Author: GeekyBeach

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What can you learn from a metal detecting lesson?

GeekyBeach

February 6, 2023 5:40 pm February 6, 2023

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Metal detecting is such a fun activity, so I am always happy to hear from people who are interested in taking a lesson with me on the beach. But what…

Metal detecting is such a fun activity, so I am always happy to hear from people who are interested in taking a lesson with me on the beach. But what can you learn from a metal detecting lesson that you can’t get from YouTube?

This past Groundhog Day, I had the great joy of sharing my metal detecting tips and tricks with a new student on a California State Beach. One of the services I provide through GeekyBeach Metal Detecting are metal detecting lessons in the San Francisco Bay Area. Anyone – even if you don’t own a metal detector – can take a one-on-one lesson with me and see what it’s really like to comb the beach!

Every lesson is different – I customize the experience based on your interests. One thing you can’t get from watching videos is the physical feeling of being out with your detector, learning what it should feel like and how to wrangle your equipment. Especially if you have purchased a new detector, it helps to know the best way to set it up and the quirks it might have.

Metal detecting lesson student stands on a San Francisco Bay Area beach

New detectorist D.H. did a great job learning to use his new detector on a windy winter beach!

A review:

“I couldn’t have chosen a better instructor to start out my adventure as a detectorist at a beach. Laura brought a depth of knowledge with regard to knowing where to pick good potential grounds to search and also showing me the best approach to fine tuning my recently acquired Teknetics T2 SE. Laura is an excellent instructor for beginners like myself. If you are starting out, it’s well worth your time to have her show you the ropes as metal detectors are getting more complicated and better nowadays.”

– D.H., San Francisco Bay Area

You can learn a lot by watching videos online, but getting out and learning in person is hard to beat. I was really impressed with D.H.’s great questions and willingness to try different approaches – I can’t wait to hear about his future finds!

Metal detecting is about more than finding treasures. In addition to being mindful about trash we find, we also clean up hazards that are just below the surface. There are often rusty and sharp objects, batteries, and lead. I’m so glad he found a small pair of scissors that would really hurt if someone found them with their foot!

Metal detecting lesson student holds up items found while searching the beach

D.H. holds up some of his finds – he definitely saved someone from those scissors!

So what can you learn from a metal detecting lesson? How to have more fun at the beach! If you’re looking for a unique adventure in the Bay Area for yourself or your family, consider a metal detecting lesson!

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3 min read

RingFinders Stories

Hillside Ring Recovery

GeekyBeach

January 4, 2023 3:58 pm January 4, 2023

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I received a call on the evening of Jan. 3, 2023 from a man whose wedding ring fell off on his property – a steep hillside home. He had searched…

I received a call on the evening of Jan. 3, 2023 from a man whose wedding ring fell off on his property – a steep hillside home. He had searched for a while and was hoping a metal detector would make the job easier.

It was already dark, but with an enormous winter storm predicted for the following day, there was a bit of urgency to find it quickly before heavy rain could wash it farther down the hill. Though it would be dark and the hill already damp from prior rain, I decided to venture out equipped with headlamps and hope.

What happened?

He was unloading groceries from the trunk of his car when the ring flew off his hand and started rolling down the driveway. He managed to see it happen and watched the ring, figuring it would stop on the concrete. Nope! His ring apparently had a daredevil streak – it launched itself off the concrete over the side of the road and down the hill next to the home.

I brought my Minelab CTX3030 and Equinox 800 (Minelab Metal Detectors ). When I arrived, he had assistance from three other men who were exploring the slope. As a transplant only one year ago from flatter than flat parts of the country, I’m still new to and intimidated by hills. I offered to give a quick lesson on the lightweight Equinox since they were far more adept with the hillside than I would be.

I set up the Equinox properly for the situation and target, and gave one of the gentlemen a crash course: easy…listen for the bleep! Then off he went down the hill while I checked out another spot that was easier to access. Within about 10 minutes or so, I heard the happy words: “Found it!”

Mens wedding ring shown in the hand of its owner after recovery on hillside.

My box lantern illuminates the owner’s hand after his ring was recovered.

Because they had all been searching for probably a couple hours, this was a major relief and exciting moment. I was particularly happy that even though I didn’t find it myself, I was able to bring the joy and excitement of metal detecting to another person. And of course relief to the ring owner!

It was a smart move by the ring owner to call someone with the right tool, and the experience to set it up quickly and properly for the situation.

This goes for many parts of life – not just for metal detecting. We can often feel like trying to handle obstacles on our own either personally or professionally. The additional help along with a metal detector made the recovery happen much quicker. And in my case, handing off the detector to someone with better hill skills!

There is perhaps no better example than asking you to imagine the last time you tried to DIY something in your home and it wasn’t as simple as you thought. Plumbing quickly comes to mind for me. I’m sure we all have examples from our professional lives as well.

