How to Start Metal Detecting: Avoiding Brand Snobbery and Choosing the Right Detector

Hello,

Today we're going to go on a journey, we're going to experience thrilling highs, crushing lows. Euphoria and defeat. 

We will be walking miles and getting exercise, climbing hills, clambering over dales. 

This journey will be one of discovery, learning and enjoyment. 

We will look at grass, flowers, and the sky. We will dig holes and make Discovery's that will be a window in history. 

This of course is the hobby of metal detecting. Some times called treasure hunting. 

Now, we all have seen on social media the treasures we can find, gold rings on the beach, gold coins in fields and Roman coins in cliff faces ( most of these videos are staged and simply not true ). 

Let's look at the reality of this journey together and I hope to bring some advice for you and hope to make your expectations of this hobby more realistic. 

First things first, not every field is covered in gold, not every field has hidden millions close to the surface and spending thousands of pounds will help you find it. The biggest reality of this hobby is digging up rusty iron, pull tabs and pie dishes and drinks cans. 

So now we have that out of the way, how do we start getting into this hobby? 

Go on any market place, eBay, Amazon, AliExpress or temu and there are hundreds of metal detectors ranging from small amounts ( small amounts means a couple of hundred dollars or pounds ) to huge amounts ( one machine is over 5000 dollars ) for specialst hunting equipment. 

Now, let's start by saying, why buy a Harley Davidson motorbike when you can't ride a bicycle? This applies to metal detecting. The more expensive the machine, the more there is to learn, more options than you know what to do with and get confused by, become disheartened with and end up throwing in the wardrobe never to see the light of day ever again. You have all heard of the saying "you have to learn to walk before you can run", same here, there is a lot of practical things to learn before you get out on the fields. 

If you live in the UK, there are laws where you can detect, and you need permission. Every country is different so you need to know the rules. What happens if you find live bombs? What if you find a live round? Are you aware of guns laws in your country for example? So this is the start of your journey, the discovery of what you need to know before you start. Break these rules and your actions are frowned upon by the seasoned detectorists and your actions could result in you breaking the law. 

Next, there are clubs which can be found all over large social media sites, these are a great way to get out and start asking questions and learning, but at the same time there is a huge problem with doing this, and this is what today's blog is all about. 

Metal detecting brand snobbery!!!!!!!!! 

It's a huge problem, and the first question asked by every single person starting out in this hobby is which machine shall I get? Now the common myth is buy huge as they are better! 

I am going to tell you now, that is a massive mistake and will cost you dearly! Here is why! 

Experience costs nothing, but to gain experience you need to listen to those that have been there, done it, wore the t shirt and experienced starting out. Now, here is the truth, no matter what your machine is, you will not go out and find gold, diamonds, hoards of coins and become rich. You will find coins, most of which are corroded beyond recognition, scrap metal, horseshoes, bits of lead, unknown bits of tractor and moo tubes no matter what the cost of your machine. 

So where do you start and what practical advice can I give you. The best advice for the newbie detectorist is this is an expensive hobby, so only spend what you feel comfortable spending. The first two bits of kit you need is the machine, and then waterproof clothing! Everything else is secondary. So let's start with the machine. 

Every single person will have a recommendation of what machine to buy first and every single person will give you Thier reason why. And all are wrong! 

The first question you should ask is what machine is the best for ME to learn and how much can I afford to lose! 

Yes lose! Here is why. Every single detectorist gets bored when all they find is lead, ring pulls and get disheartened from time to time and consider giving up. When you reach this lowest ebb and decide to sell your machine, you will find you won't get your money back! The cost of second hand machines is huge and the cost of machines vary greatly no matter how many times you have used your machine. So this is a huge thing to consider. 

Okay, so I understand that, what's next? 

In this hobby there is a huge amount of brand snobbery, Minelab, Xp, Quest and Nokta are huge in the market and everyone will send you here. Now I explain why this is good and bad. 

The good points, loads of people will have used these machines and will give advice to you, good and bad. Loads of settings to try and help along the way. 

However it's also bad as they never ask the correct questions to you to find out important information to give you the correct advice. Information such as iron infestation, EMI nearby. Settings your using ect. 

So, let's start this journey and let's start out simple and cheaply. 

First you find your local club and join them. Next you need your machine. 

So out of the thousands of machines out there, where do you start? Well let's discuss the learning curve of your detector. 

The biggest learning curve, is reading the instruction manual! Why? Because no one reads it! So your going to be learning your machine by pressing buttons! Yes we have all done it. 

So, let's consider how technical minded are you? Are you someone that can program a space ship? Do you find programming the microwave oven a challenge? Well, this is exactly the same for a metal detector. More options does not mean it's better, or that it will find better items. 

So let's discuss the "cheap machines" in this hobby. There is a lot to said for the said machines, they are basic, they are very cheap ( considering the vast array of machines out there ) and they give a great start into the hobby. 

The Dr.Ötek range of machines are a great start, they teach you very important lessons on your journey of discovery however, every single detectorist will tell you to avoid them. 

Brand snobbery! 

There are loads of lessons you will learn on your journey of discovery, all of them important. The biggest lesson to learn is what area you want to hunt and what conditions will you face. Pasture, sand, ploughed fields or stubble. 

Each has Thier own challenges and you have to learn each one. This is where the simple and cheap machines are fantastic! That's right! They are fantastic! Why? 

Let's take the MT-12 and the MTXE from Dr.Otek. 

The MTXE is a great machine, with it's preset modes, they are all ready set up for you to go out and hunt. The MT-12 offers you the next step up. 

The MTXE is the best starter machine out there, super simple, pick up and go and very reactive to finds but at the cost of not having many settings. It's the kettle in your kitchen, turn on and it works! The cost is cheap compared to other machines, and get it in the pro pack and you get a massive deal. It will teach you many important lessons. The first being, will you enjoy the hobby! Why spend the cost of a rolls Royce when it's going to be sitting in a wardrobe after 3 hunts. The next important lesson it will teach you will be patience! This is a hobby of lots of walking and digging holes. Not every hole is an amazing find but it is a new discovery! 

A lot of detectorists forget these lessons but they are very important lessons. 

As you learn these lessons, you will start on a great journey of discovery, about ground conditions, how weather effects the ground, what settings could be changed to help your machine become more stable, how deep do you want to dig? 

The MT-12 is the next step on your journey, what does ground balance do? What does notching do? How can I avoid deep iron? More questions. However in this hobby, there is never a stupid question. 

Hopefully this blog has answered a few questions for you and helped you look at this great hobby differently and with a more open mind, you don't need to spend hundreds of pounds in this hobby. As your understanding grows and you gain experience, you will experience the huge highs of finding hammered coins, iron age axe heads, the dreaded moo tubes to the crushing lows of gold coloured bottle tops, gold tin foil and ring pulls. You will enjoy the open spaces and the bird song. It's a great hobby to enjoy. 

Author:  Grant

April 30, 2025