If you are not familiar with metal detectors then that is all right. However you may not be aware that they have been used for some time and that metal detecting is actually a hobby for some. Now whether you are curious or already have a metal detector you just are not using, read on.
Now obviously these detectors usually do one thing and they do it well: detect metal. However when you first find something you typically will not have any idea what it is. This is why some metal detectors have technology built into them that can give you an idea of just what is down there.
If you own a metal detector which does not do this then that is alright, even the ones that do are not always perfectly accurate. However it can help cut down time spent digging if you can have a better clue as to what it is you are after metal detector. Still, just knowing something about the area you are searching can help you know what you might find.
This is something that may not often be considered by detectors. If you happen to be a history buff or know one, then using your detector within an area that was once heavily traveled or populated back in older times can give you a better chance of finding something unusual. There is no real limit to what a detector can find if it is there.
Also this suggests another benefit to metal detecting as a hobby: exercise. This can be especially true for those who do not often get up and around often otherwise. Often searching for metal means a good amount of walking. This can provide one with a means of exercising that is not too strenuous but also purposeful.
This is not to mention the fact that you can actually make money while doing it. There have been finds that include ancient coins or other metallic items that have significant monetary value. Of course you might also want to keep whatever you find for yourself as it represents a great find on your part.
So whether you are genuinely interested in metal detecting or just open to any kind of new hobby, try it out yourself. You might just find something unique, whether it be a coin or a new way to spend your time. Have fun with it and good luck in your detection.