Buying a Vaquero - Should I or shouldnt I?

[SilverFinger]

Buying a Vaquero - Should I or shouldn't I?

Ok, let me give you the low down and get your opinions.

Either some great salesmanship from 53Silver videos and general all around thumbs-up for the V, I don't think I'll be able to sleep until I actually TRY one.

I tried a Compadre. I liked it. It was 'cute' but in no means could it replace my main MX5 (which I've had only 2 months or so) The Compadre was just not deep enough, even with a slight tweak of the internal sens. Great for clad and tot lots, yes. Sold it, but my mind is still open to a more powerful Tesoro.

On the days when I find silver, without exception I find ONE piece. That's it. Seems if it was meant to be, I go right to a silver coin and find NO MORE, despite pretty thorough searching. Now, logic would suggest there has got to be more there right? I've even started digging damn near every signal even the ones that aren't 'iffy' like I usually do. It's ended up in hand cramps and back aches.

I have a favorite spot I hunt (where I found a single '45 merc) which I'm very confident no one has hunted before but it is LITTERED with trash. Nails, foil, screw tops, pull tabs, you name it, it's all there. Almost every sweep my MX5 farts at iron (have found numerous small rusty nails, etc)

Is the Vaquero really that superior at separating a good target if it's close to trash? That's the rave I hear about 'em, in addition to it's depth.

I take my hobby pretty seriously. After all, it's about finding good stuff. A investment in another machine right after spending $625 (bought the 5.3 coil for the MX5) is a lot to ask for if I can't be reasonably sure it'll increase my finds. Guess the only way to find out is to try it, but even at $450 its a gamble.

Discuss....

 

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[Terry Soloman]

I am a Tesoro cult member, so you can't trust me..

Just BUY IT!

 

[Hot zone]

I recently purchased a Tejon used on EBay plus shipping for $450... I believe it is Tesoro's best... Vaquero is great, but the duel disc is the bomb! It is like having a notch to accept rather than blank out.. Get the kendel book on the vaquero/Tejon and read up on it!

 

[Sandman]

I recently purchased a Tejon used on EBay plus shipping for $450... I believe it is Tesoro's best... Vaquero is great, but the duel disc is the bomb! It is like having a notch to accept rather than blank out.. Get the kendel book on the vaquero/Tejon and read up on it!

Hot Zone knows what he is talking about. The Kindle ebook is on Amazon. Even if you don't have a Kindle, you can get the reading app for your iphone or computer and read it there. The book tells why the Tejon and Vaquero are so hot without all that chattering. Amazon.com: mastering the tesoro tejon and vaquero

 

[Fletch88]

Ok, let me give you the low down and get your opinions. Either some great salesmanship from 53Silver videos and general all around thumbs-up for the V, I don't think I'll be able to sleep until I actually TRY one. I tried a Compadre. I liked it. It was 'cute' but in no means could it replace my main MX5 (which I've had only 2 months or so) The Compadre was just not deep enough, even with a slight tweak of the internal sens. Great for clad and tot lots, yes. Sold it, but my mind is still open to a more powerful Tesoro. On the days when I find silver, without exception I find ONE piece. That's it. Seems if it was meant to be, I go right to a silver coin and find NO MORE, despite pretty thorough searching. Now, logic would suggest there has got to be more there right? I've even started digging damn near every signal even the ones that aren't 'iffy' like I usually do. It's ended up in hand cramps and back aches. I have a favorite spot I hunt (where I found a single '45 merc) which I'm very confident no one has hunted before but it is LITTERED with trash. Nails, foil, screw tops, pull tabs, you name it, it's all there. Almost every sweep my MX5 farts at iron (have found numerous small rusty nails, etc) Is the Vaquero really that superior at separating a good target if it's close to trash? That's the rave I hear about 'em, in addition to it's depth. I take my hobby pretty seriously. After all, it's about finding good stuff. A investment in another machine right after spending $625 (bought the 5.3 coil for the MX5) is a lot to ask for if I can't be reasonably sure it'll increase my finds. Guess the only way to find out is to try it, but even at $450 its a gamble. Discuss....

