With all things that are so important to our lives, we crave to share it with other people. Chances are you’re likely not surrounded in your day to day life with people who spend their free time seeking out treasures in the field. Metal detecting is usually a lonely hobby, and while solo hunts can undoubtedly be fun, it can be great to have people who share your hobby to brag to when you discover something impressive.
That being said, whether you are already a metal detecting enthusiast or just a beginner, there are some great resources out there on metal detecting forums. Online forums are a great place to have genuine conversations with friends who share mutual interests. We have handpicked the most relevant and helpful sites that are still active, so you can chat with others who share your enthusiasm.
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Here you will find three active subreddits dedicated to discussing prospecting in general. Members talk about their expeditions and show off the treasures they’ve found. These subreddits are perfect platforms for beginners who seek advice on gear, places to hunt, and other tips and tricks that can help develop their hobby further.
Members show off some pretty interesting finds, ranging from valuable gold coins to mundane hair clips. These metal detecting forums are lively and engaging and the site itself features search bars and friendly menus that route you to various post topics.
Some popular metal detecting subreddits are:
- MetalDetecting, which features 61,003 members.
- TreasureHunting consists of 20,210 members.
DankowskiDetectors
This forum is presented by Thomas Dankowski, or Nasa Tom as he’s popularly known. Dankowski is an enthusiast with over 30 years of metal detecting experience, including helping the FBI uncover murder weapons and NASA in locating metal items in sensitive projects. This forum is hands down the geekiest detector site you’ll find on the internet.
It consists of both seasoned and amateur detectorists, so expect plenty of valuable and technical insights passed around regarding the hobby. Thomas Dankowski himself frequents the forum, interacts with others, and shares knowledge and expertise in various topics related to metal detecting.
TreasureNet
By far, the largest treasure hunting forum on the internet, TreasureNet, is where you will find a wealth of content ranging from detecting techniques to preservation methods. With over 120,000 members and half a million topics, this platform is so busy it would take years to go through all of the discussions. Luckily, the forum has subsections, including coins, shipwrecks, stamp collecting, mapping, metal prices, and many more.
You will most likely find anything you seek covered in threads of discussion, arguments, and advice. As with most large and busy sites, controlling the users may be a little tricky, so there are bound to be trolls. Then again, the vast options and information make the site richer, engaging, interactive, and dynamic.
The layout of this website is also easy to navigate, appealing and updated, making it a true gem amongst the others on this list.
Detector prospector
This forum is run by Steve Herschbach, who doubles as an enthusiast prospector and a miner. He occasionally writes informational articles and guides centered around prospecting. His wisdom is not the only gold nugget you’ll find on this site, as most of the boards are centered around prospecting.
Members share their gold discoveries with exciting pictures and stories. Because the forum is heavy on metal detecting discussions and debates, you’re bound to learn a lot about the best equipment and techniques you should be utilizing. The latest version of the “Invision” Forum Software makes the interface on this website easy to navigate and pleasant to the eye.
Friendly Metal Detecting Forum
Are you looking for safe methods to clean your finds? Trying to find a hunting buddy? Or do you just want to sit back and read exciting stories and look at amazing pictures? Then the Friendly Metal Detecting Forum is the place for you.
As the 2nd most extensive forum, FMDF is yet another easy to navigate platform that, as the name suggests, gives off friendly vibes even with over 52,465 members. You can view a friend’s online status and see user ratings, so you can get a good idea of the positive or negative qualities of fellow members.
It is run with the help of a supporters fund that is keeping the site alive.
FindMall
Here you’ll uncover a wealth of information about every aspect of the metal detecting hobby and the treasures you can find. This forum features free chat rooms for you to interact with other members. It is sponsor-driven, so expect a lot of ads for treasure hunting appliances.
Although this site is the 3rd largest on the list, its administrators have put a lot of emphasis on ensuring it remains user friendly. Due to its tight moderation, it can be a little strict, but the drama-free environment ensures quality content and passionate members.
Whether your interests are in above ground hunts or underwater, FindMall will give you everything you’re looking for.
Canadian Metal Detecting
This forum is based in Canada and has over 9,000 members who actively share relic hunting stories that anyone can benefit from. The platform features newbies as well as highly experienced detectorists, so there’s a wide variety of questions and helpful answers you can find for every occasion.
AmericanDetectorist
Although this site is mainly focused on relic and coin hunting, you will also find many underwater hunting discussions here, as many of the members live near beaches. The site accommodates seasoned veterans as well as beginners so you can find advice for multiple skill levels. With over 4000 users, this platform is one of the best places to learn and share information about this hobby.
It is hosted on the vBulletin platform, so the website is easy to navigate and well laid out. Each month members get awarded for posts in the categories of the best coin, relic, and jewelry-related find, so you can be sure the members are motivated and passionate about their craft.
What Else?
You should take advantage of these free detecting forums and services so you can get the most out of your hobby. It can be lonely to have a hobby you love that no one else around you seems to be interested in. With these immersive sites, you can connect with other enthusiasts and share your passions!
