Finding green field areas to metal detect on can be frustrating and that is why I take every chance I get to get the metal detector out as you just never know what lies beneath your feet.

I was in the process of laying a patio in my house and to do this we had to clear the area and prepare the ground. Once the turf had been taken up and the ground made level, I realised that the area I was working on was going to be covered for a very long time with heavy patio slabs.

With this in mind, I took the chance to run my metal detector over the area before it was covered forever.

I was kicking myself, as the house we were in dated back to the 1890s and in just never crossed my mind (or had the chance) to run my metal detector over my own back garden.

I am glad I did as the British army badge shown below was the reward for clearing the ground ready for the patio.

The front of the military badge has the wording ‘ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS’ It looks very much like an army badge from the first world war and this would tie in with the date of the house, but I’m not an expert.

It’s a bit worn as you would expect but an interesting find to come out of the back garden. It goes to show that interesting and unexpected metal detecting finds can come up anywhere. It also tells me not to overlook those smaller patches of ground, including your own back garden.

Finding the badge does make you wonder if the person who dropped it saw any active service, who were they, were they one of the many who never came home from the great war, is it from the 1st world war? The badge asks lots of questions and are certainly questions I will think about as I sit back on the new patio.

Reverse of the badge and by the look of it, the badge has been pressed from a cut piece of metal.

Beach metal detecting can be a fascinating hobby and there are times when it can be very lucrative. With me saying this, don’t rush out and buy a beach metal detector and expect to get rich quick. Beach metal detecting is great and you will find coins and jewelery if you put the time in. Like many hobbies you need to know how to use your metal detector correctly (make sure you buy a metal detector that can handle the wet salt sand while you are metal detecting on the beach) how to read the beach and the best conditions to search in. Below you will find 5 more tips to help you find more while metal detecting on the beach.

I have been beach metal detecting for years and in addition to my previous post – 5 tips to help you find more while beach metal detecting – I have listed an additional 5 tips here which you might find useful. If you do, why not head over to my metal detecting Facebook page and let me know what you found.

Beach metal detecting tips

Do your homework

Doing some research on the beach you are going to metal detect on, is always a good thing and you never know what might turn up. That research might be as little as looking at old beach photographs to see where people congregate, or looking back through records if you think the beach is near a site of historical interest, either way, it is to your advantage to research and understand the beach you are going to metal detect on.

Check the metal detecting forums

Before you head off to the beach it’s always a good thing to check out some forums on the Internet as there might be forum posts that highlight a certain area is producing. At the very least, you can search on the metal detecting forum for older forum posts about the beach you intend to metal detect on. You never know what information will come to light and it’s always worth a try.

Choose the correct beach and give yourself the best chance

Depending on what items you are looking for while out metal detecting its always good to give yourself the best chance of success. For example, if you are targeting recent losses like coins and jewelery, you need to target a beach that is heavily used in the summer months. There is no point expecting to find coins and valuable items on a beach that is tucked away and hard to get to, as this will not have been heavily used. You might get lucky but it’s best to give yourself a good start. In contrast to this, if you are targeted older finds, it’s important you do your homework on beaches with a historical background and target these in winter. I say winter, as this is the best time to metal detect for older items, as the winter storms rip the top layers of sand off the beach and expose the older more compact layers beneath.

Dig everything and I mean everything

Most modern detectors today will have all sort of functionality to discriminate against trash and all sorts of objects. This can be great in the correct conditions and if the user really knows the ground they are working. If you are beach metal detecting then DIG EVERYTHING, I say this as you just never know what is down there. There is also one big reason, as many metal detectors can give a trash signal for thin gold rings and other valuable items. For the sake of digging a bit more trash you will increase your finds, so dig ALL of those signals you get.

Head for the trash and left over BBQs

When metal detecting in the summer, it is fact of life that you will come across all sorts of rubbish left behind by party-goers on the beach from the night before. Do not shy away from these areas as they can be lucrative. You should take care for broken glass and other hazards but these area can bring rewards. I say this, as this trash shows you exactly where the people gather and where the possible finds will be. We have all seen the beach parties and probably been to a few in our time and you will know this is the area where people are lying down, messing around and generally having a good time, and this is where things are lost. The mess left behind is not great, but if you seen the remains of a beach party and you are the first on the beach, head for the trash and you will be surprised as to what comes up.

