Best detector for 11 year old

[Indian Steve]

I ruined an 11 year old by taking him metal detecting and his parents want to get him a detector for Christmas. He was using my Tesoro Compadre and I sent him home with a Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 to use until he gets his own. I recommended getting him a Compadre but didn't realize how hard that they are to find now. Can I get some opinions on a good detector under $200 for him? If anybody has a Compadre that they would like to sell, I would love to hear from you. Thanks in advance.

 

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[Terry Soloman]

Minelab Go Find 3231-0001 | Minelab Go-Find 20

 

[Indian Steve]

Thanks Terry! It looks like a great choice.

 

[Xraywolf]

Under $200 tough new, might be able to find an Ace 250 on craigslist for that, great starter detector

 

[Mudflap]

Looks like great deal for the new price of $150!

 

[ken135]

https://www.tekneticsdirect.com/products/category/detectors

Bought my 11 yr old grandson a Minuteman

 

[Noah_D]

Never used it but I've heard A LOT of good things about the Nokta Simplex. I think it's in the range of $250ish.

 

[Xraywolf]

Simplex, IMHO and which I have and like, would not be an ideal machine for a kid to start with.

They shouldn't be concerned with scrolling through options, updating and learning curve when first starting, just digging beeps.

 

[Noah_D]

Yeah you're probably right. Might be a bit much for someone just starting.

 

[G.A.P.metal]

Mini Hoard Waterproof Kids Detector | Nokta Makro Metal Detectors

 

[Indian Steve]

Thanks to All of you. I will pass this info on to his mother. The picture above shows Michael with his father finding pieces of a bracelet under a park bench. His father turned around and said "what's that" and picked up a 10k gold ring off the top of the ground.

 

[Flip5569k]

Why not a Land Ranger Pro? Its a pretty simple detector that is good for the price. Has a 11" waterproof DD coil and ground grab for $250~ on Amazon. Has some good depth. Does what you need it to do without all those other bells and whistles you dont really need. And besides 11 year olds are pretty tech savvy nowadays anyways. : )

 

[Megalodon]

Some fine suggestions. About 30 years ago, my young son wanted to tag along and he was fascinated by the "treasures". I got him a Tesoro Amigo (or Amigo II). If you stumble into one of those old machines, it is a fine choice for a child even younger than 11.

 

[Richard Guy]

you can power up a Simplex and hunt with it without setting up anything yet still hit good targets

 

[MKW]

Minelab Vanquish would be another solid choice. Turn on and go.

 

[Xraywolf]

Any detector can be "point and shoot" but where there are buttons and options, kids especially are going to want to explore them.
Which may be fine, average 11 year old could likely watch a few vids and tweak a simplex as well as any one of us.

Its the principle of starting with a ding machine and honing your skills with something basic, simple and accurate is what I think is important, then working your way up to something more advanced and capable. Plus, you are not likely to find any simplex under $200 as per the OP, Ace 250 you can.

 

[Taladeganite]

Mine Lab Go Find 40 is better. I have a 40 and 66. The 20 lacks pin point mode, I use this mode most (my personal preference)

Thanks Terry! It looks like a great choice.

 

[3Jacks]

Under $200 tough new, might be able to find an Ace 250 on craigslist for that, great starter detector

I second the 250. Gave the one I bought for my wife years ago to my 11 year old and he loves it. Light, easy to learn and tears up those tot lots.

Heck, sometimes if I only have time to hit a tot lot before dark I'll use the 250 instead of my Equinox.