Blog - Serious Metal Detecting

How Deep Does My Metal Detector Go?

July 21, 2016/0 Comments/in Metal Detecting /by SeriousDetecting

The depth that a metal detector can detect a target depends on a number of factors:

Ground Mineralization:

A target in low mineralized ground can be detected deeper than a target in highly mineralized ground. The level of ground mineralization has a significant influence on detection depth.

Target Size:

Large targets can be detected deeper than small targets.

Target Shape:

Circular shapes like coins and rings can be detected deeper than long thin shapes like nails.

Target Orientation:

A horizontal coin (e.g. lying flat) can be detected deeper than a vertical coin (e.g. on edge).

Target Material:

High conductive metals (e.g. silver) can be detected deeper than low conductive metals (e.g. lead).

Another factor is the size of the search coil. Search coils come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, including 4″, 6″, 8″, 9.5″, 12″ and 15″. There are also differences in the configuration of the coils inside the search coil producing different shape search patterns. The larger the search coil, the deeper it can detect larger metal items. However, it is more difficult to use in trashy areas with less depth to find small metal items. Smaller search coils provide better separation in high-trash environments and better sensitivity to small metals.

Where to Start Gold Prospecting?

July 20, 2016/0 Comments/in Metal Detecting /by SeriousDetecting

The best places to detect for gold nuggets are where gold has previously been found, and surrounding areas with similar geology. So again, do your research to find out about historic goldfields. Such as:

Tailings from goldmine sites
Old diggings (areas where prospectors dug for gold in the 1800s)
In or near streams where gold can be panned
Dry-blowing locations (usually in arid areas where water was scarce)
Old reef mine dumps and slopes

There is plenty of gold waiting to be found. Now that you know where to search, all you need is a good gold detector to get started.

Treasure Hunting Tips!

July 19, 2016/0 Comments/in Metal Detecting /by SeriousDetecting

When detecting for coins, relics or jewelry, use your imagination – anywhere people are likely to have left things behind – you are likely to make good finds! Also, don’t forget the places right under your feet; you never know what you might dig up even in your own backyard. To help get you started here is a list of locations that are generally more productive for finding coins, relics or jewelry:

Showgrounds and racecourses
Picnic areas
Battlefields
Camping grounds
Swimming holes
Parks, playgrounds and school yards
Ploughed fields
Pastures
Woodlands
Ghost towns and ancient town sites
Old homes and public buildings
Sports grounds
Beaches
Jetties and piers

There is still plenty of treasure to be found in many interesting locations around the world.

Getting Started with Your New Metal Detector

July 18, 2016/0 Comments/in Metal Detecting /by SeriousDetecting

Once you’ve made the decision to buy a new metal detector and get home with it, you no doubt can’t wait to get started with some detecting. But where exactly should you start? You can take your detector with you practically anywhere – the opportunities are endless and limited only by your imagination.

Finds can be made anywhere; you only need to take a look at any recent detecting magazine or website and you will see that there is an abundance of amazing finds being made. This shows there are still plenty of treasures waiting to be found, but some sites are more productive than others, so it helps to know the best type of places to go detecting. All it takes is a little bit of research to identify the most promising and productive goldfields or treasure hunting sites to detect.

There are many different types of valuable objects you can find with your new metal detector, such as rare coins, ancient relics of past civilizations, lost jewelry and gold nuggets. Nuggets are generally found in different places to where you would typically find coins, relics or jewelry, so where you go detecting depends greatly on what you would like to find.

All About Ground Balance

July 16, 2016/0 Comments/in Metal Detecting /by SeriousDetecting

Ground Balance is a variable setting that increases detection depth in mineralized ground. This ground may contain salts, such as in wet beach sand or fine iron particles, such as in red earth. These minerals respond to a detector’s transmit field in a similar way that a target does. Due to the much larger mass of the ground compared to a buried target, the effect of mineralization can easily mask small targets. To correct this the Ground Balance setting removes the responding ground signals, so you clearly hear target signals and are not distracted by ground noise.