As a metal detectorist for many years it’s surprising the information you pick up over time and be sure to check back for more updates, reviews, finds and more.

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My overall rating
Build Quality
Functionality
Value for Money

I have reviewed a few kids metal detectors and this review focuses on the Ferrous / non-ferrous metal detector. It’s another metal detector for kids and one that certainly works. It’s small enough to be used by children of all sizes and can be adjusted. It’s lightweight, can be used for long periods of time and has a set of simple, effective controls and functionality. Above all, it actually works as a functioning metal detector (see it in action below) that can pick up metal objects to a reasonable depth. A great choice as a kids metal detector and one that will offer hours of fun.

The main metal detector control unit

As you would expect from a kids metal detector in this price range, the main unit which holds the controls is made of lightweight but durable plastic. It has three main controls! with one being the on / off volume control dial. The second is the discrimination dial and the third is the tune dial. It also has a small switch for testing the batteries you place in the unit are strong enough to run the metal detector. It also has a small red button on the handle, which you use along with the tune button to tune the metal detector for the ground conditions you are detecting on.

There is also a needle display that will display basic information on the metal object. The needle going left means iron and the needle going right mean an objects worth digging. It also helps tune the metal detector, with the needle on the display moving to the ’0′ position, letting you know it’s good to start metal detecting.

The handle on the main unit is sturdy, comfortable to use and is part of the main unit, so will take some bangs and knocks from the kids.

There is a headphone socket at the back of the main unit, which is a bonus as lots of kids metal detectors don’t have this function. It’s a good thing this children’s metal detector has this socket, as the volumn can be very loud and when using headphones helps to notice the fainter signals.

On the back of the main unit is where the 6 x AA bateries are stored and depending on detector use, can last for a fair amount of time.

The main metal detector shaft

This is made of a lightweight metal and can be extended For various heights. A real bonus for this metal detector, as adjusting the height makes the metal detector easier to use. Something to consider if you are spending a few hours beach metal detecting.

The metal detector coil

The main detector coin is waterproof and about 180mm across. A small search head but more than effective for the young budding metal detectorist.

Good points about this fun kids metal detector

• Good fuctionality
• Lightweight and adjustable
• Easy to use and transport
• Can be used with headphones

Poor points

• Runs off of 6 AA batteries (batteries do last for a fair amount of time)
• You will have to constantly drive the kids to the metal detecting site once they get their hands on it
• Main control unit is not water proof

A video review of this cheap, but effective metal detector for kids

Available from Amazon.com. . .
At time of writing this, the kids metal detector can be bought at a great price from Amazon.com and will offer hours of fun.

Availabl from Amzon.co.uk. . .
At time of writing this, the kids metal detector can be bought at a great price from Amazon.co.uk and will offer hours of fun.

See this kids metal detector in action

Below we see this kids metal detector in action as my son tries it out on the local beach. It was a windy day but we wanted to show you that the Ferrous / non-ferrous metal detector (likewise, with the other kids metal detectors I review) do work and pick up meat objects to a depth of about five inches and more, depending on the size of the metal object. Our trip to the beach resulted in a pound coin, two one pence pieces and an assortment of junk items, a kids metal detector that works.

A kids metal detector with a thumbs up from me and my son

If you looking for a kids metal detector that will not break the bank, is easy to use and transport, has a simple but effective set of functions, then the ferrous / non-ferrous metal detector is a great choice. Our trip to the bbeach on a windy afternoon resulted in a couple of pound coins, some junk metal and two one pence pieces found at a depth of 5 inches, not bad for a kids meta detector.

Available from Amazon.com. . .
At time of writing this, the kids metal detector can be bought at a great price from Amazon.com and will offer hours of fun.

