Step-by-Step Guide to Using Professional Metal Detectors

1. Understand How Depth Metal Detectors Differ from Hobby Detectors: 

Advanced Detection Systems: Professional depth metal detectors operate differently from hobby detectors by utilizing more sophisticated technologies such as Pulse Induction (PI), Very Low Frequency (VLF), and Magnetometers. These systems are designed specifically to detect metals that have been buried for extended periods, penetrating deep into the ground. The detectors work by identifying changes in the magnetic field or ionization fields created by long-buried metals, which allows them to locate objects that hobby detectors might miss.

2. Prepare the Detector:

• Read the Manual and Watch Tutorials: Thoroughly read the user manual and watch instructional videos to fully understand the specific features and settings of your professional metal detector.

• Calibration: Calibrate the detector according to the instructions, ensuring it’s set up to detect ferrous and non-ferrous metals that have been buried for a long time. Adjust the ground balance and sensitivity settings to suit the soil conditions, which is especially important when detecting deeply buried metals.

3. Initial Scanning and Setup: 

• Area Selection: Choose an area with historical significance or where deep-buried metal objects are suspected. Ensure you have the necessary permissions to search the area. The detector’s ability to find long-buried metals will be maximized in locations where such objects are likely to exist.

• Baseline Scanning: Conduct an initial scan of the area to establish a baseline. This helps identify areas with high background noise and potential long-buried metal targets.

4. Using the Detector:

• Proper Handling: Follow the manual’s guidelines on how to hold and operate the detector. Proper stance and grip are crucial for accurate detection, especially when searching for metals that have been buried for a long time.

• Systematic Search: Move systematically in a grid pattern to cover the area thoroughly. This method ensures that you don’t miss any long-buried metals.

5. Interpreting Signals:

• Signal Analysis: Pay attention to the strength and consistency of the signals. Long-buried metals should produce a stable, deep signal due to the changes in the soil and magnetic fields over time. The detector may provide different tones or visual indications depending on the type of metal and how long it has been buried.

• Cross-Verification: When you detect a signal, cross-check by scanning from different angles to confirm the presence and exact location of the long-buried metal target.

6. Pinpointing the Target:

Use Pinpoint Mode: If your detector has a pinpoint mode, use it to narrow down the exact location of the long-buried metal object. This helps reduce unnecessary digging and ensures that you accurately locate the metal.

Additional Tips
1. Environmental Factors:

• Soil Mineralization: Be aware of the mineral content in the soil, which can affect detection. Adjust the detector’s settings to compensate for high mineralization, which is crucial when searching for metals that have been buried for a long time.

• Weather Conditions: Conduct searches in favorable weather conditions. Wet soil can enhance conductivity and improve detection depth, which is particularly useful when searching for long-buried metals.

2. Practice and Familiarization:

• Practice Runs: Conduct practice runs in areas with known buried metals to familiarize yourself with the detector’s signals and behavior, especially for metals that have been buried for an extended period.

• Learning Curves: Spend time learning how the detector responds to different types of long-buried metals. Each detector may have a unique response pattern based on the age and type of metal.

3. Documenting Finds:

• Mark Locations: Use markers or GPS to document the locations of detected signals. This helps in systematic searching and tracking, particularly when dealing with long-buried metals.

• Record Settings: Keep a log of the detector settings used in successful detections to refine your approach over time, especially when targeting metals that have been buried for long periods.

4. Regular Maintenance:

• Check Equipment: Regularly check and maintain your detector to ensure it’s in good working condition. Clean the coils and ensure the batteries are fully charged, as proper maintenance is crucial for detecting long-buried metals.

Conclusion

Using a professional metal detector effectively involves understanding the technology, properly preparing and calibrating the detector, systematically scanning and interpreting signals, and using pinpointing techniques. These detectors are specially designed to detect metals that have been buried for long periods, making them ideal for in-depth searches. With practice and attention to environmental factors, you can successfully locate long-buried metal objects.