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detectors clubs UK Allderdale Research Club,R. Williams, Barn Cottage, WestEnd, Great Broughton, Cockermouth, Cumbria. Anglian Detector Recovery Club,D. Parker,C/O 9 Long John Hill,Lakenham,Norwich,Norfolk. Antonine Metal Detectors Club,Mr. Michael Burke,20 Dunkeld place, Langlees,Falkirk,FK2 7TZ. Arley Detector Club,J. Dean,26 Halcyon Way,Burton-on-Trent,Staffs Ashfield Metal Detecting Club,Mr John Gough Avon Valley Metal Detector Club,B.J. Collins,114 Longmead Avenue,Horfield,Bristol,Avon. Ayreshire Research Detector Group,A Leishman,11Athold Gardens,Kilwinning,Ayrshire,Scotland. Aztec Metal Detecting ClubBuckingham, Brackley Towcester and Daventry area
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detecting Banbridge County MD Club,F. Owens,21 Gowan Vale Drive, Banbridge, Northern Ireland. Bedfordshire Historical Search Society,A. J. Mowbray,2 Broughton Avenue,Luton,Beds Birmingham Search & Seek Club,K. Williams,75 Norfolk Road,Erdington,Birmingham. B.I.D.S., Birmingham's Independent Detectorists Society. Bloxwich Research & MD Club,Ian Johnson, 15, The Ridgeway, Burntwood, Staffordshire. Bolton "& District Prospectors ClubMrs. M. Thomas,68 Temple Road,Halliwell,Bolton,Lancs Border Reivers Search SocietyPeter Bell Brentwood District MD Club,Alan Barnard,20 Rossendale,Chelmsford,Essex, Bridlington Metal Detecting Society,The Society meets every first Wedneday The Black Bull Public House in Old Town Bridlington Brighton District MDC,Mr. D. Harris,38 Salting Way,Upper Beeding,Steyning,Sussex, Britannia Search Recovery Club,J.W. Mills,Kirby Close,Loughton,Essex. British Bottle Review,A. Blakeman,2 Stafford Avenue,Elescar,Barnsley,S. Yorks. Burton Artefact Society,Mrs. M.E. Chamberlain,21 Halycon Way,Burton-on-Trent,Staffs. Burton Metal Detecting Club,Mrs J A West,1ChurchhillStreet, Winshill, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Bury Historical Recovery Society, School Grove, Prestwich, Manchester, Gtr Manchester
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clubs Caernarfon Metal Detecting Club Camberley & Bagshot Association,Jim Murphy,74 Eastworth Road,Chertsey,Surrey, Cardiff SCAN Club,Mr Ken Watson Carmarthenshire Metal Detecting Society,Mr. Brian Forest,'Croynant', Talog, Dyfed, Central SearchersContact: Gill Evans Central Yorkshire MD Club,Michael Swain,29 Lowther Grove,Garforth,Leeds,Yorks, Chelmsford MD Club,Timothy Rowe, 42 Chelmerton Drive, GT Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex, Chester & North Wales Coin Society,Dr. S. C. Bean, Antiquities Liverpool Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool, Chesterfield Metal Detecting Club,Mr. David Stanley,38 Mansfield Road, Killamarsh, Sheffield, S. Yorks, Cleveland Discoverers,K. Dalton, 5 Fosdyke Green, Netherfields, Middlesborough, Cleveland. Colchester & Dist Det & Artefacts Club Consett MD & Research Club,Mr. D. Greenwell, 7 Central Drive, Middlestone Moor, Spennymoor, Co Durham, Cotswold Heritage & Det Society,Tim Hand, 3 Nauton Parade, Cheltenham, Glos, Coventry Heritage Detector Society,B. L. Pollard, 115 Tennyson Road, Coventry, W. Mids, Crewe & Nantwich MD Society,P Haslam, 82 Chester Road, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire. Croydon