In this case and so many others, it’s worth calling on your fellow villagers for assistance!

Lose something special? Call a RingFinder! RingFinders is a global directory of metal detectorists just like me who can help you recover lost metal objects.

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Stories

A Metal Detectorist is Never Off Duty

GeekyBeach

December 13, 2022 5:34 pm December 13, 2022

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A neighbor, Carrie, posted on the social network NextDoor that she had lost a special pendant. It had belonged to her mom and she gave some details in her post…

A neighbor, Carrie, posted on the social network NextDoor that she had lost a special pendant. It had belonged to her mom and she gave some details in her post about where she was walking before noticing that it was missing.

“I was walking with my dog, and the area could include top, middle, and lower parking lots, benches behind the campus overlooking tennis courts and a pool, a loop around the back of the property, and back down to the parking lots.”

Whew…the area she mentioned was large – a big property with multiple buildings and places to walk and sit.

Because of the large possible search area, I didn’t feel confident that I’d have any luck. I wasn’t even sure that it would require a metal detector. But it was a beautiful day, so I decided it would be a nice place to walk and just keep my eyes open – no detector required.

I walked through the parking lots, up some stairs to buildings and I put myself in the shoes of someone walking their dog.

Not too long after arriving, I saw what I thought might be the benches she mentioned in her post. Thinking about how people generally sit down and mess around with clothing, removing purses and bags, I decided to check under and around the benches. I also knew to look THROUGH the bench slats in case it would be easier to see on the ground.

Turns out…it did fall through…but not all the way! There it was – wedged in the slats just out of reach by hand. I was able to gently fish it out with my pocket knife and car key.

I was so happy to call Carrie and get it back to her that evening. She was very happy, and teary-eyed as she told me that was a special bench for her and her mom. A place for her to always feel like she’s still with her even now that she’s passed.

I don’t always push myself to try things that don’t seem likely to work out, so this was a good reminder to go for it (and to have some faith in my eagle eyes.)

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Stories

How Metal Detecting Supports My Career in Technology

GeekyBeach

November 6, 2022 2:41 pm November 6, 2022

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When I’m not metal detecting, you can find me working in the field of technology. Many people who are not familiar with metal detecting think that it must mean I’m…

When I’m not metal detecting, you can find me working in the field of technology. Many people who are not familiar with metal detecting think that it must mean I’m on a never-ending search for pirate treasure! More often, it means that I’m helping someone with a problem that requires a bit of … digging.

I often receive calls from people who have lost something special (like wedding rings, phones, you name it). In those moments, I have to put on my detective hat and grab my equipment. There’s my metal detector, of course, and scoops or shovels to do the digging, but I also have to dig into the story behind the loss.

Recovering Lost Items

man holds a wedding ring on the beach after recovered with a metal detector

A relieved husband holds his wedding ring after I recovered it on the beach!

Interacting with someone who has just lost a potentially expensive, cherished item involves asking lots of questions and being emotionally aware. I can’t be afraid to prod for as much as they can remember when their item went missing. In some cases, I have to help calm their nerves a little bit so they can think clearer. Sometimes I have to help them see that their memory may not be accurate!

In all cases, I put myself in their shoes: I walk the same path and imagine how they interacted with the environment. “Hmm…maybe they tripped over that rock and their item went flying into the leaf pile! … I’ll check it out.”

I am often able to reunite them with their lost item and the hugs and smiles in those moments are hard to beat. Other times we are both left with a mystery. In those moments, I always tell them to keep looking. Check all the odd places they’d never imagine (like this story with an unusual ring location!) It’s also healthy if they can come to terms with the loss, but still keep their eyes open just in case.

Thinking from the customer’s perspective

This isn’t too far from what I do in my work life. I love asking questions and thinking about how people behave. So this metal detecting hobby of mine allows me to flex the same muscles in a different way.

Working in technology requires a lot of thinking from someone else’s perspective. It also means talking to your audience directly and learning from their experiences. In the end, it’s all about improving an experience – a better website, a more effective system, a more entertaining mobile game, you name it.

If you’re looking for a problem-solver to join your business team, you might need a metal detectorist to help your business strike gold. 😉

Schedule a Meeting with Laura now!

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Learn

What is Metal Detecting?

GeekyBeach

October 11, 2022 6:09 pm October 11, 2022

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I hear a lot of questions from interested passersby when I’m out detecting. But some of the questions I see come from Google searches on the subject of metal detecting….

I hear a lot of questions from interested passersby when I’m out detecting. But some of the questions I see come from Google searches on the subject of metal detecting. Things like:
What is the point of metal detecting?
Is metal detecting a good hobby?
Is metal detecting legal in the US?
Can metal detecting make you money?

