Been a lurker, but just joined this site tonight.

[Rings&bling]

Hi there. I have been following posts for a few weeks now. I am trying to decide what my first detector will be. I am interested in searching for jewelry and coins only. I live in south Texas, and may make trips to the beaches a few times. My price range is $200 to $400. I am a petite female, so I don't want anything too heavy. While in Corpus, I met a nice gentleman who let me swing his Equinox 800-WHAT A TREAT! I just can't afford that right now. I know I could get very addicted to this activity, I have always been interested in searching for treasures! Any advice is great appreciated. Thanks from a newbie.

 

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[Blak bart]

Welcome aboard and good luck detecting !!

 

[Simon1]

Welcome Rings&bling .

 

[villagenut]

Welcome aboard from florida......and digging is truly addictive.....but it's good therapy.

 

[Rings&bling]

Thanks!

 

[lairmo]

Lot's of detectors in that price range...but I wouldn't take any of them to the beach...welcome. I have Lots of family in Corpus..Port Aransas..

 

[CASPER-2]

...WELCOME!

 

[kingskid1611]

Welcome from Oklahoma, Good Luck and Happy Hunting

 

[Rings&bling]

Lairmo,

Can you tell me why you say that? I see you have the Garrett AT Pro. I am looking at a used one-it's between that and a White's.

 

[GaRebel1861]

Welcome! I spent some time a Fort Sam years ago. Very nice area and there should be some really great places to hunt out that way. Good luck!

 

[SusanMN]

Wonderful hobby. There are some great lightweight detectors out there but by moving your price range up just a couple hundred dollars you could have an Equinox 600 (pretty much just like the 800). The huge difference and reason you will really want one is if you get the urge at some point to hunt salt water. Most detectors might work well in dry sand but not wet or water. Maybe ask for some gift cards for Christmas?

 

[lairmo]

Wonderful hobby. There are some great lightweight detectors out there but by moving your price range up just a couple hundred dollars you could have an Equinox 600 (pretty much just like the 800). The huge difference and reason you will really want one is if you get the urge at some point to hunt salt water. Most detectors might work well in dry sand but not wet or water. Maybe ask for some gift cards for Christmas?

What SusanMN said....Rings&bling, I wouldn't take the ATP to salt water...dry beach hunting probably.

 

[devldog]

R&B, Welcome to the Tnet Forum from Georgia. Watch videos on Utube, a great research tool in shopping for metal detectors. Best of Luck to you in your quest, and yes this hobby is awfully addictive.....but in a very good way.

 

[digger27]

Tons of great detectors out there, all kinds of prices, too.
To answer your question and staying in your stated budget I know of one...the Ameritek Patriot.
Light, ergonomic, finds coins and jewelry it is a religion with this thing.
Works great on factory out of the box settings and if you want to explore the many great settings and features it is easy to learn and tweak at your own pace.
Oh yea, one of the few detectors at this price that will balance down to salt...something that is needed if you are going to hunt on saltwater beaches.
Priced at $449 but it is very easy to get a $50 discount from agents and that price includes free shipping.
I have a Fisher F70, the exact same detector but when it used to be sold under another name and at twice the price.

Mine found me hundreds of dollars in clad, a large amount of old coins and jewelry up the ying yang.
I paid for mine within the first 4 months I owned it with the gold I found just hunting publc parks.

Just food for thought.

 

[SusanMN]

The AT Pro is a single frequency machine, which does fine is fresh water and sand and on land. But sea water is mineralized and single frequency machines will become unstable, and give false signals in sea water and salt sand to the point you can’t tell whether or not you have an actual target. For sea water you need a multi frequency detector like the Equinox, Excalibur or 3030.

 

[GB1]

Welcome from east TX

 

[A2coins]

Talk to a dealer look at the options like a car

 

[A2coins]

Welcome to tnet from MI Tommy

 

[Truth]

Total detecting addict welcomes you from Southern Louisiana. Be ready for your life to change.

P.S. Louisiana loves Texas ❤️

 

[Rings&bling]

Welcome from east TX

What part of East Texas? I moved to SA from Tyler five years ago...