Availabl from Amzon.co.uk. . .
At time of writing this, the kids metal detector can be bought at a great price from Amazon.co.uk and will offer hours of fun.

 Other kids metal detector reviews can be found below

Bounty Hunter Gold Digger Metal Detecto for kids

Bounty Hunter Junior Metal Detector

My overall rating
Build Quality
Functionality
Value for Money

In this metal detector review we look at another metal detector suitable for children. A metal detector that is basic but does find metal buried in the ground. Some reports have items found at 12 inches down but you have to consider the ground conditions and the size of the metal object. Aimed at children and those new to the hobby, The Bounty Hunter Gold Digger Metal Detector review will give you a great insight and unbiased look at this cheap but effective kids metal detector.

The main unit of the Bounty Hunter Gold Digger Metal Detector
Lets look at the basics as the unit is About 6 x 9 x 20.5 inches and only 3.6 pounds in weight. The weight is important as this metal detector is targeted at children and as an entry level metal detector, as such the metal detector will be carried by children and those new to metal detecting. The last thing you want is for someone new to the hobby or a child to have a problem carrying the metal detector for any length of time.

With The bounty HunterGold Digger metal detector you will need to ensure that you use the detector in a slow and methodical way. If you swing to fast the unit will not register a metal object with a tone. This is similar to much more expensive detectors but with the Bounty Hunter Gold Digger metal detector it will need to be used slowly and close to the ground. Ideal for someone new to the hobby or the children.

Audio alert of the Bounty Hunter Gold Digger
The Gold Digger metal detector will sound a tone when it encounters a metal object, but the detector doesn’t have a volume control for this tone alert. It can be a little loud,  so be warned. It does come with set of head phones which is great and a lot of other cheap metal detectors for kids don’t have this function. They are not the best headphones in the world but an added bonus.

Power supply
Like many of the lower priced kids metal detectors, the Bounty Hunter Gold Digger Metal Detector is powered by two 9 volt batteries, which will keep you going for a while. It’s not until you get to the more advanced and expensive metal detectors that you will see rechargeable battery packs. This is an entry level metal detector aimed at children and if you keep that in mind you won’t go far wrong.

Trash eliminator
The Bounty Hunter Gold Digger has a simple trash eliminator and with this you will be able to eliminate a fair amount of the trash in the ground. It’s not an automatic function and you will have to play with the setting depending on the site you are detecting on and the ground condition. Sometimes you will have to have it set fairly high but is something you will have to experiment with when out and about using the metal detector. In general it might mean a case of digging most objects. I can tell you know that this is not a bad thing as I am a metal detectorist using a Minelab Explorer XS. A machine with great capabilities, but when metal detecting on the beach I dig all signals as some high value items like rings can be indicated as trash, hence digging all targets.

Good points

• Light weight and say to set up
• Headphone socket and supplied with earphones
• Trash elimination

Poor points

• Audio sound can be a bit loud
• Trash elimination is not automatic and can take some adjusting (ok once you get used to it)

Take a look at what other are saying on Amazon about this is a great little unit.

This is a good buy for the price,the GOLD DIGGER does what it claims to do.I took it to a local beach in my area i found anything from a penny to aluminum foil, read the full comments here.

I got this last night and as soon as I woke up this morning.I got it and went in my woods.Within going 30ft I got at least 20 hits
Read the full comments here

I was given this as a gift by my parents who have a more expensive Fisher metal detector. This detector doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but for finding things like coins and rings this one works great! read the full comments here.

A great metal detector for someone new to the hobby or for the kids

In conclusion, I hope that The Bounty Hunter Gold Digger Metal Detector review illustrates that this great unit is a good choice as a  kids metal detector or for someone just wanting to dip their toe into metal detecting. It will find all sorts of stuff at a variety of depths, but in general, depth indication of this item would be about 5 to 6 inches. You can eliminate trash but I would dig all signals, especially if using it on the dry sand of the beach. (something I do with a much more expensive metal detector)

At the time of writing this the Bounty Hunter Gold Metal Detector can be bought at a great price from Amazon

At the time of writing this the Bounty Hunter Gold Metal Detector can be bought at a great price from Amazon

The Bounty Hunter Junior Metal Detector, another great kids metal detector.
If you like this metal detector then you might like to take a look at the Bounty Hunter Junior Metal Detector, another great Bounty Hunter metal detector aimed at chikldren or user new to the hobby of metal detecting.

