The Garrett Ace 250 is a very versatile metal detector. It is a light weight metal detector that will not tire you out in the field. If you are not familier with the Garrett Ace line of detectors, you will be amazed at all the features they have on these machines. The Ace 250 has some exciting features that any detectorist will love at a very reasonable price. There are many other brands on the market, but Charles Garrett has provided a line of affordable, easy to use detectors. It is newbie friendly and easy to use.It also comes with an owner’s manual and an instructional dvd. This is a great metal detector for the seasoned pro, or the beginner.

LCD Features

The Garrett Ace 250 has a good sized LCD screen for easy viewing. The left side of the screen lists the modes available, the center shows the sensitivity level, and the right side is the depth readings. The depth meter is one of the best features on this metal detector, as you can see how far down your target is. The depth readings on the right of the screen functions while the detectorist is hunting. One thing to keep in mind is the depth readings come in two inch increments and goes to eight inches. There is an  always visible battery life scale so you will know when to change batteries.

Other Features

The discrimination element has eight control levels of sensitivity. There are also 12 discrimination cursors. There is an elimination pad which is used in conjunction with the discrimination element. For example, if you find a nail you can push the elimination pad so you will no longer recieve those signals. The Ace 250 is a sensitive metal detector, so it is wise to use caution when first starting out with this machine. Try testing the sensitivity in the yard with a metal object so you will get a feel of how to use it. If you set it too high, you could lose out on finding some valuables. You will be able to fine tune the discrimination level to what you want the level to be. Press the pad left or right to set the sensitivity level.  Another great feature is the built in pinpointer. This  is a great feature for targeting your find. To use this feature just press and hold the pinpoint tab as you sweep the Ace 250 over your target area.

Modes

You will see five preset modes on the left side of the screen. All-Metal is the first one. It has no discrimination set and will detect al metal. This is a good mode if you are not looking for any certain type of metal. However, you will also find a lot of junk metal, so be prepaired to do a lot of digging. This is also a great mode to use for beach detecting as there are various kinds of metal objects lost in the sand. Jewelry is the second mode. This mode is also useful for detecting at places such as the beach and parks, etc. The Custom mode is the one that saves your discrimination settings. The Relics mode will usually eliminate metals such as foil. It will pick up brass, lead, etc. People use this mode to hunt for civil war relics. Coins is the final mode. This mode will eliminate metal such as foil, pulltabs and iron. Most people use this mode for metal detecting in parks where there tends to be a lot of trash.

Any metal detector can find metal, but what kind of metal do you want to find? Most detectors have features that can detect gold, relics, coins and jewelry. The relics feature is useful if you live in an area where any civil war action took place. If you live near the coast and plan to do some beach detecting, you really to pick a detector that can find a variety of metals. When picking a detector for the beach, it’s best to choose one with a water proof coil. You can also purchase a water proof coil separately. Coils are very easy to change out.

The technology in metal detectors is constantly changing, so it is best to determine what type of detecting you will be doing so you can make the right selection. How much do you want to spend? Metal detectors come in a wide variety of prices. Sometimes the most expensive model is not the best. It may have many bells and whistles, but you don’t want to pay for features you don’t need. Think about the type of terrain you will be detecting, and select a detector that is ideal for your needs.

As I stated earlier. the discrimination feature is important. It will allow you to filter out junk metal. The higher the control is set, the more objects will be ignored. It can save you from needless digging. However, setting it too high can also cost you, so it is best to set it in the middle. Most people dig the target even if it shows junk so as to not miss possible treasure. Reasearch the different models and read reviews of what people have to say. Take your time and do some research and I’m sure you will find the detector that’s right for you.

Civil War Belt Buckle

The Civil War still holds a great deal of fascination for many people in America. Some family members fought on opposite sides to uphold their beliefs.  Because of the continuing  facination with this war, collecting relics from this peroid has become a popular hobby. From 1861 to 1865, the Civil War was fought on more than 390 battlefields. 

During the Civil War, there more than 1,000 different types of bullets used. The most common was the .58 caliber bullet.  Civil War bullet collecting has become a popular hobby in the metal detecting community. Soldiers usually carved rings and other shapes into their bullets. This was mostly done while sitting in camp to alleviate boredom. You can buy them online, but I would suggest you invest in a good price guide first. 

Civil War belt plates, or buckles, and buttons from uniforms are other items the relic hunter might find. Some belt plates in great shape have sold for several thousand dollars. Some lucky hunters have found quite a few plates. However, most relic hunters like to keep their finds to display. Other items you may find include camping gear, utensils and other projectiles. 

Research is probably the most important part of being able to locate relics. You need to know the troop movements in the area you are interested in. This can be done by studying historic Civil War maps online. They will show the troop movements of both side’s army. Look at a map of the same area today to compare both. Another source is books. There are tons of books on the Civil War. Also, check your local library. You should be able to find historic info on your area. 

