A History of Metal Detecting
Metal detectors were created as a way to find ore in the ground using electrical currents. The Parisian Gustave Trouve created the first hand-held metal detector. The device became famous when inventor Alexander Graham Bell tried to use one to locate the bullet lodged in President James Garfield’s chest. Unfortunately, they were unable to locate the bullet (they kept picking up on the metal springs in the mattress). But metal detectors were now in the American consciousness.
Minelab Metal Detectors
Minelab is an Australian-based company with centers in South Australia, Ireland, the US, and Dubai. They launched their first metal detector, the Goldseekers 15000, in 1985. This was followed by the GT 16000 in 1987.
Today their GO-FIND series is a popular entry-level smartphone compatible detector. They're one of the top metal detectors recommended for finding coins. This makes the Minelab metal detectors good for any beginning metal detecting enthusiast.
Metal Detecting as a Hobby
Metal detecting as a hobby came about as an offshoot of traditional treasure hunting. People would hover their metal detectors over historical areas, hoping to find something worth digging up. Today you'll see these hobbyists walking slowly over the terrain wearing headphones and listening to the beeps and whistles coming from their devices.
There have been several stories of amateur metal detectors stumbling across a big treasure. This means that getting rich from your hobby is a possibility, but it's far more likely that you'll find little things. While some people sell what they find with their metal detectors, most enthusiasts just enjoy the game of finding hidden things that capture their imagination.
One of the problems with metal detecting is where you can go to dig things up. Most people don't want strangers digging up their yards, and the governments in state parks are less than enthusiastic. However, most metal detector hobbyists are more than willing to help out a fellow seeker.
Things to Consider When Buying Your Metal Detector
If you're ready to buy your first Minelab Metal Detector, then here are some things to consider:
- Discrimination; how well can your detector determine which metal it's detecting?
- Ground Balance
- Target Identification; how well does it pinpoint something?
- Operating Frequency
- Sensitivity
- Search Depth; how far down in the ground can it find something?
Other Questions to Ask About Your Minelab Metal Detector
Consider these other questions with your Minelab device.
- What do you want to find when you're hunting?
- Where will you be metal detecting?
- In a park, on the sand, amongst rocks?
- How much experience do you have?
- If you're inexperienced with the different sounds and whistles devices use to indicate metals, then go for beginner level ones.
- How often will you be doing this?
- This could determine what kind of battery you need if you need a carrying bag, and what kind of headphones and accessories you need.
- How much are you willing to spend?
- Metal detectors have a ton of accessories and tools to go with them. The more you want to do this, the more accessories you'll need.
Metal detecting can be a fun and rewarding hobby. You just need patience and the right equipment to find something special.