Advice

Blackfoot58

Gold Member
Jan 11, 2023
5,003
12,225
Iowa
Detector(s) used
Makro Simplex+
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
I used to do a lot of metal detecting. Got too busy, etc. and stopped. Recently retired and want to get back in pursuit of buried items. My old machine (don’t laugh) is a Relco Frontiersman. I bought it new when I was about 13. Worked most of the summer to buy it. It served me well, for what it was. My question, what is a good quality, starter unit these days. I see on-line adds but would like to hear from actual users. I’d like to spend less than $250. Thanks
 

Welcome to Tnet !

I'd say if you were willing to spend a little more then $250.00 you could get a much higher quality machine and that would really help to increase the amount of good finds you'll dig.

Just my opinion but ... I'd rather buy a lightly used, higher quality detector than a brand new low end machine.

You should be able to find a real good deal on a used Garrett AT Pro - Nokta Simplex, etc.
There are plenty of them out there for sale - just be careful who you buy from.

Good Hunting !
 

tn_md.gif
Welcome Aboard Blackfoot58! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forum: Select Your Area.... and selecting location information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country)...
 

tn_md.gif
Welcome Aboard Blackfoot58! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forum: Select Your Area.... and selecting location information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country)...
I filled all of that in at the beginning. I’ll go back and check. Thanks. USA / Iowa
 

One thing about modern detectors is that most of them have a fairly big learning curve, especially if you're used to a beep and dig analog machine. The Simplex and the Minelab Vanquish are pretty sophisticated machines in about your price range but either will take some hours to learn. Personally I think the Vanquish will hunt circles around the venerable AT Pro. E-Trac Ohio is right, pretty much every machine I bought in the last 15 years was used. There are literally hundreds of folks who think they'd like to detect but after finding a lot of trash (as we all do) they lose patience and sell their barely used machines at a big discount. I got one on ebay and three from craigslist. Criagslist is nice since it's pretty local and you can have seller demonstrate machine for you.
 

One thing about modern detectors is that most of them have a fairly big learning curve, especially if you're used to a beep and dig analog machine. The Simplex and the Minelab Vanquish are pretty sophisticated machines in about your price range but either will take some hours to learn. Personally I think the Vanquish will hunt circles around the venerable AT Pro. E-Trac Ohio is right, pretty much every machine I bought in the last 15 years was used. There are literally hundreds of folks who think they'd like to detect but after finding a lot of trash (as we all do) they lose patience and sell their barely used machines at a big discount. I got one on ebay and three from craigslist. Criagslist is nice since it's pretty local and you can have seller demonstrate machine for you.
Good idea. I’ll try that. Thanks
 

Welcome!
Jon from s/e Michigan 8-) :cat: :occasion14: :headbang:
 

I used to do a lot of metal detecting. Got too busy, etc. and stopped. Recently retired and want to get back in pursuit of buried items. My old machine (don’t laugh) is a Relco Frontiersman. I bought it new when I was about 13. Worked most of the summer to buy it. It served me well, for what it was. My question, what is a good quality, starter unit these days. I see on-line adds but would like to hear from actual users. I’d like to spend less than $250. Thanks
For a bit more the Simplex is a great value.
 

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