My 2nd hunt with my new detector

[GKL]

Well, finally was able to get back out for the second try with my new Bounty Hunter Tracker IV today, we've been getting rain much of this past week so I waited till today.

Wasn't able to stay out as long as I hoped as the humidity seemed VERY high, I stopped after 1 1/2 hours as my clothes were drenched with sweat (lost about 2 pounds in that time !)

Anyhow, first let me say I am not discouraged, I read where some of you can have days where you detect for 4 to 6 hours (or more) with little to show for it, so as a newbie I can't have unrealistic expectations for just an hour and a half hunt !

I found one thing today......

I went back to the hole I got a signal on last time without finding anything and found a piece of heavy wire (didn't have any change in my pocket so I put it next to a hammer for a size reference)


I dug another hole after getting a signal - found nothing

(I did use that trick someone mentioned before about raising your coil to see if you still get a signal, and I only got a signal when it was close to the ground)

I tried digging one more hole after that, then keep enlarging the hole towards the left as the signal "seemed" to move that way, dug down about 4 to 5 inches (photo further below has extra large screwdriver in the hole as a reference as the photo makes the hole look shallower than it is) then I actually seemed to lose the signal, even tried scanning the dirt pile in case I moved the object. Anyhow by then I was drenched with sweat and stopped digging.

.....I did do a quick scan over areas of my yard for about 5 minutes before coming inside and got signals in about 10 other spots, so I know there will be other places to dig next time.



Maybe when I finally have my pinpointer to use it will make a real difference in finding these elusive targets, it was originally supposed to arrive this past Thursday, but the tracking page had changed it to by the end of today, so at least I'll have it for the next hunt !

Here is a photo of my humble collection of MD equipment / accessories so far, I know I need to get a better small digging tool than that cheap trowel, but don't have the spare funds right now for one of those $60 or so high end shovels, but I should be able to find something better for now that I can afford.


Again, I'm not discouraged, just part of the newbie learning curve !

 

[MrNovice]

Good start! Keep your hopes up, those damn pants rivets are tough to find and are everywhere. When you get ready to buy a trowel, check out this one - it cuts concrete (DRY dirt) like butter: http://www.whiteselectronics.com/digmaster

I was using dollar store shovels when I started and snapped about 3 of them in 2 weeks. Jumped straight up to this bad boy after reading some recommendations and it's been awesome. Found it for $30 on ebay free shipping.

 

[BlueDog]

Yes, a pinpointer is almost required equipment for me. Even with one sometimes it's still hard to find tiny little targets (like 22 short casings!)

 

[GKL]

Good start! Keep your hopes up, those damn pants rivets are tough to find and are everywhere. When you get ready to buy a trowel, check out this one - it cuts concrete (DRY dirt) like butter: http://www.whiteselectronics.com/digmaster

I was using dollar store shovels when I started and snapped about 3 of them in 2 weeks. Jumped straight up to this bad boy after reading some recommendations and it's been awesome. Found it for $30 on ebay free shipping.

Thanks for the encouragement and info !

I already had that dollar store trowel for gardening before I got into metal detecting, it's okay for a starter, but I agree I need to get one like you mentioned to make digging a LOT easier !

added note: that $30 was a good deal, now it seems like they are going for around $39.

 

[GKL]

Yes, a pinpointer is almost required equipment for me. Even with one sometimes it's still hard to find tiny little targets (like 22 short casings!)

Even though I read where some can do okay without one, and that's fine, I am beginning to realize that for me it just might be more of a necessity than an option, at least until (or if) I get good enough not to need one

 

[GroundSweeper]

It takes time to learn your machine and what it is telling you, got to give it time and put in some hours, pinpointer or not, it's the same. Trackers are decent machines.

I always hunted in tone mode, noon on the left knob and 1 o'clock or 2 on the right. Scratch sound for nickels, gold, tabs, clear tone for silver and copper etc.

 

[GKL]

It takes time to learn your machine and what it is telling you, got to give it time and put in some hours, pinpointer or not, it's the same. Trackers are decent machines.

