Since it seems the other big complaint is finding them.

My experience with detect artifact has been lackluster thus far, but its been said there is little intrest in making it lower level.

With just that criteria and probably a thin viel being another. I would suggest simply making its duration much longer, or atleast lowering the cost a fair bit.
Not all mages have vast tracts of mana.

Also I wouldn't mind it firing on other sleek locations that are not yours. No reason you couldn't see the thread of mana, even if its not your location.