A long shot perhaps, but I'm looking to buy a new metal detector now that I've been PCSed to Britain in order to go history-hunting if you will. I've used a metal detector several times, but I fear that I have almost no knowledge of what to look for/where to go when it comes to picking one out. The only caveats I have would be a $500-$600 spending limit, and something that can pick out differing metal types would be glorious. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Ah metal detecting.. interesting stuff to be found underground. I used to have a few cheap metal detectors when I was a kid. Found a few old coins in Germany when we were stationed over there in the late 70's.

I would think that $500 to $600 would get you a healthy device, but I'm no pro either.

Whatever you do get, and whatever you do find with it, please promise not to behave like these guys on Nat Geo:

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/diggers/

They do actually find some interesting stuff, however their enthusiasm is a bit over the top and seems contrived. And why they call it nectar, I'll never know.

Wow... I hope to at least appear to be a little more... sane when I'm doing it. More of a hobby for me really as I've always loved history/archaeology.

I can't make a specific recommendation. I've only owned the cheap $20 Radio Shack type detectors, and the best I've used was a White's that my Dad owned about 20 years ago. It had a LCD screen/computer that would indicate it's guess at the target type and depth, and it seemed to do a good job though I was just in the yard, with a poor range of targets, when I used it.

http://www.whitesmetaldetector.com/beginner-metal-detectors.php

It's interesting how the technology has changed on this equipment. (and rightfully so)

The one I used a kid was a small handheld that required you to squat on the ground as you ran the device over the desired search area. (kind of like using an iron) There was a magnetically activated needle in a dashboard configuration that twitched when you found something. Radio Shack of course. As I got older I graduated on to the standard model that used various high pitched tones to alert you to a find.

This might be what the doctor ordered.

Wow, I thought metal detectors went out of style after the 1980's.

Well.. those clowns on Nat Geo still seem to be having a good time at it.

We have a Garrett model with which seems to work well.

Beaches can give good finds. lots of coins after nice weather.

If you want to search farmland ask the landowner. Even if the land has been searched before ploughing will turn up different stuff.

you won't be finding any big gold artifacts or nuggets with a 600$ metal detector in the US or europe

but you will find a lot of jewelry, semi-modern artifacts like coins from the 1600's, maybe some arrow or spear heads. you'll find a lot of old bullets.

i have found ancient money from the 1500's in japan with a detector before - that is always cool to find.

I got into metal detecting last September. My recommendations, look into the Garrett models. I personally have the AT Pro and the Ace 250. You can probably get the AT Pro plus some kit for about the price you mentioned. (if not, get the Ace 350) Now in England these might be called the "AT Pro International" or the "Euro Ace". Sometimes there are good deals on ebay.

ALSO I HIGHLY recommend buying a Garrett Pro Pointer. Makes life a helluva lot easier when it comes to finding the things you're digging for.

The Garrett models have a good reputation for being great coin and relic finders, which is exactly what you want in England.

Thanks for the help all!

That depends entirely on where you're looking

http://www.thelocal.se/5349/20061030/

They've found lot's of treasure on Gotland.
I should say, with regards to the original poster that it might be a good idea to look up the laws and regulations in the UK regarding metal detectors and treasure hunting.
I believe all such items found in Sweden (older than 100 years) are protected by law, and considered cultural heritage or somthing.
Though as mentioned in the above article, there is a finders fee.

As an opinionated archaeologist I will spare you the bulk of my soapbox lecture on the dark side of metal detecting. However,what you see in that National Geographic clip, while not the norm, is certainly very common among detector groups. In fact it gets far worse as you move towards the criminal end where folks loot on National Parks, dig up graves etc. In the UK, the situation is a little better with their treasure laws but as advised above never trespass. If you really want to experience archaeology in Britain, get on with a county archaeological society. If you want the exercise, and just mess about, stick to the beaches.

I rarely use a metal detector except in specific instances (surface collections). My needs are different since we are usually looking for larger sub-terrain features such as foundations, walls, fire pits, burials etc. For the most part, I use a gradiometer for magnetometry, ground penetrating radar and electric resistivity. For archaeologist its not about the artifact but what it tells us, though I would be lying if I said finding a hoard of gold coins wasn't on my bucket list . If you can, try and get on with one of these societies, in my opinion you would get more out of it plus get to learn the process of archaeology and use some of the gadgets above.