I always hunted in tone mode, noon on the left knob and 1 o'clock or 2 on the right. Scratch sound for nickels, gold, tabs, clear tone for silver and copper etc.

Thanks, yes it is a learning process, almost like trying to learn a new language, and I agree the Tracker is a decent machine, especially considering it's low price range !

My first hunt I tried all 3 modes, today I was just on the all metal mode ? (if I remember right), next hunt I'll have to try the tone mode again.

I don't give up easy and I can be determined, so I'm not discouraged at all, I look at it as a challenge !

 

[dirtydog]

Every day want be a good day. I usually hunt 6to8 hours in a day and come home with junk. Just stay with it and enjoy the day.

 

[GabbityGabby]

Your collection is missing a vital piece of equipment- a pinpointer. There are those who would claim otherwise but I have found it to be irreplaceable. I'd save for that next. Maybe put your clad finds towards one. It'll save you so much time.

 

[BlueDog]

Even though I read where some can do okay without one, and that's fine, I am beginning to realize that for me it just might be more of a necessity than an option, at least until (or if) I get good enough not to need one

Sure you can do just fine without a pinpointer, the guys who cleaned house on the silver back in the 80's didn't have pinpointer's, and they did better than fine. I think for a beginner especially that they are really helpful. More time spent listening to targets/tones is time way better spent than time fishing around in the dirt getting frustrated.

I will say this much, my pinpointer's battery went kaput one hunt. I went old school for about ten minutes... Ugh, so frustrating. Went all the way back home grabbed a battery then went back to hunting. So for me as I said in my first post, for me, they are almost essential.

Either way, keep at it and have fun! It looks like you're doing well. Good luck.

 

[GKL]

Every day want be a good day. I usually hunt 6to8 hours in a day and come home with junk. Just stay with it and enjoy the day.

Understood and agree, would making a really good find be fun and exciting ?
....of course, but MD'ers learn to enjoy the "hunt" reguardless of the finds any particular day !

Your collection is missing a vital piece of equipment- a pinpointer. There are those who would claim otherwise but I have found it to be irreplaceable. I'd save for that next. Maybe put your clad finds towards one. It'll save you so much time.

Thanks Gabby ! .....actually I had one on order that finally came today after a 12 day wait from when I ordered it, it came a few hours AFTER my hunt today, but at least I'll have it for the next hunt !
it's a budget model from HF, but I'm happy to have something ! .....here it is -

Sure you can do just fine without a pinpointer, the guys who cleaned house on the silver back in the 80's didn't have pinpointer's, and they did better than fine. I think for a beginner especially that they are really helpful. More time spent listening to targets/tones is time way better spent than time fishing around in the dirt getting frustrated.

I will say this much, my pinpointer's battery went kaput one hunt. I went old school for about ten minutes... Ugh, so frustrating. Went all the way back home grabbed a battery then went back to hunting. So for me as I said in my first post, for me, they are almost essential.

Either way, keep at it and have fun! It looks like you're doing well. Good luck.

That shows for sure it makes things a lot easier for you !

 

[davidlhyde63366]

pinpointer

I think the pinpointer will help you out a lot,just starting out. Used to drive me crazy knowing something was there and not being able to see it. Could be a small piece of discolored wire , the backing of a ear ring , a discolored coin,bobby pin, etc. Let us know how hunting with a pinpoiner works for you. They definatly a a big help for me.

 

[GKL]

I think the pinpointer will help you out a lot,just starting out. Used to drive me crazy knowing something was there and not being able to see it. Could be a small piece of discolored wire , the backing of a ear ring , a discolored coin,bobby pin, etc. Let us know how hunting with a pinpoiner works for you. They definatly a a big help for me.

......yep, it can be perplexing to keep getting a tone, digging, finding nothing, still get a tone, dig some more, find nothing, dig some more.....

.....I'll see about doing an update after my next hunt since I now have a pinpointer for the next hunt ! (pinpointer arrived after my hunt today)

 

[MrNovice]

......yep, it can be perplexing to keep getting a tone, digging, finding nothing, still get a tone, dig some more, find nothing, dig some more.....

