Hi all. Question about utility locators for an alternate use.

[III]

I do a bit of artifact and treasure hunting. Just a kooky hobby I took up years ago.
I realize that some treasure hunters use what they call 'two box machines' for deep seeking, but just wondering if and how utility locators might be used in this role? I'm talking more about deep seeking large objects, not small, randomly lost objects.

For example, lets say that someone buried a treasure chest, 5' down in a 100 acre field and it was your job to walk around and find that spot. What utility locating tools would you be using?

Any help greatly appreciated here. Realize it's an odd question, but any thinking outside the box would be of help.

[mattm211]

I do believe that kind of thing is exactly what ground penetrating radar is for, although 100 acre field is a bit much...the speed i've seen a gpr machine operated at was rather slow to do that much. maybe there is a faster application idk.

The guys here in the private locate side or with a SUE firm should know more.

[III]

Yeah, unfortunately, GPR is out of the question for a few reasons. In this case, the only option is trying to directly locate the metal via some sort of surface metal detector.

[TheCableVine]

I don't think a metal detector would go that deep. You might look into witching or divining or what ever they call it.

[ifinditunderground]

1. GPR
If that is out of the question
2. Get a damn good Shoenstedt
Either way
3. Get out your wallet and be patient.

[daman1]

I don't think a metal detector would go that deep. You might look into witching or divining or what ever they call it.

Does that really work? I've met a few old timers at the water dept. who say it does. They even showed me once but since they already knew where the line was, I wasn't sold. Kinda sound like some voodoo gypsy magic to me.

[ifinditunderground]

Dowsing isn't going to find buried treasure. But it does work well for locating underground utilities in the right hands.

[III]

When it comes to dowsing, lets just say I'm an 'ardent skeptic'. I have about as much faith in that as I do reading tea leaves or tarot cards.

I'm more interested in scientific instruments. Maybe if I understood more about what cable and pipe locators did and how they worked, I might be better able to make a more informed decision.

I know for a fact that similar instrumentation is employed in this role. For example, here's some guys in Russia using a Fisher Gemini 3 and a Whites 808 to locate metal objects in very deep holes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYzyG39fx1k

I'm interested in the ability of various utility locators to perform similar tasks. I see used units on fleabay all the time under $300. Just wondering what these units do and how deep they can locate, how large the objects must be in order to be detected by them, etc.

[TheCableVine]

I figured if the situation was as described... a hole with a chest in it, then it must be a big hole so the difference in the dirts density might lend itself to dowsing. Small holes or disturbances don't work as well.

[III]

How about this...

What is the practical difference between a pipe and cable locator and a two box metal detector?

For example, here's a Fisher Gemini III, which is widely used for deep-seeking treasure hunting.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fisher-Gemini-3-...item1e607e08cc

Here's a Fisher TW6, pipe and cable locator.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fisher-M-scope-T...item4aa94f7a26

Clearly, there are some overlapping principles involved. Can anyone explain what, if any, practical difference exists between the two, in terms of functionality?

[sprayandpray]

I smell some SPAM!

[ifinditunderground]

A cable and pipe locator will NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT locate a buried treasure chest...... And I'll check out your links when I get home....be prepared for a good banning if you are a spammer. Fortunately for you, I am too busy at work to look into it. A Schoenstedt Metal Detector will locate Ferrous Materials ONLY to an approximate depth of 12-15 feet at the mass you are describing......(Note: Ferrous Only)



Edit: What is the practical difference between a metal detector and a pipe and cable locator?

One detects underground anomalies of a metallic nature.
The other, locates underground pipes and cables.

Maybe try a treasure hunting forum.

[TheCableVine]

Those two units are the same thing. They are both split box locators. One of them is just set up on a pole that allows you to locate using induction. I'm not sure how it works.

[ifinditunderground]

I've seen one like that, and even with the pole, it had nothing to do with metal detecting. I always thought it had to do with true "EM" locating. The instruments today that I am aware of that are for that work are the EM 31 and EM 61. One of those might be useful.

[III]

I smell some SPAM!

Your nose for spam is awful