What you should know
- Darick Langos, a metal detectorist, has found around 200 Apple Watches in the Chain O’ Lakes region in northeast Illinois, highlighting the frequency with which these devices are lost in water.
- Langos notes that Apple Watches with sports bands tend to not stay on in water, suggesting that a more secure strap might be necessary for activities involving water.
- Returning Apple Watches to their owners is challenging due to security locks, but Langos has had some success by sending messages to the connected phone, although efforts to work with phone companies have not been fruitful.
- Langos turned his childhood hobby into a job, using a state-of-the-art metal detector to find a variety of items underwater, but he emphasizes returning items to their owners whenever possible, rather than selling them.
Full Story
Oh, Darick Langos, what a character! This guy, only 25, has turned the Chain O’ Lakes in northeast Illinois into his own treasure chest. And guess what? He’s a metal detectorist. Not your run-of-the-mill hobbyist, though. He’s the real deal, diving into the depths with his gear, as reported by 9to5Mac via Shaw Local News.
Now, here’s the kicker: he’s stumbled upon not one, not two, but around 200 Apple Watches. Yeah, you read that right. Plus, iPhones, gold rings, you name it. But it’s those Apple Watches that keep popping up like daisies. And get this – almost all of them still had their original bands on.
Langos had a bit to say about that. Specifically, the sports bands. According to him, they’re pretty much a no-go in the water. They just don’t stay on. So, a word to the wise? If you’re planning a day out on the Chain O’ Lakes, or really any water body, maybe think twice about your Apple Watch strap.
But here’s where it gets a bit tricky. Returning these Apple Watches isn’t as straightforward as you’d think, all thanks to those pesky security locks. However, Langos, being the savvy guy he is, found a workaround. If he can ping a “call this number” message from the watch, there’s a chance to reunite it with its owner. Though, he admits, phone companies haven’t been much help in this noble endeavor.
Langos isn’t in it for the money, though. Sure, he calls it a “good paying gig,” but it’s more niche than you’d imagine. And get this – he’s probably the most affordable service of his kind out there. “I don’t charge if I can’t find it,” he says. Talk about integrity, right?
Diving into how all this began, Langos shares a bit of his backstory. Scuba certified by 10, metal detector in hand by 11. His first detector? A hand-me-down from the ’70s from his grandpa. But don’t let that fool you. Today, he’s working with top-of-the-line equipment that can detect metal under 50 feet of water. “That was a game changer,” he reflects.
But wait, there’s more. Langos doesn’t just hunt on demand. He’s also out there on his own time, amassing quite the collection. Cellphones, smartwatches, rings, earrings, even hunting knives, and a bunch of rusted guns that, don’t worry, have been cleared by the police. Despite the potential value, Langos isn’t in it for the profit. He hasn’t sold a thing, not even a white gold Cartier ring, unless he can return it to its rightful owner.
So, next time you’re out and about, maybe keep a tighter grip on your valuables. Or better yet, hope that if you do lose something, it ends up being found by someone like Darick Langos.
