Comprehensive Guide to Choosing Your First Metal Detector: What You Need to Know Choosing your first metal detector can feel overwhelming with so many options out there. You want gear that’s easy to use and built to last, so your first finds bring pure joy—not frustration. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about metal detectors for beginners, helping you pick the perfect kit. Ready to start your adventure? Let’s explore how Ok John Metal Detectors makes your first metal detector purchase simple and exciting! Understanding Metal Detectors for Beginners Nokta Triple Score Starting your metal detecting adventure is like stepping into a world of hidden treasures. Let’s dive into the essentials you need to know. Basics of Metal Detecting Metal detecting is more than a hobby; it's a doorway to history. You hold the power to uncover coins, relics, and even lost treasures. The detector sends out a signal, and when it hits metal, it bounces back, creating a beep. This sim...

Top 5 tips every new treasure hunter needs Ready to start your treasure hunting adventure? Our beginner’s guide is packed with metal detecting tips and stories that inspire both newcomers and seasoned explorers. Get the best advice on quality equipment and join a community that shares your passion for outdoor adventure!  Let's dive into the essentials you need to kick off your journey. Getting Started with Metal Detecting Stepping into the world of metal detecting can be thrilling. Understanding the basics is your first treasure. Start by learning the different types of detectors and their features. Choose one that suits your style, whether it's beach, park, or relic hunting. This groundwork sets the stage for a successful adventure. Ready to gear up? Let's explore the essential tools you need next. Essential Equipment for Beginners Having the right gear is key to your success. Look for a beginner-friendly detector that’s easy to operate and offers reliable performance. P...

  3 steps to boost your next treasure hunt Ready to join the thrill of metal detecting events? Whether you’re a seasoned treasure hunter or just starting out, having a solid preparation plan makes all the difference. In this newsletter, we’ll share must-know preparation tips and a handy treasure hunting checklist to get your metal detectors ready for the next big community event! Packing Essentials Make sure your adventure starts off right with a well-prepared pack. Don't forget these must-have items : extra batteries, a small first-aid kit, snacks, and plenty of water to stay hydrated. Bring along a hat and sunscreen for those sunny days. Keep these essentials handy to ensure a smooth adventure from start to finish. Next, let's dive into what equipment you should bring along. Choosing the Right Equipment Selecting the right gear is crucial for a successful treasure hunt. Consider the terrain and conditions of your event location. For beaches, a waterproof detector is key. In w...

If you’ve been swinging the Minelab Equinox long enough, chances are your coil ears may eventually crack or break — and, let’s be honest, it usually happens after the warranty runs out . Don’t panic — this blog post walks you through how I repaired my 11" Equinox coil ears using Plastic Bonder JB Weld , a strong two-part epoxy. It’s a simple, inexpensive fix — and I’ve included photos for each step (which you’ll find below). What You’ll Need: Plastic Bonder JB Weld (2-part epoxy for plastic) Toothpick or small stick (for mixing and applying) Cardboard (for coil ear spacing and mixing) Rubbing alcohol (for cleaning) Paper towel or cloth Optional: painter’s tape or clamp Gloves (recommended) Step 1: Clean the Area Thoroughly Before doing any repairs, clean around the broken ear with rubbing alcohol to remove dirt, oils, and dust. Let it dry completely. Step 2: Mix the Plastic Bonder JB Weld Squeeze equal parts of the resin and hardener onto a piece of ca...

 Alright, so here’s the deal—I’ve always been a stock coil kinda guy . My Minelab Equinox 800 came with the standard coil, and I happily swung it around for years, digging up everything from silver coins to… deeply disappointing aluminum can shards. Then, two seasons ago, I thought, Hey, what if I go smaller? So, I slapped on the 6” coil , hoping it would help me snipe out coins and relics in trashy areas. And guess what? It totally worked. That little thing was like a surgical tool —weaving between bottle caps, iron nails, and whatever else people have been littering since 1884. I was pulling better finds, but… not necessarily more finds. Depth? Meh. Coverage? Laughable. I basically had to grid an area like I was mowing a lawn with nail clippers. Go Big or Go Home (or Just Keep Digging Forever) So this season, I’m flipping the script. Goodbye, tiny sniper coil. Hello, absolute monster. I went out and picked up the Minelab 15” Coil (3011-0464) —which is roughly the size of ...

  You’d think finding money in the ground would be easy, right? Wrong. You finally got your hands on a Minelab Equinox 800 , fired it up, and went hunting, expecting to come home with pockets full of loonies and toonies. Instead, you’ve got a collection of bottle caps, pull-tabs, and what may or may not be an ancient piece of tinfoil . Welcome to the wonderful world of metal detecting in Canada, where our coins are made of nickel-plated trickery , and your detector spends most of its time having a mental breakdown trying to tell the difference between cash and trash. Why Canadian Coins Are Basically Metal Detecting Trolls First of all, nickel is the worst . Unlike copper or silver, it’s terrible at conducting electricity, which means your detector struggles to get a clean, solid reading. Instead, the numbers on your Equinox 800’s screen bounce around like a squirrel on an energy drink , making it nearly impossible to tell if you’ve found a toonie or just a rusty bottle cap from ...

So, you just picked up a Garrett Vortex , and you’re ready to hit the ground running—literally. You’re pumped, visions of lost treasures (or at least a handful of loonies and toonies) dancing in your head. But after an hour? Nothing but bottle caps, old nails, and a weird piece of metal that might be from an alien spacecraft… or just a rusty bolt. Canadian coins are weird . If you’ve ever tried detecting them, you already know they’re basically the ninjas of the metal detecting world —sneaky, hard to find, and way too good at hiding in plain sight. That’s because, unlike American coins that behave nicely for metal detectors, post-2000 Canadian coins are mostly nickel-plated steel , which makes them way harder to pick up. Why is the Vortex VX9 Struggling to Find Your Loonies? Blame the nickel. Nickel is terrible. It has low conductivity, which means your detector has to work extra hard just to notice it. Add in the steel core that a lot of Canadian coins have, and suddenly, your V...

Alright, picture this: you’ve got your Garrett AT Pro , your headphones are on, and you’re feeling like a modern-day treasure hunter. Today is the day. You’re gonna walk away with a pocket full of Canadian coins—maybe even a whole roll of toonies if the universe is feeling generous. Except… after an hour, all you’ve got is bottle caps, an old nail, and what might be a cursed chunk of metal from a long-forgotten farm tool. Sound familiar? Yeah, Canadian coins are annoyingly tricky to detect. Unlike American coins, which are mostly made of copper and practically throw themselves at your detector, Canadian coins are full of nickel and steel. That means your AT Pro sometimes mistakes them for junk. But don’t worry—if you know how to actually use your machine right , you’ll start pulling up loonies and toonies instead of frustration. Stop Ignoring the Good Stuff So here’s the deal: if you’ve got your iron discrimination cranked up , you’re making a huge mistake. The Garrett AT Pro ...