New To Metal Detecting

[Don]

Hello to all!! I just bought my first metal detector this past Sunday. I live in Washington, and had to drive 2 1/2 hours one way, through a snow storm in Idaho to pick up my new detector. I couldn't let a little thing like snow prevent me from getting my new toy. I purchased the Whites M6 Matrix. Thought a lot about buying the XLT, but never owning a detector before, I thought I would start simpler. When I got home from Idaho it was already dark. Had about 4" of snow here, and colder than heck. I wanted so badly to try my new detector out. After taking a much deserved nap, I got up and assembled my M6. Tried it in the house, but that didn't satisfy my desire to put my M6 to work. So, yep, I bundled up and went out in the cold, dark, windy snow and hit the back yard. Hit a lot of targets, but I'm thinking mostly nails, or screws according to what I have read, and the video I watched. I'll find out in the spring for sure. Totally discouraged since I could not really test out my M6, I went inside to warm up. Since I am new to the hobby, any suggestions, tips, or anything that would be helpful in this hobby feel free to reply.
Thanks, Don

The best thing you can do is read , read , read , and reread the manual. Then watch the video many times over and over.
Then as with all machines it is lots & lots of

PRACTICE
PRACTICE
PRACTICE
PRACTICE
PRACTICE
Remember if you don't swing the coil over it and dig it up you will never know if it was trash or that really rare coin or fancy ring.
Good luck......

[INDY]

Hello Don and welcome to TQ, just like Boobie said , read and practice , that's what it takes.

Welcome to a great hobby. Try hitting some kids play grounds that have gravel, wood chips or sand around the toys. These are great for cold weather when the ground is froze and also great for beginning because all the signals are really easy dig. Most of the time you can just kick around with your foot and find the target. Practice pinpointing, practice pinpointing, practice pinpointing. This will help when you start digging in harder dirt. And did I mention pratice pinpointing.
Good luck, can't wait to hear about all your great finds

[bill(de)]

Hi Don,

The M6 is easy to operate as many of the complex adjustments are handled by the circuitry. I agree with the others that only a good understanding of your detector and a lot of practice and digging will finally result in repeated successful hunts.

I have an XLT and the M6 and as a first detector the M6 should remove a lot of the confusion on settings and programs allowing you to focus on the audio and VDI responses as there aren't really a whole lot of facets to change.

I can't say enough how much i'm enjoying the M6 for the type hunting i do especially with a small coil ,using tone id ,zero discrimination at older trashy parks. I don't like trash but i like pulling good stuff out of trash and the M6 is excellent in that area for me and some say it goes as deep as an MXT . You made an excellent choice in my opinion and feel free to PM with any questions. HH Bill

[Don]

I want to thank everyone for the responces and the input. If we don't have any more snow up here in Washington between now and the weekend, I'll try my luck at some local parks, and see how things go.

[DonF]

Good to see you. Great name, by the way.

I just bought my new detector 3 weeks ago, but I, also haven't been able to go out and use it as much as I'd like to. My first time out though, I found a 14K ring with a diamond on the beach. So, it only fueled me to want to go out and do more.

I bought the DFX and last night my father called me up saying he was looking at the DFX. I may have a new detecting buddy. Along with some quality time.

DonF

[NC_Hunting]

Good luck and enjoy ... I practiced in my own yard (which is in town and quite small) and was very lucky finding coins there. That gave me the confidence in my machine and myself to move on to other areas and feel that I was doing things right. The true value of the treasure is what you place on it.

[Patrick]

Hi every one. have not found much as yet. i am still working the old drive-in theater area. finding lots of junk, and some coins, nothing special about them. another find there was a cheap gold plate ring, also an indian made ring...well smashed. a toy pirate pistol. i am not giving up my search there just because of the huge collection junk, as i know there has to be a lot of "good finds as yet unfound". still using my second hand(got it at a pawn shop cheap. "tesoro sidewinder micromax". but will soon(asap) be getting a "minelab x-terra 30"; but will keep the "Sidewinder", just because,..."I like it". and will be sending the "sidewinder" to "Tesoro", to have them give it a good "tune-up". the "sidewinder" has the 8" concentric coil on it, but will be getting a 5.75" coil for it. the smallest coil i can get is the 4", good for heavy trash areas, but think i think i like the 5.75" soil better,... but am open to suggestions from any one.
"good hunting" "Patrick"