Anyone got any advice for would-be Newbie Detectorists ?

[Malcolm.mtts]

Finding something is just the beginning of the enjoyment of detecting. Finding out what it is can be just as enjoyable and informative. Asking others and searching the internet for that elusive information about your find can give you hours of pleasure.

When friends tell you that your FIRST find is just a rusty mail ... ignore the idiots... your rusty nail was probably one of the first iron nails produced at the begining of the iron age or used on a roman charriot and all you have to do now is find something else to test their knowledge with.

Your first encounter with something silver in colour is not just a "pull ring" from a beer can.. it is the FIRST silver coloured item you have found which gave you excitement and it shows your detector can find something hidden below that dirty and muddy soil.

Friends tell you to use discriminate to eliminate "pull rings" but would your next signal have been for that elusive aluminium article or small coin worth millions of pounds?

Every detector gets excited when they get that bleep booming through their headphones.

Even if that booming bleep turns out to be junk then you will have benefited from that mental rush and using your muscles to dig it up.

Best advice ... If in doubt ... dig it out.

[16.5DD (richard)]

i think before  you get into the depth thing don't worry too much.
me and charles both have a garrett i've the 150 he's got  the 250 is a really good detector and it's worth paying that little extra for that one.
all you need to do is learn whatever detector you get .
all the best jan and charles

[Malcolm.mtts]

As a new detector you will probably be invited to travel with others in a car to a site.

Remember to take carrier bags or similar with you and after you have finished for the day, use the bags to cover your dirty shovel, detector, wellies etc. to keep their car clean.

An important part of detecting is your detecting clothing... wear them for detecting only to keep car seats clean. Travel in clean clothes and travel home in clean clothes.

Trust me, if you leave a mess in someones car you will not be invited to travel in that persons car again.