MD Tattoos

Recently I saw an image on FMDF posted by a local Virginia Beach hunter, Max, of a fellow hobbyists tattoo he had snapped a pic of. I'm guessing it wasn't his own, but I could be wrong. But anyhow, being a member of the inked community, I thought it was pretty cool. I myself have arms full of tattoos, and what better way to show your dedication and enjoyment of the hobby then by having it marked on you for life.

I searched around the 'net for awhile and surprisingly enough, I couldn't find much in the way of people who had any. I have three examples, but I guess in reality it's not out of the ordinary. I think most MD people are rather conservative, and/or passed the age when they would go out and get a tattoo, so I'm okay with this being all I could muster. However, if YOU have an MD related tattoo, please comment to this post and I'll get it up here for the world to see!

Metal Detector PC Games

Being out of the game for 6 months of the year I've been looking at outlets to metal detecting related activities. This has drawn me to the world of PC gaming. I search all over the net for different games and have found 3 of which I'd like to share with you, and hope to give you a little something to do on those cold winter months where your favorite hunting grounds have turned to perma-frost.

Treasure Fields

Originally released in 2002 by Terry Bullard this easy to use, basic software package should easily burn up a few hours of your time. The game is based around basic coin shooting. It boasts having nearly every US coin minted hidden under the "ground" waiting for you to dig.

I started by downloading the FREE trial version of the software. The approximately 9.8MB .zip file can be downloaded by clicking HERE.

After installing it using all the default options, I was ready to start up the game. Sadly, though loaded with options I think the game is brutally cumbersome. You start off with a budget and must purchase a machine and other MD related tools from Al's Discount Detectors. After which you have to manually choose the equipment you wish to "equip" with you on any given hunt. This includes machine, coil, digger etc.

You then start your hunt by entering a tournament, which from the outset gives yo ua description and then subtracts an entrance fee.

I had purchased a Tesoro Lobo, and Lesche, so I was out to hunt. You use the mouse and just drag across the field listening for the different sounds. It has all sorts of different tones and sounds, I'm guessing which might be authentic to the model? Anyway, pinpointing is pretty spot on, you dig, get the goods, and refill your hole. Always remember to refill your hole!!!

The game also keeps track of all your finds broken down by face value.

All in all, I stick to what I initially said, it's a neat idea... but I think the execution could have been way better. Be sure to read all of the keyboard commands as they will really make or break the game for you. If you enjoy it, please visit Mr. Bullard's site HERE and contact him for a full copy with all the updates to really get the most out of the game.

Minimum Requirements
Windows 95+
16MB HDD Space

 

Treasure Hunter

From the creators of my favorite MD cataloging software, i-Detect (their link is in my sidebar), comes this completely free metal detecting game that really is fun to play!

Ginkgoware's DFX Treasure Hunter really looks the part of a capable MD simulation, and has a few neat options... but sadly, like the real thing, it can get aggravating.

This game is straight forward and does not have you going to many screens to accomplish a task. After you install the game, and load one of the two maps available for download, it's basically turn on the DFX (which only lets you hunt in factory coin mode) and go. The machine hits on target just like the DFX, so really, for any user of an XLT, DFX or MXT, you should feel right at home. The big downside to this game is pinpointing. It's enough to make you want to cry. Tips are offered on the company site, but they didn't help me much. I ended up digging foot deep craters and coming up empty handed.

The game is worth a shot. The install file is only 4.8MB and the maps are even smaller. To check them out, please click HERE.

Minimum Requirements
Windows 98+
DirectX 8.1+
500 MHz CPU

Treasure Valley

The last game is one I know nothing about. Being out here on the boat I can't play "online" games, and well, Treasure Valley stay connected to the internet to play. There is a FREE Demo version of the game, but you must register for it with a valid email address. If you want to check it out, click HERE.

The game is a 3D first person type MD game, and the screenshots look pretty impressive. But as I said, I have no experience with the game, and at this time cannot comment any further on it.

If any of you readers out there take the time to give it a whirl, I'll gladly post your review here in place of the few words I have to say about it.

Minimum Requirements
Windows XP+
2.0 GHz CPU
512 MB RAM
DirectX
Internet Connection

Join, Enter... WIN!

I've organized a contest over at FMDF and you're invited to join, play and win!

