Metal Detector Tips - Five Things You Need to Know
By Michael D. Hall

Metal detecting is a hobby that never goes out of style and figures suggest that increasing numbers of hobbyists are taking up their metal detectors and striking out in search of treasure. But what exactly is a metal detector, how does it work and what are the best ways of using it to improve your chances of finding something valuable?

What is a metal detector?
The first commercial detectors appeared in the 1960s and were used initially in industrial settings, for example, mining, to discover buried metal that was not visible to the naked eye. Detectors are also used in the military for detecting buried mines or weapons caches. Subsequently, the metal detector became a very popular tool for the hobbyist, and has been used to unearth significant treasure troves of great historical and monetary value.