DJS DETECTORS DECEMBER 2003 NEWS LETTER TIPS METAL DETECTOR DETECTING

Happy Holidays All,

December is upon us, and along with that the snow has come to Iowa. As for detecting or prospecting here, it looks like we are done for the winter. This is the time of year we get are equipment cleaned up, and do our research of new sites to hunt in the spring. I had a good year this year treasure hunting. I was very fortunate in finding many new treasure hunting friends along with the great finds from this year. It was great meeting and hunting with each of you.

Update on Jarita and Baby DT. Both are doing real well, and it sure seems like DT is trying to escape some days as the little one is getting very active. All Doctors appointments have gone well and we are about one month away from getting to meet our first child. The Doctors say the middle of January. We are both nervous and excited as the date gets closer.

We started a contest page and will run a contest from time to time on there. Be sure to check in to see if there is a contest running. The one running now has an entry due date by Dec. 31, 2003. http://www.djsdetectors.com/Contest/contest.htm

We have added a couple new products to our store. There is a headphone tote to protect your investment in headphones you can find on the headphone page. Also is the Digital Gold Scales found on the prospecting page.

Anyone who has a personal page they would like linked to our site please let us know. Also if you have a site that you really like for research, or information lease send us the link. Here are a few of mine favorites.

Detecting forums: http://www.treasureboards.com

http://www.tesoro.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/Iowa_Metal_Detecting

Prospecting Forums: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Goldminers/

http://imcg.wr.usgs.gov/usbmak/anat0.html

http://webpages.charter.net/kwilliams00/bcftp/bcftp.htm

Metal Detecting Tip

How does one know what detector is right for them? Does the most expensive mean the best for every type of hunting? I get asked questions like this all the time. The best way to decide is to figure out first what kind of hunting you will be doing with a particular machine. Coins, cache hunting, relics, jewelry, gold nuggets, water hunting, or a combination of each. The type of hunting, and ground conditions, will greatly effect what machines will work for you. For instance if you are going to be hunting water, you will need a machine that can get wet without destroying it. There are some very good multi use machines available today. However in time most people find that it takes more then one detector to cover all of the types of hunting they will be getting involved in.

Next you need to decide what machine will fit the needs of the type of hunting you will be doing, and the types of ground you will be hunting in. For an example you wouldn't want to pick a real deep sinking machine to hunt areas where fresh dropped coins are the norm. Just like if you are gold nugget hunter you won't need the discrimination circuitry that a coin hunter will need. The weight of a machine can also become an issue if you will be hunting for long periods of time in one outing. If you primary use will be competition hunting for example a frequency shifter is a must so your machine won't cross talk with others in close proximity. Most times a person can go with a machine that is less expensive and add a good collection of coils to help with their hunting needs for about the same money as a more expensive machine.

This brings us to the last part of your decision. How much do I spend. Bells and whistles can be nice, but most of us can get along just fine without them. Be sure to sent a budget for a machine, but remember you must remain flexible so you don't end up with the wrong machine for your needs. Also remember that the detector is only a part of what you need to hunt. There is also digging tools, headphones, a pouch to keep trash and treasure in, and some like electronic pinpointers. All these things add to the cost of starting in this hobby. The nice thing is this is one hobby that can indeed pay for itself.

If you take the time to do the research, and read information on the different types of detectors available, it can save you money and maybe even save you from giving up on a great hobby before you start because someone sold you the wrong machine for your hunting needs.

Sierra's Prospecting Tips

by William Anderson

Sierra's tip will not be done this month due to other commitments. Please look for it next month.

Jarita and I would like to wish you all the Happiest of Holidays and thank all of you who have purchased products from us in the last year. Also to all of you who stop in the chat room on a nightly basis to share your wisdom with the new people in our hobbies. For those of you who are interested in learning more about prospecting or detecting, be sure to stop by the chat room, and don't be shy. No matter what the conversation is going on, we are always happy to change it to treasure hunting. We chat most every evening between 8 and 10 Central time. Have a great month everyone and we are looking to talking with you all in the chat room. Also please continue to share your stories and pictures of your great adventures with us, and the others that read them on our site.

May your Holiday Season Be Happy and Safe,

Doug and Jarita Heidebrink

DJ's Detectors

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