Someone here is bound to have the knowledge here. My eldest lad wants for nothing this year so I thought a metal detector might be a fun thing to have a go at. We spend a lot of time at beaches and lakes, lots of country walks etc. Maybe uncovering his old hot wheels in the garden.
I can’t see it being a new major hobby as he’s got plenty other interests but you never know
So what’s the specialized rockhopper comp of metal detectors? Something decent enough to not be landfill? Popular enough that if it doesn’t land as an activity he can eBay it to spend on C&H if he prefers.
boxing day 9PM. HTH 😉
boxing day 9PM. HTH 😉
Re watching the last series now in preparation!
Minelab vanquish 440.. easy to setup, more or less turn it on and go. Can be used on beaches too as it's multi frequency.
A pin pointer would also be super useful too.
As an owner of both a metal detector and a small boy a word of caution.
The patience required for even the most mediocre of rewards to be exhumed is not one of the features of a young lad.
By all means give it a go but be prepared for fairly rapid onset disinterest.
Hopefully I'm incorrect and a dance ensues. 😎
My 15 year old daughter Loves detecting. She started with a Dr Otek off Amazon which works well but is a bit flimsy and cheap plastics. She has a Garret 250 from Regtons and it is much better but more spendy
And please talk to your Local Antiquities Scheme.
So many historical artefacts treated improperly.
APF
And please talk to your Local Antiquities Scheme.
So many historical artefacts treated improperly.
APF
In the vanishingly unlikely scenario where we find anything more significant than a tizer ring pull, I shall be back on here to find out what to do!
I used to be heavily into detecting till about 8 years back and have spent lord knows how many hours on in land sights with my lad when he was young.
The Garrett Aces used to be the go to beginner machine but things have likely moved on a little.
Pictonroad is correct, huge amounts of patience is required, you can go weeks without finding anything. Even then, that "anything" could be a plain old 5 pence piece.lol
Be aware that you can dig up some nasty stuff too, syringes etc, particularly on beach sites. We had a live grenade come up on one dig.Lol For beach hunting a plastic detecting sieve will negate the need for a costly pinpointer for a while.
I'm not trying to put you off the hobby op, it's bloody fantastic but it can be hard to maintain a kids enthusiasm. I got over this when my lad was younger with some sparing planting of coins bought for pittance off eBay.😁
If he really gets into it, trying to join a club is the way to go. Most have waiting lists though.
Be wary of where you detect, pretty much anywhere inland will need permission from a land owner.
It does take a bit of practice and you will always dig up 90% trash.
Get a mini shovel (not trowel)
The replica garrett pinpointers are fine and can be modified to work well