It’s nearly a week since we pointed it out but Regtons, Britain’s largest metal detecting shop, is STILL advertising a range of sophisticated night vision gadgets and describing them as “metal detecting accessories”.
Are you happy about that? Are you convinced that legitimate metal detectorists need such things? If not, you might care to ask anyone who knocks on your door this weekend asking for detecting permission if they’ve contacted Regtons to protest.
You could ask them to leave a comment here on The Heritage Journal confirming that they have. (So far, out of 8,000 metal detectorists, not one has – although some have left messages abusing us.)
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44 comments
Comments feed for this article
02/08/2014 at 23:30
menhir
Would it not be better to ask how many members of the public contacted regtones?
02/08/2014 at 23:32
menhir
Oh. I did by the way but never got a reply.
03/08/2014 at 07:43
heritageaction
It hardly needs demonstrating that most people would see it as wrong but it would be good to see metal detectorists saying so, since they’re always condemning nighthawks.
“Oh. I did by the way but never got a reply.”
The only reply that is worth anything is the removal of the offending adverts. Touch wood it will happen.
03/08/2014 at 23:16
menhir
Why not organise a protest outside regtones to highlight the issue. Lots of people with placards and banners would get some attention.
04/08/2014 at 12:33
john eakin
What is wrong with metal de.tecting during the dark?? It stops one being annoyed with kids and nosey people wanting to ask the same boring questions, and asking about what have you found, and can I use it???
I have permission from 4 large managed farms to detect as and when I want–including at night–and we have the standard 50/50 share agreement. So far we have reported 2 finds to the FLO and in both cases–after 9 months–we were told the goods were not wanted, so we sold them through Spinks and shared the proceeds. Both were found at night.
I somewhat resent your continual harping on about Night Hawks. Get over it.
Every profession has crooks, show me a Priest and I will show you a kiddy-fiddler, show me a banker and I will show you a thief!! Show me a 1980’s tv presenter…if you can find one that isn’t in jail!!
I bet there are archaeologists out there with sticky fingers.
You actually weaken you case by blasting off asking farmers to help, as many I know well, would not let an archaeologist near their land as reportedly they have a record of tying up lumps of lands for months on end and messing up crop rotation. Farmers farm the land, not the scrap or otherwise buried unknown beneath their lands.
That is the prime reason they are happy for a 50/50 share with someone they know and trust.
Actually I have seen night hawkers and told Plod who have jumped on them and run them in—only for them to get an Official Warning—which means frankly sod all!!
Accept reality chaps, Do not start crusades against suppliers, that way you will only advertise the fact Night Vision is available. Think outside the box…if you can wearing those blinkers you seem to prefer 24/7???
04/08/2014 at 13:51
Pat
You’ve totally missed the point. The article wasn’t about “What is wrong with metal detecting during the dark??” (although you’d have to be a very sad case to do it in many people’s view, including most detectorists I should think) but about how wrong it is to advertise a nighthawking utility as a metal detecting accessory.
The fact you’ve managed to write so much yet avoided saying the blindingly obvious – that Regtons are wrong and should desist – says all anyone needs to know about you.
05/08/2014 at 16:06
Jon
I imagine some people detect on the beach at night after crowds have gone home.
05/08/2014 at 18:26
Glenn
Those units would be of little use for nighthawking anyway as you could not detect and use one of those at the same time.I have a metal detector and a night vision aid, that does not make me a nighthawker. I have never detected anywhere without the correct permissions being in place and never will. Regtons is a buisness, it needs to make a profit to survive, if they can make extra income selling such accesories good luck to them I say.
06/08/2014 at 13:20
Paul Barford
@John Eakin: those “kids and nosey people wanting to ask the same boring questions” just happen to be the very public whose historical heritage artefact hunters are hoiking out and scurrying away with. I think they have every right to ask artefact hunters questions. I would say that the least the latter could do would be to answer them in a way that contributes to a better understanding of the heritage and responsible detecting, wouldn’t you? This 50/50 is just on Treasure items I take it? What about the rest of the stuff you walk off from from daytime and night-time hunting on as many as four farms? How much is that worth in total then?
