Gold/Silver Coin Melt Calculator

1) Get the current gold or silver market price from the Kitco banner on the top right.
2) Select the type of gold or silver coin you are curious about from the pull-down menu.
3) Input the number of said coin.
4) Click the "Calculate" button to display to total precious metal value in USD.
5) Click "Clear Fields" to empty the number of coins and metal value and start again :)

My CladCounter Program

Yesterday, I was pinched by a muse and found myself feeling like I was back in programming class in college.

A member on one of the forums I frequent asked about a Clad Counting program that used to be available HERE, but for whatever reason, the download link is broken and it can no longer be found. So I got to thinking, after seeing screenshots of the aforementioned program, I can probably write that in C++. Sooooo I did. Granted, it doesn't have all the fancy graphics, it just runs in command line, but it does everything that program does... except save. But to make up for saving, it exports a report of your daily clad and running totals to a text file for future reference.

If you're interested, give it a go, it's 100% Freeware. You can get it by clicking HERE.

I suggest you read the "readme.txt" included in the .zip file, it explains how the program works and how I recommend you set it up.

Any questions about it? Just leave a comment!

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

REVIEW: i-Detect by Ginkgoware

So on a few occasions a couple months back, some people on the MD forums I frequent were asking questions regarding GPS marking of their finds, as well as if there were any programs available for cataloging said finds. I remember thinking to myself, "Yeah, that'd be pretty sweet!" Well as is turns out, there is a single product that does both of those things, and a whole lot more!

The software, now in it's version 3.0 release, is called i-detect, and is available from Ginkgoware, a division of CMH Software, Inc. They are located in the small (both in population size and area) North-Western Montana town of Libby. They have put out a product that is indeed robust, customizable, and quality made... and I feel every metal detector hobbyist should not be without it.

When I use the term robust in describing this program, I'm talking depth. This software just seems to have every option imaginable. Not only does it do everything, but it does it extremely well, and with much ease on the user end. So for all you tedious record keepers who pay a lot of attention to detail, just check out this list (not all inclusive) of the type of information it tracks:

• Locations
• Details
• Detector settings
• Detector brand and model
• Coil size
• GPS coordinates
• Finds
• Multiple pictures of items and locations
• Common coinage counter per location and total overall
• Total collection value per location and total overall
• Total time detecting per location
• Hardware maintenance information
• Reference # for you relic hunters
• Weight of item
• Map information

That being said, join me while I take you through my first entry. As you run the program, it comes up with a default detector "skin" and entry. To clear the example from the database, simply click Database > New Database > OK. Then just answer "Yes" to overwrite. After that, I had heard that you could customize your detector skin. So on the detector face, I clicked the Options button, then clicked Change Style, and then chose what I wanted, the Minelab X-Terra 70 (the closest to my actual detector). Click close and let's get back to the program. Other than the possibility you chose a different style, you should currently be looking at a blank Record entry like this:

I chose to use my most recent outting, of which was a tot lot at THE SHED next to Atlantic Shores Baptist. As you can see in the next image, I entered in all of "Location Information" accordingly. When you get to "Coordinate Type", you'll want to use the WGS 84 datum (if you are in he US). But here is the tricky part, especially for many of you out there who use Google Maps or Google Earth to find your hunting grounds. The program asks for the Lat/Long to be in the following format: Degress, Minutes, Decimal Minutes. However, if you are using any of the Google programs for GPS data, you may get a value like 36.78345003, -76.1925223, or adversely, one like this, 36°47'0.42"N, 76°11'33.08"W. Both of those mean the same thing, but neither is what the program asks for. If you have no clue about GPS coordinates and need an explanation to help you get the right numbers, check out THIS WEBSITE or simply message me and I'll hook you up.

So my one complaint about the program would be that there is no way to enter in the GPS data in other formats. Small price to pay for such a great piece of software ;) But after you get the right data in there, clicking the "View Online Map" button brings up your location in a web browser, which I think is super cool.

Next we'll move on to the "General Pictures" tab. You'll immediately see tons of blank thumbnails. Click the little button under then that says "Load Image." Enter in your desired caption and then again click "Load Image." Simply browse for your image and select it. When it loads, just close the window and you'll see your thumbnail.

After adding however many pictures you want, head over to the "Related Documents" area. At this time I did not add any, but it's a great repository to add web links to information regarding the history of the location you hunted, or maybe granted permission documents.

Now on to the "Items" button. Simply click "Add New Item." Then you just add the details for said item. I chose to start out with the 19 modern pennies I found. As you can see, I entered the date of the find, the type of the item, it's era, it's condition, and value among other things. Does the item you want to enter not fit into one of the six default categories? Never fear, go back to the "Options" button on your detector face and you can add/remove/edit nearly every single pull-down menu list in the software.

You can also enter in info about your detector. Which did you use, what were it's settings? Did you hunt with a buddy? Note it as well. If you took pictures of individual items, you can load those here too. When finished with that item, click "OK" and continue to add others.

So after adding all of your items, your first record is complete. Simple as that. Awesome software isn't it? If you want to continue on with your next record, it's as simple as Record > Add new Record.

Besides the Records window, your detector face has a few functions as well. Not only do the options let you customize many of the settings of the software, from the look, to the actual information you can enter... but it has a great feature called Hardware. This let's you store all pertinent info regarding your machine. Who you bought it from when, warranty info etc. It's a great resource to bring that back up if something goes wrong.

Lastly, there is the "Search" function, which I think is golden. This search feature lets you search all of your record entries by one of dozens of criteria. Just think, nearly everything you entered into your record, is now a search option. It makes finding things and narrowing down finds quick and efficient.

Ginkgoware really outdid themselves, and are truly pioneers in metal detecting software. They really did think of everything, so it's hard to imagine what the next revelation in the product will produce.

If you are interested in the software, please visit Ginkgoware and purchase an application that will keep you motivated and excited about getting out there and swinging that detector!