Other reviews for metal detectors suitable for chilfren can be found here

Ferrous / Non-ferrous cheap kids metal detector

Bounty Hunter Junior Metal Detector

Part 2 of Beach Metal Detecting Torre Abbey Sands looks at the middle and Corbyn Head section of the beach. An area more rocky in nature and where you will find the beach huts and the beach cafe.

Moving along the beach from the white bridge end of Torre Abbey sands, the sand drops off and is always much lower than the flatter bridge end . It’s here you can glimpse the number of steps that actually go down into the sand and this is shown in the picture below. Notice that only a few steps are visible at the other end of the beach. At the far end you can gauge how much new sand is on the beach by the number of visible steps.

Moving along the beach shows a dip in the level of the beach and this dip and exposure of the beach steps never seems to change. The sand is always lower here and NEVER builds up to the extent you see at the bridge end. This allows the water to cover this area on all but the biggest tides, which means you will have to pick your times to metal detect on this area of the beach. It can be lucative here, and I can only put this down to the fact it is not detected on as much and also attracts swimmers due to its deeper water.

At the far end of the beach where you approach Corbyn Head the rocks from the headland start to appear. These rocks are never covered with sand, not even when the winter storms hit the beach. Don’t overlook this area as some good finds do come out from here. The rocks and rough ground hold the finds and it is worth taking time to search here. As mentioned, this area is the lowest point on the beach and uncovers later in the tide, so plan this in for your visit.

The rocky area also hold patches of sand which are worth searching as items stirred up by the tides and storms fall into these areas. Such areas are often missed by many detectorists, but can be worth a look.

Beach Metal detecting at the Corbyn Head end of the beach and the beach huts

At the far end of the beach in summer there are a row of beach huts and a cafe and such concentrated activity can be a gold mine for coins. Before you all rush off and search this area it can be a bit hit and miss. This is down to it being a popular spot but if you hit it at the right time it can be fun. I have certainly been on this part of the beach with my young son who has walked off the beach with his little pockets bursting with pound coins and a massive smile on his face.

The area in front of the beach huts is rocky so it tends to concetrate the activity on the beach. The beach cafe is also just a few yards off the beach and is accessed via a slipway, again this concentrates the traffic and the finds and the area in front of the small beach cafe can be a little gold mine.

Corbyn Head in summer can be packed as the beach bhuts and cafe are at this end of the beach

More Beach Metal Detecting advice

I hope you enjoyed the post and if you missed it, take a look at Beach Metal Detecting Torre Abbey Sands, part 1. Also take a look at Beach Metal Detecting, 5 tips that will help you find more!

If you are looking for a flat sandy beach in Torbay to do a bit of beach metal detecting on, then Torre Abbey Sands in Torquay is certainly a beach to consider.

With its flat open surface, fine sand and very easy access, it will certainly give a up a few modern finds over the summer.

This is one of my favourite beaches in the bay and one that has thrown up a few nice finds over the years.

With years of metal detecting under my belt, I have been metal detecting on numerous beaches in my time. Beach metal detecting can be a very rewarding hobby and below I will highlight some great spots to metal detect on Torre Abbey Sands, the main beach in Torquay.

(This is going to be the first of a series of posts on metal detecting on particular beaches and we start with Torre Abbey Sands in Torquay, Devon, or Torquay beach as it’s better known)

In the summer months metal detecting on the beach in Torquay can be great, but you must plan the tides and get there early in the morning. There are two main reasons for this with the first being that that on most tides the whole beach is completely covered. The second reason is that the beach is not the biggest and can fill up really quickly during the summer, so keep your metal detecting to the early morning and evening (the morning is much better).

