Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.
I haven't discussed my formula for metal detecting success for a few years but here is the latest version. I'll add a few additional comments today.
Amount of Success = L + T + Sk + E + D+ N + A.
I defined Success as the number of finds. I suppose it would be better to define success in terms of total value. Value, of course, is subjective and depends upon what you appreciate.
How you define success is very important. You should be very clear about what you want to accomplish so you can quantify and measure your progress. I've said that before.
Keep track of what you accomplish as it relates to your goals. That feedback will help you learn and improve your level of skill. It might not seem like it is very important, but you will be surprised by how much it helps to measure and monitor your success in a very precise way.
In my old formula, L represents location, T is time spent detecting. Sk stands for skill level, D, the detector used, and E is amount of effort.
Location is both macro, ie. part or area or the country, but it is also includes the miceo, ie. the particular area of the beach, which is critical. Research will help you identify the best location on the macro level, but knowledge of the beach and reading the beach will help you identify the best spots. So will sampling.
Time includes the time you spend on the beach detecting, but also includes the time you invest in research and learning to use your detector, as well as scouting around.
Skill is really huge and includes many things. that will be a different discussion.
I discussed those factors to a limited extent in previous posts.
I talked about the effort factor in my 1/9/18 post, for example. Extreme effort can really pay off. It refers to really pushing the boundaries in a variety of ways. I've discussed that before and won't get into it again now. Extreme effort can be limited by your determination, physical fitness, and courage, or should I say stupidity.
D is for the type of detector you use and its capabilities - not how you use it. How you use your detector is part of the skill factor.
The factors I list first in the formula are those I consider most important. Location is the most important factor in my opinion. If you are not where the targets are, none of the rest matters much. And time is definitely right up there at the number two spot. As you spend more time you'll find good locations as well as improve your skill.
Factors can interact like that. I suspect that most of them do. If you have a quality detector, it still doesn't matter much unless you know how to use it well. So the skill factor definitely interacts with the detector factor.
Not long ago I mentioned the importance of the time you spend scouting around and how that time can be as important as the amount of time you spend detecting. Time spent on the beaches and time spent scouting the beaches can dramatically improve your chance of being at the right spot at the right time. The time factor therefore includes time spent in the field scouting as well as time spent actually detecting. It also includes researching sites. Therefore to be more specific, my time factor includes three factors: time scouting (Ts), time detecting (Td), and time gathering and assimilating information (Ti).
The last couple of factors are networking (N) and access (A).
Networking, like employment networking, includes relationships that provide you with important information. It helps you find out what is going on where. That includes internet as well as other relationship networks. This blog has a networking component.
Access imight seem to be the same for everyone, but it is not. Some people have more access than other people. For example, if you are a park ranger that can metal detect in a park while others can not, that gives you an advantage. Or if you have access to restricted areas because of your employment or occupation or other reasons, that can als be an advantage. Or if you have access to the beaches when others do not, such as having a beach-side residence so you can get on the beach while the beaches are closed, that is an advantage too. Perhaps the most obvious example is having a state lease to shipwreck site that excludes others from being able to detect that site.
I'll talk more about the skill factor in the future. It includes a lot of different skills.
D is for the type of detector you use and its capabilities - not how you use it. How you use your detector is part of the skill factor.
The factors I list first in the formula are those I consider most important. Location is the most important factor in my opinion. If you are not where the targets are, none of the rest matters much. And time is definitely right up there at the number two spot. As you spend more time you'll find good locations as well as improve your skill.
Factors can interact like that. I suspect that most of them do. If you have a quality detector, it still doesn't matter much unless you know how to use it well. So the skill factor definitely interacts with the detector factor.
Not long ago I mentioned the importance of the time you spend scouting around and how that time can be as important as the amount of time you spend detecting. Time spent on the beaches and time spent scouting the beaches can dramatically improve your chance of being at the right spot at the right time. The time factor therefore includes time spent in the field scouting as well as time spent actually detecting. It also includes researching sites. Therefore to be more specific, my time factor includes three factors: time scouting (Ts), time detecting (Td), and time gathering and assimilating information (Ti).
The last couple of factors are networking (N) and access (A).
Networking, like employment networking, includes relationships that provide you with important information. It helps you find out what is going on where. That includes internet as well as other relationship networks. This blog has a networking component.
Access imight seem to be the same for everyone, but it is not. Some people have more access than other people. For example, if you are a park ranger that can metal detect in a park while others can not, that gives you an advantage. Or if you have access to restricted areas because of your employment or occupation or other reasons, that can als be an advantage. Or if you have access to the beaches when others do not, such as having a beach-side residence so you can get on the beach while the beaches are closed, that is an advantage too. Perhaps the most obvious example is having a state lease to shipwreck site that excludes others from being able to detect that site.
I'll talk more about the skill factor in the future. It includes a lot of different skills.
---
I have to get rid of a lot of my mother's old stuff. As you probably know, she passed away and left a house full of furniture and other items. There are tables (several are vintage oak) chairs, curios, bedroom set, bed frames, electronics, including a turntable, tape duplicator, radios, scanner, photographic equipment, including a very good film camera along with accessories and tripods, a lot of oak furniture, tons of ceramic pieces, such as ducks, vases, beer stein mugs, nativity set, etc. etc, and three entire dinner ware sets, including Duncan Miller, 20 some pieces of Swarovski crystal pieces, books galore, including some WW II books and dvds. about twenty framed signed numbered prints of all sizes ready to hang. curios, stands, mirrors, and various nic nacs including a McCoy teapot, pretty decorative pots, depression glass, and silverware, pots and pans, etc. etc. If I had the space I'd keep most of it.
Anyhow, if you need some stuff, let me know, and I'll send you photos and/or make an appointment (gated community) for you to come and look.
---
Here is something we've known for a long time.
US scientists held secret talks with Covid 'Batwoman' amid drive to make coronaviruses more deadly... just before pandemic | Daily Mail Online
The U.S. supported research leading to coronavirus. That is something Fauci didn't want you to know.
===
The tides are moderate. There will be a little negative tide today, but nothing special.
The wind is northish while the swell is mostly from the east.
 |
| Surf Chart From SurfGuru.com. |
Good hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net