An introduction to Matt.
Welcome to My Metal Detecting Journey!
Hi, I’m Matt, and welcome to my blog, Matt Tries Metal Detecting! If you’ve ever been curious about metal detecting, treasure hunting, or just the thrill of uncovering history right beneath your feet, you’re in the right place.
I’m completely new to the hobby, but I’ve already been bitten by the detecting bug. This blog is where I’ll be sharing everything I learn along the way—from my first finds and gear choices to the tips, tricks, and mistakes I make so you don’t have to!
I’ll be documenting my journey as I explore different locations, test out my equipment, and (hopefully) dig up some exciting discoveries. Whether you’re a seasoned detectorist or just thinking about starting, I’d love for you to join me as I learn the ropes.
Feel free to subscribe and follow along—I’d love to hear from others in the detecting community, so drop a comment or share your own experiences!
Why metal detecting?
When I was a kid, I was completely obsessed with fossil hunting, always out exploring and uncovering ancient treasures. My love for history and discovering things from the past has always been a big part of who I am. I have vague memories of using an old, analogue metal detector, which sparked an early interest in metal detecting. For years, I’ve thought about diving into it more seriously, and now, I’ve finally taken the plunge to explore the world of metal detecting for myself. It feels like a natural next step in my lifelong passion for unearthing history! Even if I have been inactive for some years.
My first steps.
Now that I've decided to take up metal detecting as a new hobby, there are a few key items I need to gather before getting started... and that meant diving into weeks of research to figure out which metal detector would be the best fit for a complete beginner. Let me tell you, the opinions out there are all over the place!
After realizing there’s a mix of brand loyalty, sponsored reviews, and people trying to make a quick buck, I decided to ignore the typical beginner recommendations. Instead, I went ahead and bought a used Nokta Makro Legend Pro Pack on eBay!
Being fairly tech-savvy, I wanted a detector with a solid reputation, one that’s been around for a while and comes from a company known for its excellent customer support. I’m sure I’ll make a few mistakes along the way, but don’t worry—I’ll be sharing my mistakes and what I learned from them (if anything)! I am not worried about the adjustability and complexity of the Legend, I wanted something that was going to last me a while, where I would not get frustrated with the lack of adjustment and would save me money in the long-run as I wouldn't be upgrading in 1-2 years.
Once I ordered the Nokta Makro Legend, the mini shopping spree began! I grabbed a Nokta Makro Advantage Accessory Package from Amazon, which included a pinpointer with holster, a digging knife with sheath, a finds pouch, and of course, a branded baseball cap! After pricing these items individually, it seemed like a solid deal, so I went for it. While I was at it, I also picked up a pair of welly boots for wet weather and beach detecting. They arrived today and feel pretty comfortable. I'll be sharing pictures of my gear as it arrives and offering my thoughts over time.
Next on the list was a spade/shovel. I did some research and was taken aback by how expensive some of the options were. I get the importance of having the right tools to dig up potential finds, and at first, I considered using a regular spade. But then I realized that the high-end spades are light, strong, and in some cases, made from stainless steel. Plus, they often have specially shaped, sized digging heads that make the job much easier. After some thought, I decided on a Black ADA Extended Invader. While I was at it, I also grabbed a control box cover for the Legend, a small finds box with a photo scale, and a finds cleaning kit—all from Detecnicks. Their website was having issues with PayPal at the time, so I called them directly, and I found their customer service to be friendly and helpful. I’ll definitely shop there again.
So, here's what I've got so far:
- Nokta Makro Legend Pro Pack metal detector (eBay) - £400 (With haggling)
- Pinpointer (with leg holster) from accessory pack (Amazon) - £125.95
- Spade (Detecnicks) - £29.99
- Digging knife (with belt sheath) from accessory pack
- Wet weather and beach footwear (Amazon) - £39.99
- Finds box (Detecnicks) - £12.95
- Finds pouch (included in pinpointer pack)
- Finds cleaning kit (Detecnicks) - £15.00
- 2 baseball caps (one from the pro pack, one from the accessory pack)
- Control box cover for Nokta Legend (Detecnicks) - £19.94
So far, that’s a total of £643.82. Not bad for what I’ve got! It feels like a solid start, and I’m really happy with the price, especially considering some of the other detectors I looked at, hopefully I have not got a lemon!
There are still a few other items I’d like to pick up, which will push the total a bit higher, but not by much. These are:
- Sand scoop
- First aid kit
- Insect repellent
- Notebook and mechanical pencil
- A decent bag to carry and store everything
- A finds box for use at home.
In due time I will equip myself with a mic and camera so I can record some live digs and share my discoveries in real time.All in all, I’d say I’m off to a great start! Now it’s just a waiting game for everything to arrive. Once it’s all here, I’ll be sure to share some photos and my initial thoughts on the gear. In the meantime, feel free to share any feedback on the equipment I’ve picked up so far or anything I’ve written if you feel like it.
Until next time, take care!
Matt