@Glenn: “if they can make extra income selling such accesories good luck to them I say”. And crowbars or bolt-cutters to get the car through padlocked gates too, eh? Yes, Glenn “good luck to the night-time detectorists and all who supply them”. I don’t think the device is used for “detecting with”, rather for avoiding those “nosy people wanting to ask questions”, like “who are you and what are you doing on my land?”
07/08/2014 at 08:26
Glenn
@Paul: You would not go to Regtons to buy crowbars & bolt cutters they do not sell them. Likewise, Regtons would not be the first choice to buy a night vision device. They are available at many other outlets at a more realistic price. As I said , how can you detect and look out for and avoid said Nosey people at the same time? As for hoiking out and scurrying away with ‘Artefacts’ they have already been ‘Hoiked’ out of context so there is little Archaeological knowledge to be gained from them except to contribute to the growing ‘PAS’ & ‘UKDFD’ databases and increase the publics knowledge of such ‘Artefacts’. It’s not about what the Artefcts have as a monetary value it’s about there potential educational value.
07/08/2014 at 10:33
Neil Masters
Hey Glenn,
You won’t understand this but “Regtons is a buisness, it needs to make a profit to survive, if they can make extra income selling such accesories good luck to them I say” is the thickest thing I’ve ever seen from a detectorist – and there’s a lot of competition!
As for failing to comprehend or ignoring Paul’s point that the public has every right to know what you’re pocketing, that’s the second thickest thing I’ve seen from a detectorist.
Your mates must be squirming.
07/08/2014 at 17:40
Andy Baines
As much as I hate to say it I tend to agree with the anti-detectorists here. Why would a detectorist need night vision other than to keep a low profile?!
I have detected on the beach plenty of times on the darkest of winter nights (due to odd tide times) and I use a led head torch to see what I’m doing. I really do not understand why this would not be enough for a detectorist on land, unless of course they were up to no good.
In my opinion Regtons selling night vision equipment is sending out the wrong image and in a way egging on the potential thieving nighthawks.
07/08/2014 at 18:09
Nigel S
Andy,
You shouldn’t hate to agree with us. If we and you agree about something that’s a matter of fact not preference.
Also, we aren’t anti-detectorist, we’re anti unregulated artefact hunting. Is there anyone, anywhere, who can disagree with us about that basic principle?
Having said that, congratulations on saying you oppose Regtons advertising nighthawking tools and describing them as detector accessories. You’re the first.
07/08/2014 at 18:48
Andy Baines
I say hate to agree because usually I find your metal detecting proposals demanding and a tad extremist, however on this occasion I would be lying if I said I disagree with your views.
I wait with great interest to hear one of my metal detecting brethren come up with a feasible reason as to why we need night vision
07/08/2014 at 18:52
heritageaction
Well Gary of Gary’s Detecting who product tested a lot of these items said he finds them useful for making sure “his” sites aren’t visited by nighthawks!
I guess on that basis a flame thrower is a metal detecting accessory!
08/08/2014 at 13:04
Glenn
Hey Neil If the public wants to know what I am ‘Pocketing’ ( I use a finds pouch like most detectorists) they need look no further than the PAS or UKDFD databases, the British Museum, Norwich castle museum or many of the various Regimental museums where I have donated finds over 30 years detecting. Or you could come to one of my many public talks (All free of charge) to view what I am ‘pocketing’. I personally own a Night Vision device for use in connection with another hobby as a volunteer ranger on a nature reserve, it’s of no use for detecting.What exactly would you describe as ‘Regulated Artefact hunting ‘?
08/08/2014 at 13:27
heritageaction
“What exactly would you describe as ‘Regulated Artefact hunting ‘?”
