Buying a new detector - Please offer advice

[PatrickD]

Hi Everyone,

I have been treasure hunting and metal detecting since childhood. However, I have not upgraded my equipment in a decade. Now I am shopping for a new metal detector. It seems that I am out of touch with all of the new features and capabilities.

There are so many choices it is like a kid in a candy store trying to choose.

Can anyone make a recommendation for a really dependable and capable detector? My budget is between $500 and $1,000.

Thanks,

Patrick

 

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[Treasure_Hunter]

You need to tell us what kind of hunting your going to do. What options are a must?. It is hard to give advice with out knowing this....

 

[PatrickD]

Hi Treasure Hunter (great handle by the way),

I don't do a lot of coin shooting. It really just bores me. I do relic hunting and will check out legal sites with historical relevance.

The use will be to search sites where I am doing relic hunting. The average target is from the mid 1500s so the depth of the find can vary.

I do some searching around water so waterproof feature would be helpful.

I have been eyeing some of those expensive units that do the GPR and image what is below the surface. Unfortunately I have no experience with this type of equipment to project the unit's reliability.

Simply put, I will use it most in cache hunting in varying terrain.

I am not sure if this answers your question. If not, maybe ask me some specific questions on usage and I can respond.

Also, is it possible to get one with a shaft that can be collapsed like a camera tripod to better fit in a small pack?

To be honest, I am not sure what all considerations I need to have for a new model detector.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Patrick

 

[Terry Soloman]

Hello from White Plains, New York! I think you have a lot of homework to do Patrick. In the Ft. Worth area, your soil is moderate- highly mineralized, so you'll need a machine that can be ground balanced. At your budget, getting more than 15"-18" in depth is little more than a pipe dream. As an iron hunter, you can use pulse induction machines that range from $600.00 - $6,000.00. Single frequency VLF metal detectors like a Tesoro Lobo Super Traq ($680.00) will get you up to 14" in most cases on big bullets and buckles in All Metal.

Do some reading of old posts and archived material. Good Luck!

 

[PatrickD]

Hi Terry,

Thanks for the input.

I have been doing some online shopping. Here is what I am thinking about getting. Can you offer any information about it being functional in Texas?

Garrett GTI 2500 with the additional TreasureHound™ EagleEye Searchcoil for deep finds. (Looks like GPR.)

Thanks,

Patrick

 

[PatrickD]

Hi Everyone,

I settled on the Garrett AT Pro (waterproof)

Thanks for the input. You are all very much appreciated.

Good luck with your searching efforts.

Patrick

 

[Silverfinder99]

I know you said you've already settled on the AT PRO but if you're not going to be hunting in or around salt water the AT GOLD is a superior unit for not to much more money and you'll still be left with enough money to buy accessories like a good pin pointer (Garrett Pro Pointer is what I reccomend) and maybe a few other goodies.
I don't know what kind of price you've been quoted but PM me if you like and I'll shoot you a good price.

 

[PatrickD]

I got the AT Pro with full accessories (a backpack type bag, cap, coil cover, earphones, and a book "Relic Quest") all packaged in one box. $550.

Of course, I also picked up some books that were missing from my collection as well.

Overall, I am pleased with the purchase. Could I have received a better deal?

 

[signal_line]

My suggestion is to buy a good digging tool. Those narrow treasure hunting shovels might work for you.

Learn to use the high-resolution iron discrimination like on the training videos at the Garrett website where they talk about iron masking.

 

[Silverfinder99]

I got the AT Pro with full accessories (a backpack type bag, cap, coil cover, earphones, and a book "Relic Quest") all packaged in one box. $550.

Of course, I also picked up some books that were missing from my collection as well.

Overall, I am pleased with the purchase. Could I have received a better deal?

Sounds like you got a pretty good deal, now it's time to get out there and make that new machine pay for itself.

 

[PatrickD]

Hi Signal Line,

I did get a narrow hand shovel with an eight inch long blade on it. (What does one call the metal shovel part of the shovel?)

I do like the AT Pro. Although, I have a learning curve for the double D coil.

Patrick

 

[PatrickD]

Hi Silverfinder99,

I was out at a local lake yesterday. I found a dime.

Today, I found two pennies in my front yard.

The machine has almost paid for itself

Patrick