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detecting UK Dacorum Historical Recovery Group,S.R. Harral, Rose Cottage, Coningesby Drive, Watford, Herts, gt Britain Dartford Area Relic Recovery Club. Derby Artefacts Recovery Club. The Dorset Detector Group,David Mcgowan. at 60 East Howe Lane, Ensbury Park, Bournemouth, Dorset. Doncaster Detectors & Collectors,B. Morgan, 34 Churchill Avenue, York Road, Doncaster, Yorks. Duneime Metal Detecting Club,J. Hetherington, 9 Calcary Court, Rossmere Estate, Hartlepool, Cleveland UK
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clubs gt Britain East Cambs Detector Society. East Coast Searchers Maningtree, Essex. T. Davy, 7 Elm Park, Toftwood, Dereham, Norfolk. East Devon Metal Detecting Club,Mr. Paul Wood, 16 Bedlands Lane, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, East Norfolk MD Society,Mrs D. Johnson, 91 Clifton Street, Norwich, Norfolk, East of England Detector Club,Mrs C.Y. Dawes, 42 The Street, Porlingland, Norwich, Norfolk, East Surrey Detecting Club,Mr. C. Maynard, 87 Derek Avenue, West Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, East Yorkshire MD Society,H. A. Nicholson, 43 Churchill Avenue, Cottingham, Hull, Humberside. Eastbourne & District MD Club, K Winstanley Secretary Eastbourne and District Metal Detecting Club Edan Valley Searchers, E. V. G. Wright, 34 Tyne Close Avenue, Penrith, Cumbria, East Kent Artefact Team. Essex Detector Society UK
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detecting club Farnham & District MDC,Rowan Devereux, 4 The Chase, Farnborough, Hants UK
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uk & wales Gateshead & District Artifact Rec Ass,Mr. H. Gladstone, 25 St Cuthberts Drive, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear. Grampian Detectorists Club,G. Greig, 50 Morningside Road, Aberdeen, Grampian, Scotland, Grantham & District Search Club,J. Pearson, 109 Alexandra Road, Grantham, Lincs, Gwent Metal Detecting Club,A. Dibble, 6 Trannon Court, Thornhill, Cwmbran, Gwent, Gwynedd Recovery and Search Society,The Secretary, Dave Ormesher, Bwthyn Chwarel Goch, Fachwen, Caernarfon, Gwynedd
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detecting uk The Hampshire Detector Club,, Halifax & District A.R. Club,J.R. Russell, 178 Deighton Road, Deighton, Huddersfield, W. Yorks, UK Hayes & District MD Club,Mrs. F.B. Burgess, 122 Carlyon Road, Hayes, Middx, Hazel Grove Seek & Find Club,Mrs. M.G. Bills, 34 Norwood Road, Greatmoor, Stockport, Gtr. Manchester. Heart of England Detector Club,P Rutherford, 146 Hawkes Mill Lane, Brownshill Green, Coventry, W. Mids, Herts & District MD Society,Malcolm Beagle, 6 Maple Avenue, St Albans, Herts, Hessle Detector Club,Mr. B. Foster, 94 Danes Dyke Drive, Hessle, North Humbs, Highland Historical Search Society, Whites Electronics (UK) Ltd, Harbour Road, Inverness, Highlands Scotland, Hinckley Search Society,V.E. Maddocks, Ourlands Drive, Hinckley, Leics, UK Historical Search Society (Mold), Holt Road Wrexham Hitchin Detecting Club, Lancaster Avenue, Hitchin, Herts, Hucclecote MD Club,K. A. Arnold, 3 Wheatway, Abbeydale, Gloucester, Glos, Hoyland Searchers Society. Hull Antiquity Research Association,H. Nicholson, 43 Churchill Avenue, Cottingham, Hull, Humbs. Huntingdon Roundheads Searchers Club, Ingram Street, Huntingdon, Cambs UK
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ICI MD Club,John Clow, 2 Burntscarth Road, Dumfries, Scotland Ipswich & District Detector Club,Trevor Southgate, 16 Eustace Road, Ipswich, Norfolk, Ischem Relic Society,D. Whalley, 3 Rhode Close, Keynsham, Bristol, Avon UK
