Really a Newbee!

[Big Bear]

Greetings from Western NY. I received a metal detector for Christmas (Bounty Hunter 2200 from Radio Shack). I think my wife feels it will be better to be up moving around, rather than playing cards on the computer. I have never detected or been around detectors. Is there a primer, or some good reads that can point me in the right direction? I appreciate the help! It appeard that this forum will answer a lot of my questions.

[PAPPY]

WELCOME to the FAMILY here at TREASUREQUEST. We will be more than happy to lend a hand in any way that we can be of assistance.Lot of really good magazines out on the market concerning metal detecting and all the folks here will be glad to help too. Read and re-read your instruction manual and get to be one with your detector. Research into old schools, churches etc. in your area and soon you will be finding coins, jewlery and the such.....If I can help...Just Holler...PAPPY

[bill(de)]

Hi Big Bear,
The first thing to do is learn all about your detector and perhaps look for a field test through a google search. While learning your detector it's best to be outdoors away from things because indoor environments can cause havoc with metal detector responses. While learning your detector don't go to the trashiest place around, and look for nice clean ground with no targets or electrical interference and put a bunch of separated targets on the ground like quarters, dimes, nickels, rings and junk like foil wrappers, pulltabs, bottlecaps and experiment with discrimination and sensitivity settings and observe how your detector reacts to them and then read and re read the manual. Practice keeping the coil level and close to the ground and not the pendulum arc as you sweep and make smooth transitions from left to right and see if your swing speed affects the target depth as some detectors like to be swept rather briskly and others prefer slower sweep speeds.Then read and re read your manual. There's a lot more but try basic operation first then go out and try to find stuff in the ground and be patient.If you know anyone who detects or see anyone detecting perhaps they could give you some hands on tips. Good luck and don't be shy about asking when you get out in the field. HH Bill

[warsawdaddy]

Welcome aboard,Big Bear!
Fire that bad boy up and let us know what you find.

Welcome aboard the forum. bill(de) has good advice for you, he hit it right on the head. There is a Bounty Hunter section on the forum that will also help you. No matter what you need to know someone on here will be more than willing to help you get started. If is a fine hobby and can easily turn into a family hobby that all can enjoy. So ask away and keep reading the manual. We will be awaiting to see some of your finds no matter what they are.

[porchdawg]

Welcome aboard. You could not find a better place to get your questions answered than here. I am a newbie also been doing it for about amonth. I enjoy it alot. If I don't find anything except trash it is so much fun to play in the dirt. I guess I could be doing something more constructive but WHY. Welcome aboard and happy hunting.

[Gregory]

Welcome to the forum Big Bear
I think you received some good information from Pappy & Bill.
Let us know how your doing.

Greg

[RingDancer]

Welcome Big Bear! Glad to see you here!

Porchdawg...you said it well!!! I can get up clean the house in an hour to an hour and a half and I am loaded up and I am gone! Diggin Diggin Diggin!!! I got it Bad!!! lol!!!

Love this hobby!!!

HH
Pat

[Mr.Silver]

Welcome Big Bear,you did not have to have a MD with all the fancy controls to get results, I am using a old coinmaster made in the 1980, I would not trade it for nothing else on the market. Its the knowledge and the person using their machine!

Mr.Silver