A Shiny New Detector

Whether a seasoned “professional” or a beginner, we all started our detecting adventure the same way, awkwardly fumbling around the back garden with an excited grin plastered on our faces. I am oh so thankful I lacked the foresight to film my auspicious first time, sparing me from the abject humiliation of any witnesses. I shuffled around with the wide-eyed wonder of a two year old on cartoons. Swinging wildly I began to concentrate; listening for what might be a good target. The detector dinged and binged, flashing numbers more akin to a mad scientist contraption processing higher-math problems than anything I thought would suggest what metals were under the coil. Yet the potential had my mind whirring. I read the manual at least ten times, back to font, but had no idea what the detector was telling me. Only after months and months of practice did I memorize VDIs, perfect my swing, and train my ear.

Metal detecting is not something that just comes naturally; there is no metal detecting gene. While personality traits or abilities like patience and analytical thinking play a major role in success, the mechanics remain the same for everyone. Thankfully learning how to swing and knowing what to listen for is relatively straightforward. Because of this, the hobby has seen an influx of new enthusiasts. Likewise, manufactures have responded to this demand with so-called, “turn on and go” machines. Though that term is a bit of a misnomer. New detectorists still need to learn the basic skills, no matter how easy a machine is to operate.

Last year Nokta Makro rolled out a new detector aimed at the beginner to intermediate market called the Simplex+. The name alone shouts “easy to use,” and in all fairness, it really is. However, I was shocked when customers reached out in frustration citing faulty machines, when in actuality their problem rested solely on poor technique. When we say, “turn on and go” in the metal detecting industry it is intended the same as, for instance… a car. Sure, you can start it up and “head out on the highway,” but if you don’t know how to drive, or the rules and laws of the road, things could get very ugly.

Further, no matter how long you have been detecting, you can always learn something new. Going back to the Simplex+ example, there were also several complaints by seasoned detectorists who expected to waltz right in and have that almost-intimate relationship born from years of experience using their previous machine. It does not work that way. Metal detectors vary from model to model and from manufacturer to manufacturer. Everything from VDI and tones to frequency and the type of swing employed can be markedly different. Advanced detectorists who have been around for 20 or 30 years will tell you, that each detector can have its own language and may be suited for specific environments, targets, and hunting styles.

When I reflect back not only to my first days as a new detectorist, but also what it was like switching machines, I know how overwhelming it can be. In either situation, it is easy to become frustrated. The best advice would be to get out of your own way. Take a step back and start with the basics. Focus on mastering technique, or in the case of the advanced user, the swing required by your chosen new machine. Then get out and start digging every target to learn the tones. Do not waste time depth testing newly buried coins or running your machine through its paces to build confidence. And while YouTube videos and social media advice are great tools, in the end you have to hone your skills and learn how your machine speaks in your environment. Remember, just like any relationship, trust goes both ways. If you are not doing your part to learn the machine, it will not do its part to reveal the treasure. Get out there and dig, dig, dig! That’s when you will start to see your shiny new machine… well, shine!

XOXO Siren Kimmie

Reprinted from The Archaeology & Metal Detecting Magazine's "Lockdown" issue.

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A New Ride - New Adventures

Until recently, I had not been camping in a very long time.  It was an activity I LOVED as a child but as a busy adult, I never carved out time to go.  I'm not really sure why that is, because I have so many wonderful memories of heading down the highway with a pop-up camper in tow behind the family station wagon.  I slept in tents in the backyard with my friends, just for fun.  My childhood is highlighted by picture-perfect moments of making smores, cooking hot dogs on sticks we carved ourselves, and going on fascinating adventures.  There was canoeing, blue crab hunting in the Chesapeake Bay, splashing in the waters of Virginia Beach, wakeboarding, and getting stung by jellyfish...  Yeah, so, some not-so-great moments too.  My grandparents had a pop-up as well and then graduated on to a full-sized motor home which eventually found itself permanently stationed at campground near Shady Lake amusement park.  I spent a good majority of my summers there shopping at the original Aurora Auction where my grandmother and I "thrifted" for bargains.  It was also close to Geauga Lake and Sea World which we visited frequently.  I don't know if the campground still exists, but that is where I learned to make "mountain pies" and discovered the bliss of sitting by a crackling campfire on a cool night under the stars.

