Particularly the unsubstantiated claim of" triple depth" for a particular detector. This is the "claim" of those with a vested interest in selling that particular detector from which they would benefit financially.The manufacturers of this particular machine have not made the claims yet to publically deny it would be bad for sales. However such nonsense plays into the hands of those who would like to believe it and use these unsubstantiated claims in order to attack the detecting hobby again. Reason - probably an easy target to divert attention or enquiry from the shortcomings that archaeology is very keen not to have aired in the public arena.
As you suggest there may well be nigthhawks hiding in clubs ,but the members soon work out who they are and freeze them out. Nighthawking is a direct contavention of the NCMD Code of Conduct which is a condition of membership. However unless there is publically available evidence of an individuals criminal activities with respect to nighthawking the NCMD cannot refuse membership. If anyone can supply the names of individuals concerned and publically available details of their nighthawking case i can ensure that they will never be able to join the NCMD - cant say that for another detecting organisation though
As for the subject of recording - well we are all aware that detectorists are unable to or wish not to record all their finds for many reasons good ,bad and indifferent and the constant attacks on the hobby which seem to be the norm recently especially following EH and their press release on heritage crime, always have a direct affect on recording levels. By all mean hammer the nighthawks all day long ,but dont confuse the ownership and use of a detector by hobbyists as being the same. Lets not be drawn into the tar brush arena.
As you suggest there may well be nigthhawks hiding in clubs ,but the members soon work out who they are and freeze them out. Nighthawking is a direct contavention of the NCMD Code of Conduct which is a condition of membership. However unless there is publically available evidence of an individuals criminal activities with respect to nighthawking the NCMD cannot refuse membership. If anyone can supply the names of individuals concerned and publically available details of their nighthawking case i can ensure that they will never be able to join the NCMD - cant say that for another detecting organisation though
As for the subject of recording - well we are all aware that detectorists are unable to or wish not to record all their finds for many reasons good ,bad and indifferent and the constant attacks on the hobby which seem to be the norm recently especially following EH and their press release on heritage crime, always have a direct affect on recording levels. By all mean hammer the nighthawks all day long ,but dont confuse the ownership and use of a detector by hobbyists as being the same. Lets not be drawn into the tar brush arena.