Why Am I Finding Only Junk? How to Detect Valuable Items

Quick Answer:

You are finding junk because of incorrect settings, location or technique. Adjust discrimination, learn target tones and search historical sites. Use the right coil and dig deeper.

Introduction

Finding nothing but junk while metal detecting is frustrating. You spend hours searching, only to pull up bottle caps, nails, and other trash. Why does this happen? More importantly, how can you start finding valuable items instead?

This guide, I will show you what mistakes might be causing this and how to fix them. You will learn how to adjust your settings, pick the right locations, and recognize valuable signals. By the end, you will have a better chance of digging up treasure instead of trash.

Common Reasons You’re Only Finding Junk

1. Your Metal Detector Settings Aren’t Right

Every metal detector has settings that help filter out trash. If your sensitivity is too high, you might pick up everything, including tiny bits of junk. If discrimination is too low, your detector won’t block out unwanted metals like iron.

Fix: Adjust your settings based on what you want to find. Increase discrimination to filter out common junk like nails. Lower sensitivity in trash-heavy areas to focus on stronger signals.

2. You’re Hunting in the Wrong Places

Some areas have more junk than treasure. Parks, beaches, and public spaces often have a lot of modern trash, while historical sites may hold valuable finds.

Fix: Research locations before you go. Use old maps to find spots where people gathered decades ago. Less-trafficked areas near historical landmarks can be goldmines.

3. You’re Misreading Signals

Different metals produce different tones. Beginners often dig up every beep, wasting time on junk.

Fix: Learn the sound differences between junk and valuable metals. Coins and jewelry often have sharp, consistent tones, while trash tends to sound choppy or broken.

4. You’re Using the Wrong Search Coil

Small coils are great for separating signals in trashy areas, while larger coils help find deeper targets.

Fix: Use a smaller coil in high-trash areas to focus on valuable signals. Use a larger coil in open spaces where valuable items might be deeper.

5. You’re Not Digging Deep Enough

Many valuable finds are buried deeper than surface junk. If you only dig shallow targets, you might be missing out.

Fix: If you get a strong, consistent signal, dig deeper. Some valuable relics, coins, and jewelry are buried beyond the reach of casual detectorists.

How to Detect Valuable Items Instead of Junk

1. Adjust Your Discrimination Settings

Set your metal detector to ignore common junk metals like iron. Test with different settings to see what works best.

2. Learn Your Detector’s Tones

Each detector has different audio signals for various metals. Spend time practicing in a controlled area by burying known objects and listening to the sounds they make.

3. Choose the Right Location

The best places to find valuable items are areas with historical activity. Look for old parks, former fairgrounds, battle sites, and homesteads.

4. Use the Right Metal Detector

Different metal detectors work better for different finds. Some top brands to consider:

• Garrett Metal Detectors – Great for beginners and all-purpose detecting.
• Minelab Metal Detectors – Best for deep detection and advanced treasure hunting.
• Nokta Metal Detectors – Excellent for various terrains.
• XP Metal Detectors – Lightweight and high-performance.
• Fisher Metal Detectors – Reliable and precise for coin and relic hunting.

Using the right detector can make all the difference in avoiding junk and finding treasure.

Common Metal Detecting Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring historical research – Finding a good location is just as important as having the right detector.
• Not rechecking signals – A slight shift in angle might reveal a valuable target.
• Skipping faint signals – Deep, valuable targets might not produce a strong beep.
• Not cleaning out an area properly – Removing surface junk can help detect deeper valuable items.

Pro Tips for Better Finds

• Hunt after rain – Moist soil helps with signal conductivity, improving detection.
• Use a pinpointer – This handheld tool helps locate small targets more accurately.

Find the Metal Detector at Detector Warehouse

Right metal detector and technique can make a big difference in what you find. At Detector Warehouse, we offer a wide range of high-quality metal detectors. We have the best metal detectors to help you find more valuable items and less junk.