Treasure hunting isn’t just something you see in old pirate movies. Today, there are more and more people who go in search of hidden treasures around the world.

Though, it seems there are more amateurs looking to get into treasure hunting part-time and it has certainly become very popular. However, many people don’t really understand metal detecting entirely, so here is a simple to understand guide what metal detectors are and why it has become popular.

What Do Metal Detectors Do?

A metal detector uses a magnetic field and an electric current. When a metal object passes over the pulse on the detector, it will sound; usually a small beep will be heard. When this noise is heard, the users can usually find an object. The detectors can detect a variety of object from coins to scrap metal but that is the beauty because you never know what you can find when metal detecting. Treasure Hunting Isn’t Just For Professionals For decades, metal detecting was just for the professionals whose livelihood was treasure hunting.

However, in recent times, it hasn’t just been the professionals who use metal detectors to find hidden items. There have been many big discoveries of recent times from people who take detecting up as a hobby or pastime. It is extraordinary what sort of treasures can be found and it is that reason why more and more people are choosing to go detecting than ever before. What Is The Best Piece Of Equipment To Use? Finding the best metal detector isn’t that hard to do – if you know where to look! Of course, there are quite a few options when it comes to metal detecting as some use VLF technology and others use BFO and PI technology.

There are quite a few options out there to choose from so finding the best can be at times difficult. However, there are so many amazing options out there when it comes to metal detecting. Detecting Is Simple Another big reason why more are choosing metal detecting has to be the fact that it’s really quite simple to go out there and search.

Of course, permission may be needed when it comes to going onto private property but commercial areas like beaches and your back garden doesn’t. There are lots of places to search too which makes it even better and thousands love to go out there and do a bit of treasure hunting.

How Does a Metal Detector Work? (Search Coil and Other Features)

The term metal detector means different things to different people. For some, when they hear the word, they imagine a treasure hunt on the beach. For others, it means the handheld metal detector for security. Both of them are correct definitions of the term. The principle behind these devices, however, is the same. Metal detectors rely on the unique relationship between electricity and magnetism. This unique relationship is what powers up most homes. For instance, electric companies use giant rolls of copper wire cutting through magnetic fields to generate power. The power is then used in a reverse role in homes to power up tiny magnetic generators. This is what keeps refrigerators, vacuum cleaners and other appliances running.

The Transmitter

The most basic component of any detector is the transmitter. The front end of a metal, usually in the shape of a loop, has a coil inside it. This coil transmits an electric current, which generate a magnetic field. This current changes direction many times a second. The exact number of times the current reverses is called the frequency of the electromagnetic field. Due to this fast-changing current, the magnetic field also regularly changes direction. As a result, any object in the ground receives a magnetic field that is constantly changing polarity. In most cases, the field generated in the metal object will be of a different polarity to that of the transmitter.

The Receiver

This is a basic component of any metal detector. This coil is located close to the transmitter coil. As the transmitter coil generates a magnetic field, it leads to a current being generated in this coil. However, this current is very weak and it needs to be magnified a few times. The signal developed in the receiver coil is usually delayed compared to the one in the transmitter coil. This detectable delay is known as phase shift. A bigger phase shift occurs when the detector meets objects such a gold or copper. Other material that may cause a current to be generated are objects such as iron and bottle caps.

Distinguishing Objects

Years of study have revealed that different elements produce a distinctive phase shift. With the development of digital technology, this has further been refined. For instance, the phase shift varies greatly between silver and aluminum. This process of differentiating the different type of materials is known as discrimination’. This is an important property of metal detectors that helps reduce the amount of time for treasure hunters for instance. However, one needs to be careful when using the discrimination feature. It will mean one misses some artifact during a treasure hunt. For instance, one may miss silver or iron coins depending on the setting.

The other option is to use a visual discrimination. With this type of detector, all objects are displayed. However, only valuable metals have to be dug out since they are clearly indicated on the display. The display can be in either analogue format or a digital display. In some instances, a digital processor is used. The advancements in technology mean that a detector with a processor is likely to be highly refined. As a result, one is able to make a better judgement on where to scoop out the soil.

Ground Balancing

In the ordinary soil or sand, there are usually trace element of iron or other minerals. This can make the process of searching for precious objects quite tiresome. However, innovators have had time to look into this problem and come up with a good solution. The principal behind this solution is that mineral composition in an area is likely to be constant.

Most advanced detectors can perform this task automatically. However, older detectors require that the operator performs this task manually. This is made possible using a rotatable knob on the metal detector. Ground balance is important because the operator raises and lowers the detector at various instances. As a result, the detector is made in a way that it accounts for this when it is working.

Pulse Induction

This is a relatively new technique compared to VLF. With this type of detector, there is usually only one coil. As the current in the coil shuts on and off. It creates an electromotive force, which can be detected by the same coil. This type of detector works on the principle of reflection. The e.m.f. generated is supposed to remain unchanged as it bounces back and forth.

However, if there is interference, there will be a noticeable change in the signal. This type of detector, however, has a very low discrimination. It is thus best suited for bomb-detecting or at security checkpoints. Although it can be programmed to detect several types of minerals, there is still a lot of development that needs to take place before this can happen.

Use of Processors

Processors used in metal detectors have simplified the task many times over. It is advisable for one to look for a detector with a good processor, you can check out our list of top rated metal detectors here. In most cases, things that could have required a huge manual can be achieved with just a few buttons.

The microprocessor has also increased the usability of metal detectors. In the formative years, the level of signal processing was too basic. This was because it required huge detectors in order to fit all the components on the detector. This would simply not have been practical. The processor allows users to have capabilities that would have been impossible two decades ago.

Will This Be Your New Adventure?

Different people view metal detecting differently. While some use it as a hobby, others use metal detectors for security reasons. This simplified explanation of metal detecting should make it easier to use the device. Users of these devices need to understand the limitations and capabilities of these devices in order to get the best results.

The problems faced by most people who use metal detectors is that they do not even understand the concept behind it. As a result, one may search an area for weeks only for another more informed hunter to come by and find something valuable in hours.

For so long, metal detecting was considered to be un-cool however; now, it is vastly becoming more popular and modern! The best thing of all is that there is so much potential out there and it doesn’t just stop with rare coins or bottle caps that have never been seen for dozens of years. That is the beauty of it all and it has become so popular because of that reason.

Metal detecting isn’t just about getting modern gems but finding rare trinkets that have never been found.

More comprehensive guide about technologies and how different types of metal detectors work you can find in this article.