Looking for your first metal detector? If so chances are you are feeling a little confused right now. Trying to make sense of all the different settings, options and metal detector styles available to you. Don't feel bad I to find myself overwhelmed at times when it comes to shopping for my next metal detector. There's just so many different metal detectors out there to choose from, each of which offers something a little bit different than the next.

Let me help make sense of what I can for you. First off beings that your new to the hobby of metal detecting you definitely do not want a metal detector that is to advanced. You don't want to overwhelm yourself with a bunch of settings and features your probably wont use anyway.

Try to stay away from any metal detectors that feature a target ID system, as cool as they may be. If you do go with a detector that has a target ID display, ignore it! Dig only by ear, this is how you will eventually start finding the very old, very deep keepers. Trust me on this one!

Your first metal detector should have a minimal number of manual settings, just the basics. Those basics include ground balance, discrimination, gain, threshold and volume. These are the five most important settings common to almost every metal detector ever made. Learn how to use these settings correctly and you will be golden! One additional option I do advise looking into is a metal detector that has both manual and automatic ground balance. It will take you some time getting use to ground balancing manually, even at that it seems like more manufacturers are opting for full auto ground balance, making manual ground balancing a thing of the past.

With these few simple tips in mind, your main goal is to find a metal detector that will one work for the type of metal detecting you will be doing. Two be high quality and within your price range or budget. Three be as comfortable as possible.

The first is a big one, manufacturers make different metal detectors to do different things. You wont want to purchase a gold prospecting metal detector if you will mainly be metal detecting local parks for coins and lost jewelry. This may seem like common sense, though sometimes it's not always as clear as you think it might be. So if your going to be coin shooting make sure you find a metal detector made for coin and jewelry hunting, if your going to be beach hunting make sure you buy a metal detector built to handle beach conditions and so on.

Your first metal detector as well as every metal detector after your first should always be of the highest possible quality while still falling into your budget. Sometimes it is worth buying less metal detector to gain one of higher quality. Quality is everything in a metal detector! You can get away with buying generic cereal, soap, heck even a generic television, though when it comes to buying a metal detector the word generic or budget built should not even enter your mind!

Finally, you should be comfortable with your new metal detector, you should like everything about it. If a metal detector feels uncomfortable, or does not fit you like a glove, its not for you! Despite anything the metal detector has to offer, if your not going to be comfortable with the it, the metal detector is not worth buying. You can not always physically touch and hold a metal before buying it, so be careful, ask plenty of questions about the detector before buying it and also do plenty of research before buying, if this is the case. Many times you can get a pretty good idea of whether or not a metal detector will suit you and your comfort zone without actually touching or holding it, though physically handling the metal detector before buying is always the better way to go.

Hopefully you have a better idea of what to look for in your first metal detector. If I missed something and you would like to talk with one of us directly you can contact us here.