When Gerry said, "What do you think of getting a camper?" I was delighted with the idea.  He decided enough time had passed from his Army days when camping was a way of life instead of a hobby.  At first, we were looking into A-liners and then moved on to Scamps and even had one on order.  That was until we realized our truck was not well-suited for towing anything.  We canceled the Scamp and begin looking for a new truck.  Enter the Nissan Frontier Desert Runner.  I looooove this truck.

The truck kind of blew our toy budget so we put the camper idea on hold for a short while.  We were both a bit bummed but we knew we had made the right choice.  Our camping dreams would have to wait.  Or would they?

A few weeks after purchasing the new truck Gerry again approaches me, this time calling me at work.  "Hear me out," he says.  "Just because we are not getting a camper right now, that does not mean we have to put our camping adventures on hold..."  My interest was piqued. "Check your messenger," he demanded.  I flipped open my messenger and hit the link.  "Heck yes!" I exclaimed.

We were soon the proud owners of a Tuff Stuff rooftop tent and truck bed rack.  Thus begins our overlanding adventures.  Well, overlanding in as much that we'll be taking it to campsites where we have showers and flushing toilets because... well.  Siren Kimmie doesn't camp, she glamps!

I've Misjudged you Tik Tok!

I know what you're thinking... I was thinking exactly the same thing whenever I heard the words Tik Tok.  The majority of what I had seen from this platform in the past was young kids doing silly things. Not that I'm against this per se, but I didn't see how I would fit in on this venue.  I am "that girl" who refuses to engage in group dances, resists anything that the "crowd" is doing...  Simply put, this introvert is just not a joiner.   Add to that my complete fear of being on film and I just didn't bother to investigate the platform.  

Recently, however, I have seen more and more content being shared of things I find interesting: Recipes, how-to videos, music, and oh-my-goodness HISTORY and TOURS.  So I decided to check it out.  

I downloaded the app and started scrolling.  

I laughed, I cried, I learned a LOT, and then... I stumbled onto some videos authored by my peers in metal detecting community.  A lightbulb flicked on...

"I can do this!" I thought to myself.

Next thing you know, I've got an account and have uploaded my first video.  It was a simple trailer introducing my YouTube channel, which immediately began receiving views.  

"What? How did that happen?" 

I began uploading snippets of my old videos, creating a catalog of sorts of my best moments and finds.  I was thinking of it as a marketing tool to filter traffic to my YouTube content. But as I posted each new video and continued to receive unsolicited views, I became intrigued.  I didn't share the links with anyone. I had not posted them to my Facebook page.  Yet people were viewing my content... With no promotion at all!  

"Interesting..."

While I pondered this whole thing, it occurred to me, there are huge differences inherent in YouTube and Tik Tok which represents their vastly differing audiences. (It's also evidence of the worlds diminishing attention span, but we wont go there).  Tik Tok viewers' habits are geared toward 1-3 minute videos.  They just don't want to invest the 10-15 minutes, which has become the YouTube standard.  And yet, Tik Tok viewers will not hesitate to spend well past 10-15 minutes watching your catalog of videos if they are enjoying the content.

That in mind, I continued to post on Tik Tok, and even started expanding my horizons by creating clips during my adventures and metal detecting.  The more I engaged the more views I was getting, and surprisingly, I was acquiring followers!  Real, organic subscribers who watched my videos, liked what I was putting out there, and decided they wanted to see more! This, to me, as an artist, was compelling.  I began looking at Tik Tok as a completely new creature with a whole new viewer base.   An audience who wasn't concerned with video quality and production, which means, I can interact on a more regular basis, even DAILY!  

Youtube videos are so much work, and I love doing them, but they are time consuming.  There is no way I could do a daily video on YouTube, at least not the way I do them.  Tik Tok on the other hand is fast, no editing, instant short snip (3 minutes or less) for viewers who are more concerned with the content and an honest interaction than they are hours of effects, transitions, and audio engineering.  It's like speed dating!  Only I'm not looking for a mate, I'm just looking to share my love for adventure, the outdoors, metal detecting, camping, music, wine, or whatever else strikes my fancy, with people who are genuinely interested.

I really think I'm going to like this tikky tok thing!  :) 

Siren Kimmie Adventures

Girls Rock Metal Detecting is no more!  Well, sort of... 

We are making some changes!  Check out what's going on here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjGvdzwVvB8