Metal Detecting Advice, Tips and Guides by Topic
Explore Focus Speed’s metal detecting advice library, organized by search environment, detector model, target type and experience level. Find field-tested tips for beach detecting, relic hunting, park detecting, gold prospecting, historical research, detector settings, identifying finds and responsible recovery.
Focus Speed articles are created with input from experienced detectorists, researchers, manufacturers and field specialists. Use the search tool or browse the topic categories below to find practical guidance for your next hunt.
Research-Driven Guidance • Experienced Contributors • Responsible Recovery Practices • Updated Regularly
Popular searches: Beach detecting · Relic hunting · Park detecting · Nokta Legend · Minelab Manticore · XP Deus II · Minelab X-Terra · Nokta Simplex Ultra · Old coins · Bottle digging · Researching sites · LIDAR
Quick Links – Detectorists’ Favorites
Where to Metal Detect
- A General List of Places to Consider Metal Detecting
- List of Useful Sites and Apps for Researching Locations to Metal Detect
- How to Find Older Parks & Curb Strips to Metal Detect Using Zillow
- How to Find the History of Property for Better Metal Detecting
- A Metal Detectorist’s Guide to Finding History in Places that Lack It
- How to Use Lidar to Find Places to Metal Detect
- Tips for Finding Relic Sites: Leveraging University Theses to Discover New Metal Detecting Locations
- Using Tax Appraisal Data to Find Places to Metal Detect
Find a Metal Detecting Club Near You
Metal Detecting Events
Park Metal Detecting Tips
- Tips for Metal Detecting Tot Lots
- Advanced Tips for Metal Detecting Parks for Older Coins and Targets
- Hints and Tips Using the Nokta Legend Metal Detector for Park Detecting
Metal Detecting Permissions
- How to Get Metal Detecting Permissions without Door Knocking
- Metal Detecting Permission, Finds & Tips for Newer Detectorists Considering Permissions
- Turn Strikeout Permissions Into Learning Opportunities
- How to Handle Treasures Found While Metal Detecting a Permission
- How to Metal Detect Old Homesteads and Farm Fields
- Author and Detectorist Terry Shannon Answers Where to Concentrate if Time is Limited
- Interview with Detectorist Truls Warhuus, Digging Norwegian History
Metal Detecting Beaches, Lakes, Rivers & Creeks
- Advanced Beach Metal Detecting Tips
- Beach Metal Detecting Tips: Interview with Brian Mayer, a Detectorist of More Than 48 Years
- Guide to Beach Metal Detecting: Tips and Hotspots to Swing Over
- Tips for Metal Detecting in the Surf
- Beach Metal Detecting Tips. – How I Found 34 Rings in One Month
- Metal Detecting Rivers and Creeks
- Author and Detectorist Terry Shannon’s Tips for Detecting, Beaches & Creeks
- Interview with Detectorist Truls Warhuus, Digging Norwegian History
Metal Detecting Relics
- Tips from Advanced Metal Detectorists to Help You Find More Relics
- Tips for Metal Detecting Vineyards
- Relic Hunting Tips from the Motley Digging Tools Team
- Natural and Lesser-Known Markers on Historic Wagon and Stagecoach Trails: A Technical Guide for Relic Hunters
- Research For Long Term Successful Metal Detecting
- Lessons from Metal Detecting an Old Dump Site
Metal Detecting Civil War Relics
- How to Find Civil War Artifacts Metal Detecting in Any State
- Successful Civil War Relic Hunting a Primer for Beginners – Part 1
- Successful Civil War Relic Hunting – Part 2 – How To Generate Leads On Potential Civil War Relic Sites
- Modern “Trench Warfare…” The Art of Finding and Recognizing Lost Civil War Trenches and Rifle Pits and How to Metal Detect Them
Gold Nugget Hunting
- Basics of Metal Detecting Gold Nuggets with Matt Savage
- Metal Detecting for Gold: An Interview with Nugget Shooter Bill Southern
- Interview with Mark Dayton, the Expert Metal Detectorist Behind YouTube’s Brass Medic Channel
- Garrett Axiom Technology, Interview With Steve Moore
Cache Treasure Hunting
General Metal Detecting Advice
- New to Metal Detecting? Read This
- Metal Detectors: Which One Should I Buy?
- New Detectorists, Are You Disappointed in Metal Detecting Finds? Stop Looking for False Hope in the Ground
- Tips from Advanced Metal Detectorists to Help You Find More Treasure
- Discussing Myths About Metal Detector Depths
- When You Metal Detect… Are You Holey Efficient.. Or Holey Oblivious
- Common Sense and Deductive Reasoning Are the Trademarks of Every Continually Successful Treasure Hunter/Detectorist
- Metal Detecting: The “2-Hour Rule” That Takes “Treasure Out of Trash!”
- The Joy Of Metal Detecting “Worked-out” Sites
- Beyond the Beep & Swing: Metal Detecting Techniques For Better Finds
Identifying Finds
- Metal Detecting Ammunition: Identify and Determine the Age With Help From Aquachigger
- Value & History for Metal Detecting the Indian Head Penny
- Metal Detecting the Most Valuable Wheat Pennies
- Key Dates and Mints of Modern USD Common Coins
Cleaning Finds
Advice By Metal Detector Brand & Model
Nokta The Legend
- The Legend by Nokta Makro: Build Quality, Testing Beach & Park Detecting
- VDI Numbers for Various Rings and Collectible Coins – The Legend
- Metal Detecting VDIs: Nokta The Legend
- Tips and Best Settings for Nokta Legend Metal Detector for Park and Relic Detecting
Nokta Simplex
Nokta Anfibio Multi
Nokta PulseDive
Minelab Equinox 900 / 700 / 800 / 600
- VDI Numbers for Various Rings and Collectible Coins – Equinox
- Minelab Equinox Advanced Tips
- Improve Your Relic Hunting with These Minelab Equinox Tweaks
- Minelab Equinox 800 Gold Nugget Detecting
- Best Settings for the Minelab Equinox 800 for Detecting Creeks or Rivers for Relics, Coins, and Jewelry
- Metal Detecting Tips with the Minelab Equinox 600
- Metal Detecting, Reading Saltwater Beaches, Tips for Finding More Gold
Minelab Gold Monster 1000
Minelab Manticore
- Why So Serious? The Minelab Manticore and Its Misunderstood Reputation
- Beasts on the Beaches: Navigating Wet and Heavy Sands With the Minelab Manticore
- Interview with Detectorist Truls Warhuus, Digging Norwegian History
- Stef Tanguay’s Minelab Detexpert & Motley Pro Staff Relic Minelab Manticore Settings
- Exploring the Minelab Manticore and Minelab Equinox: In-Depth Insights from Ryan McKnight on Differences and Optimal Settings
- Interview: Unearthing Dennis Grzenia’s Secrets of Metal Detecting Mastery
- Interview with Mark Dayton, the Expert Metal Detectorist Behind YouTube’s Brass Medic Channel
- Unearthing Excellence: Stef Tanguay’s Journey to Prominence in Metal Detecting
Minelab X-Terra Pro
XP Deus
XP Deus II
- Best Settings for the XP Deus II for Detecting Creeks or Rivers for Relics, Coins, and Jewelry
- Metal Detecting Tips with the XP Deus II – Excellent Program for Older Coins
- Metal Detecting, Reading Saltwater Beaches, Tips for Finding More Gold
Garrett Axiom
Garrett AT Pro
- VDI Numbers for Various Rings and Collectible Coins – AT Pro
- AT Pro Tips, Tricks, and Techniques — New Power from a Decade-Old Detector
- AT Pro Settings for Farm Fields and Homesteads
Garrett AT Max
Garrett Apex
- Garrett ACE Apex: Not Just for Beginner Metal Detecting
- VDI Numbers for Various Rings and Collectible Coins – Apex
- Garrett ACE Apex VDI Values
- Garrett Ace Apex: Gypsy Jewels of Zero Discrimination Answers Your Questions
Garrett ACE 400
Tarsacci
Metal Detecting and Metal Detector Accessory Advice
CoilTek
Motley Digging Tools
- Motley Grass Knife Review
- Motley Digging Tools Metal Detecting Shovel Review
- Interview with Bert Van Heerde, Minelab Detexpert and Founder & CEO of Motley Beach Scoops
Predator Tools
- Mini Shovel, Model 58(s), Little Eagle Shovel
- The Ideal Metal Detecting Shovel for Rocky Ground – Model 24 Phoenix
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