Many of you are members of forums that have a thread dedicated to Motivational and/or De-Motivational Posters. For those of you who are members of automotive related forums, surely half of the ones posted are NSFW and surely not appropriate here.

But I thought it would be fun to make up some MD related versions and have 'em up on the boards. And thankfully, I have the blessings from the owners to host this.

Becoming a member of the forums and entering the contest is completely free! Please check out THIS LINK for more information regarding the rules and prizes.

FOr good measure I thought I'd post many of the ones I made, which are not eligible to win this contest.

GoM Water Spouts

Around 2pm this afternoon we caught glimpse of quite a few water spouts. There was even a moment when three had touched down all at once, very cool. I snapped a few with my Nikon L20, and a couple others are from our MMO's Nikon D300. I had to play around with the contrast to really get the funnels visible.

A couple of times two of the funnels came together and really started churning up the sea. Check out the ominous pics below!

Harbor Freight, 20% This Weekend ONLY!

Any of you looking for a cheap handheld pinpointer? HF has 'em. Maybe you want a rock tumbler to clean your coins, they got 'em. Need eye loupes, coin rolls etc... they got 'em.

And this weekend only, use this coupon for 20% off. Click the image to print the coupon.

Treasure Hunting on TV

Hey everyone! Thought I'd take some time out to clue some of you in on a few really great shows on TV that might supplement the hobby. Sadly, there are no strict metal detecting related shows on TV, but there are plenty programs that employ the use of the machines in search of all sorts of treasures.

Treasure Quest

"This program on The Discovery Channel follows the employees of Odyssey Marine Exploration as they search the English Channel for various lost ships. The team is led by company CEO Gregory Stemm and Tom Dettweiler (operations director of Robert Ballard's team that discovered the RMS Titanic."

Time Team America

"Time Team America is a new science-reality series from PBS that sends archaeologists on a race against time to excavate historic sites around the nation. The team has 72 hours to uncover the buried secrets of their assigned digs using the latest technology, decades of expertise and their own sharp wits. Host Colin Campbell guides each expedition as viewers peer over the shoulders of diggers, scientists and historians at work. You never know what they'll dig up next!"

Click HERE, scroll down near bottom for a great segment on Magnetometry, the basis behind Metal Detectors.

Treasure Hunter: Kirsten Gum

"The Travel Channel's Treasure Hunter: Kirsten Gum, takes viewers to remote places and follow Kirsten as she braves dangerous environments to get the goods. Whether it is blowing up cliff faces in the Cascade mountains, horseback riding across desolate West Texas ranch land or crabbing in the dangerous ocean off the coast of Washington, you will feel the satisfaction when she unearths her ultimate prize."

A funny side note, as a member of The Official Cash & Treasure group on Facebook, I noticed a member was quoted as saying: "Kirsten could look for grass @ a sod farm and I would watch!!"

Treasure Divers

"Treasure Divers is a documentary/reality series, which follows Shipwreck/Treasure Historian/Captain Carl ‘Fizz’ Fismer and Master Dive Instructor/Treasure Diver Captain Gary Mace, along with their fellow treasure hunters and divers, in their search for sunken, buried, and/or lost worldly and historical treasures."

Law Enforcement and Your MD

Throughout the past year I've seen many discussions on hobby related websites about the use of metal detectors to find things for law enforcement. Most of these discussions generally stem from curious hobbyists who wonder if by chance, anyone has ever dug up a body. I've heard stories of shallow graves being unearthed because of a watch found with a metal detector, or other personal effects made of metal. Surely, it's bound to have happened at some point, right?

Many police districts across the US that have forensic divisions, employ their own people, in what some call FET's, or Field Evidence Teams. These teams are law enforcement officials specially trained in gathering evidence. And many of these FET's have metal detectors in their inventory, and are trained to use them. A simple Google search of items such as, "Evidence Recovery + metal detector" will net thousands of results on the different types of FET's and the equipment they use. And let's not forget, this isn't just for use on land, they have dive teams trained in the use of dive machines as well.

In some instances, departments will employ third party volunteer teams, also trained in the nuances of evidence gathering. For the most part, these are known as ERT's, or Evidence Response Teams. And from what I have seen, most are made up of a select group of members from metal detecting clubs in the police departments area.

