re: What are some of your hobbies?

Yes it is a hobby

A hobby is something done for enjoyment during your leisure

Metal detecting is next on my list. Can you recommend a starter?

I like to cook, brew beer, and build things.

posting on message boards with complete strangers.

Huntin', fishin', drinkin', listenin' to music (Hank, Merl, Willy, Johnny)

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Metal detecting is next on my list. Can you recommend a starter?

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I would say a White's MXT. Have been using one for about seven or eight years now. Extremely user-friendly. The key is getting to know the machine. I have seen people give up/get rid of detectors because they fail to learn their machine. I will never buy another - I like the White's better than any other. It goes plenty deep and is one of, if not, the best there is.

One thing to remember, even though some have screens and show what the object may be depending on reading, is that its just a suggestion. For example, a shotgun shell will read in the 30's (on my MXT) but so will a button. It discriminates very well, and depending on the setting, you can weed out iron items. Remember, that the lower you set the discriminator, the deeper the machine will go - but the trade-off is that sometimes iron items will trick you, especially deeper ones. As I said, the real trick is learning the machine. I set up a coin/metal garden when I got mine and that helped a lot.

Some people like Tesaro's, and I have tried my Dad's, but I like the MXT because it is so versatile. New ones usually go in the $700-800 range, but check some of the forums and you can get used ones for a good bit less. Stay away from ebay though...

1) fishing
2) hunting
3) working out
4) scuba diving
5) flying (I have my pilots license)
6) guitar/piano
7) food

I'm a Renaissance man

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Taking my son to the park

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That should not be a hobby...

Surfing
Fishing
Soccer
Working out