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Original poster

To ask if you're a metal detector(ist)? If you are, what have you found?

69 replies

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 21/02/2021 18:17

YES it's not an AIBU, but you try posting in the graveyard that is Chat these days. Everyone's spoiling for a fight, so why not argue about metal detecting to take our minds off things.

My plan is - if everything's still shite when the weather starts getting better, I'm going to buy a detector and take DS out hunting for ring pulls gold. I see detectorists bimbling around occasionally, but I'm never brave enough to ask them what they've found because I know they must get it a lot.

Is it fun? Do you know anyone who's found anything good?

OP posts:
Original poster
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 21/02/2021 20:03

@Womblesmurf ooh, thank you!

First question I suppose: do you think I would just be wasting my time of I wasn't willing to spend more than £100 on a detector?

OP posts:
Womblesmurf · 21/02/2021 20:06

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

Certainly wouldn't be spending £££ on one. Under £100, definitely.
To be honest, I wouldn't go for anything at that price, you need to be spending around £300 for a reasonable entry level detector.

Be careful of Amazon reviews - done like the Dr Otek get good reviews because they offer buyers a free gift in exchange for a five star review Angry

Original poster
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 21/02/2021 20:09

Hm, something to think about there. Second hand is the way to go, I guess. Do the cheap ones just not pick up anything unless it's a few cm below the surface?

OP posts:
Womblesmurf · 21/02/2021 20:09

[quote JesusInTheCabbageVan]@Womblesmurf ooh, thank you!

First question I suppose: do you think I would just be wasting my time of I wasn't willing to spend more than £100 on a detector?[/quote]
There's some really good Facebook groups that can offer advice. Whereabouts in the country are you? You could join a club and/or go on an organised dig and meet people who can show you their detectors and offer advice.

Original poster
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 21/02/2021 20:13

I'm in Cardiff and it's all very much an idle pipe dream at the moment! If I do do it, it will probably be in a very half-arsed way, although I'll try not to actually break the law.

OP posts:
Womblesmurf · 21/02/2021 20:13

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

Hm, something to think about there. Second hand is the way to go, I guess. Do the cheap ones just not pick up anything unless it's a few cm below the surface?
They don't go very deep and you'll get lots of false signals. Unfortunately it's one of those things where you get what you pay for. There are some good second hand deals around though. I'd look for a Garrett 250 or a Simplex+ . Just bear in mind if you catch the bug you'll be wanting to upgrade!!
Womblesmurf · 21/02/2021 20:15

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

Hm, something to think about there. Second hand is the way to go, I guess. Do the cheap ones just not pick up anything unless it's a few cm below the surface?
Also, think about where you want to detect, some detectors are better than others for beaches or fields.
Original poster
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 21/02/2021 20:31

Thank you! Garrett 250 or a Simplex+, I will remember that.

OP posts:
JayAlfredPrufrock · 21/02/2021 20:32

Just came to say I bloody loved The Detectorists.

I’ve done it three times now.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 21/02/2021 20:36

Gutted. I had it downloaded on Sky plus but just checked and it’s gone. Bastards.

Brody77 · 21/02/2021 20:54

I looked up my local detector group a couple of years ago, when I was thinking I might have time for a hobby. Sadly dd and a madly busy time at work put paid to that at that time, but I might get the chance for more me time if things settle down in a few months. Are the groups fairly welcoming? Are there many women doing it? Not that I don’t like men and I’m sure I’d bond over the interest but thought it might be a way to meet other people! The groups sometimes do meets where land permission has been sorted - is this right? Might be a way to see if it is really something I’d like before investing...

DahliaMacNamara · 21/02/2021 20:55

The Gwent detecting club must be quite close to you, and might give you some ideas about where to look. Memberships aren't usually expensive. Personally I'd rather watch Detectorists a hundred times than go detecting once, but each to their own. I know a few detectorists and they spend eye-watering amounts on kit.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 21/02/2021 20:56

Ooh it’s still downloadable. Relief.

mummyplusbump · 21/02/2021 20:56

I’m a metal detectorist. My machine cost over £1000 but (when we are allowed) I use it every weekend so it is worth every penny to me. My hobby and the friends I made have kept me sane following my divorce. You would be wasting your money on a £100 machine. I would recommend a simplex or one of the cheaper Garretts. I would also not be without my pinpointer either and that’s going to cost about £100 too plus a decent spade and finds bag (to put all the lead / iron and shot gun cartridges you have dig up in to take hole to throw away).

As someone has already said, all land is owned by someone. You cannot detect on any land without permission (preferably in writing) from the land owner. Unless it is a crown estate beach (there is a map online). You cannot detect parks, rivers, woodlands, public paths, “common” land etc without permission from the owner (eg. Council, some councils do give permission but many do not). “Public” land such as parks etc mean you have rights to walk on it but it would be against the bylaws to dig holes etc.

I would suggest joining a local club. I can recommend one if you are in the South East. Then you can meet other people who can help you learn your machine (it’s not just a case of turning it on you need to learn tones etc or you will be digging every beep).

I’ve found some nice things, lots of silver hammered coins (and also silver Saxon sceat, Roman Denarius etc). Couple of items that went through the treasure process (silver cufflink).

As a responsible detectorist ideally you should take out NCMD or FID insurance which is about £8 per year and familiarise yourself with what legally needs declaring under the treasure act and also record any significant finds with your local Finds Liason Officer under the voluntary recording scheme.

If you live near London a similar hobby is Mudlarking which I also do, a licence is about £87 for 3 years but you can find some fascinating things either by eye or with a detector.

