Is their a SMART metal detector?

[GRUMPA]

That guys post on metal detectors got me thinking about my land and I didn't want to hyjack his post with this question. Let me explain a bit, we own 40 acres up in the north eastern part of AZ. Over the years walking it I've found alot of things ranging from arrowheads to a cowboy spur, indian pottery, obsolete blackpowder rifle cartridges. That land I'm sure has some sort of a history behind it, but when I had my metal detector (EL CHEAPO) with me about every 2" it would sound off.

The area up there had a violent volcanic eruption leaving in its wake alot of volcanic rock all over, I guess thats why we also have alot of petrified wood to. It's all that volcanic rock I suspect is whats sounding off that metal detector off when I was using it. At 1 time my uncle was up their with his metal detector, whatever kind he had I don't know but I know it wasen't cheap by any means, he prospected with his and he's the type of guy where he didn't mind spending the money on something that was a good product.

Anyway his sounded off all the time just like my cheap one did, he sctratched his head and thought about it and commented that it's more than likely all the heavy metals that are all over the ground. Is there a metal detector out there that can distinguish the difference from the different types of metals? I wouldn't want to walk around with one have it sound off and dig every 2" in hopes of finding something. That old cowboy spur I found while putting in one of my corner post, lucky find I know but at least there wasen't a foot attached to it. That spur has alot of iron in it and so does all that rock on my property. I'm just wondering if it would be worth my while to research metal detector further, seems they are made with precious metals in mind.

 

[rancar]

<font color="blue">I'm just wondering if it would be worth my while to research metal detector further, seems they are made with precious metals in mind.</font>

Grumpa,

Yes,....from what I can tell from product literature I've been reading there are some expensive models designed just for metals prospecting as you describe. If that's what you will be searching for, then it's probably worth your while to invest in one of these types of detectors.

...Bob

 

[mwechtal]

Grumpa,
What you have is known in metal detector circles as hot rocks.

This is gonna sound a little whacky... /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Find a metal detector dealer in your area. Take a box and put a small piece of iron and a cartridge casing in it. Put 3-4" of dirt and rocks over your test pieces. If posssible, be sure the dirt and rocks are from an area where you know you had problems. Go to the dealer and see if anything they have can find your test pieces. I think it will be easier to find the brass than the iron or steel.

By the way, for both you and Bob, earphones are <font color="red"> NOT </font> considered optional. You'll never find the small stuff with wind whistling in your ears or cars driving by.

Mike

 

[GRUMPA]

I live in the city now and our ranch is litterally in the middle of nowhere. Closest town is 52mi and 90min away, the town of Show Low AZ aint all that big. I would have to go to one in the city but I'm moving and time is precious right now. And your right about the wind up there, it goes all the time and we have 2 wind generators up there. It's remote (very) so I have to live independantly, phones don't even work up there. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[GRUMPA]

Here's a pic] , you can see for yourself.

 

[BB_TX]

Grumpa - I know what you mean. Did some work at the power plant NW of Springerville a few years ago. One of the guys I worked with mentioned he had a "little" land and a few cows. When I asked mow much land he said 12 sections. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I said that he must have an awful lot of cows. He reminded me that the land is figured in acres per cow, not cows per acre. It is pretty barren.

 

[GRUMPA]

A section up their is 1sq mi. And he's right about the cattle too. If you open graze the cattle it's 1 cow per 40 acres. If you plant grass it's a different matter altogether.

 

[kensfarm]

My older brother had lost a gold ring w/diamond.. he had traded in a "returned" engagement ring for it. He had searched w/ a borrowed metal detector half a dozen times w/ no luck. He told me the sad story when I got home from college.. I knew he was bummed so I said.. let's go look again.

Well I had never operated a metal detector before.. knowing the ring should be on the surface.. I placed a dime on the ground and proceeded to run the detector over it.. adjusting the control knobs I was able to get a good beep when coming close to the dime. Started searching the area.. beep.. bottle cap.. beep.. the ring.. I picked it up & shouted.. "Found it!"

It didn't mend my brother's broken heart.. but I will never forget the big smile he had on his face!

I do know some the new detector's can ignore junk metal.. but one man's junk.. is another man's treasure!

 

[1962]

the newer and better detectors are VLF( very low frequency). they also have controls for ground balance (GEB), as some ground is more mineralized than other ground. they also discriminate unwanted metals like foil,nails,ect. they take a little time to get used to. the machines come with preset icons for beginners so you can search right away. once you become familiar with the detector and read the instructions a few times, you can usually go back over previously hunted spots and find good targets you missed before.
i have two optional search coils, one smaller and one larger than the one supplied with the detector. the large one is great for civil war encampments were all targets are desireable. the small one is better for trashy areas, with better pinpoint accuracy, but less depth than the large coil. i hope this all made sense, it took me awhile to understand my machine and the different sounds it made as it passed over a silver dime, penny, or a pull tab.. hope ya get one and good luck TH'ING.

 

[pajoube]

I have been into metal detecting for years and find this a great hobby my wife and I can do together. I also have detected in AZ and know of the hot rock problem. If you are series about metal detectors here is a great site that can answer many of your questions. http://www.findmall.com/forums/
I have owned many detectors and the new ones will do everything for you. In hot rock areas I hold my detector about 4 inches above ground and eliminate the hot rock hits and concentrate on the coins.
Over the years I have found thousands of dollars in coins as well as all types of jewelry and miscellaneous items.
The best part about detecting is that it gets you out of the house.
PJ