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Kendal & District MD Club,Mrs. A. Broomby, Sellet Lodge, Stainton, Kendal, Cumbria, Kernow Search & Recovery Club, Meet at Hayle Rugby Club Tuesday Kings Lynn & Dist MD Club,J. W. Wells, Startops End Fen Lane, Ashwicken, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, Kirklees Historic Search Society,M. H. Smith, 27 Beechcroft View, Cottingley, Leeds, W. Yorks
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club uk Leicester Search Society, Leicester Seekers MD Group,H. R. Jackson, 23 Beatrice Road, Leicester, Leics. Lincolnshire Search Society,John Byford, 24 Albert Avenue, Seacroft, Skegness, Lincs, Llanelli Metal Detecting ClubContact: David Reynolds Long Eaton Searchers,Dennis Brown, 16 Bosden Close, Bilborough, Notts, Loughborough Coin & Search SocietyMeets at the Wallace Humphrey Room, Shelthorpe Community Centre. Lune Valley MD Club,Jim Hodgkinson, 14 Inglehead, Fulwood, Preston, Lancs UK
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Maidenhead Search Society,Secretary Mr Roy Baker, Mansfield & District Detecting Club,Pete Reid, 55 Abbey Road, Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Notts. MAGIOIVINVM METAL DETECTING CLUB MILTON KEYNES Melksham & District Detector Society,Harry Douglas, Perim, 2A Brockleaze, Neston, Corsham, Wilts, Melton & Belvoir Search Society,S. J. Houghton, 17 Main Street, Thorpe Satchville, Leics, Meridian Independent Metal Detecting Group,David Miles, 31 Princes Drive, Waterlooville, Hants, Merseyside & NW Survey Club,W. Gibbons, 27 Cedar Road, Aintree, Liverpool, Merseyside, Mexborough & District MD Club,L. A. Ferguson, 52 Wentworth Road, Swinton, Rotherham, S. Yorks, Mid-Kent Search & Recovery Club,Ian Wigston, Avon House, 76 Heath Road, Barming, Maidstone, Kent, Milton Keynes Searchers, Mudlarks ( Soc: of Thames & Antiquarians),Mr. J. Dunford, 2 Ennerdale Road, Bexleyheath, Kent gt Britain
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UK Nene Valley Hist D.E.T. Group,B. Reynolds, 8 Stanswick Road, Higham Ferrers, Wellingborough, Northants. Newtownabbey & District MDC,M. Hollywood, 10 Glenbane Avenue, Rathcoole, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland. North Kent Collectors Club,G. Turner, 6 The Hill, Northfleet, Kent. Northumbrian Search Society,Meet each Wednesday at The Grange Inn, High Street, Carville, Co Durham (7.30pm) North Notts Search & Recovery Club,Mr. P. J. Wynn, 13 Chester Street, Mansfield, Notts, Northants Detecting AssociationThe Secretary Dale Kirton North Staffs Historical & Search Society,Mrs Joyce Baker, 2,Fellbrook Lane, Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, North West Metal Detecting Club,Tony Bardsley, 69 Fir Street, Salford, Manchester, Gtr Manchester, North West Surrey Searchers,Mrs. J. Edgecombe, 8 Linkfield Gardens, Redhill, Surrey, Northbourne Research & Det Club,Mr. Harry Staines, 11 Blenheim Drive, Mudeford, Christchurch, Dorset, Northern LH & FA Society,B. Snowball, Coach Road House, Dalton-le-Dale, Co Durham, Norwich Detectors,R. Nock, 2 Beverley Road, Brundall, Norwich, Norfolk, Nottingham Co-Operative Society MD,Mr. M. J. Simpson, 17 Bagnall Avenue, Arnold, Nottingham, Notts, Nottingham Stater MD Club,M.A. Beasley, 11 Musters Walk, Bulwell, Nottingham, Notts , Nottinghamshire MD Society,A. M. Evans, 44 Malkin Avenue, Radcliffe on Trent, Notts.
