Check Out These Tips For Detecting
If you find you have purchased a used metal detector at a garage sale and the owner's manual is missing, don't worry. The majority of metal detectors have the same functions, and we'll be explaining all of that throughout this page. What's most important to start with is you know what the various knobs are used for, and how to use them so you are getting everything you want from your metal detector.
LEARNING THE ON-OFF AND VOLUME KNOBS
The first knob we're going to talk about does the simplest function - turning the detector on and off. You'll find that most of the detectors have on/off knobs that also control the volume levels of the machine. When you turn the knob clockwise, or all the way to the right, you're turning your machine on as well as having the volume at a maximum level. Turning it to the left will lower the volume.
SETTING THE LEVEL OF SENSITIVITY
The sensitivity knob does exactly what it says - causes your detector to tune in on metal objects. Turning this knob to the right, or clockwise, means it will be more sensitive to smaller objects and be able to detect them deeper in the ground. If you are working in an area that has a high content of minerals, however, you may find it becomes somewhat unstable and offers false signals.
Just turn the sensitivity level down till it stabilizes again. Keep the setting midway till you become use to the strength of the signals. Your location can have an effect on the signals as well. If you're on a beach area you may have to turn it down due to possible mineral deposits under the sand. When you're working in fields or woods, you might need to turn it higher. If you're completely new at this, just start out with it set at the halfway mark and don't be afraid to try different levels as you get more comfortable.
LEARNING HOW TO SET UP FOR DISCRIMINATION OR REJECTION
This knob is usually marked as DISC. This is what allows your detector to determine the type of metal that's under ground. Where you set the level decides which metals your detector will reject or accept. The scale description may be ground metals, iron, aluminum, nickel, copper, silver. There are some detectors that use numbers instead of names.
Keep in mind a lot of gold items may identify as aluminum-nickel, so it's a good idea not to have too much discriminate with these two metals if you're looking for gold jewelry. When you're first starting out it would be good to keep in on the "nickel" setting, as your detector won't make any noise, or just a broken sound, if you're around bottlecaps, nails, or other junk iron. However, when it's hitting coins and other precious kinds of metals you'll get a real solid signal. Hunters say, "if in doubt, dig," but if you are frustrated from digging junk then crank it up to high.
The simple rule is when your signals are not coming often, and you're not digging much, turn your discrimination down lower. If you find yourself digging up way too much trash, then turn your discrimination all the way up and save your time and efforts.
About the Author:
Bill McNeil has been metal detecting almost his entire life (which is a long time!). He is the author of Metal Detectors Online. The site is full of metal detecting tips and reviews on the most popular models. Check it out today!
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