some of the guys I learned from are here on this forum. Reading is one thing but seeing an hearing someone point out different things seems to stick in my mind better. I am thankful to so many guys who took the time to make videos, nuggetnoggin, beau, mentalmetal, cutaplug, tarheel, and soo many more! I am still learning things from videos and here on the forum as well, thanx to all here too for the informative posts!
 
Clair thanks for the post. I have learned about youtube guys with videos I haven't seen, websites and books that I had no idea that where out there. I am a Kindle (3 of them) person and read during the winter. With prime I can read Finders Secrets of Success for free. A lot of great information. Appreciated......Z
 
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