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uk Our Heritage Detecting Society,G. Singleton, Top O' The hill, 54 Redhill Drive, Nr. Bredbury, Stockport, Cheshire. Oxford Blues MD Club,Jim Croxford, 38 Ditchingham Close, Aylesbury, Bucks, Oxfordshire.H. R. Detector Club,Alex Gibbs, Bicester, Oxon. UK
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Parkgate Detector Club,D. Speechly, 15 Kent Close, Bromborough, Wirral, Merseyside. Peak Artefacts Search Team,Mrs C. Howseley, 3 The Hall, Midleton-by-Wirksworth, Derbys. Pembrokeshire Prospectors' Society,every month 8pm. The Cricket Club, Dale Road, Haverfordwest, Pembs. Phoenix Metal Detctor Club,Miss D. Forster, 35 Whitwell, Paston, Peterborough, Cambs, Phoenix Metal Detecting Club,S. Barden, 8 Albany Road, Stocksbridge, Sheffield Plymouth Metal Detecting Club. Preston MD Club,Anne Slater, 45 St. Cuthbert's Road, Lostock Hall, Preston, Lancs, Pocklington Searchers Metal Detecting Club,Mark and Clair Hildreth, F1, 4-6 Market Place, Pocklington, East Yorkshire
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Gt Britain Redditch Historical Detection Society,Frank Wiley, 21 Penn Manor, Finstall, Bromsgrove, Worcs. Rhondda Artifacts & Research Enthusiasts,Mr. Bob. Carter, 3 Apple Tree Road, Dinas, Tonypandy, Rhondda, Mid Glamorgan, Royal Pheonix MDG,Meet at: The Cricketers, Grabble Avenue, Dover Rolls Royce Motors Hist. Artefacts Assoc,N. Townley, 71 Saxon Crossway, Winsford, Cheshire, Romney Marshland Metal Det Club,Mr Brian Waterhouse, Farthings, 17 Ellis Drive, New Romney, Kent
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UK Scottish Artefact Recovery Group(Central Scotland) Swale Search & Recovery Club Peter Clarke (Chairman Swale MDC) Sussex Historical Search SocietySecretary Mr Stuart Hendley, c/o Sussex Historical Search Society, 5 Beacon Way, Beaumont Park, Littlehampton, West Sussex, Stour Valley Search & Recovery Club, South Lancs & Cheshire UK
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Three Counties M.D.C.Mark Coles. 864, Dunstable Road,Luton, Beds, Torbay Metal Detectors Club, Tyneside
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detectors clubs Veteran Searchers (Mid Sussex) for retired people only!!
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Wakefield Relic Hunters. West Lancs Metal Detecting Club. Weymouth Metal Detecting Club. Weston Historical Research & Detecting Assoc; Wessex Metal Detecting Assoc: Malcolm Picton, 72, Westwood Glen, Tilehurst, Reading, White Cliffs M.D.ClubMembership Secretary, Alan Davis WREXHAM M.D.Club Hon President Mr C.Cater
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YEOVIL & DISTRICT B & M.D. Club Visitors welcome at 'The Glo
ABOUT REGTON
METAL DETECTORS ~ METAL DETECTING UK ~ SECURITY METAL DETECTING ~ SECURITY METAL DETECTORS HOBBY DETECTORS UK tips for your hobby detecting UK good advice given for you to choose the best metal detector for your hobby or business metal detectors also available UK Regton Birmingham for a wonderful world of metal detectors online UK Welcome to the wonderful world of metal detecting, visit an online website to browse through the metal detectors and security metal detection, Regtons help newcomers choose their first metal detector and guide experienced metal detectorists towards their ideal machine. Regton Birmingham understand that not all metal detectors are used for finding treasure. That's why they have a range of metal detectors dedicated to industrial use. Their industrial equipment will find manhole covers and stop cocks, rebar, nails in wood, metal pipes, buried fuel tanks and can be used for locating and tracing non metallic pipes. Many existing industrial customers include water companies searching for manholes and pipes. Regton Birminghams metal detector suppliers, buy a metal detector online, or visit their showroom in Birmingham, feel free to phone and discuss your needs before you order your metal detector. Regton’s have been supplying security metal detection equipment for nearly thirty years. A friendly family firm with a combined experience of over one hundred years will ensure you are 100% satisfied with your metal detector for pleasure or business.Regton Birmingham are the UK sole distributors for manufacturers including Garrett and XP and a wide choice of equipment. Benefit from the vast experience with courts, immigration appellate, prisons, schools and other government departments. Loss prevention is a speciality in a large warehouse or on a smaller scale in businesses & shops. With a maintenance contract you will benefit from peace of mind together with the sound knowledge that your equipment is functioning correctly. Technical advice from the staff at Regton Birmingham is always available. For a quote, advice, or to place an order simply phone Regton metal detectors during office hours. Handheld Metal Detector for Security XPSEC - The new XP Security is a specialised tool for security inspection in a number of places. Airports, Courthouses, prisons, night clubs and other venues where security is required. The main features include an LED & audio alarm and use a new Audio Tone Discrimination (ATD) mode The advanced circuitry of the new THD Tactical Hand-held metal Detector is highly sensitive and needs no adjusting. The unit detects ferrous, non-ferrous and stainless steel weapons, contraband or other metallic objects with ultra-quick response time. All silent operation and Red LED indicator light allow the officer to maintain tactical advantage while scanning and