POSTED ON JULY 25, 2023 BY FMDADMIN
As an avid metal detectorist in various locations such as beaches, parks, and fields, I understand the significance of developing effective strategies to maximize one’s chances of finding treasures. Among these strategies, gridding is one method that I consider to be critical for a successful metal detecting outing. Gridding involves dividing your search area into smaller sections, which you methodically search one at a time. The benefits of this approach are significant, but perhaps the most critical is that it ensures a thorough search of the area, reducing the likelihood of missed targets. A variety of factors can mask a signal, including the orientation of the target in the ground, momentary interference from other detectors, swinging the coil too quickly, or not overlapping your swings. Gridding, when combined with maintaining the same coil speed, overlap, and proper discipline like keeping the coil parallel to the ground and avoiding pendulum swinging, can significantly improve your chances of detecting targets. Laying out a grid can be quite simple. For instance, using marking objects like poker chips, sticks, or rocks at the corners of a grid can provide quick reference points for turns. The chaining method, which involves dragging a small chain behind you, can be helpful in open areas, as it leaves a clear mark on the ground to show exactly where you have detected. Techniques like these help maintain consistency, especially after retrieving a find, which can often disrupt the flow of your search pattern. Gridding techniques can also be adapted to various environments. For example, on a beach, there are several patterns you can follow. The straight pattern involves walking from the high beach line to the low tide line, stepping a foot over and repeating the process. A sideways straight pattern is similar, but you detect sideways at the high bank line. The circular pattern, another popular method, begins from the center of the beach after locating your first target, and then involves detecting in increasingly larger circles. Gridding also allows you to handle large sites more effectively. If you are dealing with a site that is vast, you can break it down into more manageable sections. In conclusion, the practice of gridding in metal detecting is a time-tested method that increases the likelihood of finding targets, ensures thorough coverage of the search area, and allows for efficient management of larger sites. As you go out on your next metal detecting adventure, consider implementing this strategy. It may require a little more patience, but the possibility of unearthing a valuable find makes it worth the effort.
Do you do anything different when you start the cross pattern? Like slow down or dig more? Do you ever find anything by going back over an area?