{"id":2570,"date":"2026-04-12T06:40:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T06:40:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/?p=2570"},"modified":"2026-04-12T06:40:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T06:40:16","slug":"how-to-start-metal-detecting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/?p=2570","title":{"rendered":"How to start metal detecting"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s been called \u201cdirt fishing,\u201d \u201cbeach scooping\u201d and \u201crelic hunting,\u201d but no matter what you choose to call it, you\u2019ll almost always see someone with a metal detector scanning the beach or park in search of lost or abandoned treasures. As hobbies go, it\u2019s a pleasant way to spend your time \u2013 you\u2019re out in the open air, you\u2019re taking a nice stroll and, who knows, you may stumble upon something with real value at the end of the day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

To get some advice on how to properly kick off a fun and potentially rewarding metal detecting hobby, we reached out to Bill Harrington, who runs the popular Diggin\u2019 SoCal YouTube channel<\/a> and Instagram account<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a young man, I had a junky detector and I told myself that when I was close to retirement I was going to get a detector and give it a try again,\u201d says Harrington. \u201cOnce I started, I was immediately hooked and really enjoyed the hobby and more importantly the excitement of finding cool, odd and, of course, valuable things.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Harrington has unearthed everything from World War II-era military uniform buttons to an old toy train car from the 1960s to a 1917 <\/a>Standing Liberty quarter<\/a>\u2013but warns against going into metal detecting with lofty dreams. \u201cI think the biggest misconception is that someone is going to get a detector and go find a bunch of gold,\u201d he says. \u201cI had a guy I met tell me he bought one to do just that. He was at the same beach I was currently at and I could not help but laugh inside. Not to say you can\u2019t get lucky but it takes a ton of patience and hard work.\u201d <\/p>\n

For Harrington, it\u2019s the thrill of the unknown that makes the hobby so compelling. \u201cWe have unearthed some crazy items from knives in tot lots to random stuff that you ask yourself, \u2018Why is this here?\u2019 I remember once on a beach in Santa Barbara pulling a small tortilla maker out of the sand! What makes this an exciting hobby is that you really never know what the day will bring.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here is some of Harrington\u2019s advice on how curious detectorists can get started:<\/p>\n

Do your research<\/h2>\n

Although you tend to see metal detectors a lot at the beach, it\u2019s not a hobby limited to certain geographic regions. Harrington suggests just doing a little research into the area or areas you intend to search to find the right detector to suit your needs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I was starting today, I would jump on YouTube and search \u2018metal detecting\u2019 and look for channels that show different kinds of detectors and how they work. Even reaching out to a content creator could be helpful but there are a lot of interesting characters out there,\u201d he says.\u00a0 \u201cWhat I did was I went to a dealer who sells detectors and chatted with him. It was a small shop attached to a pawn shop and he was super helpful and that is where I got my first Minelab detector<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Network<\/h2>\n

Harrington also recommends seeking out local clubs and connecting with likeminded hobbyists as a way to really immerse yourself in the activity.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cMost areas have metal detecting clubs. My friends in the Sacramento area belong to one and I know there is one out in San Bernardino, for example. Another good source is the Gold Prospectors Association<\/a>. There are also groups on social media \u2013 If you were starting out now you could find a group like that and ask a ton of questions.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gear up<\/h2>\n
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\n\t\t\tSee It\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n

Harrington admits he learned the most by \u201ctrial and error,\u201d but advises that novices don\u2019t necessarily have to go for the most expensive equipment, especially not right away. There\u2019s a wide range of detectors and varying price points that can help you get into it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAt minimum, you need a decent detector. For beginners, Minelab has some good detectors in the $300-$500 range and then others in the $1,200 to $1,500 range. But less expensive detectors have done a great job, too. The ones I would warn against are those from unknown brands, especially those sold online, that are under a hundred bucks or so.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Minelab PRO-FIND 35 Waterproof Pinpointer Metal Detector<\/h3>\n

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\n\t\t\tSee It\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n

In addition to the detector itself, Harrington recommends getting a pinpointer \u2013 small, handheld metal detectors used to precisely locate metallic objects in holes or dirt piles \u2013\u00a0 some \u201cfind bags\u201d to put your discoveries in, and, of course, a digging tool.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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GADFish Sand Scoop for Metal Detecting<\/h3>\n

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\n\t\t\tSee It\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n

\u201cIf you beach detect, a good sand scoop is a lifesaver. I started with a handheld plastic one. Now I have a titanium scoop with a carbon fiber handle. All in all you could get a whole set-up for under $600: a good detector for around $400, a pinpointer for $140, and a digging tool for around $50.\u201d<\/p>\n

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