When studying the battlemaps, look for the path the armies used to retreat. Soldiers running for their lives were sure to have dropped or thrown items to get rid of some of the weight of the gear they had to carry. Troops tended to travel as close to water as possible. If you are lucky, you may find a campsite. 

Relic hunting has become a controversial topic with many archaeologists and historians. Perhaps not meaning to, many relic hunters destroy historical context by removing their finds without any documentation of it’s location. It’s best to always take a camera with you so you can take pictures of your find before removing it. Also take pictures of the surrounding area to show how close it is to landscapes, such as roads, buildings, and trees. 

                                                   Things To Think About   

Going out to do some metal detecting can present some issues most people tend to not think about. For example, if you’re going out into a wooded area, make sure you take along something to keep the bugs away. You don’t want your metal detecting excursion to end with you being covered in bug bites. The following article is more metal detecting tips that can make life a little easier when you are out detecting 

 Investing in a backpack can be a great addition to to your gear. This way you can carry the items you need when you are not near your vehicle. Items like bottled water, snacks, and small digging tools make a backpack a necessity for most treasure hunters. Most importantly, don’t forget the tp. Find a good tree limb to hang the backpack on. It’s better than leaving it on the ground and can help keep out unwanted pests      

                                                       Don’t Get Wet 

Weather can be hard to predict, so you might want to take along a rain poncho. Baggies can help protect the meter if you get caught in a shower. Army camo pants and a fishing vest are two examples of something to carry your finds in. Other items you may consider include a flashlight, magnifying glass, duct or electrical tape, camera, gloves and kneepads. Waterproof boots work well with this kind of hobby. If you are alone, make sure you take your cell phone with you.                                               

Now for the no-brainers. Always carry extra batteries. To me, this is a must. Make sure you have something to put trash in. A basic first aid kit is also recommended. A gallon of water and some old towels or a roll of paper towels should be left in the vehicle to help clean your equipment before you head home with your treasures. Remember, don’t leave your detector in a hot car and take the batteries out after each use. You don’t want the batteries to leak.

A total of 52,500 bronze and silver coins dating from the 3rd century AD were found by a hobby metal detectorist. The discovery was made in April by a 63 year old UK hospital chef by the name of Dave Crisp using his metal detector. The coins were found in a large, well preserved pot around 18 inches across – a type of jar normally used for storing food.

                                              Pot of Gold
Initially, Mr Crisp unearthed 21 coins in the field near Frome in Somerset. But when he came across the top of a pot, he began to realise the significance of his find. He added: ‘I have made many finds over the years, but this is my first major coin hoard.’ The whole stash weighs about 350 pounds.

                                          Can You Say Piggy Bank
How they got into the field remains a mystery, but archaeologists believe they must represent the life savings of an entire community – possibly a votive offering to the gods. The pot was buried in the ground, then the coins were added over the years like a big piggy bank. A Roman road runs nearby, but no trace of a villa, settlement or cemetery has been found.

                                         What Could You Do With 5 Milllion    
The hoard, which was valued at 3.3 million pounds ($5 million), includes hundreds of coins bearing the image of Marcus Aurelius Carausius, who seized power in Britain and northern France in the late third century and proclaimed himself emperor. Carausius was a Roman naval officer who seized power in 286 AD. and ruled until he was assassinated in 293 AD.

Metal Detecting Tips

There are a few metal detecting tips that may give you some help. If you are new to metal detecting, I suggest that you think about joining a metal detecting club. You can learn a lot from the other members. This is also a great way to make new friends.

Check your local area for metal detecting or treasure hunting clubs. If you don’t have a partner to hunt with, joining a club is a great solution. Metal detecting is a great hobby. What can be more fun than finding buried treasure?

Treasure Hunting With Metal Detectors

As you hunt, you will also find a lot of trash, like junk metal. Most of the detectors made today have some discrimination and screens so you can see what’s under the ground. It’s a good idea to take a bag to put trash in so it will not get in the way.

What you find depends on where you go. If you live near a beach, that is a great place to hunt. Coins and rings are always lost there. It’s also a great place to hunt after a storm. There are a lot of sunken ships that have treasure still on them.

Under Water & Beach Metal Detecting

Some of it gets washed ashore after it storms. If you live in an area of the country that had civil war troops around, chances are there are relics still under the ground. You can search your area on the net to find this information. If you can discover an encampment site, this would be a great place to do some metaldetecting.

Picnic grounds and ball fields are another great place to hunt. Check under bleachers and around benches. Take a drive out in the country. Look for old deserted houses and old foundations where a house once stood.

I did not know this!

People used to bury coins in jars on their property years ago. You can find some great old coins and other relics at sites like this. If you’ve been to a site that you think is hunted out, go back after it rains. The ground will be soft and can yield more finds.

Two very important tips, don’t go on someone’s property without permission, and always fill in the holes you have dug. I hope these metal detecting tips help you in your treasure hunt.

Happy Hunting