But how does one join a ERT? As a hobbyist, volunteering your services could surely get you in good with the authorities, and might open up some opportunities. I recently set out to inquire to a few of the local PD's in my area, just to see what they said. Out of the three I wrote to, only one had responded by the time of this entry. It was a one line, simple response about how they do not use third party ERTs as they have on staff personnel, who also happen to be recreational users, trained in evidence recovery with the use of a metal detector.

So I really see two options. One, go to local police websites and send them an inquiry about the use of ERT's. Maybe it will open their eyes to a new thing and it will land you some face time. Otherwise, become a member of a local group, and have the groups leaders contact the department officially showing interest. The worst they can say is no.

I wanted to end by giving some props to a few members of FMDF who are on call as members of an ERT, or otherwise have helped law enforcement personnel with their machines. If you guys are reading this, hats off. The image heading this entry was provided by Rudy, an admin at FMDF and ERT member who has been utilized by the FBI in searches. Thanks!

I've also provided two links to a couple of ERT events that actually took place. Nice pics and good stories.

ERT Link 1
ERT Link 2

New Stuff on The Sidebar

Those of you who frequent my blog might have noticed already, but for you new comers, there are a couple of new things I would like to point out.

On the right hand side of your screen, for my blog, this is what is known as the "sidebar." I use it to provide quick access to my blog archives, or to labels which would help you find posts on a certain topic or type of item. I've also always had a few links to MD manufacturer sites of the machines I use, as well as online resources for information and products.

Recently though, our society has stepped up it's internet presence onslaught. In doing so, hobbyists are following suit. Nowadays you can find channels on YouTube of fellow dirt diggers documenting their treasure quests, or even get up to the second find information from users on Twitter. Because of that, in my sidebar I have started adding YouTube channels that update with the newest video uploads, and of Twitter accounts updated by hobbyists as they dig.

Give 'em a view if you're interested!

Coping With Mosquitoes

Recently over at FMDF I put up a question to all, to see what everyone in the hobby does to deal with all the mosquitoes that are out during this time of year. And I got quite a few responses, more than I could have hoped for. So I thought I'd share with you all many of the ways us hobbyists cope with those buzzing beasts.

Dryer Sheets - You know, those fabric softener dryer sheets you throw in? Apparently taking one, rubbing it on exposed skin, and then tucking it in like a shirt pocket or something really helps. Seems like a cheap fix, and one I'm going to give a test to next time I'm out.

Off! - Just the standard stuff. I've used this with moderate success. It definitely works for the first half hour or so, but if you didn't bring the can to re-apply, you're eff'd. Once you start sweating, them suckers know it's time to attack.

Onions/Garlic - No, not trying to keep away ex-wives or vampires, but apparently eating meals with lots of garlic and onions does the trick. When you sweat, your body produces a chemical in your own scent that mosquitoes don't like, so they just leave you alone. I say this is crap. I put onions and garlic in nearly everything I cook, and I get the crap bitten out of me.

Avon Skin-So-Soft - I've used it before, not much different then your average can of Off! Must be re-applied.

Off! Deep Woods - Apparently one of the best things out there in this category. Having a high DEET content, it's one of the most recommended products available.

Off! Clip-Ons - These are brand new, and if they work as advertised, they are the perfect solution. A few forum members have used them and have great reviews, and some online resources give the product good reviews as well. Can't wait to give this one a try!

Here's a link to Off!'s website offer for buying a Clip-On Starter kit and getting a FREE refill. And I stole this flash animation from their site for anyone interested in what it's all about. Enjoy!

Featured @ White's!

Thought I'd provide a neat little link here. A recent letter I wrote to White's Electronics was published in their July 2009 Stories on their website. This story landed me a $100 Accessory Gift Certificate.

CLICK HERE

Lincoln Rail Splitters

When the log cabin Lincoln cents came out at the beginning of the year, I put word out to a few bank tellers letting them know of my interest to get a roll. Nearly 7 months in now, and they still don't have them. Making matters worse, not only is it just the log cabin variety, but the rail splitters are out too. Locally in VA, still none.

I was traveling to New Orleans yesterday for work and had a very lengthy layover in Charlotte, NC, so I stopped by the food court at Burger King for some grub. In my 8 cents of change back from my order, I noticed three brilliant, seemingly uncirculated coins staring back at me. THREE RAIL SPLITTERS! Just awesome. Now I don't feel so left out.