Those vids sold me and 250 other members on the Vaquero. That's not anything close to what I experienced either of the 3 different land Tesoros I went through before realizing ones really not much different than the other except for a button or switch. If you liked the Compadre I could be wrong, but they just weren't my cup of tea!

 

[Dan B]

I know of a mint used Vaquero going for $350. PM me and I'll forward the link.

 

[Hot zone]

Tesoro has a good resale value... If you are not pleased, you can easily sell it without as much loss as a minelab... I paid over a thou for my Quattro, and no one wants to pay $400 for one on EBay with extra coils... There is not one tesoro for sale on local craigs list, but dozens of whites and minelabs cheap... Not for everyone, but I love The Tiger shark and Tejon!

 

[SilverFinger]

I think what I find most impressive is the ability to see thru small nails, foil and the like when they're next to/close to a target. I've never seen a real world test where there might be a couple rusty nails slightly under a good target and actually under the ground. All I've seen are above ground. Granted, even when I test my MX5 the same way I do get a scattered VDI and broken tone unless I switch it to AM, then I get a 'sum' of a signal and of course a positive beep. I can't imagine doing that every time on every signal. If the V can respond with a smooth "dig me" beep and I find one silver where I've hunted 2 dozen times before with a TID machine, I'm sold. Then again, I could buy a bloodhound and teach him to sniff silver and gold targets only. Probably dig for me too...

 

[SilverFinger]

Thanks for the honest input.... It helps! I still think those Tesoros are damn sexy beasts though.

 

[Fletch88]

Thanks for the honest input.... It helps! I still think those Tesoros are damn sexy beasts though.

There's only one way to find out then! Buy one and see if you like it. I see them for 3-$350 pretty regularly with very little use.

 

[callmez]

Vaquero

Hey SilverFinger -- I watched the videos and read everything I could online about the various Tesoro models, and finally sprang for a used Vaquero so we are coming to the same conclusion. Can't wait for it to arrive so I can try it out. If we have been brainwashed at least it seems like there are plenty of Tesoro nuts around, more than enough to form a good support group.

My detecting experience was as a kid with my Dad, roughly 35-40 years ago. Our last detectors were a C&G Tomcat (mine) and Bobcat (his) and we had a great time finding stuff with them. Since Tesoro is more or less the successor to C&G, it was an easy sale.

 

[rainyday101]

Beep and dig is not for everyone. There are those that love it and those that hate it. I am in the love it category. I would suggest trying it to see if it is for you. It sounds like you are already digging iffy signals anyway. If it is only silver coins you are after you can raise the disc up to just past pulltab and knock most of the junk out. When you find a target and get a nice clean tone from two directions with that disc setting, you can be about 90% positive it's a coin. With the disc set at just past pulltab you will get pops and clicks in the audio when you are in a trashy area. It's not EMI, it is just junk being partially discriminated out. This is when it is time to slow that swing down and take your time. When the detector gets a good target it will sound nice and clear past the junk audio. This is where the excellent target separation and quick recovery of the Tesoro's really shines. The silver I found last year was in a sea of trash tabs and bottlecaps. This park is old and has been heavily hunted and I believe these silver coins were missed because of the trash surrounding them. One of the coins was a 1894 Barber O mint in great condition.

If you get the Vaq, make sure to let us know and also PM Terry Soloman, he will teach you the secret Tesoro handshake.

 

[atomicscott]

Those vids sold me and 250 other members on the Vaquero. That's not anything close to what I experienced either of the 3 different land Tesoros I went through before realizing ones really not much different than the other except for a button or switch. If you liked the Compadre I could be wrong, but they just weren't my cup of tea!

DITTO