The Metal Detecting Bible – Basic Principles

Over the course of the next ten months or so, I’ll be taking you on a step-by-step blog and video tour of my recent book “The Metal Detecting Bible: Helpful Tips, Expert Tricks and Insider Secrets for Finding Hidden Treasures”. I know… I know… It’s a ridiculously long winded title. Now, I won’t be giving away all of the book’s secrets, but I will be expanding on the info and specifically applying Minelab technology to each chapter.

The first thing we’ll cover are the basic principles of how a modern coin, relic and treasure hunting metal detector actually works and some of the different technologies Yes, it’s the most boring part for some, but it’s also the most essential part! Hopefully this will give you an idea of which of Minelab detector will best suit your coin, relic and treasure hunting needs. Or maybe you’ll learn a little something extra about the one you already have? 

One of the most frequent questions I receive from entry-level treasure hunters regarding metal detecting is “What metal detector is THE best?” Wow! Talk about a loaded question. In order to answer that, we first have to look at what it is you’re going to be searching for, where you’re searching for it and how frequently/seriously you’ll be searching. Taking the time to answer these simple questions will help you purchase a metal detector to meet your needs. So, before anyone fills your head with technological mumbo jumbo (we’ll get there soon. I promise!), allow me to make a simple comparison between metal detectors and vehicles. Metal detectors are a lot like vehicles. There’s no “best” vehicle. There are certain types of vehicles that excel in certain applications. I wouldn’t buy a Ferrari to take on an expedition to the outback, just like I wouldn’t buy a Minelab GPZ 7000 specialist gold detector to hunt for coins and relics in an iron infested ghost town. Like vehicles, metal detectors have their own specific uses and utilize their own specific technologies to achieve the best results for the application.

Minelab offers a plethora of different metal detectors that utilize proprietary technology to meet the needs of the user. One of my personal favorites is the CTX 3030. This, in my humble opinion, is the absolute best coin, relic and treasure hunting machine currently on the market. What makes it so special? To appreciate the CTX 3030 we first have to take a look at your average, run-of-the-mill VLF metal detectors. They typically utilize a single VLF frequency to acquire metal targets. As a rule of thumb, low frequencies i.e. 1kHz to 6kHz, travel farther into the ground, respond better to larger targets and high conductors like silver and copper, but lack sensitivity to small targets and low conductors (gold and lead). On the other end of the spectrum, high frequencies in the 19kHz to 100kHz range won’t penetrate the ground very far but are extremely sensitive to small, low conductors, like single stud earrings or thin gold chains. Here’s where it gets interesting. Instead of using a single frequency to locate targets, Minelab came up with an ingenious way of constantly and simultaneously analyzing many different frequencies from 1kHz to 100kHz. They call it FBS or Full Band Spectrum technology. FBS allows the user to locate various targets of various sizes at various depths. Essentially… with the CTX you’re virtually swinging the equivalent of several detectors all operating at different frequencies. Single frequency metal detectors operate in a manner not unlike the old B&W televisions. You’re able to see, but you’re lacking the full color clarity. A dimension full of valuable information. Can you get by with just B&W? Sure! Is it better in full color? You bet it is! One of the more interesting features about using multiple frequencies, is that it gives the machine the ability to analyze both the ferrous and non-ferrous properties of the target in real time. The CTX 3030 is the only metal detector on the market with Target Trace that allows the user to visualize multiple targets under the coil at the same time via full color display. Couple this with integrated GPS and a fully submersible waterproof design and you’ve got a professional-level treasure hunting machine.

Whatever metal detector you choose, make sure it fits your personal needs. I consider myself to be a serious treasure hunter and prospector. It’s imperative to me that I use the absolute best machine available for the application at hand. Assess YOUR level of interest and you’ll find a direct correlation between how much time you anticipate detecting and the price of the metal detectors that will suit your needs. If you only metal detect a couple times a year on family vacations, maybe something from the Minelab GO-FIND Series would meet your expectations. If you detect multiple times a year for different items in different locations, I would recommend looking into the Minelab X-TERRA 705. It’s easily one of (if not) the most versatile metal detectors on the market. Just be sure you don’t buy a Ferrari and expect it to perform like a Jeep. Or even worse, don’t buy a Pinto expecting it to perform like a Corvette.

For a more in depth look at the types, technology and functionality behind certain metal detectors, check out Chapter 1 “Basic Principles” of my book “The Metal Detecting Bible” available at amazon.com and at all major retailers.

Join us next month as we discuss Chapter 2 “Tools of the Trade”. What you’ll need and why.

Let’s get lost!   

Brandon “Dr. Tones” Neice