An Important Note to a Beginner Seeking Helpful Info on the Web: Be Aware of Fake Expert Websites, Blogs and Videos about Metal Detecting and Equipment!
by Sergei UpstateNY, last time modified:
When I am writing a tech article, or create a guide or tutorial (major sections are listed above), I always try to include as many details as possible into my work. All information is based on my own experience. But, of course, I can not possibly cover everything related to the hobby.
If you have not found certain info that you have been looking for on my website or anywhere else, do not hesitate to ask me if I already have an article written on the topic in focus but have not posted it yet. And always keep looking because not all "veteran" websites such as this one have yet been fully rebuilt to be mobile-friendly since this evolutionary trend in web design began a while ago. As a result, most reputable "info reservoirs" for detectorists have been dropped from the first pages of all search engines.
In fact, the veteran websites are truly loaded with invaluable in-depth information, but can not compete with some new, mobile friendly websites and blogs created by those who simply use the long-established websites' original content to fill their webpages and eventually replace the renown websites at the top positions on the search engine pages. Since these publishers/"detectorists" do not know the subject in depth due to their lack of experience, they are afraid to deliver information on a level that is deeper than "ankle-deep".
And if you ask anyone of those "adepts" for details on any particular subject related to metal detecting, or, at least, to tell you how many years any of them has been metal detecting, your e-mailed question(s) will not be answered. If you are not sure about accuracy of information given on any particular website, asking the creator/author a few specific questions is actually the best way for you to determine whether you are dealing with an expert or just a wannabe.
Throughout your learning process, try not to take any piece of information as gospel truth. Please do your own research and question everything! And when you come across very promising titles and headlines, just apply common sense. For example, something like "The Ultimate Guide to Treasure Hunting" should raise red flags, especially when such a guide fits on one webpage! (I am not kidding you!) For instance, my website contains a few thousand pages with in-depth info, but they barely cover 50% of topics related to metal detecting!
There are also the so-called "all you need to know!" websites that contain pieces of info gathered from other sources but not organized in any logical sequence or supported by actual pictures. The authors of such fake "write-ups" claim to have practical experience and a strong desire to share it with beginners. But their poor articles reflect nothing but their aggressive attempt to monetize the &borrowed" content which they do not fully understand. If you come across web pages that are not personalized in any way, ignore them and skip to the next source!
The problem with creators of "shallow" blogs and websites is not just their violation of ethics and copyright laws through replicating information they copy from web resources like this one and other websites alike, or misleading a newcomer with incorrect information. The biggest problem is that they deprive the beginner-detectorists of full knowledge of basic things that are essential for a successful start. And when a beginner, being not even aware of receiving incomplete pieces of info, fails to achieve good results without knowing why, he or she gets frustrated, starts blaming himself or herself, and eventually quits the hobby. :(
This is why, if you are new to metal detecting, you should avoid fake "metal detecting guides" and half-baked "tutorials" created by so-called "experts" giving wrong advises! Even though most of them usually disappear from the view later on, they sure cause some misunderstanding, confusion and frustration to some newcomers to the hobby. Unfortunately sometimes it gets worse when the fake experts' posts are copied by other incompetent web publishers, and these pieces of misleading information are multiplied and spread out on the web.
If you wish to locate the hard-to-find, truthful information that is vital for your successful metal detecting, you should reasonably avoid freshly developed websites and blogs. And if you wish to get to the oldest, likely non-mobile-friendly, websites carrying invaluable information, you must dig deep into the search engine pages. If any helpful information is presented in numerous images, you should definitely use your laptop or desktop instead of a smartphone to view them all.
Another type of info sources to be cautious about are of course the instruction videos posted on the Internet. Most of them are created primarily for promotion and advertisement, contain a lot of bias and subjective opinion, and do not disclose negative facts about any promoted product. And just like many fake, product-praising posts that flood the hobby blogs and metal detecting forums, such videos are purposefully released to create the hype, and to increase sales of metal detectors. 99% of the professionally made videos are staged, but unfortunately only an experienced detectorist is able to notice signs of any sham presentation and critical flaws in it.
Usually such videos are hosted by weathered detectorists who are paid for their pretense performance and, therefore, purposefully do not deliver any particular information that can turn a potential buyer away from metal detectors and/or accessories being promoted. Keep in mind that the competition is high on the today's market of metal detectors, and "the end justifies the means."
It is a little bit different with the misleading amateur videos which usually contain a lot of incorrect information due to their makers' lack of proficiency and understanding in what they say and do. One should not forget that these inexperienced enthusiasts foremostly want to convince themselves and the whole community that the metal detector (or pinpointer, search coil, etc.) they bought is "the best out there!" Or they do it just to be in a spotlight.
Some videos are so comical that I must admit that, instead of being any type of skill presentation video, they only serve entertaining purpose. Of course, nothing is wrong with that if you understand what you are seeing and would like to have a few laughs. Otherwise, it would not be funny to copy mistakes of incompetent and unskilled detectorists.
The expert advice here would be to wait at least one year after the release of any particular metal detector or pinpointer, and pay attention only to the posts and YouTube videos of real users.
I hope that my note has evoked some awareness and sound judgment in you. The process of learning how to metal detect and get the best out of your machine is challenging; however, it can be a lot of fun and worthwhile if you are an astute learner.
Happy hunting!