Some help?

[mcfly121901]

Hello! My name is Connor, and I would love to get into metal detecting. I have lots of questions to ask, so please bear with me.

Well to start off, I live in Staten Island in New York City. I am 12 years old, and I would love to try metal detecting. I go on camping trips often, so I would be able to detect different places. I do not have a metal detector yet, but I have been saving up, and I may get one this summer.

I was looking into good beginner detectors, and I found this:http://www.kellycodetectors.com/garrett/garrett-ace250.htm
This looks like a good beginner detector, and I have done lots of research on detectors like this.

Now, on to the questions!
Am I too young for this hobby?
Am I in a good area to be metal detecting?
Are permits involved in metal detecting? If so, how do I obtain them?
Is the Garrett Ace 250 detector good for my age?
Is the Garrett Ace 250 detector good for a beginner like me?
Do you have any suggestions for a beginner detector for me?
Where should I start detecting?
If I do get a detector, are there any young people detecting on Staten Island that would like to detect with me?
Where can I find the cheapest detectors online?
Where are good spots to detect on Staten Island?
Any other information you may have would be great.
Thanks for reading, and please respond with anything you may feel is important for a newbie like me

 

[Isaac43]

Hello! My name is Connor, and I would love to get into metal detecting. I have lots of questions to ask, so please bear with me.

Well to start off, I live in Staten Island in New York City. I am 12 years old, and I would love to try metal detecting. I go on camping trips often, so I would be able to detect different places. I do not have a metal detector yet, but I have been saving up, and I may get one this summer.

I was looking into good beginner detectors, and I found this:http://www.kellycodetectors.com/garrett/garrett-ace250.htm
This looks like a good beginner detector, and I have done lots of research on detectors like this.

Now, on to the questions!
Am I too young for this hobby?
Am I in a good area to be metal detecting?
Are permits involved in metal detecting? If so, how do I obtain them?
Is the Garrett Ace 250 detector good for my age?
Is the Garrett Ace 250 detector good for a beginner like me?
Do you have any suggestions for a beginner detector for me?
Where should I start detecting?
If I do get a detector, are there any young people detecting on Staten Island that would like to detect with me?
Where can I find the cheapest detectors online?
Where are good spots to detect on Staten Island?
Any other information you may have would be great.
Thanks for reading, and please respond with anything you may feel is important for a newbie like me

Hey Connor, my name is Isaac and I'm glad I'm not the only one. I'm 15 years old and started at around 13… you are NOT alone, but it is RARE to find people our age involved in the hobby. Staten Island I am sure has a lot of history, but you have to research to find spots like parks, beaches, and other public places. Even try to find old homesites, and get permission from the owners, that's where my best finds have come out of! I've never had to get a permit for my area, but I'm not sure about Staten Island. Look it up online on there website. Ace 250 is a great detector for your age and for a beginner. I have used one and loved it! Not sure about Staten Island but most people that detect are older, but who cares?! Cheapest detectors? Some sponsors on the forum can get a good price for you, call them up! Not sure exactly where to hunt in your area, but there's so much history there! Metal detecting is so much fun once you start digging up coins and relics of all types! Good luck my friend! PM me if you need anything else…

 

[Ice Scratcher]

The 250 is a great starter machine, or an F2...

I would check your local Craig's List for a used machine, and or, check with the sponsors here... A lot of people have not been very happy with KellyCo...

It seems one of the most recommended sponsors are Big Boys Hobbies, they ship so dang fast it is hard to believe...

Myers, and Quality are a couple other sponsors worth checking out too...

<*)))>{

 

[mcfly121901]

Thanks for the replies, I'll look into other sites and things of that nature

 

[BentRod]

Welcome! My 8yo daughter can handle my old Bounty Hunter Tracker IV, so 12 should not be too young to be using most machines. I agree with what Ice Scratcher wrote. Lots of good starter units out there and the ACE 250 is a fine choice. It'll be good for parks, yards, and dry sand at the beach. If you take most any starter MD on wet saltwater sand it'll probably start giving you false signals, but still lots of good places to hunt despite.
Good luck on your decision and hope you have some fun.

PS. You'll also want a good compact digging tool ilke a garden trowel or similar. There are specialized diggers (Leshe and Garrett) that are more durable, but on the spend side. Fiskars and Ames True Temper also make some good cheaper units that are available at Home Depot.
And, you'll want some sort of pouch or bag to carry your gear and loot in. Again, lots of options. That'll get you started, but you'll probably eventually want a pinpointer too. Not necessary to get started, but very handy once you get one. Lots of good information here on the forum and many will give you good advice if the right questions are asked.

 

[Pacivilwarluke]

Hey there and welcome to the forum! You are never to young to start the hobby! I'm 17 now but I started out around your age. I would recommend the f2. I don't know much about Staten Island but if there were lots of people around in the past there's some goodies in the ground!! Good luck with your decisions.

 

[Cope80]

Welcome to the forum. Great people here with great advice. Hope you stick around here and enjoy the hobby

 

[Martin_V3i]

I highly suggest getting the F2 and not the Ace250. For the price of the 250 with only a single coil, you can get the F2 with 3 coils. The F2 is like a "standard" in beginner machines but is a killer unit. martin

 

[matthias]

Hey Connor. You are not too young to detect. Yeah, check out both the Fisher F2 and the Garrett Ace 250. See how far your money will go. I got an Ace 250 for when I take a beginner along with me. No complaints. Definitely call some of the Forum's sponsors for a great deal. Introduce yourself to them and tell them where you foresee yourself detecting and what you want to find. Today's detector technology is pretty incredible for the money. Get the best detector you can afford first. Then worry about a digger and a pin-pointer. Remember that anytime you are detecting in public and on public land that you are representing all of us. Get familiar with the Detectorists' Code of Ethics. Basically learn the proper technique of digging a plug and putting it all back so it looks like nobody was ever there. For example, during the height of summer, if the grass dies from lack of rain, its a good idea not to dig up the grass because chances are you will kill it or a lawnmower will suck up the plug leaving a bare spot. Youtube is a fine place to see different detectors in action and learn proper detecting and plug digging techniques. With all these "tools" at your finger tips you will do fine. Let us know how you do. Best of luck to you and happy hunting. Matt

 

[mcfly121901]

Thanks guys, I will be getting a Fisher F2 soon. I'll contact some of the sponsors soon.

 

[007tallguy]

hey Conner, wut up?

some great answers already given there!
i think you're at a perfect age for getting into the hobby. as for which detector to start out with, again, some good info up there. and you can always upgrade later on if or when you feel the time is right.
oh, and if you haven't read it yet, be sure to check out the "code of ethics".

keep us posted and let us know when you get your detector and how you're coming along with it!

Pete