5 Best Tips on How to Use a Metal Detector (2023)

Metal detecting is becoming a fashionable hobby these days, as anyone, no matter kids, adults, or elders, can have fun with it. For example, you can detect gold, coins,  jewelry and other metals in your metal detecting journey. 

 

Seems like a great metal hunting, right? But you might wonder how metal detectors work and don’t know where to start.

 

Don’t worry! The metal detector is not only a device for professionals but a great “toy” for beginners. Just like other equipment, the use of a metal detector needs guidance. So today we will give you some tips on how to use a metal detector.

 

1. To Buy a Great Metal Detector
2. Get Essential Items for A Metal-Detecting Journey 
3. Find an Ideal Metal Detecting Location
4. Practical Metal Detecting Steps
5. Enjoy your Metal Hunting

 

1. To Buy a Great Metal Detector

 

For the first step into the metal detecting world, you definitely need to get a great metal detector. And as a beginner, the best metal detector, which will meet your personal needs, should be user-friendly and easy on the budget. 

 

So, first thing first, you need to figure out your purpose of using a metal detector. If you are new into metal detecting, we suggest you buy a beginner-friendly metal detector at a low cost. Because you don’t want to spend $1000 on new stuff and find you really don’t like it. 

 

In most cases, a good metal detector is lighter, faster, and better at discriminating. With the price between $150 to $300, you can buy a decent one. Check the ones sold on our website. 

 

As a manufacturer of metal detectors for decades, we not only make all kinds of great metal detectors but also offer detailed manuals, product warranty, and after-sell service for our customers. With Suffla metal detectors, you can explore a new and surprising place.

 

2. Get Essential Items for A Metal-Detecting Journey

 

If you want to eat a bowl of rice, you need the assistance of a pair of chopsticks or a spoon. The same goes for metal detectors, although it is the foremost, it also needs the supplement of accessories to bring a better experience. 

You can include the following kits and items for your metal-detecting journey:

 

• Metal Detecting Pinpointers 

A pinpointer is a small tool that helps you find metal objects more easily and with less digging while metal detecting. It saves tons of time and effort by pinpointing the exact location of a target. For instance, sometimes after digging a plug, the pinpointer can be your good companion, as the closer you get to your target, the louder it beeps. 

 

• Digging Tools 

Digging tools like a spade, trowel, shovel, or digging fork are essential when metal detecting because they can help you dig up buried treasures safely and efficiently. However, money needs to be wisely spent on items with high quality and handy features, as you don’t want to walk with extra weight and intimate people with a big spade. So we recommend you buy a small and handy one—check the accessories offered by Suffla, and you can find one you want for less than 30 dollars.

 

• Pouch 

 

A pouch or a bag is your best buddy on a treasure hunt. What’s good about it? Well, first the pouch can give you a handy spot to collect trash during the detection and keep the environment clean as well. Also, the pouch can protect your finds. We all know the last thing you want is to get your treasures lost. Plus, you can get a little pouch belt set up to keep pinpointers and other stuff on, so you get access to the items easily.

 

• Handy and Useful Items 

There are other optional tools we recommend you take with you when metal detecting: a toothbrush and a water spray bottle. They’re useful tools during metal detecting for cleaning and inspecting finds. A toothbrush is handy for brushing away dirt and debris from the coins or other stuff you get without scratching them and revealing their details. And a water spray bottle is ideal for cleaning your valuable finds with water or other cleaning solutions. Also, remember to be gentle when using these tools to avoid damaging valuable or historical items. 

 

3. Find an Ideal Detecting Location

Where can you find an ideal metal detecting location? 

 

Well, do not hurry at first. we suggest you begin your adventure in your yard. You can read its manual carefully and set up a test bed to learn what your machine is telling you through the numbers on its screen, the tone it gives, and the sound it makes. You also need to adjust your metal detector’s settings, including detection mode, sensitivity, and ground balance, based on your location and the type of items you’re searching for. And if you are feeling puzzled about numbers, read our guide for beginners: How to Read Your Metal Detector Numbers Properly?

 

After the testing, when you feel comfortable using your metal detector, you can check out our guide on 25 Best Places to Go Metal Detecting and start your metal detecting journey! 

 

4. Practical Metal Detecting Steps 

 

 

You might consider the operation could be the hardest. Relax, we will give you some practical tips on how to do your metal hunting.

Let’s dive right in:

 

• Start Detecting  

Turn on your metal detector, let’s get it started! So first of all, you want to have the metal detector to be swinging slowly and steadily. The key is to keep your coil low to the ground and level all the time, otherwise, you are not going to find anything. And you can try to walk in a low, systematic pattern and overlap each pass slightly. Then listen to those repeatable tones and look at the number on the screen. 

 

Here are some tricks on how to determine the size of the target:

• Small signals like a little and quick sound can be coins and buttons.
• Big signals like a big and thick sound can be aluminum cans.
• A sound hearing like a grunt can be an iron.

Here are some tricks on how to determine the depth of your target:

• If the target is shallow, you’ll hear a really loud sound, and vice versa.
• The further away your target is, the quieter it goes.

 

• Dig Carefully

When you detect a target, use your digging tool (preferably a hand digger) to dig a nice round plug. Remember to dig three-quarters rather than all the way around to leave a lip and to be gentle to avoid damaging the item, as you will not want to ruin the treasure you are about to find.

 

• Use a Pinpointer for a Guide

A pinpointer is also a good buddy in your metal detecting journey! It can be used in metal detecting after digging to precisely locate and retrieve metal targets you want.

 

• Remember to Fill Holes after Digging

After using a metal detector to dig for buried items, as a metal detectorist, it is essential to fill the hole to protect the environment and comply with legal and ethical standards. Here are steps you could refer to: Remove the find, replace the soil, blend it with the surrounding area, and jump on it a few times.

 

5. Enjoy your Metal Hunting

Stay Safe 

 

Though metal detecting can be an easy hobby to pick up, you also need to be aware of your surroundings and the weather conditions. So first remember to wear the right gear like gloves to protect yourself from insects; second, be aware of your surroundings, as there might be some animals around the locations that might intimate you.

Have Fun 

Metal detecting is not just about finding treasure; it’s a hobby about enjoying the journey and the excitement of discovery. You will feel connected with your friends and family members through this activity. Also remember to be patient and persistent. You know great finds often come with time and practice.

 

Happy metal hunting! If you have any questions, have a chat with us on our website.