A metal detecting logbook is a valuable metal detecting resource. This article discusses whether you should start keeping a metal detecting logbook, help with what kind of information to record, and how to use them effectively for a metal detectors benefit. We have produced some printable logsheets for you below.
First of all, what do we mean when we talk about a metal detecting logbook? Traditionally in order to evaluate your metal detector’s performance, you would enter the date (and time), location (to include grid and GPS reference) and then list every target found including its description, information on where it was found i.e. its depth below the surface, and any notes such as distinguishing features (size, colour etc) and metal detecting history such as where an object has been found before.
Metal detecting records may include depth of metal detectible objects, weights and other findings. Typical metal detection logbook records, once they have been compiled, do not vary a great deal from one metal detectorist to another, but individual metal detectorists will almost certainly write their metal detector finds in slightly different ways, for example, two metal detectors enthusiasts might record that they found a silver ring at four inches below the surface, however, one would note that it looks like it has been there a while whilst the other gives no description of how long it may have been there, both metal detector finds and metal detecting logbook entries can be used for metal detecting research purposes.
Note, metal detection logbook records are not limited to metal detector finds only! It is often a good idea to also note items that you don’t find as well (or sometimes more so) just in case the information one day proves useful or even vital. For example, if you know an older coin was found at a specific location but your metal detector fails to find this specific coin perhaps because it is now deeper than when previously discovered and recovered; perhaps the metal detecting area has been detected by others since your last visit. This metal detecting history of previous visits may prove invaluable at some point in the future when attempting to metal detect in the metal detecting area again.
For metal detectorists who have never metal detected before, metal detecting logbooks can be utilised for recording their first metal detector finds and also any metal detector troubleshooting procedures followed to rectify metal detection performance issues you may come across when metal detecting. This will help ensure that your newly found metal detector performs effectively during future metal detecting trips. For example; If you are having difficulty getting accurate depth readings from your metal detector, then a valuable source of information would be the entry noting what it was the metal detectorist did to solve this particular problem e.g. re-calibrating etc.
Metal Detecting Log Book Samples
It will only take you a few minutes to record the metal detector finds from your next metal detecting trip, then having compared these entries against previous metal detector logbook samples, you can see how you have progressed … which is always useful information!
If you may want to return to the same location in the future and need to plan accommodation, so you should record notes about where you stayed and where you ate – so you don’t have to look up receipts or rely on your memory, which might be patchy! You can also take a copy of your notes and sent them to friends.
One way of recording this information would be to use a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel or Google Docs to keep metal detector record logbook details. These metal detectors find information can be arranged in any way you choose, for example, metal detecting finds might be entered by metal detectorist name or metal detector type, but this is completely up to the metal detector enthusiast.
We have come up with a printable logbook sheet that you can find here: [ebook_store ebook_id=”2507″] Buy now for $5 for immediate download and print at home. Print one page or the entire book.
Metal Detecting Record Logbook Formats
These are just a few of the many metal detecting logbook formats available that metal detectors enthusiasts use when keeping track of their metal detections activity… One thing they all have in common is that they follow a similar format; metal detectors types, metal detectors serial numbers, location details and date and time when each entry was made. Of course, some metal detectorists will put down slightly more detailed notes than others, but essentially this is the metal detecting logbook information that metal detector enthusiasts need to record.
A metal detecting log book should be a metal detectorists best friend because it will help them improve their metal detecting abilities through increased metal detector practice and also provide a valuable source of knowledge on where to find specific types of metal.
For example: if you found lots of coins at one location, then you would know in the future that you could probably expect similar results, particularly if your previous metal detection visit was within a year or so from when you made the original entry.
Another example might be; If particular areas around by-passes reveal a high percentage of jewellery finds; metal detectorists can use these metal detecting logbook entries to find metal detectors for metal detecting in the local area, but also metal detecting metal detectors in areas where metal detectorists are experiencing high metal detection success.
A metal detecting logbook acts as a metal detectorists knowledge base of useful information that helps them become better metal detectors.
Metal Detecting Log Book Archives
When you start keeping your own prospects related to metal detecting, you will probably want to keep all of these valuable metal detectors finds logged records forever. But this is not always possible because the quantity of data may make it difficult to locate any particular entry when metal detecting logs are stored electronically. With paper logbook archives or physical data on a computer disk etc; they can be kept in folders and metal detectors metal detecting log space will be reduced.
Which metal detecting logbook format is right for you?
There isn’t one that metal detectorists can completely rely on because metal detectors experiences vary from metal detector to metal detectorist, but it’s nearly always useful information – whether the metal detecting find was good or bad – and is easily stored in a Word Document, PDF document or text file. The metal detectors record metal detectors logs entry should state as much pertinent information about the metal detection finds as possible so a future date reference can be made if required.
It also makes sense to keep any supporting documents such as receipts together with your metal detections record logbook entries otherwise, you may have difficulty finding them when you need them for metal detector repairs or metal detectors metal detecting log reference.
This is because you will probably have metal detections metal detectors find information recorded on metal detectorists metal detector Finds Logbooks, but also a receipt for metal detectors sales and purchase records – so why not keep all the relevant documents together in one place?
We hope this article helped you get motivated to create your own logbook or folder to document your detecting trips (and finds).
