Is it possible to dig metal in winter? Winter with a metal detector. Where to look or how to relieve winter withdrawal symptoms. Do other interesting things
So is it still possible to use a metal detector at sub-zero temperatures? This question is often asked by new treasure hunters to their more experienced colleagues in the hobby. Especially if winter unexpectedly sets in a month or a month and a half earlier due date, and the brand new metal detector has not even been properly “run in” yet.
Well, I’ll share my own experience, fortunately it exists, and at the same time there were more than enough bumps... Let’s start with what everyone already knows very well - in the operating manuals for most modern devices, the manufacturer recommends a lower operating temperature limit metal detector, 0° C.
Accordingly, if you use the device at lower temperatures, you do so at your own peril and risk. If something happens, you will most likely be denied repairs under warranty. Nothing can be done, they have the right.
Of course, the MD-Region service center will repair a metal detector purchased from their chain of stores, but at your expense. The problem is that 90% of winter breakdowns are treated not by repair, but by replacing components.
But if, as they say, “hunt is worse than bondage,” then:
It is necessary to realize that -5° C, which is relatively harmless for a metal detector, is not the same as -25° C. For example, I will not fall for any persuasion to find a lost ring or car keys if outside the window, below - 10° C.
It slows down the display of readings; depending on the metal detector model and manufacturer, this can happen at -2°C or -5°C.
Nothing wrong with that.
We must remember that sudden changes in temperature are harmful to the brain of the device. When leaving the car in the cold, do not turn on the m.d. right there, wait a little. But it is much more important, upon returning from a dig, at home, not to immediately take the equipment out of your backpack and not put it near the radiator, stove or heater. Let it lie in a more or less cool place (but not in the cold) for a couple of hours. Then you can take out the metal detector, disassemble it and leave it for ventilation and drying. This way we will avoid the appearance of condensation from temperature changes.
Most common problems– broken cable, chips and cracks on the reel. Even with a slight minus, the fragility of the cable increases significantly. There have been cases where the wire broke in the cold (below -10°) from strong swings or when the coil hit a frozen lump of earth. Moreover, you need to be careful if you have to disassemble and reassemble the device in the cold!!!
When hit by obstacles, the plastic of the reel cracks quite easily, despite the protection, including at the point of attachment to the rod (ears).
It is better to fasten the cable to the metal detector rod not with standard Velcro, etc., but with electrical tape in several places, especially carefully wrap the wire itself at the bend at the entrance to the coil body.
The less chatter, the greater the chance that the cable will remain intact.
For some devices, the cable runs inside the rod (Expo-shaped), here one option is to tightly insulate the open section of the wire at the entrance to the coil.
Whatever model of metal detector you use, make sure that the cable is not too tight when entering the coil body and at the entrance to the control unit.
One more thing. In cold weather (even very mild) batteries run out much faster, so it’s worth taking power sources with a large reserve.
Let me add in conclusion - you need to take care not only of your metal detector, but also of yourself. When going digging in cold weather, remember that your body temperature while you are calmly walking, waving the device, is very different from your body temperature during active digging. I sweated, then it blew, and so on for several hours. It's easy to get sick. It’s most convenient to use high-quality thermal underwear, but if finances don’t allow it, then at least take replacement undershirts, T-shirts, etc. with you.
A thermos with hot tea and coffee is a must. We live in the 21st century, it is possible even in cold weather not to deny ourselves hot food, especially without straining. For example use
Joulupukki sledding. Yesterday at the mine the ground was barely being dug. And last year I dug for January 1))
I’m not a fan of ballet; I don’t go out with a pickaxe to hammer the frozen ground in winter. For frosts, I have long developed several rules by which I live... There are those that will break your cop without your consent. And there are others, because of which you yourself will run away from such a winter cop. Read mine and add yours in the comments.
You have to come and go for a cop
One winter it turned positive, and we decided to go digging... We didn’t get to the field, we got stuck. They skidded, threw sticks and stones under the wheels, and went to the village to look for the tractor driver. Just in the evening we pulled out. It was after this “cop” that I decided - If there is a chance of not getting there or not leaving, I give up.
Even if there is a lot of dirt, of course there will be problems with sticking. There are a kilogram on the legs, and the same on the shovel. Sometimes you have to dig with two shovels - you dig with one, and clean the first with the other. But here everything depends on personal motivators, who wants to dig and how much. A friend of mine, after three dozen coins for one kopeck, said that he would dig in any mud pit))
There is a signal, but you can’t dig it out
There was such a thing. We arrived at the field, frost and sun, it felt great. The first positive signal landed... The ground is frozen and it is impossible to dig into it. Already at the third hole I folded the metal detector and went to collect firewood for a simple picnic. But I got the conviction - If the ground is not being dug, there is no point in breaking a shovel or legs..
By the way, such a moment was noticed... It happens that the field stands as if it were stone, and in the forest the earth is still being dug. Probably the leaves and turf slow down its freezing.
Cold shovel
Anyone who has dug in the cold knows that hands are the first to freeze. Moreover, simple gloves, which are usually used on cops, do not save. It gets to the point where it is impossible to hold a shovel through them. Again, moisture and wind make this worse. For a winter cop you need 2 pairs of gloves, some waterproof on top, others inside.
Again, anyone who has dug in winter knows that the feet are the first to freeze. It seems like you walk and hit a shovel with your boot, it doesn’t help. It's still cold. Shoes must be warm.
The third thing in a row is that my head freezes. Well, everything is simpler here. I take 2 knitted hats for winter camping. If it’s hot, I’ll take one off, if it’s cold, I’ll wear both.
Does a metal detector work in cold weather?
When beginners are interested in winter detecting, the first question they ask is how the metal detector works at sub-zero temperatures. Beginners)) You first get to the digging point, then try to dig, stay on the dig for 30-40 minutes.
I have never encountered a situation where frost (down to -5-7) extinguished a metal detector (I’m talking about serious manufacturers Garrett/Minelab/Fisher/XP/Whites). Yes, food goes down faster. On some detector models, the display seems to slow down. But everything works. Moreover, a slight frost will give an increase in depth (small, you won’t notice it by eye).
And how I wish winter was more gentle... Here is my photo from last winter. It's the first January 1st, 2014! And my son and I drove to the field. This is the desire to dig))
Spring and autumn are the main time when a treasure hunter can play around with a metal detector to his heart's content. Already at the end of May, the grass rises so much that it is almost impossible to search, although there are some methods for searching through the grass. Searching in the fall is interesting because there are not so many people in the forests, and the bloodsuckers are no longer so active, and in late autumn they are not there at all, but the grass in some areas does not allow searching.
But in the fall you can go out to the mown fields from which the harvest has already been harvested, so in the fall the treasure hunter is given the opportunity to “work up” his emotions before the long winter. In some regions of the country, people are given the opportunity to dig in winter, but for most people who like to wander around with a metal detector, winter is a time of silence, which towards the end of December-January turns into an unbearable itch for the “dig.”
And in February, search engines are already making forecasts about spring, looking through their finds, photographs and videos for the hundredth time. But it’s not all bad and sad: it is in winter that a treasure hunter is given a unique opportunity to thoroughly prepare for the search season, work on mistakes and draw some conclusions for himself, so that the thawed ground in the spring will reward him with new interesting finds.
Winter preparation
So, what can a treasure hunter do in winter so that this time does not go to waste? I'll try to give some advice. First of all, winter is a time when you can slowly go through your finds, start cleaning and decorating them.
It often happens that during the searching season a person searches, puts away his finds, cleans them a little, but the main work of giving a “marketable” appearance to lost items is done in winter. The cleaning and decorating process is not as quick as it might seem. Soaking in soap, adjusting frames, fastening, preserving, and so on - all this takes time. Winter provides such an opportunity, and it is advisable to take advantage of it!
Working with maps
Working with maps is one of the main and important stages in treasure hunting. You can be the owner of the simplest device, but with the right location, finds are guaranteed, and vice versa. Comparing old and new maps is an important step, and only the most attentive searchers will be rewarded in the spring. You need to pay attention to everything on old maps, to any signs that are indicated there. There is no need to rush, because winter provides time...
Literature analysis
Literature analysis is an equally important process; it can be compared to working on maps. Literature can open your eyes to certain events, provide more complete information about the village you are interested in, tell about the stories and myths of the region, and give direction (impetus) for your search.
Read and analyze books about your native land - the key to good finds
Equipment repair and renewal
Repairing and updating equipment - everything is clear here without words. During the search season, some components of the device may simply break (search coils, armrests, rods, headphones, and so on). Sometimes, a person wants to change the device, and just in winter he is given the opportunity to quickly and profitably sell his metal detector and purchase a new device (new here means different). In winter, you can purchase some additional equipment: clothes, shovels, knives, backpacks. Moreover, do this thoughtfully, by visiting more than one store (including on the Internet), and reading reviews.
Meeting with comrades
During the season there is not much time for such meetings. It’s not always possible to attend a rally, and besides, for many, the summer season opens in parallel with the search... in general, there’s a lot of worries. In winter, organizing such meetings is much easier.
Visit to the clinic
And lastly, in winter you can get vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis (for some this will be the first vaccination, for others the second or third vaccine, and so on) all you need to do is visit a clinic or a private vaccination center, but for some reason many search engines and those who like to wander in the forest do not do this, which they later regret. Do not put this question off for a long time, because treasure hunters are the ones who are in the high-risk zone, since in the spring they walk kilometer-long distances along the forest floor and on grass.
As you can see, winter, it turns out, is not so boring; there is something for the treasure hunter to do (provided that the search is impossible at all). If you set your priorities correctly and organize your time, the winter months will fly by unnoticed, and one day you will hear the pleasant sound of drops outside the window... soon in the fields, soon a new season, and will open new artifacts and relics. Earth Grandfather will help!
Your Alexander Maksimchuk!
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The first day of winter, Sunday, we are at the mine. Last year we finished on December 14, and we hope the season hasn’t closed yet this year. But they are already asking traditional winter questions - At what temperature can you search with a metal detector...
Incorrect landmarks. For me, a winter cop, these are several factors and at what temperature a metal detector can search in the very last place. You will first get to the field (and teleport back), pull the shovel and legs out of the mud mixer. Something that can stop me in a winter cop.
Check-in and check-out
In late autumn and early winter, my biggest problem is getting in and out of the field. If I can't do this, then there won't be a cop today.
Several years ago, I already failed a number of my trips by stalling in the field. Instead of a pleasant search with a metal detector, search in the surrounding villages for tractor drivers, zilists, and lawn workers (sober and on the move). Therefore, I am now following this point very closely.
The shovel is still rising
Stopping by is still half the job... The second half is the opportunity to dig. For example, today (December 1, 2013), we were unable to dig in this field - the problem is that the wet soil prevents us from digging.
The soil sticks to the shovel literally from the first dig, and hangs on it in kilograms. Not in this case, but for a slightly smaller mud mixer (where we ended up), I use two shovels. I dig with one, and clean the first with the second.
Again, if the finds don’t come through in the first hour, such a cop will quickly get bored. Hard work, a kilogram of soil on a shovel, the same on each leg.
Metal detector and temperature
We drove into the field, the shovel was lifted... And it’s still too early to talk about a metal detector. The next stopping factor is how quickly your hands freeze. Today, one of us came to the coping site without gloves, and if it weren’t for my spare ones, he would have sat and warmed himself.
At what temperature does the metal detector operate? Typically, manufacturers write down to 0 degrees in the specifications for ground detectors. I tried up to -5, it works. At the same time, the depth does not decrease (on the contrary, we have the impression that there is a slight increase, but this is most likely due to moisture in the soil). The discriminator works without “sliding”, everything has the same parameters as at above-zero temperatures.
And if you have crossed the border of 0, the question will arise - will you be able to dig such soil. If it has just reached zero or below, the soil is being dug. With a stable minus, you must have a super place (the finds will justify all the inconvenience and cold) and a pickaxe; you can’t take this soil with a shovel))
Demonstrative video frozen in ice. The movie is a kind of carsh test, but it perfectly demonstrates that a minus is not a hindrance for a metal detector))
I have a friend who performs in abandoned houses in winter, and minus is not a hindrance for him. Moreover, the finds are not inferior to those found in spring, summer, and autumn. Although sometimes not associated with a metal detector. For example, he brought a table from an abandoned house... True, the table was veneered with mahogany, and now after restoration it costs several hundred dollars.
P.S. Please note ➨ ➨ ➨ Bomb theme - . Take a look, you won't regret it.
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