.....I'll see about doing an update after my next hunt since I now have a pinpointer for the next hunt ! (pinpointer arrived after my hunt today)

Actually finding the target is an absolute for learning your detector too. It sucks locating a target in the ground and it being too small to find. Hard to learn memory match tones on targets when you can't retrieve it.

 

[GKL]

Actually finding the target is an absolute for learning your detector too. It sucks locating a target in the ground and it being too small to find. Hard to learn memory match tones on targets when you can't retrieve it.

I'll likely recheck those "found nothing" holes next hunt with the extra help of my new pinpointer, it will be interesting if I can find whatever it is I have not been able to find without a pinpointer !

 

[INdirtdetective]

If cost is an issue Harbor Freight has a decent pinpointer available...I believe they call it a handheld metal detector...they are under twenty dollars.

Now they are effective but not the most sturdy...do not get them wet at all...wife and I used them for years because we could not afford the other versions with three teenagers in the house lol

Anyway they have decent range and hold up pretty well for the price.

Happy hunting

 

[GKL]

If cost is an issue Harbor Freight has a decent pinpointer available...I believe they call it a handheld metal detector...they are under twenty dollars.

Now they are effective but not the most sturdy...do not get them wet at all...wife and I used them for years because we could not afford the other versions with three teenagers in the house lol

Anyway they have decent range and hold up pretty well for the price.

Happy hunting

Thanks, it is nice to hear they good for the price, and a couple weeks ago I had went to a Harbor Freight in person and they said they did not stock them on the shelf, so I ordered one from the Harbor Freight web site and it did arrive yesterday, but it came a few hours after my hunt yesterday so I'll get to try it my next hunt.

( it took 12 long days for it to arrive with Harbor Freight's "standard" shipping because I did not want pay for faster shipping and have the faster shipping cost (almost $14 to my zip code) be almost as much the product itself but I'm looking forward to hopefully having a much easier time now finding my targets ! )

 

[INdirtdetective]

Thanks, it is nice to hear they good for the price, and a couple weeks ago I had went to a Harbor Freight in person and they said they did not stock them on the shelf, so I ordered one from the Harbor Freight web site and it did arrive yesterday, but it came a few hours after my hunt yesterday so I'll get to try it my next hunt.

( it took 12 long days for it to arrive with Harbor Freight's "standard" shipping because I did not want pay for faster shipping and have the faster shipping cost (almost $14 to my zip code) be almost as much the product itself but I'm looking forward to hopefully having a much easier time now finding my targets ! )

That is probably my biggest complaint with Harbor Freight...snail's pace shipping lol...but I am a big fan of buying their tools...before I went into management I was in maintenance and I bought nearly all my tools from them...I could never bring myself to pay what snapon or mack wanted for their stuff.

 

[GKL]

That is probably my biggest complaint with Harbor Freight...snail's pace shipping lol...but I am a big fan of buying their tools...before I went into management I was in maintenance and I bought nearly all my tools from them...I could never bring myself to pay what snapon or mack wanted for their stuff.

Some people might not mind paying more for the faster shipping option if it is a higher priced item, but I would think most people don't want to pay extra for faster shipping for a low cost order and have the shipping be almost as much as the product

But yes, they have some good prices, but with their slow standard shipping it is better if you can shop at the store in person.

Also, IF you do have to order from them online instead of shopping in person you can do a search for - Harbor Freight coupon codes - and you should hopefully be able to find an active code to either get a percentage off or a free gift with your order (might change from time to time, not sure if their codes always stays the same). I think I had got 20% off which was not a whole lot on a very small order, but every little bit helps, like finding a bunch of clad online

 

[Grumpy Since 55]

If you are planning a purchase of any size, check our some of the car magazines , many have HF Ads with Free stuff & a 20% off one item coupon inside.
You can also go online to HF & subscribe to their newsletter, they will send you the coupons in email ads.