analog machines or digital?

[georgestill]

My brother is a hardcore detectorist from Leadville,Co. He renewed my interest in metal detecting about 4 years ago and I bought a White's Silver Eagle from a brother in law. They were top line at the time... for runner to the Spectrum and I've been told identical circuitry.

On a trip to leadville to see my brother and hike Elbert I didn't dig anything good with the machine but spent time digging an outy and bottle scrounging. I really didn't read the manual and my brother being use to " clean sound dig it" threw me off. Everything sounded good.

Sold it before I learned it and bought a 6000 di pro sl and a 5900 di pro sl. I like them a lot and have dug quite a few rings and over a thousand new coins...but few old coins. Considering getting a DFX or Garret gti 2500. I would like to hear frm someone that has owned both... Need an opinion of the new digital machines in comparison with analog.

BTW ... my brother has a spectrum now. Hasn't learned it yet. It seems to love round stuff and he digs bottle caps that walk away from. Even dug some large iron pieces that I felt should have gauged as minus but were at 85+

 

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[Gribnitz]

6000 Pro is one of the best coin shooters made IMHO. Dead on ID with that needle. The newer machines just have more bells and whistles, which is a bigger learning curve. Nothing wrong with what you have. Good reliable machine.

 

[U.K. Brian]

The machines you mention are not digital, just the displays.
To date I prefer an analog meter. The way the needle re-acts can tell a lot about the nature of a target. Whites digital meters are pretty good (-95 through to +95) but many machines only display several blocks and have to make a rough guess for an item that falls between.
Don't write off Spectrums. The Silver was a cut down version that lacked several important features. I have an XLT but still think the Spectrum was better apart from the lack of programme slots and extra weight.

 

[Willy]

I've always preferred a detector with great audio properties over one with a great display. Find that after a few hours of cranking my neck down to watch the display, the neck/shoulders start to ache and there's an incipient headache to look forward to. With good audio, I can walk proudly, head up and shoulders thrown back, gazing off into the distance, striding into the futu.. um, yeah. Well, I like audio. ..Willy.