Bench Test Discrimination on Sample Targets
1 hourBury nickel, pull tab, and coin samples at 4 inches; note VDI or tone IDs on your detector display for each metal type.
Beginner1 week
Metal Detector Setup
Complete guide for metal detector setup — step-by-step workflow, tools, checklist, and expert tips to get started.
new detectoristsgift recipients
Workflow
Ground Balance for Mineralized Soil
45 minutesPerform automatic and manual ground balance on site; adjust sensitivity until stable with no false signals on clean ground.
Practice Sweep Speed and Coil Height
2 hoursMaintain coil 1–2 inches above ground, overlap sweeps 50%, and match walking pace to detector recovery speed.
Save Custom Program and Maintenance Schedule
30 minutesDocument final discrimination, sensitivity, and ground balance settings in notepad; schedule coil cable and battery inspection dates.
Tools Used
- NotepadPrimary
Records VDI numbers, ground balance settings, and custom program names for each hunt type.
- Time Duration CalculatorPrimary
Times sweep sessions to correlate pace with target recovery rate during practice.
- Image CompressorSupporting
Archives compressed screenshots of detector display settings for quick field reference.
- Date Difference CalculatorReference
Schedules coil inspection and battery replacement intervals from last maintenance date.
Checklist
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Compliance
Gear
Documentation
Planning
Reference Materials
Common VDI Ranges (Typical VLF)Table
Common VDI Ranges (Typical VLF)
| Target | VDI Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Iron nail | 0–20 | Often masked |
| Pull tab | 35–45 | Discriminate carefully |
| Nickel | 45–55 | Near gold range |
| Silver dime | 70–80 | High conductor |
Detection Depth EstimateFormula
Depth (in) ≈ coil diameter (in) × 1.0–1.5 for coin-sized targets in moderate soil.
Coil ChoiceStandard
Large coils for depth and coverage; small coils for trashy areas and pinpointing.
Grid Your Search
Overlap passes in a grid pattern — random wandering leaves large areas unsearched.
Record Provenance
Note depth, signal ID, and GPS for every good find — context drives historical value.
Fill Every Hole
Leave ground as you found it — unfilled holes get detectorists banned from sites.
Safety Notes
- Always get permission before detecting on private property.
- Fill all holes — unfilled holes are trip hazards and damage landowner relationships.