There were some small civil skirmishes basically where I live and I thought metal detecting could be fun. Does anyone here do it and any advice on a starter metal detector would be great.

I got one for Christmas two years ago and have yet to use it. My wife occasionally likes to remind me of this.

I've done it a few times and still haven't found my pistol.

I do it at the beach occasionally… I enjoy it wish I could do it more often

I've got a good friend that's really into it. He's found lots of civil war stuff and even a pipe full of old coins my father had buried?? Without him we wouldn't have located them. I can ask him Beadle.

I do. Get the Garrett at pro or at max.

I bought one and got hot and heavy into it. Location is everything. Need an old place that hasn’t had a lot of traffic to really have a good chance of finding anything. Otherwise you’re digging up nails, bottle caps, pull tabs, etc. You can adjust most detectors to filter out certain metals but you will always risk missing targets that may be something good. I hunted a house built in the 1840s not long ago, but it was used as a party house in the 1960s-70s so I ended up digging more trash than anything, and gave it up. Pulled a few old coins, but nothing great. My best find was a lapel pin from WW1 that was on an old road coming from a long gone train station in the Camden area. It’s great fun, but you’re going to dig a lot of trash. Always hoping for that special find.

My dad and brother detect. I got my oldest son one and he loves to go detecting on our property and the beach.

A guy I used to work with, who now works for the Railroad, is really big into it. He helps beginners and even has a Facebook page called Alabama Diggers, I think. His name is David Hopkins and he is in Valley Grande so he isn't too far from you.

my wife does it regularly and has several detectors, one for underwater. She's got a couple of Garrett detectors and Mine Lab detectors.

Nokta simplex

Just some stuff I’ve found throughout the years

I’ve been metal detecting for about 45 years. Get a mine lab equinox 800. It is a high tech detector that a beginner can use. Probably run you around 1000 bucks. Oh! And I would be glad to come help you find some civil war artifacts!!!

So for someone who might be interested, why spend the $1000.00 on a first time detector?
What will it do that cheaper ones will not?
What are the befits of spending $1000.00 on something that might not be used later?
What will it detect material wise, and what will it do or not do?
I hoonestly want to know, and not attempting to stir the pot.
I’ve often thought about the idea.

God Bless,
David B

I used to do it a lot. Had a Whites MXT. Found a few good things, old coins, relics, etc but mostly a LOT of trash. Tough on your back digging up trash all day.

Thats cool Ozark... Some neat stuff in there...

There are definitely cheaper detectors out there that will do an adequate job. This particular detector is great for civil war relics and is simple to use. 1000 dollars is not a ton of money for a quality detector.

Garrett AT Pro here