tot lot hunting advice

[maxxkatt]

I have a CTX3030 and Vanquish 440.

Need advice on tot lot hunting. I think the CTX3030 might be an over kill so will probably use the 440.

Any special areas to hunt? swings, jungle gyms, or where mom's sit?

 

[atomicbrh]

I have a CTX3030 and Vanquish 440.

Need advice on tot lot hunting. I think the CTX3030 might be an over kill so will probably use the 440.

Any special areas to hunt? swings, jungle gyms, or where mom's sit?

Take the 440. Cut the sensitivity way down so that you can get close to the playground equipment.
Do not forget your pinpointer and head anywhere there is rubberized mulch.
You are going to be surprised at how easy this is compared to your normal relic dirt hunting. In true modern tot lots, we never dig but just move mulch around with our hands.

 

[GroundSweeper]

I hunt it all if time permits. If in a hurry, I hit around the swings and slides, and benches. Search the perimeter and underneath any structures.

 

[metaladdict]

This pirate will never talk.

 

[randy]

Don't overthink it. Most tot lots are small (at least the ones around here are), and the entire thing can usually be knocked out in about 30 minutes with any machine, so long as the coil isn't too big.

I haven't hunted a tot lot since my newbie days, but my best luck was under the monkey bars. I also found a V nickel in a tot lot once, which was quite a surprise.

 

[Coin-Saver]

I have a CTX3030 and Vanquish 440.

Need advice on tot lot hunting. I think the CTX3030 might be an over kill so will probably use the 440.

Any special areas to hunt? swings, jungle gyms, or where mom's sit?

I always had my best luck with rings around the swings where moms push the little ones. Most have been just below the surface. But hey, hunt it all because you just never know.

 

[Martin_V3i]

The swings, then the slides, then the monkey bars, and to finish, the open areas if the place is still empty of kids. I keep out of tot lots when a kid is there. These lots are small so I go fast, looking for shallow targets, and I don't run high sensitivity. That is what I do.

 

[hoser]

All the above. Keep in mind we're talking about kids. And we all know kids can and will go everywhere. So, if you have lots of time, hunt absolutely every inch of the place.

 

[Valley Hunter]

Search the perimeter .. That means both sides of the concrete barrier ..Kids sits on the barrier to eat or take a break .. The out side the stroller parking lot .. Along the inside yesterday a ring last week a Knife and sheaf was hidden in the corner

 

[Skwerly]

Don't overthink it. Most tot lots are small (at least the ones around here are), and the entire thing can usually be knocked out in about 30 minutes with any machine, so long as the coil isn't too big.

I haven't hunted a tot lot since my newbie days, but my best luck was under the monkey bars. I also found a V nickel in a tot lot once, which was quite a surprise.

haha just about exactly what i would have said, anyway. grid it off and swing that coil!

 

[Cherry Picker]

We started hunting tot lots for the first time in 2006. For the next three years, we had amazing gold recoveries. As we got better tot lot machines the gold slowly started to slow. Now it is strictly on fresh drop bases, but still worth it during the school season each week.

Best finds have been at the bottom of slides and around the sides, as well as swings. Necklaces, of course, have been best under chin-up bars and hanging toys. Even using your pinpointer around the bottom of polls can be fruitful.

Many miss the small pendants, earrings, and gold chains because they often sound like iron. If you're a sound-only hunter you'll miss them. I have found that bobby pins, paper clips, hair barrettes, tacs, etc. will read a VDI the same from all directions, whereas a gold chain, earring or pendant will read higher in one direction. For example, on my Deus junk iron will read a 04 from all directions. A piece of something else other than iron will read a 04 one direction and 06 from the other.

 

[HistoryHippy]

Behind the swings adults pushing their kids and oops there goes a ring!

 

[bmattioli]

Garrett Ace 250..

 

[Spacebear]

My best find last year was about 5 inches from the wood beam border. Silver quarter. Only silver jewelry last year was in the sand box portion, an earring. I only checked like 5 though. Most coins like others have said at bottom of slides, under monkey bars, or around the thing that spins around I dont know what its called.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

My best advice is don't detect tot lots if there's any kid within 100 feet of the area. Moms get nervous when they see a dirty, scruffy looking guy hanging around a playground holding a big knife (Lesche digger)!

 

[Martin_V3i]

My best advice is don't detect tot lots if there's any kid within 100 feet of the area. Moms get nervous when they see a dirty, scruffy looking guy hanging around a playground holding a big knife (Lesche digger)!

That is extreme IMO. I drift out of a tot lot when I see kids and mothers coming in, if the lot was empty when I got there, but... 100 feet away from any children?

 

[Cherry Picker]

My best advice is don't detect tot lots if there's any kid within 100 feet of the area. Moms get nervous when they see a dirty, scruffy looking guy hanging around a playground holding a big knife (Lesche digger)!

Good advice indeed.

Our two tot lot golden rules.

1. We NEVER hunt a tot lot with kids.
2. If kids show up we leave immediately.

 

[T-Man]

Or bring your own kids or grandkids and you get a free pass and they get to play.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

That is extreme IMO. I drift out of a tot lot when I see kids and mothers coming in, if the lot was empty when I got there, but... 100 feet away from any children?

Better to be safe than sorry. Nothing worse than a cop showing up and asking to see your ID. No doubt some Karen called the cops on me, even though I left the area as soon as she showed up with her rugrats. Unfortunately, the majority of parents are too dense to realize that most predators are clean cut and friendly. That's how they gain your trust and the trust of your children...

 

[Martin_V3i]

Better to be safe than sorry. Nothing worse than a cop showing up and asking to see your ID. No doubt some Karen called the cops on me, even though I left the area as soon as she showed up with her rugrats. Unfortunately, the majority of parents are too dense to realize that most predators are clean cut and friendly. That's how they gain your trust and the trust of your children...

"Nothing worse than a cop showing up and asking to see your ID."

I just done some research and a non driver of an automobile, who isn't committing crime, isn't required to present an ID. A hobbyist on foot with a metal detector, shouldn't fit that description. Just because a Karen call the cops, really should not make us give an ID.

I am as afraid as anybody about meeting cops, but there has to be a limit to the hassle-factor on us hobbyists. Jm2c

Are there any LEO tectors or retired ones who will chime in?