7 Common Metal Detecting Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Metal detecting is a hobby filled with excitement, mystery, and the thrill of the hunt. Yet according to many long-time detectorists, nearly 80 percent of beginners feel discouraged after a few outings because they think they are not finding enough.
It took me years of practice and honing my skills before I started to find these rings. Photo credit: Ace Covey
I remember the first time I tried metal detecting, my first find was just a bottle cap. I decided to keep at it and the next find was a quarter! I was beyond thrilled because to me, it was TREASURE and if I could keep at it and find enough, I’d be able to recoup the cost of purchasing my metal detector!
So it is not because beginner metal detectorists are unlucky. It is usually because small, fixable mistakes are holding them back. The good news is that once you know what those mistakes are, you can avoid them and start uncovering more coins, relics, jewelry, and history.
This guide will help you quickly level up your skills so you can enjoy every moment in the field and walk home with real treasure stories to tell.
What are the most common metal detecting mistakes?
Photo Credit: Unsplash - Brett Jordan
The most common metal detecting mistakes involve incorrect detector settings, poor search techniques, choosing unproductive locations, and giving up too soon. These habits can lead to missed targets and unnecessary frustration, but each one is easy to correct.
Mistake 1: Detecting Without Researching the Location
Many beginners head to the nearest empty field and hope for the best. Although you can get lucky, the best finds come from places where people historically gathered.
Imagine walking around a random, modern park for two hours and comparing that to searching along a path leading to an old dock where people walked a hundred years ago. The second spot almost always wins.
Tools like historic maps, town archives, and even Google searches for events like old fairs or demolished schools can help you find promising places. Learning just a bit of local history turns your detector into a time-travel tool.
Mistake 2: Improper Detector Settings
The display on the Garrett AT Pro gives you all the information you need to see the settings you are using at any given time. Photo credit: Garrett Metal Detectors
A metal detector out of the box is not ready for success on day one. If the sensitivity is too low, you miss deep treasures. If discrimination is too high, you block out items that may be valuable. Think of settings like tuning a guitar.
When it is dialed in correctly, every signal rings sharp and true. When it is not, you get noise and confusion. Spending five extra minutes adjusting ground balance and sensitivity can be the difference between silence and hearing the sweet tone of silver.
Mistake 3: Swinging the Coil Too Fast or Too High
When searching with a metal detector, the coil should remain just above the ground and sweep at a slow, controlled pace, overlapping each pass for maximum coverage.
A rushed swing is like speed-reading a sentence and missing half the words. If your coil lifts even an inch too high, you lose depth and accuracy. I always try imagining that I am painting the grass with the coil. Smooth strokes, steady speed, and full coverage help you locate targets your fast-moving competition leaves behind.
Mistake 4: Digging Every Signal Without Proper Identification
Beginners often hear a beep and immediately dig, hoping for treasure. Experienced detectorists take a moment to listen to the tone, check the VDI number, and confirm the target direction using pinpointing. This small pause saves endless time by filtering out bottle caps and pull tabs.
If the signal jumps wildly from low to high, it may be trash. I always look for a steady, repeatable signal from multiple angles. I often find that those are much more worth your time and your energy. Consider it detective work. The more clues you gather before digging, the more satisfying the reveal becomes.
Mistake 5: Poor Recovery Techniques
Nothing ruins a permission faster than a yard full of destroyed grass. Recovery is not just about getting the item out of the hole. It is about leaving the ground looking untouched. A clean, hinged plug allows grass to heal quickly and keeps you in good standing with property owners or park managers. It also protects the find itself.
Picture carefully lifting a coin that has been buried since the early 1900s compared to scratching it with your digger right before it sees daylight again.
I’ve had my fair share of coins that I’ve scratched while digging because I was either to excited to see what laid beneath or I was just carelessly stabbing at the ground trying to unearth what I thought was “just another target.”
Lesche Digging Tool
The PERFECT digging tool for metal detecting!
Using the right tools such as a Lesche Digger and digging with care keep help both the land and its history to stay intact.
Mistake 6: Forgetting to Recheck the Hole
It is surprisingly common to dig a target, pocket it, and move on, unaware that a second valuable item is hiding in the plug or sidewall. Coins frequently fall from pockets in groups. A dropped ring might sit inches from a matching earring.
I always check and double check the bottom and sides of the hole and plug even after finding a target in case there was a spill. Photo credit: Ace Covey
I always make scanning the hole after retrieval a habit, like checking both directions before crossing a street. You will be amazed how many bonuses appear when you simply take that extra two seconds to recheck the hole.
Mistake 7: Giving Up Too Early
Metal detecting is not an overnight jackpot hobby. There will be hunts where you find nothing but trash and pull tabs, and boy oh boy will you ever find pull tabs! Every experienced detectorist has been there. The key is staying persistent and building your skills.
Celebrate the small wins, join a local club or online group, and keep learning.
I can assure you that the first silver coin or lost wedding ring recovery you get is worth every moment spent digging foil and trash targets. The biggest treasure this hobby gives you will always be the adventures and the excitement of possibility!
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Metal Detecting Mistakes
What is the most common metal detecting mistake beginners make?
The most common mistake beginners make is choosing locations that have little historical activity. Even a great detector cannot find items that were never there.
Why am I not finding anything with my metal detector?
Many new detectorists struggle because they swing too fast, use incorrect settings, or search low-traffic sites. Slow down your swing, tune your detector, and choose locations with real history.
How do you properly swing a metal detector?
The coil should stay level, low to the ground, and sweep slowly with each pass overlapping the last. This technique helps detect deeper and smaller items.
Should I dig every signal my detector makes?
No. Always confirm a consistent signal from multiple directions. This reduces the frustration of digging junk targets.
How deep can metal detectors find items?
Beginner detectors typically find coins between 6 and 10 inches deep depending on soil conditions and coil size. Larger items can be detected deeper.
Final Thoughts
Every detectorist, even the seasoned pros, once struggled with these exact same challenges. The difference between quitting and succeeding is awareness and patience. When you take time to research your location, fine-tune your settings, improve your swing, dig smart, recover carefully, recheck your holes, and stay committed, you dramatically increase your chance to uncover amazing items that have been buried for years.
Every time you take your metal detector for a walk - it’s an adventure! Photo credit: Ace Covey
It’s time to grab your detector, head outside, and remember that every beep could be a piece of forgotten history waiting for you. Stay curious, stay persistent, and keep swinging. Your next great find is already out there!
“So go out there and remember to “Swing4TheRing!””
