Inside Detector Maps: The App Bringing PAS Finds, LiDAR and Smarter Permissions to Your Phone

This week I’m joined by Tom and Matt, the creators of the Detector Maps app, calling in from Queensland, Australia (while I’m in the UK with my steak dinner).We get into how their backgrounds in mineral exploration and gold prospecting shaped the app, what it’s like detecting in remote Aussie conditions (40°C heat, and long drives), and how that “field-first” thinking has turned into a seriously useful tool for UK detectorists.In this episode we cover• How Tom got started using detectors for mineral exploration and then found his own gold using a Minelab GPX 4500• Why early mornings can mean quieter, more stable detecting (and more nuggets)• The core Detector Maps features UK detectorists are loving: old maps, LiDAR, offline maps, tracking, and layers in one place• PAS integration: how the Portable Antiquities Scheme dataset is handled, categorised, and linked back to records• Filtering PAS finds by material and period, plus the “no finds” heatmap concept• Property boundaries and using Inspire IDs to help identify landowners for permissions• NDVI explained: crop stress mapping and how it can reveal archaeology that doesn’t show in satellite or even LiDAR• Listener Q&A: PAS data onboarding, and why LiDAR coverage varies in Australia’s Victorian High Country• What’s next: Academy/user guides, stability upgrades, new regions (Canada), and some “top secret” features in the pipeline• A feature request I’d love: drawing a line or boundary with an alert if I drift off track while detectingFollow Detector MapsFacebook and Instagram: Detector MapsEmail: [email protected] the podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow the Detecting History Podcast so you never miss a release, and leave a review on your podcast app. It massively helps new listeners find the show.10% off some items at Regton Metal Detectors using promo code DHPodcastFollow the podcast on all socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detectinghistorypodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DetectingHistoryPodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@detectinghistorypodcastWatch the Interview on our Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@DetectingHistoryPodcastHit the follow button to get all the new episodes first! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.