Mistakes When Detecting Metals and Gold
More and more people are enjoying metal detecting as a hobby, especially searching for gold. This hobby lets you enjoy nature and make money from finding valuable things. But people often end up making mistakes when detecting metals and gold of which they are not aware.
This causes much confusion for them, and they end up suspicious of metal detectors. We hope for you to avoid this headache.
In the earlier days of metal detecting, particularly in the eighties, beginners faced a much higher failure rate and made many mistakes when detecting metals and gold compared to today.
This was due to the difficulty in operating the detectors, which led some individuals to unfortunately give up on this hobby.
While you may engage in this hobby for the simple pleasure of walking, it is beneficial to avoid making mistakes.
In this article, we’ll share the reasons behind failures and mistakes when detecting metals and gold. We made a list of mistakes to avoid while gold hunting, so you can have a better experience.
Avoid Common Mistakes When Detecting Metals and Gold
Buying an inappropriate metal detector:
When buying a metal detector, don’t assume they’re all the same. Avoid choosing the cheapest or most feature-rich option.
Determine your purpose for metal detecting, the size of the equipment you are willing to carry, and the essential features you require.
- Using a less expensive coin detector to find gold isn’t impossible. However, it may increase the chances of failure since these devices aren’t as good at finding gold as modern detectors.
- Many coin detectors cannot handle ground balancing and are unsuitable for gold detection.
- Some gold nugget detectors can only find relics near the surface because they can’t detect deep down.
- If your goal is to detect coins, using treasure-hunting devices may neglect smaller objects like coins due to their low frequency.
- If you mismatch your device requirements, it will hinder your hunting and cause more trouble. Consider all these factors before deciding to ensure you choose a suitable detector.
The solution is to buy from a credible and, more importantly, experienced salesperson who has knowledge about detectors.
Learn more about metal detector settings for gold here.
Inappropriate Settings:
Sometimes, when you buy a device, the settings may be inappropriate and hard to change. Proper optimization is crucial to match the ground conditions. Failing to adjust the mode and sensitivity can hinder your performance.
To address this issue, it is essential to thoroughly explore the manual that accompanies your detector.
Familiarize yourself with each mode and setting mentioned in the manual. Choose or set your detector based on the specific ground you are exploring.
Wrong swinging pattern:
After correctly setting up your device, the way you swing it matters significantly.
- Ensure that your coil remains parallel to the ground with a gap of 2 to 3 inches.
- We keep a gap to avoid coil interference from touching the ground or stones, which can distort signals.
- Maintain a consistent swing pattern that overlaps to cover all areas effectively.
- While many detectors use large swings to cover more ground, tight swings allow for more precise object detection.
- Imagine a grid while looking at the ground, and ensure your swinging pattern overlaps each area so that nothing is missed.
Wrong swinging pattern:
After correctly setting up your device, the way you swing it matters significantly.
- Ensure that your coil remains parallel to the ground with a gap of 2 to 3 inches.
- We keep a gap to avoid coil interference from touching the ground or stones, which can distort signals.
- Maintain a consistent swing pattern that overlaps to cover all areas effectively.
- While many detectors use large swings to cover more ground, tight swings allow for more precise object detection.
- Imagine a grid while looking at the ground, and ensure your swinging pattern overlaps each area so that nothing is missed.
- one at a 90-degree angle, it can mistakenly detect the control unit. This can cause false signals due to the device picking up its signals bouncing off the ground.
Positioning the coil at a 45-degree angle ensures that the control unit remains out of range, eliminating false signals.
Improper ground balance:
When you don’t measure the ground balance correctly, it can cause noise distortion and instability. Ground balance varies between devices and can be manual or automatic.
To solve this problem, do ground balancing several times. Stand still, move 10 steps forward, and follow the manual’s instructions to optimize the ground balance.
Make sure the area used for ground balancing is free from metal, as it can interfere with the performance.
Learn more about What is a ground balance on a metal detector to achieve better results.
Expectations:
This is another common mistake among beginners. If you expect immediate success after purchasing a device, you may be disappointed. It takes time to understand both the device and the ground you are exploring.
Manufacturers often suggest spending 90 hours with your device on the ground to gain a better understanding.
Keep your expectations low, as higher expectations can lead to greater frustration. You will eventually find items present in your search area.
Know about the significance of Hot rocks in metal detectors world especially when looking for gold.
Conclusion — Mistakes when detecting metals and gold
In conclusion, metal detecting, especially for gold, is an enjoyable hobby that combines nature and treasure hunting. To succeed, avoid common mistakes such as choosing the wrong metal detector, improper settings, swinging patterns, and holding posture.
Additionally, mastering ground balancing and using discrimination wisely is essential. Lastly, patience and realistic expectations are key; understanding both your equipment and the search area takes time but leads to rewarding discoveries.
Owning a metal detector is just the first step; success can be achieved through proper strategies.
