Metal detecting forums are online communities where hobbyists and relic hunters can connect to discuss their shared passion. These web-based discussion boards allow members to ask questions, share finds, get advice on gear and laws, plan group hunts, and forge friendships with like-minded individuals around the world.
Participating in metal detecting forums offers numerous benefits beyond just the ability to chat. By tapping into the collective knowledge of thousands of seasoned detectorists, you can learn tips and techniques to improve your skills. Forums are a goldmine of information on everything from choosing the right detector model to researching promising hunt sites. You’ll get honest feedback on new products and insider insights you won’t find elsewhere.
Perhaps most importantly, metal detecting forums foster a strong sense of community. This incredibly niche hobby can feel isolating at times, so it’s encouraging to connect with others who share your quirky passion for swinging a coil. Relic hunters and treasure seekers alike can revel in showing off their unique finds and memorable stories from the field. Whether you’re a grizzled veteran or complete novice, you’ll find a welcoming space to have fun with fellow detecting enthusiasts.
TreasureNet
TreasureNet is one of the oldest and largest metal detecting forums on the web, having launched back in 2001. It covers a wide range of topics related to the hobby, including sharing finds, discussing gear, identifying mystery objects, getting legal advice, connecting with others for group hunts, and more. The community has over 60,000 registered members from around the world.
The forum runs on the vBulletin platform and has a traditional, no-frills forum layout that is easy to navigate. Sections are well-organized by categories like “Coin Hunting,” “Relic Hunting,” “Gold Prospecting,” “Treasure Hunting,” and “Buy/Sell/Trade.” There are also regional sub-forums to connect with detectorists in your local area.
While the interface looks a bit dated, TreasureNet makes up for it with an extremely active user base and wealth of information in its archives. New posts are made every few minutes across the many sub-forums. The community is friendly and welcoming to newcomers. Experienced members freely share their expertise, and moderators keep discussions respectful and on-topic. Overall, it’s an invaluable resource for metal detector enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Friendly Metal Detecting Forum
Friendly Metal Detecting Forum lives up to its name by providing a warm and inclusive space for metal detector enthusiasts of all experience levels. Founded in 2003, this long-running forum has cultivated a genuinely supportive community over the years.
The forum covers a diverse array of metal detecting topics, from sharing recent finds and identifying mysterious objects to discussing the best gear and techniques. You’ll find sections dedicated to everything from coins and relics to jewelry and prospecting. There’s also a popular beach and water hunting area.
With over 60,000 members and 1.5 million posts, the Friendly Metal Detecting Forum boasts an active and knowledgeable user base. Despite its size, the forum maintains a tight-knit, small-town feel thanks to excellent moderation and a code of conduct that encourages respect.
Running on the vBulletin platform, the forum is easy to navigate and includes useful features like a mobile-friendly design, private messaging, and multimedia uploading for sharing photos and videos of your finds. New users will appreciate the dedicated Welcome Center with guidance for getting started.
A standout feature is the site’s annual token hunt, where custom tokens are planted across the U.S. for members to find using their metal detectors. This fun event fosters community engagement and gives back to the hobby.
DetectorProspector
DetectorProspector is one of the largest and longest-running metal detecting forums online. Founded in 2001, it has amassed over 100,000 members and millions of posts across a wide range of topics. The community is welcoming to newcomers, with dedicated sub-forums for beginners and those new to the hobby.
Key topics discussed include sharing finds, identifying mysterious objects, getting advice on metal detector gear and accessories, discussing laws and regulations related to metal detecting, and swapping tips on hot hunting spots. There are also regional sub-forums where members in the same state or area can connect.
The platform has a classic, no-frills forum layout that is easy to navigate. Threads are well-organized by category, with a powerful search function. While visually basic, the forum is very active with new posts every few minutes across the many sub-forums. Moderation is strong but fair, fostering a positive environment.
A standout feature is the huge database of metal detecting terminology, slang, and FAQs compiled by veteran members over decades. This acts as an invaluable resource for those just starting their metal detecting journey. Overall, DetectorProspector provides a vast, engaged community for hobbyists of all experience levels.
The Dankowski Metal Detecting Forum
The Dankowski Metal Detecting Forum is a long-running online community dedicated to the metal detecting hobby. Founded in 2002, it’s one of the oldest and largest forums of its kind. The forum is named after its founder, Butch Dankowski, who is a respected metal detectorist and relic hunter.
With over 60,000 registered members and millions of posts, the Dankowski forum covers a vast range of metal detecting topics. Members frequently share their latest finds, from ancient coins and relics to modern jewelry and other treasures. There are specialized sub-forums for discussing everything from specific detector models to laws and regulations across different regions.
