Is it me or the field?

[PhilD]

Assuming you have a decent detector (that could be the subject of a post in it's self) here are a few tips worth checking if you are finding little or nothing.

Please feel free to add any tips you think might help;

1. Check you are putting the hours in.

2. Check your detectors sensitivity is set to allow as much depth as possible.

3. Check you are not discing out finds.

4. Check you are not swinging the coil too fast.

5. Check you are keeping the coil low to the ground.

6 Check you are keeping the coil level to the ground.

7. Check your swing length is covering plenty of ground.

8. Check around any features on the land.

9. If still finding little or nothing move to another field (preferably in a researched area).

[Old Git John]

This should prove to be a great thread Phil., and, it is already off to a good start.

I would add, when you buy your detector, check for either a manual or instructions
dvd, or both.
Read the manual, thoroughly, and often, and, if there is a DVD,
watch it stage by stage, to familiarise yourself with the machine, and do what they
tell you to.
Keep your machine clean, and tidy.
Check that your batteries are up to scratch, (charged or new).
Make sure cables are not damaged in any way.
Buy books which will guide you through aspects of detecting, such as
The Beginners Guide to Detecting, Researching Sites, etc.
Most dealers offer a range at very reasonable prices.
Never turn your detector ON indoors, you could cause it damage.
Be sure to have all of the things necessary for a detecting trip, detector,
headphones, shovel, pinpointer, wet weather clothing, sturdy boots,
but NOT with steel toecaps.
A food flask is always handy, as is food for while you are out.
Spare batteries, just in case the ones in the machine do run down.
Tell someone where you are going.
Be absolutely sure that you have obtained permission to be on the land, or
beach you are going to.
Never go detecting with it in mind that you WILL have finds, then, if you do,
that will be a bonus.
Most of all, enjoy what you do, and, keep the farmer/landowner aware of any
finds you do have. It builds up the trust between you both.

[dig-it-pete]

OVERLAP each swing of the coil or you will miss stuff for sure and at the end of the swing PUSH the coil down to the surface DO NOT let it go up in the air.

[bluem00n]

I tried a field at one of my farms about 2 months ago and after two hours detecting I only had three signals which were bits of lead. I put it down as a bit of a baron field and decided not to do it again. Went back last week and I couldn't detect my usual fields as the farmer had just re-cropped them so I had another go on the 'baron' field and had a few good finds including a bullhead sixpence and some nice George III coppers.
There was a fair bit more moisture in it and I think this made a big difference but don't forget you still have to walk over it!
I think John is right. Go with no great expectations, enjoy the day and any finds are a bonus. A big lump of gold now and again would be nice though!

[PhilD]

I like your tip re reading the manual, watch the DVD and Videos and generally get to understand your machine John.

You can get away from the factory settings and find more if you know what you are doing.

Good idea detecting after rain as bluemoon says

[Old Git John]

I like your tip re reading the manual, watch the DVD and Videos and generally get to understand your machine John.

You can get away from the factory settings and find more if you know what you are doing.

Good idea detecting after rain as bluemoon says

Thanks Phil.

[PhilD]

One of the detectorists worst enemies is often himself, he gets the signal and has a decision to make - to dig or not to dig.

In my experience the younger people who are fit and prepared to dig more holes have a bit more success.

[Donnydave]

One of the detectorists worst enemies is often himself, he gets the signal and has a decision to make - to dig or not to dig.

In my experience the younger people who are fit and prepared to dig more holes have a bit more success.

This is true I know if I don,t make a good find early in the day, my chances diminish as the day progresses, after the first two hours I start to only dig positive signals, and leave the iffy ones for another day, because I am struggling to walk and bend after two hours

[PhilD]

Thanks Dave

I finished early last Sunday, not because I was finding nothing, it was because my feet were throbbing walking on the hard ground.

How does that saying go - You only get out what you put in.

[Old Git John]

One of the detectorists worst enemies is often himself, he gets the signal and has a decision to make - to dig or not to dig.

In my experience the younger people who are fit and prepared to dig more holes have a bit more success.

SO VERY TRUE, when I started, I could not go wrong, with an Eddy hammered on my first trip out, and then
a run of nice finds. Just look at how many hoards are found by folk who are new to our great hobby.

[Deetektor]

........>>

Please feel free to add any tips you think might help;

5. Check you are keeping the coil low to the ground.

It's surprising how many don't do this. I was at a rally recently where a chap was walking along so fast, I would have had a job keeping up with him.
He was also using the "pendulum" swing, so his detector was hardly ever close to the ground. only a 6" strip in front of him.

[jpd1903]

As a relative noob I would emphasize the importance of not discriminating out good finds. If I had used the settings I was using in my first few weeks I wouldn't have picked up a gold quarter stater I recently had.

[PhilD]

Don't give up a field too quickly.

There maybe a hot spot where a fair or market was held or a hoard buried.

I've detected a field 2 or 3 times with the club and found nothing, I could have said the field was rubbish but the number of finds put on the finds table by 30 members at lunchtime told a totally different story.

Some of the finds were large items that any detector would have picked up provided you walked over the spot so lady luck plays a hand every time you go out, so stick with a field until you are sure.

If you cover it methodically over a number of visits you can assure yourself as to which ground has been covered and which has not before saying there is little or nothing there.

[unrhif]

Do a field methodically but don't think it is finished if you don't find after a methodical search.

[PhilD]

I agree with that unrhif.

You may have missed finds and there will be future ploughing, which can turn finds flat for a better signal or raise out of range ones up, especially if it is deep ploughed. You can always return to the field when detecting conditions offer a better chance.

Look at the guys who have found a hoard, done a thorough search and found no more.

Then 2 years later gone back and found more of it