Detector Review Contradictions

Michigan Badger

Michigan Badger

Gold Member
Oct 12, 2005
6,797
149
Northern, Michigan
Detector(s) used
willow stick
Primary Interest:
Other
I've just passed through a stage of posting to various treasure forums and purposely asking questions and making statements that would hopefully provoke some useful commentary in regard to today's metal detector market.

I was successful!

The sum: All brands and models stink!

No, I'm not kidding. If you post enough what you'll discover is there's always someone out there who knows all the technical jargon who will trash any and all machines.

When I was getting serious about purchasing a Tesoro, I couldn't find a sour note online. Some disliked this or that feature (or lack of same) but I found no statements like: "the Ace 250 is better than any Tesoro." Just recently in answer to one of my posts someone wrote: "I'd take an Ace 250 any day over any Tesoro" (or words to that affect).

It's really funny because I had someone on here post this same thing last spring (it was directed at me) stating that: "I'd rather have an Ace 250 than any Minelab!" (back then I was using the Minelab Excalibur).

Lately I've noticed that anytime someone wants to bash a brand and or model, the Ace 250 almost always pops into the story.

A few years back I was a Fisher man all the way. I was told in two or three languages that they are all junk. Unfortunately for the commentors, the Ace 250 wasn't around yet so they used the lowest cost Bounty Hunter.

This little voyage of mine has been interesting and I have learned a few things along the way. The major thing I've learned is NOT to take online reviews or even forum postings too seriously. When in the market for a new machine, read many postings to get a general direction and then pray? ;D

P.S. Just one more added note. I also found those who say the Ace 250 is a cheap little toy. Round and round we go, where we stop--nobody knows.
 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Treasure of Victoria Peak - Grab it through Amazon!
Upvote 0
I have absolutely no problem with those who KNOW their detector is the best. The thing I can't stand is when somebody THINKS theirs is the best. ;D

By-the-way, have you ever found a coin as deep as 5 inches? ::) ;D

Nothing personal---and no, I don't believe all that negative stuff people say about Minelabs ;D I was brought up not to listen to gossip.
 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!
Zeb said:
By-the-way, have you ever found a coin as deep as 5 inches?? ::) ;D
Click to expand...

I Honestly Can't say.

I know I'v found coins as Deep as 10"
and as Shallow as on top of the ground.

But 5" ?

SORRY, Can't Help there? ;D

P.S.
Always take Reviews with a Grain of Salt ;)
 

I'm, learning to pass up the 5" coins (clad) for the silver deepies @ 9-12".

One real thing about the Explorer...It will NOT find small gold items that low freq. machines will find, such as earrings and thin necklaces/bracelets. I did a test of this and found that my White's Bullseye2 could find them but not the Explorer... >:( So, something to think about.

Zeb, if your ever out this way, stop by and I will show you the Explorer, give you a lesson or two and send you out to find silver coins at 8"+. If you have a chance to test drive machines before you buy, do it, great way to compare...

HH

JW
 

JW said:
Zeb, if your ever out this way, stop by and I will show you the Explorer, give you a lesson or two and send you out to find silver coins at 8"+.? If you have a chance to test drive machines before you buy, do it, great way to compare...

HH

JW
Click to expand...

That would be great. I've always wanted to try the Ex II but for some reason never got one (poverty). Up here in the wild wild north land we don't have many dealers. In fact, we don't have many people--period.

However, most all of us now have indoor facilities ;D
 

Didnt mean to hurt anyones feelings with the made up name, "Supersnob"
But, there are those who buy the most expensive for the cachet expensive things have, or presuming most expensive equals best.
I personally think that there is about 20% difference between a solid, low price, name brand detector like the Ace 250, and the top of the line detectors, such as Exp II, GTI 2500, DFX, Deleon, etc.
To some, its not worth paying 5 times what their Ace 250 cost, to get 20% more. To the buyer of the top of the line detector, it is worth it to him for what he gets.
There is often a price point in any detector line that is the best deal for the money. For instance, I like Garrett, but do not think the imaging is all that useful. Anyone can figure size in pinpoint mode. Well, years ago, when I got Wifey a detector, I noticed the GTAx 1250 was basically a GTI without the imaging, for much less. So, wifey got a GTAx 1250.
I also have no problems with Radio Shack, Bounty hunter, Titan, etc. Lots of people get into detecting with these. They are the Chevy/Kia/Hyundai of their genre. This is why they get compared, because they are solid values.
And, if I am not mistaken, doesnt Bounty Hunter rate their most expensive detector as their best? Same with every manufacturer.
I have mostly stuck to high end detectors, as I enjoy the extras and I believe every manufacturer puts his best into his flagship detector.
I do not mind bragging as to which is best. Bring it on! But tell me WHY!
Zeb recently broke down and got a new Tesoro. But never discussed his reasons. Obviously, he had his reasons.
Maybe its my Fisher that has influenced me, but it tends to exaggerate a bit, lumping cents, dimes, quarters and even dollar coins in the high coin category. This has caused me to dig too many zinc cents. I hunted with Wifeys GTAx 1250, and this thing got every coin right! I LIKED that!
I like as much info as I can get, as I feel I have probably passed over a few gold rings in my time, too reluctant to dig another piece of junk.
Thus, I am getting an Explorer II. I really like the dual digital ID readout.
I also just got an Excalibur. I could have had another water detector for less, but most trade off stability and disc or depth. Get a PI machine and no disc, or a VLF that cannot handle black sand and salt.
I intend to use my water detector on land a lot, in rain and wet. Minelab has a rep for depth, its a VLF with a DD coil, and has tone disc. So, rather than spend less on a water detector I will use 2-3 times a year, I spent more on one I will use dozens of times a year.
But believe me, I would rather have saved $600!
Zeb, I read a test of your detector, and it seems to work like my CZ6a, and lumps all coins into the 95 ID. You might find yourself digging a lot of cents, hoping they are quarters!
So, why did you choose your Tesoro?
Hugger
 

