Metal detecting mistakes have gotten complicated with all the conflicting advice and YouTube hot takes flying around. As someone who has made most of these mistakes myself and helped countless beginners avoid them, I learned everything there is to know about what actually trips people up. Today, I will share it all with you.
Mistake #1: Not Learning Your Detector
Probably should have led with this section, honestly. The problem is turning on your machine and heading straight to the field without understanding controls, modes, or settings.
The Fix:
- Read the entire manual before your first hunt
- Watch YouTube tutorials for your specific model
- Practice in your yard on known targets (bury coins at different depths)
- Learn what each target sounds like before hunting “blind”
Expert Tip: Spend your first 20 hours digging EVERYTHING you hear. This builds mental connections between sounds and targets that serve you for years.
Mistake #2: Swinging Too Fast
Racing across an area trying to cover ground means missing targets because the coil moves too quickly.
The Fix:
- Slow down—much slower than feels natural
- Overlap your swings by half the coil width
- Think “low and slow”—keep the coil close to the ground
- A small area thoroughly covered beats a large area skimmed
Test Yourself: Lay a coin on the ground. Swing over it at different speeds. Notice how the signal changes—or disappears—when you swing too fast.
Mistake #3: Lifting the Coil at the End of Swings
That’s what makes coil control endearing to us detectorists—the coil rises like a pendulum at the edges of each swing, reducing depth at the sides.
The Fix:
- Keep the coil parallel to the ground throughout the entire swing
- Practice the “ironing board” motion—flat and level
- Watch yourself in a mirror or have someone observe your technique
Mistake #4: Hunting the Wrong Locations
Detecting in areas with no history—new parks, recently developed land, or locations where people didn’t gather.
The Fix:
- Research before you hunt
- Look for parks established before 1965 for silver potential
- Find old homesteads, schools, churches, and gathering places
- Use historical maps, library resources, and local historical societies
Remember: You can’t find old coins where old coins were never dropped.
Mistake #5: Discriminating Too Much
Setting discrimination high to avoid trash also filters out valuable targets reading in similar ranges.
The Fix:
- Start with minimal discrimination
- Learn what trash sounds like rather than filtering it out
- Many valuable finds read in “trash” ranges (gold rings, old buttons, relics)
- Dig questionable signals until you learn your detector
Truth: Weak, scratchy signals have produced some of the best finds. That deep coin sounds different than a shallow one.
Mistake #6: Not Filling Holes Properly
Leaving visible holes, torn grass, or messy dig sites gives all detectorists a bad reputation.
The Fix:
- Cut a neat plug (three-sided or circular)
- Place dirt on a cloth or pouch, not scattered on grass
- Put all dirt back in the hole
- Press the plug back firmly with your foot
- Leave no evidence you were there
Why It Matters: Unfilled holes get detecting banned from public spaces. Your behavior represents all detectorists.
Mistake #7: Giving Up Too Soon
Expecting treasure on the first hunt, getting discouraged by trash finds, and quitting.
The Fix:
- Set realistic expectations—your first finds will mostly be trash
- Celebrate pull tabs because they prove your technique works
- Track your hours—most detectorists need 50+ hours before finding silver
- Join online communities for motivation and tips
Mistake #8: Ignoring Signals in Trashy Areas
Avoiding trashy areas where good targets might be masked by junk.
The Fix:
- Trashy areas often mean high-use historical areas
- Use smaller coils for better target separation
- Slow down even more in these areas
- Dig everything until the site is cleaned out
Mistake #9: Not Pinpointing Properly
Digging oversized holes because you didn’t narrow down the target location.
The Fix:
- Use your detector’s pinpoint mode before digging
- Make an X with your swings to find the exact spot
- Consider a dedicated pinpointer for accuracy
- Smaller holes mean faster recovery and better ethics
Mistake #10: Detecting Without Permission
Trespassing or detecting in prohibited areas thinking nobody will notice.
The Fix:
- Always get explicit permission for private property
- Research local laws for public lands
- Respect “no detecting” areas even if enforcement seems lax
- Build relationships with property owners for repeat access
One permission from a farmer with historical land is worth more than a hundred public parks. Ask politely, share finds, and doors open.
Every expert was once a beginner making these same mistakes. The difference is learning from them and improving with each hunt. Good luck out there.
