Your metal detector says it's a good coin target. The target ID says it's a quarter and you've got a nice repeatable high tone. You just know it's going to be a quarter or other good coin...And when you dig it up and it's an old can. Sound familiar? Sure it does, it's happened to us all. Get ready to dig in because in this article we are going to tell you how to tell the difference between a good target and a bad target.

If you are new to metal detecting you should be digging everything. This will help you learn your metal detectors language. And knowing your metal detector is absolutely vital once you start deciding what you will dig and what you won't dig.

We're going to present you with that same situation at the beginning of this article but this time we're going to give you the tools and processes needed to make an informed decision to dig or not to dig.

Ok, here we go again...Your metal detector says it's a good coin target. The target ID says it's a quarter and you've got a nice repeatable high tone. STOP right there! Let's say we've done air tests and through those air tests and experience we know that our detectors limits on a coin sized target is 8 inches. With this knowledge and experience we know if the buried object is a coin or coin sized target then our detector should not be able to pick that target up at a depth greater than our metal detectors capabilities. For the purpose of this article let's just that the limit is 8 inches. 

With that being said all we have to do to apply this knowledge to any buried target is to slowly lift our coil up as we swing over the target. If that target disappears any time before our coil gets to 8 inches above the ground then we can safely conclude that that target is at the very least a coin sized target and not a large target like an old buried can. However if we can raise our coil higher than 8 inches maybe even 11 or 12 inches then we can also safely conclude that the target is much larger than a coin and then you will have to decide if you want to dig the target or not. But at least you will not be chasing large targets thinking you've got a coin.

Checkout this video from our sister company Bounty Hunter Metal Detectors for more on telling the difference between good and bad targets while metal detecting.