retrieving metallic items. Bright LED torch at tip of unit for low light and / or night operation. The Green LED indicates unit is on, and changes to Amber when battery needs replacing. Completely weather-proof, slip-free handle and rugged construction with high-impact ABS plastic withstands demanding law enforcement applications. Internal voltage regulation circuitry ensures maximum performance. Full 360° Plus detection area allows unrestricted detection. Complete with rugged holster, may be mounted on duty belt or in patrol car. No tools necessary for easy battery replacement 9-Volt. Dimensions & weight Thickness: 1 5/8” (3.8cm) tapered to 1 1/8” (2.9cm). Length: 8.5” (20cm). Weight: 6.4oz (0.2kg). Tuning: Automatic. Warranty: 2 years. Field Test for the New Garrett Ace 150 metal detector - By Norfolk Wolf © Reprinted with kind permission from Searcher Magazine I once used to sell Mazda cars and on one occasion a prospective customer came into the showroom and asked me what they were like. I replied that even if they were rubbish or had faults, did he really think I was going to tell him? My job was to convince him that what he was purchasing was the best his money could buy and if the situation arose, try to steer him into the car with the most profit for me. That’s sales the world over, whether it be a car, a washing machine or a metal detector. Most detectorists who have been around for a while are by now aware of this fact and that the machine they read about and subsequently buy has the good points extolled, but no mention is made of it’s limitations or drawbacks. As a completely independent, over the coming months I will be field testing different models and describing not only how they work under differing conditions but also the drawbacks, and if possible how to overcome these. The new models Ace 150 and 250 that Garrett have brought out for 2005, supersedes the previous Ace 100 and 300. It hasn’t just been a quick makeover with a different badge slapped on the side, but a completely new metal detector from the coil upwards. The standard green livery of Garrett has been replaced by a new bright hamburger cheese yellow for the control box and the armrest cup, this contrasts with the black stem and the all new 6.5 x 9 Rhino elliptical coil and which runs at 7.2KHz It loses none of the excellent build quality that Garrett is renowned for and was very quickly assembled. As opposed to the original switch on and go format, the Ace 150 control box now boasts 3 touch buttons that controls the Power, Sensitivity and Discriminating modes. An LCD screen with graphic target I.D. cursor on a 5- segmented horizontal scale, giving a probable target readout. Also three different discriminating modes of operation, All-Metal, Jewellery and coins, the sensitivity is adjusted incrementally in four stages. A coin depth gauge (2”, 4” or 6+inches) is situated to the right-hand side of the control box and there is also a low battery indicator. The headphone jack is placed conveniently under the control housing, so allowing no moisture ingress to the control-box. Replacing the 4xAA batteries is a simple matter of sliding the front cover off the control box. An adjustment to the arm-cup is simply a case of undoing one screw, and the whole lot weighs in at a mere 2.7lbs. The handy pocket size manual is easily understood with plenty of illustrations to get you on your way and able to refer back to it in the field. First impressions The people that I showed it to gave a condescending smile, this reminded me of way back, when the Silver Sabre first came on the scene and because of it’s size it too was regarded as a mere toy, until people actually used it. In use. I thought that I would take it easy and give it a run out on one of my lesser-mineralised sites, bearing in mind that most of it had already been covered with more upmarket machines. Deciding to use only the all-metal and jewellery modes; as in the coin mode pull-tabs are notched out and this I feel is intended more for beaches and parks. Working over the stubble using full sensitivity the Ace 150 was behaving itself with no false signalling and even beneath power lines, by dropping the Sens. down a notch it remained stable. Running at7.2KHz it surprised me with the ease it was able to find the inner cores of cartridges. Okay they aren’t bright hammered coins, but to have this ability over 6inch high stubble and finding the small objects in the ground a further couple of inches is not to be sneezed at by any metal detectors standards. With buttons and pieces of lead and suchlike coming to light, my confidence in the machine grew, (No longer a condescending smile!) On a Roman site - It wasn’t so much the heavier mineralisation but more the large amount of ferrous material, that decided me to work in all -metal. The lower 7.2 KHz meant that the response speed would be slower and I would need to hear all signals to adjust my sweep speed accordingly. Nails would register with a low tone with small bronzes and silver (think big!) with higher tones. Straightaway the Sens.needed dropping a notch and then once more in the more contaminated areas, because of the concentration of ferrous giving out unreliable readings and sounding off. The coinage and artefacts as expected in these conditions weren’t coming up at any great depths, but the Ace 150 definitely had the ability to pull stuff, small bronzes and other finds under these conditions. Moving away from the area it was then possible to switch to Jewellery mode and up the Sens. another