Torre Abbey beach itself has a good history and like many beaches in the area, it has been an attraction from Victorian times. In fact, the whole promenade leading along to the harbour is man made and behind the beach the old Abbey and Spanish barn sit, a place where Spanish prisoners of war were held.

Needless to say, that when they built the sea wall and the area around where the Princess Theatre now stands, they revealed the long lost ancient forest and the fossils from that era.We are not looking for fossils when metal detecting on the beach at Torquay as they are a long way down below your feet,  but it does make your mind wonder as to what’s lurking below the beach.

Beach metal detecting at Torre Abbey – the white bridge end

Torre Abbey beach is not massive and can be walked from one end to the other in a few minutes.

The shallow beach and soft sand will attract many to the beach during the summer

Don’ t let this put you off as the beach can be PACKED during the summer months and this only means the possible finds.

Summer can see the sand build up but if modern finds are your goal then this is no problem. Like many beaches, it’s shape, depressions and general features can change in a matter of a few tides. That’s beach metal detecting for you and any changes in the beach can reveal more finds.

I like to think that any movement in the sand is natures plouging, just like the farmer in his field who turns the soil and reveals the new finds.

At one end near the White bridge is where the sand seems to be at it’s highest and smoothest and it’s this area that attracts the majority of people in the summer months as the beach is shallow with nice soft sand. Backing this area of sand (shown in the image below) is the sea wall and the concrete steps. During the summer months you will see 2 – 4 steps leading down to the sand and sometimes there is only 1 visible.

I know for a fact that the steps go down into the sand for at least another 16 steps or more as my mother used to play on the beach as a child and can confirm this. This indicates the depth of sand here, sand that will be packed with coins and jewellery and refreshed with new finds each week during the summer.

Steps that back the beach are often exposed and there are at least another 10 steps buried in the sand.

As mentioned, this area has a very gentle slope into the water and attracts the families and sun bathers. Metal detecting on the beach in this area during the summer will result in coins and the odd possible jewellery find. For more concentrated jewellery finds move to a more a central location on this shallow beach area and a little further out, when the tide allows.

This is the main area where the swimmers seem to be attracted to and this is the area where I have found most of my jewellery finds.

Close along the steps that back the beach can also be a good area for coins. The steps themselves attract the beach users as a place to set up camp, especially the families with children. On certain tides this area close to the steps is not always covered by the tide and as such becomes very fine dry soft sand. The result is any coins dropped into this fine soft sand vanish very quickly, so a place not to be missed.

This gentle shelving end of the beach can be a great place to pursue your beach metal detecting and during the busy summer months it can be a fairly lucrative. Being a popular tourist beach the council clean the seaweed and rubbish from the beach in the summer which leaves a nice flat even surface to run your metal detector over.

The video below shows the smooth gentle slope of the beach which attracts the holiday makers to the beach in the summer. In the video it shows the tide going out but on spring tides the water pulls back to the pier itself, about another 200 yards back from where the waters edge is in the video. The whole area can produce but concentrate your efforts in the central area for your jewellery finds.

Best times to metal detect at Torre Abbey sands

Like most beaches in the summer months they can be very busy and as such I restrict my metal detecting to early mornings and early evenings, with the best times being the very early mornings. You must ensure there is a beach to metal detect on, so check the tides to coincide with the water backing off the beach or low water being about 6 in the morning. During the summer it’s complete daylight at that time and you will have a lot of the beach to yourself.

Everyone has there own time table but I would not metal detect during the height of the day. The beach will be packed and this will reduce your finds and you will be completely over run with people wanting to know what you have found, especially the children. This is by no means a bad thing but planning your trip around the early tides will give you a lot more area to cover and a lot more peace.

Part 2 of Beach Metal Detecting Torre Abbey Sands will be posted soon, where I look at the middle section and Corbyn head end of the beach and highlight some of my finds.

If  you were interested in this article then take a look at Beach Metal Detecting – 5 tips that will help you find more.

