Questions for Metal Detectorists Only Please

[Penfold]

Sorry to be so bias but I dont want this question to attract a lot of unnecessary sniping.
I know there will be a lot of ifs and buts such as type of ground, size of target, composition of target etc. But

To what depth are modern detectors able to do their job?
What would you say your average find depth is on agricultural land?

Please do not hijack this thread to air anti MD grievances, it is meant as a serious question to help me with my current research.

Vive La Revolution

Penfold

[Steve-B]

Seriously, 90% of ALL finds are made in the first 6" of the soil.

The depth of target location depends on several factors is not quite the simple question itfirst seems.

Obviously size of target plays a major factor, as the mineralisation level of the ground... (this can change very quickly, literally within matters of meters).

Another important factor is the moisture content of the soil itself, as is target orientation.

If we take for example a medieval hammered penny as a yard stick and stick to average detecting conditions then most detctors can feasiably find this down to between 6 to 9 inches.

When one look at a machine such as the Minelab Explorer then the depth limits can, in certain conditions and certainly not all, be pushed a bit perhaps to around 10 inches... but it is important to note that this is dependant on conditions and for some machines plough soils do not represent ideal conditions.

Many extravgant claims are made for the majority of hobby detectors, in some cases this may be the rare chance of ideal conditions, in others.... nothing more than wishful thinking and brand loyalty.

There is a group of shall we say 'super detectors' such as the Minelab GP 3500, Lorenz Pulse etc, to name a couple... thankfully theprice tag ont hese machines is in the main prohibitiveand are to be found rarely in day to day detecting use.

When we get to this type of machine then I will be contravesial (from a detecting perspective, and honest, taking a leaf from Davids book), and say that we are starting to encrouch on the realms of archaeology.. they go to deep for the needs of hobby detecting...

As a dealer I do not sell these types of detectors.

The quest for depth has to be the biggest red herring I come across as dealer... extreme depth is not the answer to a high finds rate, there are other more important qualities that will ensure the best performance in the field.

This is my own personal opinion, based on my experiences as a detectorist and a dealer.

www.detector-distribution.co.uk

If a job is worth doing, then its worth doing it tomorrow!

Homer (Simpson)

[Penfold]

Thanks for your input Steve, clear and concise just the way I like it:D

Vive La Revolution

Penfold

[Elgin]

"The quest for depth has to be the biggest red herring I come across as dealer... extreme depth is not the answer to a high finds rate"

Perhaps, but the evident very widespread preoccupation with depth on the part of both detectorists and manufacturers is most certainly [u]not</u>a "red herring" in terms of [u]any</u> consideration of resource conservation.

I realise this posting is invalid within the terms laid out for the thread but it seems to me it is more than justified on the grounds that a whole picture is better than half a one.

[BAJR Host]

AS you obviously realise

"I realise this posting is invalid within the terms laid out for the thread ..."

I would ask you abide by the request.... nobody needs to reply to the above invalid post.





"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[Steve-B]

Here we go again... I take it that you intend to start form where Paul left off...

Not only are you wrong in your assumptions, only mone major manufacturers produces 'super detectors' and one or two fringe, minor manufactures.... as has been attempted to be explained many times, metal detecting is not just about inland searching for artefacts... a large proportion of the hobby is conducted on the baach for modern coin and jewelry loses, especially in countries like the States and Australia, where metal detecors have been developed for depth for deep sand beach conditions and prospecting in the outback...

If you had any knowledge on the subject and were to look at the UK manufacturers of metal detectors, you would actually see that their performance in respect of depth is poor at best.

I do wish that you would at least try to understand that not everything in life is about antiquities...

As you yourself have pointed out, this was question posed directly to detectorists.

I have no idea what your trade is Nigel, but please do not try to teach me mine! Perhaps you should confine your posts to subjects you know about, not what you THINK you know about.


www.detector-distribution.co.uk

If a job is worth doing, then its worth doing it tomorrow!

Homer (Simpson)

[Elgin]

Fair enough David, I hardly expected a bouquet for mentioning conservation of the resource and won't develop the line further.

However, specifically in response to Steve-
"I have no idea what your trade is Nigel, but please do not try to teach me mine! Perhaps you should confine your posts to subjects you know about, not what you THINK you know about"

... my "trade" involved me in using a metal detector every single day for many many years so I do know a little about them and their performance.

[garybrun]

Good post Stev... couldnt have put it better myself.
Nigel were you a sheep farmer??? :-)

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk
Recording OUR heritage for future generations.

[BAJR Host]

Penfolds question gentlemen!

and remember that he asked for only metal detectorists only. Any further non topic posts will be edited. ----

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[Steve-B]

Apologies David, I must have been writing my reply as you posted.

Thanks for asking your question Penfold, I quite enjoyed answering it.

www.detector-distribution.co.uk

If a job is worth doing, then its worth doing it tomorrow!

Homer (Simpson)

[garybrun]

Some notes on depth.
If you cant view the pages or have a problem with seeing the links please let me know.

http://minelabowners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7753&highlight=depth

http://minelabowners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5776&highlight=depth

http://minelabowners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5710&highlight=depth


http://www.ukdfd.co.uk
Recording OUR heritage for future generations.

[Dean]

Hi all, and thanks Mr Hosty for not deleting me again!


quote:Originally posted by Penfold To what depth are modern detectors able to do their job?

Hi Penfold. I would agree completely with what Steve has stated. Depth depends mainly on the size of the object, but also orientation, soil mineralisation, soil compaction and moisture content. Another quite significant factor is contamination - ferrous metals which mask non ferrous metals whilst using discrimination. To what degree really depends on how much discrimination and what equipment is being used.

The greatest depth would be reached when in ideal conditions (rare).

Only once, in twenty years, have I dug deeper than the ploughsoil, which turned out to be the remains of a car door (in red).


quote:What would you say your average find depth is on agricultural land?

On agricultural land, approx 4 inches. Sometimes as deep as 12-14 inches, on coke cans! It is common to receive a signal, look down and see the object resting on the surface.

[BAJR Host]

You only get deleted again if you turn out to be a Nigerian Spammer !! ;))

Heres hoping..... you sound convincing to me though!

lol!!

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[Steve-B]

Dear Mr Hosty,

My brother the former minister for finances of Nigeria has in his bank account $200,000,000 US, for a only a small donation of $100,000 this can be yours.......

.......... Honist... :D

www.detector-distribution.co.uk

If a job is worth doing, then its worth doing it tomorrow!

Homer (Simpson)

[garybrun]

So thats how they fund the Bajr Conferance. :-)


http://www.ukdfd.co.uk
Recording OUR heritage for future generations.