I’m happy to answer each of these questions and more! But let’s start with a little lesson about how metal detectors work and the first question: What is (the point of) metal detecting?

What is the point of Metal Detecting?

This is a rather blunt way of phrasing the question, but believe it or not it’s a commonly searched phrase on Google. Using a phrase like “what is the point” makes it sound like people don’t understand the hobby. And you know what…maybe they don’t! It might seem obvious to those of us who are already in the hobby, but others might feel that it looks boring.

The “point” of metal detecting varies. For some of us, it’s just about getting outside and feeling the excitement of finding something. There’s a special thrill of locating a target and discovering what it is. It’s hard to explain to someone else how exciting it is. Maybe they need to just try it – (take a lesson with me!)

For others, the purpose can be recovering lost items, assisting police departments with recovery of bullet casings and weapons, and less common but still relevant: locating property or utility lines with specialized equipment.

How Metal Detectors Work

A metal detector has three main components: a search coil, a shaft and grip, and a display. A metal detector transmits an electromagnetic field into the ground below you from the search coil at the end of the shaft. There are different shapes of the coil, but it’s generally round or oblong in shape. When the field from your coil passes over a metal object below, the object becomes energized and emits a signal of its own. A metal detector is designed to “detect” that retransmitted signal and alert you on a display.

If you want a longer lesson on metal detecting, have a look at Minelab’s article about metal detectors.

Is Metal Detecting a Good Hobby?

This is very subjective, but I would say…yes! First, you need to know thyself. If you are not interested in the time required, cleaning up after yourself, and working hard before finding something interesting…it may not be for you. Many people enter the hobby because they want to find gold rings on the beach. But many more say that they are just curious! That curiosity is the best indicator that it might be a great hobby for you.

It might take you 300 targets before you find anything you find interesting, or you could find something neat right away! Also, if you just like the idea of cleaning up buried objects, that’s a great attitude to have. Ideally, we are all contributing to cleaner public spaces.

Is Metal Detecting Legal in the US?

Yes and no! It depends where you want to use a detector. National Parks…nope! Always be sure to check before you detect. Even local or state parks can have rules, permitting processes, or special restrictions. You want to be aware of those and any other hazards before you detect.

You should even be careful before digging in your yard! If you aren’t familiar with the location of utility lines, you could be in for a shock. There’s a reason utility companies have “CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!” stickers all over their vehicles. It’s worth being careful.

Can Metal Detecting Make You Money?

Possible, but not likely. Again this really depends on what you’re hoping to do with the interest. There are definitely careers in metal detecting where you might focus on locating objects for police departments. But if your idea is to find enough gold to pay yourself a hefty salary, that is very unlikely. Many detectorists do cash in the coins they find during the year and that can get into the hundreds of dollars on average. If you live in a tourist area and know the swimming spots (and want to dive in the water), you can find bigger items.

Items of large value should be reported to the local police. Many detectorists do everything they can to locate the owner of a valuable or sentimental item like rings and phones. Check out all the cool YouTube videos available on ring and phone finding!

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RingFinders Stories

Is it in the trash?

GeekyBeach

August 31, 2022 4:15 pm August 31, 2022

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In mid July, I was contacted by a couple who lives just about 15 minutes down the highway. The husband had lost his wedding band somewhere on their property, and…

In mid July, I was contacted by a couple who lives just about 15 minutes down the highway. The husband had lost his wedding band somewhere on their property, and they had reason to believe it might be in the trash.

The scene: Husband and wife were cooking dinner in the kitchen. Dealing with chicken, husband takes off ring for the nasty parts.

It was only later after the meal was over and the kitchen cleaned that he realized “oh no…where’s my ring??”
They spent all night looking for it and didn’t want to put the cans out for pickup unless they felt confident that his gold ring wasn’t in there, so they contacted me the next day to help!

I drove out to meet them, and we all searched through the contents of the trash looking for any potential gold signal from my metal detector.

During the process, it started looking like the ring wasn’t in the trash, so I went through my list of usual questions: Did they check the sink drain? Vacuum bag? Leftover containers? Other normal spots he might set it down?
They hadn’t found it anywhere. This was their last hope.

Unfortunately, we didn’t find it either. No signals in the trash that weren’t just foil. It’s always hard to leave without locating the ring. 🙁

A little over a month later I got a text message: “Hi Laura – happy to let you know we found the ring! It was tucked away in between the pages of a cookbook and feel out when we took it off the shelf.”

Even when you think you’ve exhausted all the possibilities, leave it to life to present you with the unexpected. And maybe a new favorite recipe.

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1 min read

Gear Learn

What metal detector is used on oak island?

