Not that I have any extra time in life, any spare $$$ and I certainly don't need another hobby, but I've always wanted a metal detector. Why, no real reason, just because I does. I've done a bit of interwebs research and spoke with 2 or 3 dealers. I think that I've been convinced that the NOKTA Triple Score Pro Pack will certainly satisfy my needs(which I have none) now and into the foreseeable future.
I'm sure some of you play with detectors, so care to share any knowledge and insight for a total newbie. I have very low expectations of finding much of anything, but it could be a fun way to spend time getting some exercise while walking with the dog.
johndej
UltraDork
2/23/25 7:31 p.m.
My dad has a few nice White's (don't remember the models) that we've gone out with a few times and he's used for the past ~15-20 years. Did a sanctioned battlefield did as part of college history class also. In central VA dug plenty of bottle caps, bullets, coins, belt buckles, etc. Funny enough found a diamond ring while detecting just visually sitting above the ground at a fairgrounds without detector at all. Apparently whatever technology change happened about 20 years ago was good enough that you could pick up things about a foot deeper (say previously 8-12 inches to now 2 feet or more) and better differentiate between metal types before digging to better screen out junk. This was allowing areas that had been previously gone over to yield more stuff. You could definitely tell through the headphones when you were on something as brass/copper/lead would pop loud and clear where aluminum would just kinda crackle.
I had a metal detector maybe five years ago that my grandfather gave me from when he was a kid, and boy, did I love going to the beach after spring break with that thing before it broke. Mine was very, very old, and if you knew how to get the settings just right, you could find some awesome things. A lot of these newer models come with settings programmed in and are far more accurate. Such a fun hobby to pick up.