Ideal for children as an introduction to metal detecting

My overall rating
Build Quality
Functionality
Value for Money

If your a metal detectorist with young children it’s only a matter of time before they want to follow their dad onto the beach or field and try metal detecting themselves. This is the first review of a metal detector which would be ideal for the smaller members of the family. The Bounty Hunter Junior Metal Detector is ideal for ages 8 to 11 and the length of the metal detector fits most of that age. It’s a sturdy design and build and can be used straight out of the box with the insertion of two 9v batteries. This is ideal as the children won’t be able to wait to get their hands on it.

Bounty Hunter Junior Metal Detector – functionality

The overall functionality of the Bounty Hunter Junior Metal Detector is simplistic as you would expect from a metal detector aimed at young children. It has two dials on the main unit, with one being for the power and the  sensitivity and one for basic target elimination. There is also a needle gauge that is the target indicator for the metal detector and this is backed up by the noise signal when a target is located.
As this is aimed at the younger children there is no head phone socket and i don’t think this is a bad thing, as when the children are metal detecting with you it’s still best that they are aware of there surroundings. Target are notified by the tater indicator meter which measures signal strength and notifies the the user by increasing the signal volume as a target gets closer.

Bounty Hunter Junior Metal Detector – build quality

This is fairly good for a detector aimed at young children, being of durable materials and the perfect size. Due to it’s size and the fact it take 2 9v batteries it’s not to heavy, a point to remember as it might have to be carried for long periods of time. The textured handle is also great helping with a secure grip and the slight extension functionality is great to adjust it to suit the user.

Good points

• Ideal size for children and can be adjusted
• Only take 2 9v batteries
• Good build quality
• Simple functionality for ease of use.
• Easily portable

Poor points

• Can be hard on some ground to adjust sensitivity and can make odd noises due to this
• It’s a fun small detector aimed at children and you might expect to much from it

In conclusion, the Bounty Hunter Junior Metal Detector is an ideal first metal detector for the younger children who want to dip their toe into the world of metal detecting. Lightweight and easy to use, you might be surprised as to what the detector will pick up. If you purchase this detector with a perspective of it being for children, a starting point for them in metal detecting and be prepared for it to be a bit hit and miss on some grounds, it will bring endless hours of fun. It’s a great piece of kit for the youngsters and you might be surprised at to what you find with it.

Read what other people are saying on Amazon about this metal detector

I bought this for my 7-year old because he was begging for a metal detector for his birthday. We received the BH Junior Metal Detector, slapped in the batteries, and went prospecting in our backyard (Taken from comments on Amazon by Dig Doug). . . . read more

I bought this for my 8 yr old son who wanted a “real” metal detector for Christmas. After reading a lot of reviews I settled on this one. We live on a few acres so we weren’t sure what would happen. (taken fromcomments on Amazon bygoldcogirl) . . . . . read more

Bounty Hunter Metal Detectors available now on Amazon at great prices

My overall rating
Build Quality
Functionality
Value for Money

Minelab are one of the best and well know producers of metal detectors for many sectors. One of these sectors being the hobby Market and the Minelab Explorer XS is one of the best full band spectum metal detectors on the market.

As a user of a Minelab Explorer XS metal detector I am a little bias, but I can safely say that without a doubt, Minelab metal detectors are some of the deepest, most accurate metal detectors money can buy. It’s a metal detector that is backed up with a company that is second to none in the quality of it’s metal detecting units.

The Minelab Explorer XS has been surpassed by newer Minelab metal detectors but still has it’s place well and truly at the top of it’s game. With newer Minelab metal detectors on the market, the Minelab Explorer XS has an advantage (I certainly see it as an advantage) in that you can buy one of these top rated metal detectors at a fraction of their original price.

At time of writing this a Minelab Explorer XS can be bought second hand from anywhere between £300 – £500. An absolute bargain for a metal detector that has fantastic specification and a quility build.

Minelab metal detectors, the bench-mark in metal detecting

The Minelab Explorer XS was released several years ago now during 1999 under two variations,  those variations being the Explorer XS and the S. This was after two years of research and development resulting in a metal detector that was specifically designed and manufactured for coin and treasure hunting.