Metal detecting of the public’s resource strictly for the public’s benefit under the public’s rules. Show me anyone that doesn’t believe in that and I’ll show you someone that shouldn’t be on the fields.
08/08/2014 at 16:30
Glenn
I agree it is the public’s resource which is why I give talks to Schools, WI’S ETC and record all my finds on databases accessible by the public. As I said it’s all about education to me. To this end I am sure the public benefit . What would you describe as ‘The public’s rules’?
08/08/2014 at 18:20
Neil Masters
Tell you what, how about posting here a complete list of everything you’ve had recorded by PAS?
10/08/2014 at 16:19
heritageaction
Silence!
Looks like despite his claims Glenn has failed the DIM test!
10/08/2014 at 17:43
Paul Barford
note the word “databases” in the plural
10/08/2014 at 18:11
heritageaction
Yes, a real hero. Only the evidence is missing. And an educator! Wonder if he’d care to supply a list of the talks he has given to Schools, WI’S etc? Are we talking blagger bluffed here?
11/08/2014 at 10:37
Glenn
All,
If you must know I have been away all weekend ‘Hoiking ‘ artefacts from the public domain . No internet access so could not reply. Typical reaction of jumping to conclusions I say. If you want a full list of all the finds I have recorded on the PAS that is possible but would take me several days to complete and would also give YOU the information on the areas I detect. I do not mind the general public seeing this information but would not give it directly to a website such as yours .Same goes with the Talks information, why would I publish it on this website where such an arrogant elitist attitude is prevalent ? What a load of muppets !
11/08/2014 at 11:16
heritageaction
Your excuses for not providing evidence for your claims just don’t stand up – as everyone reading this, will readily see. It is indeed a case of a bragger bluffed.
Incidentally, the idea that you don’t have a list of what you’ve recorded with PAS sounds unlikely, to put it mildly. But if it’s true it means you aren’t providing farmers with proof you’re respectable. Ah well, thanks for the illustration.
11/08/2014 at 12:43
Paul Barford
“would also give you the information on the areas I detect”
(a) would not, PAS data on findspot location in the public domain are generic (b) So what? Is it a secret which parts of the public heritage you are appropriating to your own pocketses? Go on, make a list of just last year’s pickings.
“Same goes with the Talks information, why …”
(c) to back up the point you were making. To show everyone what a jolly socially-useful thing one artefact hunter’s hoiking is, what enormous public benefits it brings. We will know for sure that even after you are dead and all your archaeological goodies are dumped in a skip, there will be a little old lady or two in a WI knitting circle who will remember this nice man came and allowed them to fondle his hammies.
11/08/2014 at 13:10
Glenn
Everyone with your elitist and arrogant attitude will see and I do not really care about your views. Why would I need a ‘List’ of my records on the PAS database ? That is the whole idea of a database in that it is a list in itself. I know every find that I have recorded . If you did not already know the PAS database does not name finders to the general public, although this information is available to those with the correct access. My farmers are better off in knowledge of their land and in monetary terms through our joint efforts and already know how respectable I am and that is all that matters. My farmers have all the details and can look at the finds on the database at any time. As I said I would not publish any details of my activities on a ‘Tin pot’ website such as this. As I also said , jumping to conclusions again.
11/08/2014 at 17:57
heritageaction
So much wriggling, and yet having stated you have reported all your finds you remain unable/unwilling to prove it. I think people will draw their own conclusions.
11/08/2014 at 18:37
BernieB
“My farmers have all the details and can look at the finds on the database at any time.”
Hahaha, yet you can’t. Whoops.
11/08/2014 at 19:44
heritageaction
Unbelievable. In every sense of the word. The DIM test should be applied to every detectorist. Let’s see how many more there are like this fellow.
13/08/2014 at 17:28
Mark Lenton
I worked in a museum many years ago, and many of the coins and artefacts were nicked by the archaeologists – some sold Gold Roman coins and rare Saxon items to pay for holiday spending money, and they tried to blame security. At least detector users are honest and actually record items
13/08/2014 at 18:47
heritageaction
I wonder how you know that and why you didn’t tell anyone?
