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Metal Detecting - a really Kool hobby...

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 8 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

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Metal Detecting for fun and adventure...

 

Have you ever seen anyone on the beach using a metal detector before? Did you ever wonder if they found anything? Did you ever want to go over and ask them if they did even, but you were too shy?

Just like in the computer business and the camera business, metal detection electronics have also really evolved, improved and come down in cashola in the last decade or so. What used to be very expensive electronics a few years ago, has slowly been coming down in price, in regards to ALL electronics related equipment. Now is the time to be buying quality E gear at more affordable prices than ever before, because of this technology shift.


Just like almost anyone can now own a decent computer for a realistically low cash expenditure, almost anyone can now be the proud possessor of a nicely compact, modern day treasure finding machine too. Yes folks that's right, for under a hundred dollars YOU can own a very kool unit that can sniff out gold, silver, nickel, brass, copper, iron and steel and a host of other metals and even minerals, from the ground or behind wood or glass or cloth or tons of other Non-metallic stuff too!


Over the last three decades I have owned in total 8 different metal detectors, never more than five at one time though. ;-) These days, I've slowed down a little and I only have three machines now. The neat part is, that none of those eight were expensive! Yet, surprise, surprise, they all work just fine, once you get to know how to use them for peak performance. The one machine which I've had the longest and know the best and found me the most, was made with LOVE by a Great electronics company by the name of Tesoro, which means Treasure. You could Google 'em if you want to see some very high-tech detecting equipment. I had bought this slick little unit second-hand, from a man who had only used it a few times, so it was in mint condition. Well folks, that neat little electronic wizard began it's relationship with me, by locating over 100 coins the first two places I tried it out in! I was HOOKED! I mean this thing actually worked. Who'd a thunk it? Just Awesome! :-)


My last metal hunting machine was bought at the Source, formerly known as radio Shack, early last fall and is already one third paid for in treasure it has located for me. So you see, there's no need to spend the big bucks to get going in this very rewarding hobby/science/art.


Well, to make quite a long story a little shorter, let's just say that my interest and passion for this detecting stuff has NOT waned one iota in the last 30 years! I personally think that treasure hunting (another term used for the sport/hobby of Metal Detecting) is plain and simply, a fabulous way to spend some of your leisure time on this planet alone or with a friend or even a little group of friends. As a matter of fact, there are actually quite a number of Treasure Hunting competitions, held yearly all over the place even.


So, of course, now to answer those questions some of you may have had at the beginning, YES Virginia, those guys on the beach DO find a lot of neat stuff out there with those weird machines! Coins, watches, bracelets, gold necklaces and even diamond rings, are NOT uncommon finds, when metal detecting in the sand.


I could go on and tell you about more of some of my particular hunts but you know, I think it would be even better for you, to hear it from hundreds and hundreds of other people who LOVE swinging a Metal Detector out there!


So ya ready then? If you want to see just how exciting Treasure Hunting can be, PLEASE check out this fantastic website with this easy hyper-link here for ya and do plan to spend a little time there. I myself do a fair amount of posting on their cool forum under the handle, larrybass. Oh ya, and the people there are absolutely terrific to communicate with.

TreasureNet


Maybe you'll even want to join their Cool forum as well, so you can ask a few of your own questions? :-)


P.S. The scene at the top of this intro is an abandoned home-site. You wouldn't know it now what with all the pretty Aspen growing up in there, now would ya? I actually found a pair of neat old 16 gauge shotgun shells, a 1936 quarter in really worn condition, an old broken English padlock and a beautiful little 1943 King George penny there, with my trusty little MD a few years back! :-)


later,


lb

Detecting ... part 2 

Adventures with metal detectors...

If you own a detector already, I hope you are using it often and finding a pile of neat treasures with it. It's interesting just how these machines will get peoples interest going out in the field. There have been many times I've been approached while working the ground, by various observers of all ages. I actually like to see that curiosity come out in people, especially in older folks, but youngsters can give me a pretty good giggle too.

"What 'cha doin' there mister?", is a pretty common opening line for kids, or "what in heck is that thing?", is another favorite. :-) They ALL do seem to like it, when I pull a coin out of the ground, right in front of their ever widening little eyes. I've even had some of them get SO excited they tried to grab the coin themselves right out of the dirt or my hand even. :-)


Then of course on the other side of the scale, I've had the odd, old guffer that doesn't believe in high-tech stuff, approach me with a, "do you ever find anything with that?" to which I sometimes reply curtly, "NOPE". That usually settles that and they go away mumbling about the poor dummy in the park that never finds nothing but just likes to swing that thing of his. :-) Now before you go getting the wrong idea, you should know that I most certainly go by how I'm first approached, as to how I reply to people. One kool old gentleman for instance, was as excited to see me pull an old dime out of the ground, as much as any kid would have been. He told me that he lived right there, next door to that old park since he was a boy. We chatted about some of the old days as I worked the ground, him just a watching every move of the search coil, while I slowly moved along. We seemed to both be getting something out of our chance meeting. Neat how that works. My little ol' metal detector has been THE ice breaker, for many conversations with perfect strangers over the years.