These metal detectors were seen as the bench-mark for other metal detectors and the Minelab metal detectors still hold that title today. This is one of the main reasons that Minelab Explorer XS metal detectors are still sought after today.

Minelab FBS detecting

The Minelab metal detectors operated on a new system called full band spectrum (FBS). A new technology transmitting up to 28 frequencies into the ground at any one time. These frequencies ranged from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz and improves both depth and accuracy of discrimination. I have personally found small hammered coins in terrible ground conditions with my Explorer XS, a testament to it’s capabilities.

You can see some of the examples on the silver hammered coins page of this website here at Metal detecting finds UK

Minelab Smartfind

The Minelab Explorer takes the older principals of how discrimination worked and replaced it with a technology called Smartfind. For the first time in the Minelab detectors, the detector had 2D identification which means that targets can be identified by not only conductivity but as well it’s ferrous content. This is a great aspect and enhanced by the tones from the detector transmitted to your headphones. These can be varied and when compared to other detectors can seem a little overwhelming but is something you will soon  become familiar with.

Learning curve but with an out of the box, set up and go function

With the Minelab Explorer XS being such a high specification detector there is a learning curve in it’s use. This will come with time and experience, but the Minelab Explorer XS has an out-of-the-box setting that allows you to start detecting right away and is a real plus point from the Minelab range.

From this setting you can become more adept in its use and personalise it’s settings and functionality. Don’t be put off by this out of the box setting as it will find you material, lots of it.

Ease of use straight out of the box

Straight from the box, be it new or second hand (normally second hand as no longer  produced) the detector feels like a quality product. Assembly is easy and shown via instructions with the detector. The Minelab Explorer XS has been ergonomically designed for comfort and ease of use. It can be seen as a little heavy but this is a personal perspective. The cable leading from the control box to the search head is concealed within the shaft of the detector which eliminates the winding of cables around the shaft etc. Something else that other detectors have introduced into their design. The control unit is clear and easily used with the main detecting hand with the functionality of using the backlight to illuminate the screen on darker days. This can drain the power but is good function to have. Usable in all weather conditions and at ease on filed sites as it is on salt wet beaches.

Minelab Exporer XS battery pack

The battery pack is concealed within the upper arm of the detector and helps to balance out the unit. The battery pack is easily recharged via an adapter supplied with the unit. The detector also comes with a battery pack that takes normal batteries that allows you to have a back up if you forget to charge the main battery. There is also a car charger adapter that allows you to charge you battery on the go. The car charger is not supplied with the main unit and has to be bought separately.

Good points about the Minelab Explorer XS

• Can now be bought for a fraction of it’s original cost, you just need to shop around.
• FBS detecting with plenty of 3rd party advice, books and information for the detector
• Excellent functionality and specification.
• Advanced metal detector but with an out of the box setting so you can start detecting right away.
• Can be used with confidence on wet sandy beaches as well as field sites and I have certainly used the Minelab Exporer on wet sandy beaches with great success.

Bad points about the Minelab Explorer XS

• Can be a perceived as a little heavy for some users
• Lower shaft can start to wobble on older machines (look for this when buying second hand, but replacements can be bought)
• You will want to use it all the time
• Can have a large learning curve but comes with an ‘out of the box mode’

Minelab Explorer XS – conclusion

The Minelab Explorer XS is a metal detector for all detectorists, from the new to the more experienced. A metal detector that offers professional specifications and functionality. A detector that can be used straight from the box with a wealth of customisation and personalisation, backed up with the quality manufacture of a first class company, who’s focus is metal detecting products. No longer produced but well sort after, if you can track down a Minelab Explorer XS you will not be disappointed.

Here’s the Minelab Explorer XS in action

Check back soon for a better video as I will be filming the Explorer XS ina action on a local beach soon.

New Minelab Metal Detectors

As mentioned, the Minelab Explorer XS is now longer in production but can still be picked up second hand at a great price. Newer models can be bought from a number of locations including Amazon and if interested take a look at some of range below. Great specification, great functionality and great all round metal detectors.

