been out of the loop, what's a good starter detector for a newbie.

[generic username]

buddy is considering getting into a little casual detecting after seeing my findings over the years.

I started and used a ace 250 for maybe 15 years and was plenty satisfied with my findings form my casual detecting, currently reading up on and learning how to operate a gifted ctx3030 which ive not got a clue about.

Ive been out of the loop but believe I have a general idea of what he should consider. I believe the general price range he should consider to get some decent discrimination ability is in the ballpark of $250. Of course he doesn't want to dig any trash and he wants the best for the least... don't we all . we all know the reality though, were all cleaning up trash and occasionally find a goodie below where the surface trash was. his interest is in the realm of coinage and jewelry findings, maybe some relics. ive really stressed the point of "your going to be digging lots of trash no matter what though"

anyways around that price point of $250, is there anything I should consider for a solid beginner suggestion or something less than $250? he's mentioned harbor freight has detectors and theres some cheap ones on amazon but im trying my best to steer away from that.
I believe for a solid suggestion he should be considering a simplex BT, vanquish 340, x-terra pro or an ace 300.. but like I said, im not too sure what's out there. do my suggestions seem like a decent eenie meenie miney moe pick to direct him towards?

 

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[Loco-Digger]

I'd learn that CTX 3030 you have. why go to a new lesser machine?

 

[generic username]

im not interested in going lesser than what I have. looking for a suggestion of a detector to recommend to a buddy so he can start into the hobby at a decent entry level price point.

 

[Loco-Digger]

Most are getting Minelab or Nokta machines, multi-frequency is the rage these days. I got the most of my machines used and never had an issue. I am still swinging the machine I bought back in 2014. I better let someone else recommend specific models.

 

[generic username]

Been seeing more talk of nokta & minelab the past few years, think ive been seeing more discussion around the nokta lines more often though.
I used my ace 250 since 2008 till last summer when the coil bit the dust and a replacement coil price wasn't justifiable based on what you could pick up a whole new 250 for. therefor my knowledge of what there is out there is pretty lacking. back around 2008, I knew of minelab existing but knew more about whites and Garrett.

I know theres no one size fits all, theres too many variables out there.

 

[JOe L]

Minelab xterra pro, I think it’s a great starter, imo

 

[ticndig]

look at the Simplex , look at the trusted dealers who sponsor this site further down the menu page.

 

[l.cutler]

Simplex, Vanquish or Xterra pro would all be good choices. The Ace 300 is much older technology and I'd skip that one.

 

[generic username]

awesome, thank you fellas for confirming my options of a decent machine for someone to reasonably test the waters. im definitely going to point towards the minelab or nokta lines.