One standout aspect is the depth of knowledge shared by veteran members who have decades of experience metal detecting. Many are considered experts on particular eras, artifacts, or geographic areas. The forum also has an extensive reference library with field guides, research papers, and other educational resources.
The Dankowski forum has a straightforward, no-frills design with standard web forum functionality. While not the most modern interface, it loads quickly and is easy to navigate once you get the hang of the different board sections. An active team of moderators helps keep discussions positive and on-topic.
Overall, the size of the community, focus on sharing expertise, and wealth of reference materials make the Dankowski Metal Detecting Forum an engaging place for relic hunters of all experience levels to learn and connect.
American Detectorist
American Detectorist is a long-running and well-established metal detecting forum that has been active since 2005. It boasts a large and engaged community of over 40,000 registered members from across the United States.
The forum covers a wide range of metal detecting topics including sharing finds, discussing the best gear and equipment, identifying mysterious objects, getting legal advice, planning group hunts and events, and everything else related to the hobby. There are dedicated sub-forums for different U.S. states and regions, allowing members to connect locally.
American Detectorist runs on the vBulletin forum platform, which provides a straightforward and user-friendly browsing experience. The overall design looks a bit dated but is clean and easy to navigate. Standout features include a “New Posts” button to quickly see recent activity and a mobile-friendly version for posting on-the-go.
With such an active and experienced membership base, American Detectorist is an authoritative place for hobbyists of all levels to learn, share knowledge, and be part of a passionate community of relic hunters. The moderators do a good job of maintaining a welcoming, educational atmosphere for everyone.
The Ring Finders Metal Detecting Forum
The Ring Finders Metal Detecting Forum is a place for metal detectorists who specialize in finding lost rings, jewelry, and other precious metal items. The community is centered around the lost item recovery niche, sharing tips and stories from successful recoveries.
This forum covers a wide range of topics related to finding lost items like rings, from the best metal detectors and search coils for this purpose to advice on researching hunt locations where people commonly lose jewelry. Members share their ring recovery stories, post pictures of their finds, and ask for help identifying markings on recovered rings to reunite them with their owners.
With over 10,000 registered members, the Ring Finders forum has an active and engaged community. The simple, old-school forum platform is easy to navigate, with clear categories for different discussion topics. While basic, the Ring Finders forum gets the job done as a no-frills place to connect with other detectorists focused on this niche.
One standout feature is the “Ringfinders Directory” where members can list their contact information and service area to get hired for metal detecting jobs to find lost rings and other valuables. This has allowed many to turn their hobby into a small business recovering cherished items for clients.
Find’s Treasure Forums
Find’s Treasure Forums is a well-established online community for metal detector enthusiasts, particularly focused on relic hunting and historical finds. Founded in 2003, it has grown into one of the largest and most active forums dedicated to this niche hobby.
The forum covers a wide range of topics including sharing photos and stories of amazing finds, discussing the latest metal detector models and technologies, exchanging tips on research techniques, identifying mysterious artifacts, and navigating the legal aspects of relic hunting. There are also regional sub-forums where members can connect with others in their local area.
With over 60,000 members and millions of posts, Find’s Treasure Forums boasts a massive and highly engaged community. Despite its size, the forum maintains a friendly, welcoming atmosphere thanks to its experienced moderation team and strong emphasis on respectful discourse.
The platform itself is clean and easy to navigate, with a traditional web forum layout. It offers advanced search capabilities, the ability to subscribe to threads, private messaging between members, and multimedia uploading for sharing photos and videos of finds. A recent upgrade also introduced mobile-friendly views.
One standout feature is the forum’s extensive reference library containing field guides, research materials, and historical documentation to assist members in identifying and learning about their discoveries. There are also specialized sections for numismatics, bottles/insulators, militaria, and other relic categories.
Relic Roundup
Relic Roundup is a thriving online community dedicated to relic hunting and metal detecting enthusiasts. Established in 2005, it has grown to become one of the largest and most active forums in the niche. With over 50,000 registered members and a lively discussion board, Relic Roundup is a go-to destination for those seeking knowledge, camaraderie, and a shared passion for unearthing historical treasures.
The forum covers a wide range of topics, from identifying found relics and discussing their historical significance to sharing tips on the best metal detecting equipment and techniques. Members actively discuss their latest finds, trade stories from the field, and offer advice on navigating the legal and ethical considerations surrounding relic hunting.
