Thought I’d start a finds thread as a way to document my fumbling towards competency as a metal detectorist.
Tonight was a lovely 90 minutes spent on an East Auckland beach, as I tried to learn the ins and outs of my X-Terra 705. I took it back to factory resets and then went into all metal mode… before exploring the different preset discrimination settings on targets. I’m only just beginning to get a sense for targets and what, where and how they make themselves known to the machine and me.
I’m also hamstrung for not having a pinpointer or sand scoop yet. Doing this with a trowel and hands is tedious. Fun? Yes. But speedy it is not.
All said and done, though? I ran across my first coin spill midway between the high and low tide lines, and now have a started aluminum, steel and brass/copper recycling bins in earnest in my shed.
Love to hear folks thoughts, opinions and ideas as i journey on here. So pull up a pew and have yarn.
I hear that. I’m actually just throwing all the spendies I find into a cookie jar. I’m one of those perverse people that likes to take stock at the end of a year and see what accumulated… without having to use a spreadsheet.
That’s the one save up the spendies to buy upgrades and tools etc. Sandscoops are a little pricey but you can get cheap pinpointer of alliexpress for $20 or so. Not great but better than none.
Thanks for the note. Everyone I’ve spoken to who had/has one feels the same way.
I just have the factory coil. Understand that there are a whole bunch of others available. So I’m looking forward to adding to the Arsenal when I get my process sorted.
Thats a good start you made with your new machine.! All recent drops except for one bottlecap thats floated around for a bit. Hope to see more of your ventures. The 705 is good in the dirt too.
You dont have to, although moisture makes the targets more conductive to the unit, therefore a bit more depth is had. Just put various type targets around your lawn, ground balance and get a feel for them. Forgot to say to turn your beach umbrella icon ON when you go onto the beach sand. Cheers!
Hi…I’m in Chch also with XTerra 705. Ive only been out a handful of times and have found a ton of coins, three rings (junkers) and the usual aluminium rubbish. I struggle to understand the settings on my detector as well but basically leave it on 1 to eliminate some of the iron junk. I havent been to the beach yet even though Ive got a scoop. Will have to give it a go soon. Its a fab hobby…just wish Id started years ago as getting up there now. All the best!
Those $60 ones on Trade Me are actually $21 on Wish. I got a cheapie Chinese one and my detector from a ChCh dealer a couple of years back and paid $90 for it. Found those same ones on Wish a few months later, just over $20…Aarrgghh!
Will do, thanks for that. Ive watched a few ‘how to’ tutorials on YouTube but can’t keep up with which buttons to press… and each bloke seems to have a different way of going about it. Goes right over my head…lol