As a gneral rule of thumb

[Mudball]

I have never metal detected in my life. Im now 51 years old and I have some common sense about a few things. Im going to start off digging simple things on my own property first to try and learn the machine.
If I did decide to buy something like a Garrett AT Gold then do most of you think Im starting out with something too advanced or will the learning curve take a little longer than a Ace 250 for example ? Am I getting in over my head with the AT Gold ?
I know that there are many different variables to this question that could determine the right answer but Im asking a general rule of thumb
Is the AT Gold ok for a starter detector if Im willing to take the time to learn it ?
Thanks

 

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[Carolina Tom]

I am 51 also... started detecting 14 months ago. I got a low end machine ($200) and wasted about three months with it... then got an AT Pro, it took about 4 weeks to get the hang of it... then I started finding silver coins, and it was on for real! I used that machine for 90 days (found 10 silver coins and a gold ring), then upgraded to Deus. Because it was light and wireless... the AT machine worked fine, just not cool enough for me.

The Deus found 50 silver coins (including three halves) in less than 6 months! If money is not an issue, go for the Deus!

If you are serious about hunting, go for at least an AT Pro (or Gold) level machine ($700). The lower end machines just do not do the job as well. Don't worry about the learning curve, you are going to have that no matter what machine you buy. The learning curve is not all that bad, it just takes some time to get used to the sounds the machine makes, and exactly what they mean. The AT Pro (Gold) are easy to use, and they work. You can't go wrong with one of them.

If you have questions, don't hesitate to PM me. I wish that someone had told me the things that I know now... back then!

Good luck. Those of us that are all into this hobby, just love it. It is quite consuming!

 

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