GeekyBeach

July 13, 2022 6:11 pm July 13, 2022

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The History channel’s popular show The Curse of Oak Island has brought a lot of attention and interest to the hobby of metal detecting. In particular, we all love watching…

The History channel’s popular show The Curse of Oak Island has brought a lot of attention and interest to the hobby of metal detecting. In particular, we all love watching Gary Drayton use his metal detector on Oak Island to find interesting objects over several television seasons!

What metal detector is Gary Drayton using on Oak Island?

Most of the time, Gary is shown using a Minelab CTX-3030. There are a variety of coils available for the CTX-3030 though it comes equipped with an 11-inch coil. You can also get a 6-inch small coil, and a 17-inch coil which is larger and has an oval shape. You often see Gary using this size on the show. Be sure to visit Gary Drayton’s website to support his shop and learn how to detect!

It happens to be the same metal detector I use most of the time! (I wish I had access to Oak Island!) Pictured below along with my beach scoop, it’s helped me find hundreds of recoveries for others and keep the beaches clean. You can even order Gary Drayton’s book about using the CTX-3030, but the must-have book for any new owner is the Minelab CTX 3030 Handbook by Andy Sabisch.

I highly recommend grabbing both books for your collection if you are curious about metal detecting and using the CTX-3030. Please contact me if you would like help deciding which detector to purchase!

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RingFinders

Claddagh Ring Recovered in Alameda, California

GeekyBeach

June 11, 2022 5:04 pm June 11, 2022

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Trevor contacted me about losing a special anniversary ring on Robert Crown Memorial Beach in Alameda, California on June 6, 2022. It was a Claddagh ring – a traditional Irish…

Trevor contacted me about losing a special anniversary ring on Robert Crown Memorial Beach in Alameda, California on June 6, 2022.

It was a Claddagh ring – a traditional Irish ring in which a heart represents love, the crown stands for loyalty, and two clasped hands symbolize friendship. The couple each has one.

Trevor worked hard to piece together the details of where they were sitting, and approximately how far out in the water they were when it slipped off.

I’m so glad Trevor found my site and that I was able to recover it so it can continue being cherished. Always give it a try – you might have luck on your side! 🍀

❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 🖤

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RingFinders Stories

Diamond Engagement Ring Recovered – Stinson Beach, California

GeekyBeach

June 2, 2022 3:44 pm June 2, 2022

1 min read

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Jillian contacted me about her engagement ring that went missing on the beach over the weekend. She had a great idea of where it might be and was able to…

Jillian contacted me about her engagement ring that went missing on the beach over the weekend. She had a great idea of where it might be and was able to direct me to the probable location.

She also took the initiative to call the lifeguard tower, local beach cafe, and anywhere else she could imagine it may have been lost. Smart!

I hit the road with my trusty Minelab metal detector and created a search grid on the beach. I like to use a “narrowing” approach when the area is fairly large. I marked off a perimeter and did some diagonal crosses and W patterns near the likely spots first. For example, she mentioned sitting fairly close to the dunes, but not on them. The dunes create a natural upward slope “chair” when sitting on the beach, so it would make sense for someone to set down a bag on the slope and have it tip over.

Within about an hour and a half, after pulling up every pop tab and piece of aluminum trash on the planet (at least that’s what it felt like!), I finally found her lovely gold diamond engagement ring! What a dazzler!! The bright sunny day made it sparkle. I let out an audible “YES!” for an audience of no one! But it was still thrilling.

I called her right away so she could breathe a little easier, and we met up later that evening to get it back on her hand where it belongs.

I enjoyed getting to know the happy couple and I wish them well on their upcoming wedding and travels. I’m glad they found The RingFinders and my website Geekybeach.com so I could help, and so happy it turned out positive.

Returning a special item is a great feeling and it’s a big part of what many metal detectorists enjoy about the hobby. Have you ever lost a valuable item? Be sure to contact me if you need help!

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Stories

Spreading the Metal Detecting Word: Detectorist

GeekyBeach

April 6, 2022 3:08 pm April 6, 2022

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Recently, two local newspapers who were fascinated by the hobby of metal detecting and wanted to share stories with their readers contacted me for information. I was happy and humbled…

Recently, two local newspapers who were fascinated by the hobby of metal detecting and wanted to share stories with their readers contacted me for information. I was happy and humbled to share stories from my adventures so far, and perhaps do something additional: introduce others to the word “detectorist!”

Many are unfamiliar with the term, as we have often been referred to as “metal detectors,” but that describes our machine. We detectorists use metal detectors!

So I was happy to see the word appear in the headline for both articles. Those of us familiar with the word already may or may not like it – I’m curious what you think! The BBC show The Detectorists is another way that people outside of the hobby have learned more about what it is. Sure, there are the stereotypes, but those lovable characters were easy to bond with.

Do you use the word metal detectorist to describe yourself? Leave a comment below or message me to share your preference.