Sony Action Cam for Metal Detecting

I've been carrying a tripod and video camera around since this spring and I don't mind saying "I started to hate videoing my hunts." Trying to hold a digging shovel and tripod in one hand and swing my machine in the other was a pain. I looked at all the POV video cameras out and really liked the Sony. I have used Sony products for years and have had good luck with them.

At this point, I have decided on mounting the cam on my headphones. This option gives me the best actual POV that does not hinder my normal swing. The cam is out of the way. It did take a few mounting attempts to get the angle right, but I think I have it just about right now. Anyone that videos their metal detecting outings should consider this option. It gives you the ability to film your entire process from getting the target signal, digging target and recovery. All of us that watch YouTube videos of metal detecting love it when we see a nice coin come popping out of the ground somewhat "LIVE." As if we were there...

Here is a short video on how I have mine mounted:

JCJ

Guys love "Gear", any type of gear...

Most guys love the gear they use for any of their hobbies. Fishing gear, hunting gear, racing gear, metal detecting gear, etc...name the past time and you can name the gear that comes with participating in that hobby. A lot of gear is inter-changeable with various hobbies. Hunting boots can be used for any of the outdoor hobbies. Flash lights are in just about any hobbies gear list.

What I would like to talk about is the gear used for metal detecting. Over the years I have developed a pile of gear that I use most every time I go detecting. Through trial and error I have compiled a list of essential gear (on my person), back up gear (in the truck) and just in case gear (also in the truck). We will start with the essential gear.

In the photo below are my essential gear items. Belt, with finds bag, digging knife, pin pointer and gloves. I always have this on my person when detecting for coins or relics. Also, I have used the "Predator" relic shovel for many years and can't imagine using another. This shovel is the best. I like a wide belt as it holds the items on it more securely. I use a Minelab digging knife and am satisfied with the performance. Garrett pin pointer has been great over the years, but will try the Minelab Pro pin pointer soon. Will let you know my thoughts on it once I have used it awhile. Always carry a few cleaning brushes to help ID finds in the field. Toilet paper is a must and is always close by. Good pair of gloves, I use a cheap $4 pair and when they wear out I toss them. Marking tape to mark an area or a spot. The waist pouch (camo) is new and I will be trying it out on the next few hunts. I have seen some other guys using them on some video and figured I give it a try. More pockets, more gear!!

Essential Gear

Recently I started wearing a vest all the time when detecting. I have a summer vest as well as a fall/winter vest. Fall and Winter vest has blazed orange. They both have plenty of pockets to store more gear!!! Adding to the essentials list, I always carry my camera, cell phone, reading glasses, magnifying glass, field notebook and water. I use to carry a GPS, but with the CTX 3030's on board GPS that is a mute point. Inside my finds bag I carry small containers to store my good finds. Putting coins, buttons or small brass items inside these containers along with some soil will help protect them during the rest of the hunt. Cell phone for an emergency. Camera for videos that go on YouTube as well as documenting a find. Reading glasses and magnifying glass because my eyesight is not what they used to be. Field notebook to write down notes about finds found. Even with the GPS on the CTX, I still need the field notebook. Its faster to write a few notes than to do data entry in the field. My process when finding a nice target is recover item, mark spot with the CTX's GPS, take a few notes and then on to the next find.

Back up and Just in case gear

Back up gear is stored in the truck and most of it fits into a large tote box shown below. My back up gear is extra batteries for metal detector and pin pointer. Car chargers for CTX battery, Wireless module and video camera. Extra storage containers for finds, rags for wiping down detector and a few tools.

Just in case gear consist of spare metal detector, heavy duty scoop for river, creeks and ponds. First aide kit

This video is of a few hunts we did over last few days. I got permission to hunt some farm land just west of Ashland, VA. The farmer that owns the land has some prime property for relic hunting. Last hunt was with my friend Robbie at one of his spots in Caroline county, VA. Robbie hunted a yard in the city of Richmond the other day and pulled seven silver coins out of the ground. Robbie needs to start videoing his hunts. Seven silver coins...nice. Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for a chance to win two nice prizes. HH

JCJ

YouTube Channel Metal Detecting Virginia's Big Contest...

Spread the word to everyone about the contest. Current subscribers and new subscribers qualify. As soon as we get to 100 subscribers total, someone wins both prizes...

Here are some photos of the prizes:

JCJ

Good hunt from this spring...

I ended up with 0.5 oz of silver with two finds. Not bad for a site that is holding it's silver tightly in the ground. I will be back at this site after deer hunting season. Thanks for watching

Erie County considers restricting use of metal detectors

You see them sweeping beaches and parks, hunting for buried treasure.
They are relic hunters with metal detectors in hand and ear phones on their heads listening for the sweet clicking sound of discovery. Perhaps an old coin. Maybe a ring. More often, it is an old pop top from a beer can.

Then there are some true legendary finds, like the retired electrician in England who discovered a gold cup in what was later declared an early Bronze Age funerary site.
But many of these metal detector hobbyists feel they get no respect.

If they’re not at odds with archaeologists over the recovery of historical or pre-historic items, they are skirmishing with local officials who want to restrict their access to beaches and parks. Even reality shows like “Savage Family Diggers” and “Dig Wars” don’t show the hobbyists in a favorable light.
“Most of the time, it’s just change we find,” said Kathy Cartonia of Williamsville, who started detecting in 1988.

“What do they think we’re going to do with metal detectors? Wreck the place? It makes no sense.”
So it should come as no surprise that Erie County Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commissioner Troy Schinzel is working to implement a policy that would place a handful of county parks and both county-run golf courses off-limits to the use of metal detectors. The policy would also establish rules on the removal of items from public grounds.

“I am concerned about that activity occurring in our historic or older parks,” Schinzel said. “We have five heritage parks where I would not want this type of activity permitted: Chestnut Ridge, Akron, Como, Ellicott Creek and Emery.
Schinzel is not alone.

See full article here.

Florida's Metal Detector Fanatics Fight High Tide and Murky Laws

Brian Deutzman braces himself against the pounding surf just off South Beach and slowly waves his fluorescent-colored metal detector underwater. His eyes narrow as faint electronic beeps resonate in his oversize headphones. Tall, pale, and draped in a thin white shirt, he looks like a combination of a hipster Ghostbuster and an actual ghost. Beachgoers point and laugh while children swim around in circles, trying to find out what he's looking for.

Wooomp. Deutzman freezes as he hears a long robotic tone. The 24-year-old scavenger finds plenty of trash, from rusted batteries to soda can tabs to enough pennies to cancel out a thousand wishes. But that noise means he's found something larger. It's the same tone he heard when he nabbed a priceless 19th-century watch and when he stumbled upon a full diamond grill.
Deutzman reaches into the sand, feels something solid, and pulls out a half set of human teeth. "It's from some castaway at sea," he says, noting the teeth with gold dental work will net $75 on eBay if they're real.

Get full article here.