What sets Relic Roundup apart is its strong sense of community and the wealth of knowledge shared by experienced relic hunters. The forum’s user-friendly interface, powered by vBulletin software, makes it easy to navigate and participate in discussions. Members can easily upload images of their finds, creating a visually engaging experience and fostering a spirit of friendly competition.
One of Relic Roundup’s standout features is its extensive library of resources, including tutorials, field guides, and research materials. This wealth of information is invaluable for both novice and seasoned relic hunters alike, helping them deepen their understanding of historical artifacts and refine their metal detecting skills.
Whether you’re a seasoned relic hunter or a newcomer to the hobby, Relic Roundup offers a warm and welcoming environment where you can connect with like-minded individuals, share your passion, and learn from the experiences of others.
UK Metal Detecting
UK Metal Detecting is a thriving and active online community for metal detector hobbyists across the United Kingdom. Founded in 2008, it has grown into one of the largest and most respected forums dedicated to the hobby.
The forum covers a wide range of metal detecting topics, from sharing and identifying finds, to discussing the latest gear and technologies. There are specialized sections for ancient coins, relics from different historical eras, beach and underwater hunting, legal issues, and advice for beginners. The vast and knowledgeable community provides a wealth of expertise on all aspects of metal detecting in the UK.
With over 25,000 registered members and hundreds of active users daily, UK Metal Detecting offers a bustling environment to connect with like-minded enthusiasts. The platform is user-friendly with a clean, modern design optimized for desktop and mobile browsing. Searching, posting, and uploading images is straightforward.
A standout feature is the comprehensive Finds Database containing over 100,000 cataloged metal detector discoveries from around the UK. Members can easily reference this invaluable resource when researching and identifying their own finds. The forum also hosts regular competitions and “Dig of the Month” showcases to celebrate members’ exciting recoveries.
Overall, UK Metal Detecting provides an engaging, informative, and welcoming space for British metal detector hobbyists at all experience levels to discuss their shared passion.
Aussie Metal Detecting
Aussie Metal Detecting is one of the largest and most active metal detecting forums in Australia. Founded in 2009, it has grown into a vibrant community of over 9,000 members who share a passion for the hobby.
The forum covers a wide range of topics related to metal detecting in Australia, including discussions on the best detecting spots, sharing and identifying finds, gear recommendations, legal advice, and event information. Members frequently post about their latest adventures and discoveries, creating an engaging and interactive atmosphere.
One standout feature of Aussie Metal Detecting is its strong focus on regional and state-based sub-forums. This allows detectorists from different parts of the country to connect with others in their local area, exchange tips on prime hunting grounds, and potentially arrange group hunts or meetups.
The forum is built on the vBulletin platform, which provides a user-friendly interface and robust search functionality. Navigation is straightforward, making it easy for both new and experienced members to find the information they need. The mobile-friendly design also ensures a seamless experience for those accessing the forum on the go.
Moderation on Aussie Metal Detecting is active and fair, fostering a welcoming and respectful environment for all members. Newbies are encouraged to introduce themselves and ask questions, while experienced detectorists are always willing to share their knowledge and expertise.
Getting Started on Metal Detecting Forums
One of the most exciting parts of joining a metal detecting forum is creating your account and crafting your online persona. Your username is your calling card, so put some thought into picking one that represents your hobby interests or metal detecting persona. Avoid anything inappropriate or that could be seen as offensive.
When creating your account, most forums allow you to upload an avatar image. This small picture appears next to your posts and helps other members quickly identify you. Many detectorists use an image related to their hobby like detector finds, landscapes of places they’ve hunted, or their actual metal detector.
Once you’ve created your account, take some time to read the forum rules and policies. While every community is different, there are some common etiquette practices like being respectful, avoiding foul language, and not sharing illegal activities. It’s also good form to introduce yourself by starting a new thread in the New Members section to tell others about your interests and experience level.
When you’re ready to start posting, think carefully about your first few interactions. Make an effort to be welcoming, ask questions to learn from others, and share your own relevant knowledge. The metal detecting community is extremely friendly to newcomers, but avoid posting anything that could be seen as rude or confrontational out of the gate. It’s wise to spend some time reading and getting a feel for the forum culture before actively engaging.
Meet Emily, our passionate metal detectorist and history enthusiast. With her trusty Manticore and Deus 2 metal detectors by her side, she delves deep into the earth, unearthing hidden treasures and untold stories from the past. Through her adventures documented on Instagram and YouTube, Emily invites you to join her on a journey of discovery, where every find tells a tale. Whether it’s ancient artifacts or forgotten relics, she’s dedicated to sharing the excitement and wonder of the world beneath our feet. Follow along with Emily on her quest to uncover the secrets of history at scrapsafari.com.