When Did Your Detector Pay Off

well I went out mding for about an hour after work. I managed 50 cents, 2 pull tabs,3 bottle tops and some other misc crap. I am still uneasy about using discrimination and elimination. I dont want to miss something good

Hello
I have a metal detector that's about oh 7-8 years old that was bought from Radioshack. I still works, but not that great. I haven't used it in forever and I'd like to start again, but I'd also like a detector that's a little better than that one. I like the idea of the kind that "tell you what's in the ground before you dig it up." But they're probably too expensive. Does anyone have a suggestion for a dectector under about $200?
Thanks

L1Z28

Its always best to hunt all metal until you know your detector intimately

In a large area like a beach its really easy to not hunt it properly , set yourself a mind grid on the ground work the grid slowly and methodically before moving I set myself up with about 8 foot x 8 foot areas its like a three overlapped pass area , and then depending on the tide lines and use areas I either move forward or sideways to the next 8X8 area and repeat the process.

slow is the key to getting a good search of the area if you are not overlapping both directions with your swings the potential for missed targets increases .

I used to hunt the oregon beaches and did quite well but it required some study of the activity on the beach and the tides before that happened.

there are areas where people seem to gather at both tide levels thats where you want to be .

I just kinda visualise the area and lay it out in my mind in a grid .

it helps to keep me focused , on a beach I have seen so many people take off down the beach in a straightline that gives them about a 3 foot swath for two miles long LOL .

I have seen the same thing on old football fields and parks , its the most non productive way to hunt an area I can think of .

it does not matter where you are or what the area looks like , but if you grid it in your mind and sometimes even set back and take a look at it for where to start , and try and visualise 40 years ago and the activity which would have been going on , you can pick out things , like trees surrounded by brush today were open then and picnic spots or rest stops for walkers , maybe even a place where kids used to play along a tree line which is now open and not covered with bushes ,you see what I mean ?

I have found old pictures of this area , you would be surprised how things have changed and where there was activity that is now barren or at least not used to the extent it once was .

I have pictures of Calvary encampments along the river which is now a big field and no where close to the river .

most of this hobby is in the preparation and then the execution of a plan .

by the way , take a look at how they lay out archaeological digs they lay it out in a grid with string ,I just do the same thing in my mind .

hemi thats the tough part for most new hunters , If you get the need to find stuff , hit the schools and play grounds , seldom will you walk away empty handed , but take the time to plan the more serious hunts , the time spent is well worth it .

i went to anothe beavh yesterday, got about 8 bottle caps, some pulltabs, and some foil, hoping to find the gold and ruby ring my stepfather lost.

Under the bleachers is where the money and rings fall.