2012 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901 – 2000

World coin values is something that changes on such a regular basis that it’s hard to keep up with the latest coin values. As a metal detectorist and coin collector, I am always interested in the value of coins in general and the metal detecting coin finds made with my Minelab Explorer XS. I don’t normally sell any of my finds but it’s good to know the possible value and any information about the coins I find while metal detecting and the coins I collect.

I am sure there are many places that you could research the value of world coins and coins in general for that matter. For me, I find the Standard Catalog of World Coins a great resource, both for general information and world coin values. A book for coin collectors, dealers and metal detectorists.

At the time of writing this the 2012 Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901 – 2000 is available on Amazon

If you are familiar with the Standard Catalog of World Coins you will know the books are a fair size, with my latest world coins book being over three inches thick and packed with information.

The latest coin catalogue I have in front of me is the 2012 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901 – 2000′ the 39th edition. World coin values galore in this 3 inch thick coin reference book.

The coin world is massive and this coin book only deals with coin between the dates of 1901-2000′ but that’s ideal for some of my metal detecting coin finds and other coins I have added to my collection recently.

What do you get with the 2012 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901 – 2000′ the 39th edition.

A book that stands over three inches thick and with 60,000 actual size coin illustrations, which make it one of the best selling coin books on the Market today.
Books like this help coin collectors make sense of an ever changing Market and this recent coin book has information compiled from data provided by over 100 experts from around the world. It also taps into and gathers information from a variety of Internet sources including popular auction websites which helps to male sure the world coin values are as accurate as possible, given such a fluctuating Market.

This particular catalog has shown that with few exceptions, the world coins values stated in the catalogue have risen over those prices in previous world coin catalogues with a number of coins having their values increased substantially. Very good news for coin collectors and metal detectorists.

The 2012 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901 – 2000′ the 39th edition, is a useful tool for coin identification and value for researchers, coin collectors, delears to metal detectorists and many count these reference coin books as the hobbys most reliable central resource for nearly 40 years.

60,000 full size illustrations in this 2345 page book

Within the pages of the coin book you can expect to find the following

• 60,000 actual size illustrations, fantastic for coin identification purposes.
• Up-to-date values listed by date and grade
• Universal KM reference number
• Clear description of obverse and reverse designs
• Coins struck in gold, platinum, palladium and silver offer great information for charting a course in the precious metals market including total coin weight, fineness and actual precious metal weight.

Conclusion and a book worth having

The 2012 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901 – 2000′ the 39th edition is a coin catalog you can depend on and a great source of world coin values, with over 40 years of these reference coin catalogues being at the heart of the hobby. From coin collectors to metal detectorist these books are a valuable source of information and coin values. And will certainly be on the shelf with my coin metal detector finds.

At the time of writing this the 2012 Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901 – 2000 is available on Amazon

Dartmouth Farthing of about 1640

As metal detectorists you are always wondering what your next trips metal detector find will be. I am always amazed as to what comes out of the gound and what possibilities are waiting for us. Most of the time you can’t plan or really be certain as to what will appear in the next hole you dig and that is what makes metal detecting such a great hobby and why this coin was such a surprise when it came out od the ground.

This particualr metal detector find came to light after spending some time wandering a field with very little to show for my efforts apart from the usual bullets, victorian coins and musket balls.

The image below is one of my most interesting coin finds due to it’s relative scarcity, as they really do not come to light that much, or so I believe. It was a bit of a mystery but it’s (I believe) a hammerd coin, a Dartmouth Farthing of about 1640. It took me a fair amount of time to track down what it was and if anyone viewing this knows better than please let me know. Its about 14mm across and came out of the ground as you see here and has had a wash under the cold tap, but thats about it. It was found with my Minelab Explorer XS (review coming soon) at about three inches down on farmland.

The little research and advice I could find mentions that this coin, little simlar ones of it type with issued to the poorer sectins of the population, but why this particular coin was struck is still a bit of a mystery.

I plan to reasearch this particular item more and will update this page when I know more but as mentioned before, I am always amazed as to what comes out of the ground.

For a little more information on this coin take a look at this page at the Fitz Museum