Tips for Getting the Most out of Your Metal Detector
If you are considering purchasing a metal detector, and are concerned because there is no owner's manual, don't be worried. Many metal detectors feature the same functions and basic operations. Here you will find everything you need to know to operate your newly purchased metal detector.
ON-OFF and Volume
The most basic knob is the power switch. Many detectors feature an on-off knob that also controls the volume. Turning the knob clockwise will turn the detector on and increase the volume. As the knob is turned counter clockwise, the volume will decrease and then the detector will turn off.
Sensitivity
The sensitivity setting is what makes your machine more sensitive to metal objects buried deep in the ground. Increasing the sensitivity by turning the knob clockwise will cause the machine to detect deeper items and smaller items. The problem with arbitrarily increasing this setting is that the machine can begin detecting the minerals in the ground and delivering false alerts.
Decreasing the sensitivity will create more stable readings. When you first begin working with the machine, set the sensitivity in the middle and then adjust from there. The environment you are searching in should always be taken into account. When you are searching in fields and dirt, the sensitivity can be increased. However, if you are searching at the beach there will be more minerals in the ground so the sensitivity should be reduced.
Discrimination and Rejection
You may see this knob marked as DISC. This is where you can select what metals you are specifically searching for, or what metals you would like to specifically exclude from the search. The scale will typically include ground minerals - iron - aluminum - nickel - copper - silver; although they can be listed by numbers rather than names.
Many gold items fall under the category of aluminum-nickel, due to the metals that are mixed with gold when it is crafted. When you are searching for jewelry, take care that you do not automatically exclude these two categories. A safe bet is to keep the machine set on "nickel", because this will alert you to jewelry without picking up general iron junk that can be in the ground. This setting will also alert you to various coins. If you find that you are still pulling up a great deal of garbage, you can increase the settings.
A general rule of thumb is that you should decrease discrimination if your machine is not detecting anything, and increase it if you are finding nothing but trash.
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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