Other equipment needed

[Brianmo]

Other Equipment needed

OK, you’ve now got your metal detector and are raring to get out and use it. Firstly, did you purchase a good set of headphones with it as headphones are useful in two ways

1) They keep outside noise interference to a minimum and allow you to hear any tiny noises the detector may be making.
2) They will keep your ears warm in the winter
3) They also use less power than the loudspeaker built in to your detector.

Oh, and avoid wearing steel toe-cap boots for obvious reasons.

A spare set of batteries is a must.

You will need a good spade or trowel to enable you to dig the signals. This needs to be sharp and most of all, strong. It's not much use using the small gardening trowel that you keep in the shed as you will find it is just not up to the task. Preferably, buy a sturdy one from the dealer you bought your detector from. Trowels made for detecting are invariably strong.

Fit your detector with a search coil cover as it will protect the coil from abrasion etc.

Get yourself either a purpose made control box cover, or a plastic bag to protect the detector from showers/dust etc.

Many detectorists use a pinpoint probe so they can quickly and easily find the target once located.

You will need something to put your finds in as you go along. Detecting shops sell finds pouches which look a little like the money pouches market traders often wear. Basically, you need somewhere to place your finds after you have dug them out of the ground and for the normal dross like pennies and buttons and scrap a finds pouch fits the bill nicely.

Many detectorist take suitable containers to keep special finds safe and secure and protected alone rather than be bouncing around in a finds pouch with all kinds of other metal.

Metal detecting is not always done in the glorious sunshine. Invariably, it is cold, wet and windy or a combination of several of these elements. Good warm clothing is essential to happy metal detecting and we recommend that you buy the best outdoor clothing you can afford. Wellingtons or good strong waterproof boots are a must as is several layers of warm clothing unless you happen to be detecting on one of the rare beautifully hot days we occasionally have in the United Kingdom. Gloves are probably essential to both keep your hands warm and protect them from chemicals in the soil.

You will need a flask and some form of sustenance if detecting for longer than two hours. A flask of tea, coffee or hot soup along with some sandwiches is a treat on a detecting trip so take them along with you, you will appreciate the nourishment after two or three hours in the field. . It’s not a bad idea to take along some wet wipes so that you can wash your hands before you eat your lunch.

These days it is wise to take along a fully-charged mobile phone as you never know when you will have an accident, see someone else have an accident, breakdown in your vehicle or simply need to tell someone where you are. A flashlight would be a useful addition to your kit as well.

Finally, a lot of detectorist take a bottle of water, some cloths and small plastic containers so that they can wash the dirt off something that may appear to be out of the ordinary. As a final item most will have a toilet roll in the car boot or haversack as you never know !!

That’s it then, this should be all the kit you need i.e. metal detector, head-phones, trowel, finds pouch, containers for special finds, suitable walking boots or Wellingtons, suitable clothing for the weather expected and some food and liquid. Pop your mobile phone in your pocket as well and you’re off to enjoy the world’s most fascinating hobby.