Tell you what, please state time, date, names and location?
Or will you decline to provide evidence, like the hapless dim-test failure, Glen?
17/11/2014 at 17:51
Andy
this seems to be nothing more than a dig at metal detectorists, the army use night vision, go have a pop at them.
17/11/2014 at 18:33
heritageaction
It’s really not very hard. It’s a criticism of nighthawks and those who supply them.
05/03/2016 at 15:37
Stephen Wingus
Ok, i get the subject of the post, and i think we can all agree here, nighthawking is bad, and why is a metal detecting suplier selling the tools to them to do the job.
That’s like asking why does a locksmith carry lockpicking tools, the criminals can also buy the tools from any reputable locksmithing supplier.
You see, here is the problem, it’s not that detectorists detect at middle of the night, or middle of day, it’s knowing who, where and why the nighthawkers are about, and how to catch them. Like it has been said, catching them and prosecuting them is bloody hard work, we don’t even know what tools they use.
However, we have a chance now, to utilise the same technology they use, and to use it for the good and better for everyone. You cannot blame a supplier for suplying tools, that criminals and law abiding both use. Your not supposed to listen in on police frequencies, by law, yet you can buy scanners and radio ham equipment to listen to any frequencies…does that make all law abiding citizens criminals…does it make the suppliers of that hobby criminals….no, not even remotely.
So, before you harp on about the suppliers could stop selling it, you wouldn’t have half the technology you got now and laws to protect you, if no-one got caught. Detectorists take a lot of crap, from all sides…farmers, archeologists, the law, and of course, nighthawkers. Only a tiny few are getting more press attention that the vast majority of decent, law abiding detectorist.
Perhaps, instead of blaming others for the incompetence of not being able to find these law breakers, we could all work together for a change, and make all our lives better. We need metal detecting, we need archeology, and we need farming, and i believe all 3 can get along and work together. So get your thumb out your ass and start doing some good out there…get some technology and catch the criminals.
05/03/2016 at 16:39
heritageaction
“You cannot blame a supplier for suplying tools, that criminals and law abiding both use.”
Of course we can in this instance. These are metal detecting stockists, selling night vision equipment so it’s perfectly obvious to them and everyone else what most of it will be used for. Even they have acknowledged the problem as they have now stopped.
05/03/2016 at 17:30
the daily detectorist
Should shops also be ousted for selling spades? illegal detectorists use them as well.
05/03/2016 at 19:02
heritageaction
Most spades sold in a detecting shop aren’t used for criminal purposes. The same can’t be said of night vision equipment sold in detecting shops. Well it can be, but it would be a deliberate falsehood.
05/03/2016 at 19:08
Paul Barford
rose gardeners use spades too, but nobody I know needs night vision devices to grow roses as nobody digs in the dark
05/03/2016 at 19:59
heritageaction
🙂 M8!
05/03/2016 at 23:04
the daily detectorist
Detecting at night isn’t illegal if permission has been obtained, so therefore stocking nightvision isn’t a great deal differant from selling a spade , apart from the fact all illegal detectorists own spades, and probably not all of them night vision # Banthespade
06/03/2016 at 04:16
heritageaction
The difference between spades and nightvision equipment being offered in a metal detecting shop is perfectly clear to most people including (now) Regtons.
06/03/2016 at 12:05
the daily detectorist
But apparently not Joan Allen and good on them. We here at the DD refuse to accept that spades are more innocent than night vision. Has anyone ever been murdered with night vision, and can the same be said for spades?
06/03/2016 at 13:15
heritageaction
OK you win. Nighthawks don’t buy night vision equipment from metal detecting shops.
07/03/2016 at 19:16
Timboyo
Quite a pattern, detectorists saying there’s nothing wrong with selling them night vision equipment and detectorists telling French farmers they are looking for tractor parts!