Detectorist Suckers

More Money Than Sense

in 2011 I compiled a short blog post that received a lot of attention and deserves a reprise. In those days my original blog had nearly 2000 subscribers and comments left on posts usually reached the giddy 30’s. Not so today: I’m fortunate to get 4 of 5. This is how it started:

I believe that for many detectorists the act of buying a new machine far outweighs the thrill of actually participating in the hobby.

John Winter November 2011

And continued … that’s the impression I get from looking at the various detecting forums, (not so many about now), talking to people in the field and keeping my eyes and ears open. If you regularly visit online hobby (sport?) sites then you’ll be very familiar with the threads extolling the virtues of one make of detector over another. They usually run for several pages, becoming increasingly vitriolic and personal before an enlightened and increasingly frustrated moderator pulls the plug. Has it changed?

The machines being discussed (I use that word lightly) are rarely the reasonably priced models, but high-end machines costing well over a thousand pounds – and more!

For the guys with all the latest gear (but little idea?) it’s as though when they do venture into a muddy field they have to hold their head up high by sporting the latest and the most expensive equipment; when we all know that all you need to find treasure is enthusiasm, a reasonably priced proven detector and a spade.

But, of course that’s not true, because they have to turn up looking like a cross between a soldier on active service and an astronaut … that’s if you can see them in all that camouflage. In addition to the fancy dress costume (don’t forget the poncy wellies) they’ll have the latest wireless and noise-cancelling headphones, fingerless gloves from John Lewis, the most expensive pinpointer, a vehicle that doubles as a hotel if it spots with rain … and the ability to talk for hours about the merits of the Deus High Frequency Elliptical Coil. Incidentally, to buy that coil today would cost more than I paid for my first machine.

This simply means that every button or crotal bell they find has cost approximately £1m. It doesn’t seem to matter though. For so many detectorists the thrill of buying a new hobby-related gadget far outweighs the thrill of actually swinging the coil. I exaggerate.

© This has been another tongue-in-cheek production on behalf of detector retailers everywhere! 

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DETECTORIST TRIVIA QUIZ

Judging by the results the quiz was comparatively easy, and that puts me in a dilemma. Although no-one achieved maximum marks, there were 3 entries with 19 points.

I’m gonna leave you all in suspenders and give the result next time. It’s been a difficult day. Had a fall and am in great pain but the hospital said the X-Ray doesn’t show anything amiss. Keep taking the pills. Results next time.