notch and still remain perfectly stable. Running at full sens. was out of the question, just as it would have been using other machines. Beach-work - Taking it on the dry sand isn’t really a test, as all metal detectors will perform well in these conditions, but I wanted to see how well the Coin Mode worked and just what coinage would be lost. Well, the Ace will ignore all types of pull-tabs, ring-pulls and bottle caps, plus iron and foil, whilst retaining all pre-decimal coinage and also £2 and £1 coins, 5p’s and the older 1 and 2p’s. It loses the 50,20 and 10 p’s also the newer (more iron) 1 and 2p’s. Sensitivity could be left on full. Going further down the beach to the damp sand I switched back to jewellery mode, the Sens. needed dropping because of some false signalling. Trying it over water that was laying about was a complete no, no. Although not absolutely 100% stable over the damp sand, I was still able to pull some coinage and at reasonably good depths. All the false signals were of the high bell-tone type, so it was just a question of ignoring these and digging everything else. Iron - In the jewellery mode small ferrous (Nails etc,) will be discriminated out with no sound, but still showing iron on the readout. The larger pieces of iron are easy to distinguish, although sounding out, these will give a broader low signal and will not give a steady reading. Coke - In the Jewellery mode, coke is lost whilst still retaining the ability to pull “ hammered” cut quarters let alone halves.. Hot rocks - No problems, I wasn’t troubled once, the ground tracking is decidedly on the positive side to overcome these. Response speed - As to be expected with the lower KHz metal detectors, the ability to recover from an unwanted target to respond to a good one will be slower than that of a metal detector running at the higher KHz ratings. By working slower in the “naily” areas, this will help somewhat in overcoming the problem. Conclusions - Obviously the Ace 150 is not marketed for those detectorists who already have, or want to own, a high octane machine; this will be more for the first time buyer who requires a sophisticated machine that won’t damage either the pocket or the brain cells. It’s ultra light and effective under most of the conditions where the new owner will want to use it, whether it be the beach or on a Roman site; it has the capabilities to produce, right down to a cut quarter, all at reasonably good depths. The ability to find these and ignore coke and hot-rocks is a much-needed bonus for a metal detector of any price. After awhile and seeing for myself what it achieved, at no time during the testing did I hanker after one of my own machines. Simple to use and versatile, with a price tag of under £170 and a 2year warranty, plus a host of dedicated extras and the name of Garrett, you will get an awful lot of “bangs for your bucks.” I’ve now got used to the colour as well! Both the Garrett Ace 150 and the 250 (which has more functions) will be available from mid-January2005. The Garrett Ace 150 & 250 are available from: Regton Ltd 82 Cliveland Street Birmingham B19 3SN (0121) 359 2379 www.regton.com email Inland Detecting Tips - By Nigel Ingram - Most metal detectors are suitable for inland & dry sand detecting, the only exceptions would be Pulse Induction metal detectors, whilst quite happy working on this type of area they do not possess any form of discrimination to reject ferrous objects, making them very hard work indeed. When you first get your new metal detector read the manufacturers instructions carefully also any supplementary instructions that have been supplied with your model (Regton supplies these with quite a few models). Make sure your batteries are either charged or up to the correct power, we find that most operational problems are associated with batteries than anything else. The best place to try your machine first of all is inside your house with the machine on a table or chair with the search head overhanging the edge and away from the floor. You can now practice changing the various controls and becoming accustomed to the layout of your metal detector. At this point do not start experimenting with maximum depths and turning everything up to full, as in reality these settings will not be used in the field and you will make the machine unstable. Your first outing will probably be your back garden, a good place to start and often you will be surprised what has been lost there. As you move further afield you will be looking for permission from farmers, landowners, friends, and family before venturing onto their property. Fields fall into two categories, ploughed and pasture, the former is usually more productive as the older items of interest have been brought to the surface by the plough whereas the pasture tends to keep its secrets hidden, often out of reach of even the best metal detectors. On pasture it's worth trying all metal mode to pick up everything, this is usually a slightly deeper mode to detect in, all be it a little slow sometimes. This brings us onto the next subject, research, the dreaded homework, but this can be fun if you go about it the right way. First stop is the local library to find old maps and documents relating to the area you are detecting, when you compare these old maps with modern maps you will find many clues to abandoned buildings, forgotten villages and re-routed roads many of which have many lost or even discarded objects just waiting to be found. There are many guides available now to help you understand