There are three main types of Ground Balance:

Manual Ground Balance – Manually adjust the Ground Balance setting, so the minimum amount of ground signal is heard.
Automatic Ground Balance – The detector automatically determines the best Ground Balance setting. This is quick, simple and more accurate than a manually set Ground Balance
Tracking Ground Balance – The detector continuously adjusts the Ground Balance setting while detecting. This ensures that the Ground Balance setting is always correct.

Minelab detectors use exclusive advanced technologies for superior ground balancing capabilities that cannot be matched by any other detectors.

Double-D Coils (DD)

July 15, 2016/0 Comments/in Metal Detecting /by SeriousDetecting

What are DD coils?

A Double-D coil has two overlapping wire windings in the shape of two D’s. The benefits of a Double-D coil are stability (especially in heavily mineralized ground), good depth, sensitivity and a very thorough search pattern requiring less overlap.

When used with GPX detectors, Double-D coils (unlike Mono loop coils) are able to discriminate between ferrous and non-ferrous targets when Iron Reject is activated. They are also more stable when used on wet salt beach sand and in electrically noisy environments.

When used with X-TERRA detectors, Double-D coils perform quieter than Concentric coils in mineralised ground and are therefore well suited for gold prospecting.

Illustration of a metal detectors Double-D Coil

How do Metal Detectors work?

July 14, 2016/0 Comments/in Metal Detecting /by SeriousDetecting

Metal detectors work by transmitting an electromagnetic field from the search coil into the ground.

Any metal objects (targets) within the electromagnetic field will become energized and retransmit an electromagnetic field of their own. The detector’s search coil receives the retransmitted field and alerts the user by producing a target response.

Minelab metal detectors are capable of discriminating between different target types and can be set to ignore unwanted targets.

While metal detectors are generally highly efficient in terms of depth of response, a deep metal detector may occasionally be needed for areas with very deep sediment and / or long history of settlement.

Coil Configurations

July 5, 2016/0 Comments/in Metal Detecting /by SeriousDetecting

The three most common types of coil windings are Concentric, Double-D (DD), and Monoloop. The difference between these coil types is the pattern the wire is wound within the coil.

Concentric coil

A Concentric coil has an inner circle and an outer circle wire winding. Its search pattern is cone shaped and can be useful for accurately pinpointing the target. Concentric coils tend to be noisier in highly mineralised ground and require more overlap of sweep for thorough ground coverage.

Double-D (DD) Coil

A Double-D coil has two overlapping wire windings in the shape of two D’s (one reversed). The characteristics of a Double-D coil are stability (especially in heavily mineralised ground), good depth, sensitivity and a very thorough search pattern.

When used with a GPX detector Double-D coils (as opposed to monoloop coils) are able to discriminate between ferrous and non-ferrous targets (when Iron Reject is activated). They are also more stable when used on wet salt beach sand and in electrically noisy environments.

Monoloop coil

Monoloop coils are a special style of coil for Pulse Induction (PI) technology detectors (SD & GPX Series). These coils have one winding of wire around the circumference of the coil, which is used to both transmit and receive. The signal pattern of the Monoloop coil is cone shaped, requiring more overlapping. In extremely heavily mineralised grounds they can be more difficult to ground balance, however they tend to provide slightly better depth than the Double-D coils.

Coil Shapes

July 4, 2016/0 Comments/in Metal Detecting /by SeriousDetecting

The most common coil shapes are the conventional solid Round coils, the Elliptical shaped coils and the Open-web coils.

The main reason for the change in shape is to conform to a physical requirement, i.e. the elliptical coil can be pushed around bushes or between stony country easier than round coils.

Open-web coils help cut through water when detecting in water and are lighter for their size.

Conventional round coils are often more stable, higher performing, and are particularly popular when gold prospecting.

Coil Sizes

July 3, 2016/0 Comments/in Metal Detecting /by SeriousDetecting

The size of a coil can influence the detection depth and sensitivity of a detector.

The larger the search coil, the deeper it can detect larger metal items. However, it is more difficult to use in trashy areas with less depth to find small metal items.

The smaller the diameter, the more sensitive it becomes, but with reduced detection depth. Smaller coils will also be lighter in weight, easier to control and may be chosen for their ability to negotiate difficult terrain or undergrowth. Smaller coils also have an advantage in areas of high trash, due to their smaller detection footprint.