There are lots and lots of old parks here in Ottawa and lots of ground to cover. I aim to be doing my share this coming spring. What about you? Wouldn't this year be a great time for you to discover treasure hunting? What's to stop you, now especially that I've told you how affordable they actually are these days? :-) Plus, your boredom level will take a LARGE nose-dive when that unit starts beepin'...


later,

Latest Treasure Buddy... 

Newest member of the family...

This is the machine that I bought last fall to add to my stable of Metal Detectors. Not that I needed any more of them but it's nice to treat yourself once in awhile. :-) Of course, keeping with my tradition of not spending too much, on anything, this cool little boy only set me back a C-note. It's as high-tech as I really want to get into yet so affordable almost anyone can own one of these babies. Already, while still in learning mode with it, I've pulled two gold rings out of the ground along with over two pounds of assorted coins. I can't wait to get to know it real well like I do my ol' trusty Amigo! I used it in early December in a park where me and a chum of mine hunted about ten years ago and came out with $3.77 in hard cash and a cool little Sterling Silver broach for my efforts. Man these detectors are a fun way to spend some of your time...

What can YOU find with a metal detector? 

Some Found Treasures...

Well it's been said that you can find almost anything with these way Cool Electronic gadgets and I have to agree with that. If it's metal and you can name it, I have probably found it with at least One of my machines. :-) There is SO much metal stuff in the ground that a wand swinger can easily pull a half pound to over a pound of heavy metals from our typical soils in a days work. Fortunately, the good part is, there are ALWAYS a few "goodies" in that lot of metallic waste. Yup, I've uncovered many Cool little treasures from the earth that I still have to this day in many cases. Plenty of coins. A small handful of gold ear-rings, toe-rings, wedding rings and a band or two to boot. All FRE$ for the finding. Here's a shot of some of my favorite old time Silver. The Sterling chain thingy just happens to be on my right wrist now as I type this and it's weight reminds me daily where it came from.

Maybe YOU should look into this metal detecting stuff? If you need any help to do with swinging the magic wand, I'm here to help y'all...

Later,

LarryB

Coin Collecting and Metal Detecting go together 

Just like bacon and eggs...

These two hobbies are SO Made for each other. Find an old coin under the ground, then add it to your Cool Old Coin Collection! Lots of these elderly hunks of heavy metal are worth WAY, WAY More than their face value to-day! Any Silver coinage is worth roughly 8 times face, if you only just looking at the melt values alone even.

Gold coins have gone totally Nutso, if you have any of those babies lying around. :-) Don't sell 'em just yet friend. I am sure GOLD will hit and stay at the thousand dollar per ounce bullion value/melt value figure, before very long. That would then possibly be the time to consider sellin' say, half of it or so, perhaps.

Metal Detectors have accounted for the recovery of quite a few lost Gold coins, across the country. Believe me, these things are NOT Toys! Nope. They really DO Find a lot of neat and valuable stuff, more often than not. If you get a chance, check into 'em a little.

Now, don't These old puppy's, put a SMILE on Your face? :-)

There's Treasure to be found out there folks, lots of it...

Your - Reader's Feedback... 

Please help a fellow Writer share good stuff...

A personal request...

If this Lens has helped or entertained You, in any way, please leave a comment or two for this budding Squidoo-er...

Don't be shy! :-)

lb

LarryBass wrote...

Well alrighty then, looks like I'm generating a little interest towards using Metal Detectors in here. Great to get such nice feedback.

Thanx to all of you who have commented in this Guestbook.

lb

ReplyPosted September 14, 2008

JaguarJulie wrote...

We've watched people with their metal detectors on the beaches of Florida and I always wondered what was the most interesting thing they ever found. Great lens!

ReplyPosted September 14, 2008

d-artist wrote...

I have always wanted a metal detector...maybe someday...5*s

ReplyPosted August 16, 2008

RufusQuail wrote...

I've approached metal detector guys at the beach. They tend to be friendly. 5*

ReplyPosted August 16, 2008

chefkeem wrote...

I think I might look into this as a fun hobby, some day. I wonder if there are any "treasures" on the beach in SE Alaska - nobody ever walks there, but lots of stuff comes in from the ocean, of course. 5*s

ReplyPosted July 22, 2008

rms wrote...

We used to do this as kids. It was a lot of fun! I never found anything "great" but my sister found a ring once.

ReplyPosted May 17, 2008

 
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About LarryBass

Just found Squidoo recently and thought I'd build a few lenses about some of the stuff I'm into on this fine website too. If you need more info about me, just Google me. :-) You just have to type, "larrybass" into Google, my ONLY search engine, to see our Love affair budding there... :-)

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