how to obtain permission. Remember the person you are asking probably doesn't understand that we are only finding objects from the first 12 inches or so and digging with a trowel, he may be thinking in feet and have visions of you using a huge spade. Take time to understand how farmers can be invaluable when you are the umpteenth 'townie' to ask permission this week. Being able to correctly recognise his winter wheat from his corn crop will make him feel he is talking to a like-minded person who appreciates the countryside and knows how to look after the land, after all it's his livelihood you are asking to walk over. If you are thinking of detecting along bridleways or public footpaths, as a mater of courtesy try and find the landowner to ask permission, this can often give you the perfect opportunity to ask about the area and may well lead to other interesting sites. Beach Detecting Tips - By W.F.Harris - Wet sand detecting - When detecting below the high water mark there are a few golden do's and don'ts. Do not rush out and buy the cheapest metal detector available, you must have the right machine for the job, being stable on the wet sand in conjunction with deep seeking capabilities. To find the gold and coinage in quantity, the type of beach composition you must be looking for is: brown sand on black sand, black sand, hard pack, stone beds on black or hard pack sand, all these mediums must be within the depth range of your machine. Look for iron-infested patches, the art in working this type of beach is to use the all-metal mode on your metal detector and isolate each signal with a circular motion of the search coil. Now test the signal on discriminate whilst being careful not to overlap to another signal. I found an Edwardian purse full of coinage; three of the coins were two Sovereigns and a Crown, from this type of area. Old photo's of the beach or old post cards, these will show you where the people of that era sat on the beach, also it will show you where the bathing machines went down to the waters edge. Surf detecting or shallow water detecting - This is mostly done in the Mediterranean where there is a lot of gold to be found in shallow water detecting, the same rules apply. Brown on black sand or black sand on hard pack, this time you don't want the stones, they will just fill up your scoop and it makes life hard. A good underwater metal detector is a must for this type of detecting. A strong scoop is also needed. Soft sand is no good at all, walk until you feel the seabed getting firm then test for black sand, this is where thin-soled surfing boots come in handy; you will be able to feel the change in the seabed. So the golden rule is if there is no black sand there will not be very much gold. Out of season the Mediterranean can get a bit cold at times so get a good wet suit, you will soon recoup your expenditure. Dry sand detecting - By this we mean above the high water mark, will produce lots of recent losses in the form of coins and jewellery. If you find any piece of jewellery, try to find the owner by starting at the local police station, ask them if anything has been reported lost within the last few months in the area you found it. The look on someone's face when you return a lost ring or trinket is worth every penny. Look at the beach during the day or find a postcard showing the beach at the height of summer, this will show the 'hot spots' to search where you have the greatest numbers of people congregating. Try and detect before people are on the beach and after they have left, this causes the least inconvenience to other beach users and you won't feel like the 'pied piper' with hoards of kids trying to dig your every signal. Last and by no means least, please remember to fill in any holes you have dug, even on the beach, leave everything as you found it and take any litter home or dispose of it thoughtfully, it's a great hobby, let's keep it that way! To maintain the good name of our hobby we would ask all of those presently involved or thinking of taking up metal detecting, to act responsibly and abide by the following Code of Conduct. Do not trespass. Ask permission before venturing onto any private land. Respect the Country Code. Do not leave gates open when crossing fields, and do not damage crops or frighten animals. Do not leave a mess. Practice pinpointing and extracting your finds with the minimum of disturbance to the ground and fill the hole back in (even when searching remote farm fields). Stamp the earth back down and leave the area as you found it. Help to keep Britain tidy - and help yourself. Take away and dispose of any rubbish that you find (rusty iron, silver paper, old cans). This will save you from wasting time digging the junk up again next year, and will prevent any damage it might cause to expensive farm machinery. If you discover any live ammunition or other potentially lethal object do not touch it. Mark the spot carefully and report the find to the local police and landowner. Report all unusual historical finds to the landowner and abide by the requirements of the Treasure Act 1996. Familiarise yourself with the law relating to archaeological sites. Remember that it is illegal for anyone to use a metal detector on a Scheduled Ancient Monument unless permission has first been obtained from the Secretary of State for the Environment. Remember that when you are out with your metal detector you are an ambassador for our hobby. Do nothing that might give it a bad name.
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