Key Detecting Concepts Explained
Whether you’re prospecting for gold, hunting for ancient coins or scuba diving for sunken treasure, there are some basic metal detecting concepts and terms that are common to all forms of metal detecting. Understanding how these definitions apply to your type of detecting will improve your success.
Detection Depth Factors
The most common question about metal detectors is ‘How deep do they go?’ The answer is not as simple as you might think and usually starts with ‘It depends…’ The depth that a metal detector can detect a target depends on a number of factors:
- Ground mineralisation
A target in low mineralised ground can be detected deeper than a target in highly mineralised ground. The level of ground mineralisation has a significant influence on detection depth.
- Target
Size Large targets can be detected deeper than small targets.
- Target
Shape Circular shapes like coins and rings can be detected deeper than long thin shapes like nails.
- Target orientation
A horizontal coin (e.g. lying flat) can be detected deeper than a vertical coin (e.g. on edge).
- Target material
High conductive metals (e.g. silver) can be detected deeper than low conductive metals (e.g. lead).
