Hi, Folks,
I have had my ACE 250 for about two months now. I've logged maybe 30 hours with it. Each time I go out I apply a little bit more of what I have learned in these forums. You can only learn so much from the comments and videos. You really have to go out there and get some experience if you want to learn successful metal detecting.
Things I have learned:
1. False signals abound. Everything from ground minerals to wet grass can set the detector off. Just bumping it on a rock or a twig can set it off. I find no benefit in digging anything but solid signals that can be read in two directions.
2. Pay attention to the indicators on the screen, not so much as to the type of target, but more to the depth. Your detector will swear there's a silver dollar under there, but it could just as easily be a piece of iron or a beercan. The ACE will discriminate some of the iron out, but if the sensitivity and dicrimination are set too high, you will miss a lot of the good stuff too.
3. Learn how to pinpoint. The ACE is a little tricky, but once you discover the way, you will be surprised at how easy and accurate it is! For me, the best way is to push the pinpoint and find the spot of highest intensity (in a field usually about 12 -16 inches wide). Then, move the detector slightly to one side, maybe two inches, and rapidly jab the pinpoint button several times. The signal will now become very focused within about two inches! It works. Try it.
4. Get yourself a pinpointer. I bought a Garrett Pro Pointer about a month after the ACE 250 and think it's the cat's ass (pardon the expression). I usually can get a signal over the target area without even digging, unless it is deeper than about 4 inches. I won't go hunting without it. I dig much smaller holes and spend less time digging and more time swinging.
5. Digging tools: I use a nice heavy duty hunting knife I found at Harbor Freight for 10 bucks. However, I am careful to dig around the target area, because the knife will scratch a nice target, sometimes damaging it severely. Again, pay attention to the depth indicator, it will help you avoid this. I also use a plastic spagetti spoon, (the kind with the teeth) to dig out the hole if necessary. I am in the process of making a probe out of an old fishing rod. I believe it will work better than an ice-pick because it will tend not to damage my targets
6. Practice! Practice! Practice! There is no substitute for time in the field hunting. I will hunt until I get tired and maybe a little discouraged... but then I read about some of the great finds and unique experiences some of these folks have had and I get all fired up again. This is a terrific hobby. It gives you moderate exercise, lessons in all kinds of history, and even a chance to perhaps find something of value or significant cultural value.
Rambledog in Oregon
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