CattyCactus · 21/02/2021 21:30

@JayAlfredPrufrock

Gutted. I had it downloaded on Sky plus but just checked and it’s gone. Bastards.
It’s still on iplayer
Original poster
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 21/02/2021 21:36

Oh wow, it is complicated! Those are some amazing finds though, @mummyplusbump.

OP posts:
Wonderfulthings · 21/02/2021 21:38

To try a few different detectors why not just go along to the next DMDC open day, 50p a go I think the stencilled sign said : )

DH is a very keen detectorist (was in a couple of episodes of Detectorists, which made it all slightly more exciting for me!) and has a few things in various museums and over 3,000 items listed on the PAS. As per your conflicted feelings about MC's character, he has spent many, many hours in the field over the last ten years. As previous posters have said, to find the good stuff you need a decent machine (he won't tell me how much his current set-up cost but I'd say well over £1,000) but not worth spending much money until you know whether you like the hobby. I lasted half an hour when I gave it a go. DH suggests get in touch with your local club, many detectorists have a spare machine, but as others have said you'll need a good permission or beach permit first.

Wonderfulthings · 21/02/2021 21:41

Sorry, just seen mummyplusbump's reply, which is far more comprehensive than mine. On the plus side, DH was thrilled that instead of ignoring him while on MN I was asking him all about detecting!

mummyplusbump · 21/02/2021 22:28

That is cool wonderfulthings that your DH has 3000 things on PAS, I only have about 50! Most of mine are flint finds (stone age axes I’ve found by eye).

I agree about contacting a local club. Most of them are on Facebook if you search the location and “metal detecting” in my club we pay £20 for the day. I was nervous going on my own for the first time but I’ve made some great friends. People from all backgrounds who come together for the love of history and the hobby!

mummyplusbump · 21/02/2021 22:30

Oh and it’s great for young kids. My kids love coming with me. They can run around on the farms and see all sorts of wildlife too. This year I’m getting a detector for my eldest and the “bump” in my username is now nearly 6 and she loves it too.

spaceghetto · 21/02/2021 22:50

We got ds a metal detector for Christmas. It's great fun! We've found a but of money in the woods and random bits of metal. I'm looking forward to being able to take it to the beach so digging is easier.

Womblesmurf · 22/02/2021 08:36

@Brody77

I looked up my local detector group a couple of years ago, when I was thinking I might have time for a hobby. Sadly dd and a madly busy time at work put paid to that at that time, but I might get the chance for more me time if things settle down in a few months. Are the groups fairly welcoming? Are there many women doing it? Not that I don’t like men and I’m sure I’d bond over the interest but thought it might be a way to meet other people! The groups sometimes do meets where land permission has been sorted - is this right? Might be a way to see if it is really something I’d like before investing...
I haven't been to any meet ups yet. I tried to join a local club but it's full and they have a long waiting list, apparently The Detectorists has sparked a lot of interest in the hobby!

I'm in a few Facebook groups and looking at photos of meet-ups they do look quite make dominated. The FB groups can be a bit laddish as well but I've found a couple of really nice ones including one just for women, it's a new group and they're hoping to arrange some meet-ups.

The advantage of organised digs is that they arrange land to detect on. I'm very lucky as I have permission to detect on two large farms and a small-holding which all belong to friends (I live in a very rural area) but getting permissions can be the hardest part.

You can detect on a lot of beaches but check to be sure, a lot of the ones near me are SSSIs so they are protected.

Womblesmurf · 22/02/2021 08:39

@mummyplusbump

I’m a metal detectorist. My machine cost over £1000 but (when we are allowed) I use it every weekend so it is worth every penny to me. My hobby and the friends I made have kept me sane following my divorce. You would be wasting your money on a £100 machine. I would recommend a simplex or one of the cheaper Garretts. I would also not be without my pinpointer either and that’s going to cost about £100 too plus a decent spade and finds bag (to put all the lead / iron and shot gun cartridges you have dig up in to take hole to throw away).

As someone has already said, all land is owned by someone. You cannot detect on any land without permission (preferably in writing) from the land owner. Unless it is a crown estate beach (there is a map online). You cannot detect parks, rivers, woodlands, public paths, “common” land etc without permission from the owner (eg. Council, some councils do give permission but many do not). “Public” land such as parks etc mean you have rights to walk on it but it would be against the bylaws to dig holes etc.

I would suggest joining a local club. I can recommend one if you are in the South East. Then you can meet other people who can help you learn your machine (it’s not just a case of turning it on you need to learn tones etc or you will be digging every beep).

I’ve found some nice things, lots of silver hammered coins (and also silver Saxon sceat, Roman Denarius etc). Couple of items that went through the treasure process (silver cufflink).

As a responsible detectorist ideally you should take out NCMD or FID insurance which is about £8 per year and familiarise yourself with what legally needs declaring under the treasure act and also record any significant finds with your local Finds Liason Officer under the voluntary recording scheme.

If you live near London a similar hobby is Mudlarking which I also do, a licence is about £87 for 3 years but you can find some fascinating things either by eye or with a detector.

Ooooh I'd love yo go mudlarkjng! I've just read Lara Maiklem's book. Have you had any good finds?

Well done on your detecting finds too! I haven't found anything of value yet but I live in hope! I've got an Equinox 800 and although it was pricey I get so much pleasure from it it was worth every penny!

Happy digging x

listsandbudgets · 22/02/2021 08:42

If you are on twitter, follow @scottylar

He often puts up photos of his finds and tends to be helpful and friendly to aspiring detectorists.

Horehound · 22/02/2021 08:45

I had one years ago. Never found anything interesting but it was fun to do