DetectingWales.com

I've been detecting for about 6 months now and already had some great finds. Some of the fields on my permissions are massive and I just wondered how other detectorists remember/mark what parts of a field they've previously covered. I've tried searching for GPS apps that could record each time I go out but struggled to find anything.  ???

Thanks

Jeff

Don't know how big 'massive' is - but I know that some of the fields I detect on are >20 acres.

I generally try and find hotspots and then grid, grid, grid. I try and line this up with some landmarks :)

There are some fields I've gridded far more than others.

Mind you grass length / plough conditions / weather make a huge difference. When I first started detecting, I used to detect in waist high grass. Understandably I found nowt :D

when i get a find that needs recording, i place it in a small bag and give it a number that matches the gps reading on my handheld garmin. I then go home, extract the bags, note the number and the 10 figure ref onto a spreadsheet. then add extra data such as coin, artefact, token etc ... and leave space for the PAS reference number in due course, which i can then hyperlink from the spreadsheet to the PAS database.

I then delete the readings from the handheld gps once all the info has been recorded, so the next time i go out. ... i start afresh.

if you research google earth, there is a method where you can upload your findspots into GE for your personal use.

I think what Jeff is asking for is a suitable walkers tracker app. I remember someone posted one on the Forum some time ago. Had a look through 'Tips & Tricks'  last night but couldn't find it.
If I remember right it coloured a track while you were walking which you could save till next time.
Maybe someone else might remember it.

Jeff

To be honest I just sort of make a mental note where I have been and where I finished off on the day, be it a tree or a gate/ fence line.

Don't use no new fangled apps or gps stuff  ;D ;)

Yes good to know where you have detected..BUT REMEMBER....a field is very seldom done !!
and sometimes by going over the same piece of land can turn up finds missed on previous detecting outing's.

Personally I do not GPS, some of my fields are 20-100+acres, and I'm confident I can go back to within a very close distance to a good find, looking at features, posts, the lay of the land. Do not think that GPS and gridding will Hoover up part of a field and thus leaving you to search another part..do so at your perill ! We always miss things and also coins and artefacts are move around each turn of the plough are cultivator. Pasture obviously different you can clean up an area gridding, but even then worms etc can move stuff to the surface. As can getting a different detector to get more depth, ie Deus or CTX ( Other detectors are available) :o ;) Good luck to you though especially if you are wanting to plot finds spots on computer in which case a potential picture can be built up of the field...... ;)

my  opinion dont worry too much about forgetting where you have been on the field, just make a mental note of gates or bushes in the edge. As others will probably agree you can still find a few targets were you think you have covered before because the  ground is wet when it was dry last time you covered it, Maybe  your coil just missed the item last time ,good luck just enjoy your self remember the objects have been there for years and are not going anywhere till you find them 

Thanks for all the replies guys. I do try and take a mental note of the areas I've already detected in a field but find I quite like detecting different fields each week, so I might not go back to the same field for several weeks. Just the way I like to do it. Plus I've got 3 permissions so I just thought if there was a GPS app to track me it would save my failing memory  ;D I totally agree though that a field is never fully done so it doesn't matter if I end up going over the same area more than once.  :)

Can't you use google maps print it off and use a chinagraph pen to grid the area.

I have a permission that the farmer said he had a few people detect it over the years but I took it and me and my mate have done that farm hundreds of times and its turned up hammerds and silver and bronze romans not to mention the artefacts and milled coinage, even 3 rings although none have been gold or silver but goes to show.

George

Hi There

If you have an android smart phone go to google play and search for GPS co ordinate apps or latitude or longitude apps and it will show you hundreds of free aps that will give you your location in lat and long to an accuracy of 3 meters .There are so many free aps to choose from and all will show your position on a map or satellite image . There's all sorts of options with the apps and as well as being free they are brilliant !! you came download to your computer and set up all sorts of tracking data and logging data .   Hope this helps but you will need an android smart phone . If you have an    i- phone I guess there is something similar for that too .

Happy hunting and good luck