Funny, I've never had that problem with my fisher, it's been right about the category pretty much every time. Only thing is, sometimes it thinks a pulltab is a nickel, etc. But if it says its a zinc cent, then its a zinc cent, or a piece of trash. same with high end coins. maybe it has something to do with the soil difference? I dunno, I'm not that savvy. But from my experience, the cz5 quicksilver is pretty good at telling the difference between coins.

Also, I've never tried a Garrett or Minelab for any appreciable amount of time, so I can't really compare there! Bounty hunter does make a decent starting detector. And Tesoro too, as well as some very good models, like the lobo super trac.

Just thought it was peculiar that your Cz6 had problems lumping coins together.
 

What Got me with MineLab's Multi Frequency, Is what Got me Hooked on Minelab.

? ?I Read this Several Years ago, on the Sovereign.

Fisher Detectors are the Deeper in some Areas, Because its Frequency Penetrates the soil Deeper then other detectors. The SOVEREIGN has that Frequency also.

Whites Detectors are Better In some areas, Because its Frequency Penetrates the soil Deeper then other detectors.The SOVEREIGN has that Frequency also.

Garrett Detectors? are Better In some areas, Because its Frequency Penetrates the soil Deeper then other detectors.The SOVEREIGN has that Frequency also.


Some Detectors are Better on the Beach in dry sand because of the Frequency they use. The SOVEREIGN has that Frequency also.


Some Detectors are Better on the Beach in Wet sand because of the Frequency they use. The SOVEREIGN has that Frequency also.

ETC. ETC.

SO IN THEORY . With the Sovereign, You are Swinging 17 Different brands at once.

With the Explorer you Got 28.

This May Be the Reason Minelabs Multi Frequencies Seem to Outperform all other Brands.
I say SEEM, Because, I Have Not Searched with All Brands.
I just wish the Explorer was as Easy to Learn as the Sovereign.
Or that they would Up the Frequencies in the Sovereign to 28.
"I DON'T NEED NO STINKIN" METER? ;D
or all the New-Fangeld Bells & whistles Realy.

I just go On What Users of other Brands Tell me about theirs.
As I suggested Earlier, I Realy Have no Problem with People Not Believing this.

? ?I Just try to Answer the Questions to the Best of My ability.
After All, I Don't Manufacture, Sell, or have any Vested intrest in ANYONE buying ANY Detector? :)
? ?Other then for Making New Friends here of course.
? ?However You Don't Need a detector to be a friend,
or to Join and Be a Respected Member of TreasureNet.


P.S.
? ?For a Little while Nautilus Users were Realy Braging theirs up, & they are almost Half the Cost of the Explorer.
I Don't Hear anything anymore ?
 

Zeb said:
For some people their detector(s) represent their feelings of self-worth. In other words, the brand and model they use IS THEM. Whenever they sense someone is down on their brand they immediately write that person off as a personal enemy and a threat to their struggle for worth.
Click to expand...

Zeb, my wife happens to be a Psychologist and I feel this statement is 100 % correct. Some people wouldn't be caught dead using a lower-end, mass produced department store brand detector. If they can't have a $1,300.00 wonder machine, they'll just do without, and in their mind they rationalize that being they own the most expensive, most popular detector on the market, everything else must be inferior. Their detectors have became part of their personalities.

I for one have certainly owned my share of detectors from $89.00 Radio Shack specials....all the up the food chain. I settled upon my particular brand for personal reasons. I read plenty of posts on the net where people talk trash about my brand, while esclating theirs to the top. I have at times, allowed other peoples words to get inside of my head and make me doubt the capabilities and performance of my own machine and start thinking in another direction (sell it and try brand x).

Then I realize all the reasons I settled on my particular detector brand, all the research I done and how it's proven itself over and over again. I've came to realize through my years of detecting that it's VERY unlikely that any of us will ever uncover a pot of gold or a cache of silver coins hidden beneath the old oak tree. Furthermore, if there WAS something like that buried, ANY detector would recognize that fact and send a signal to our ears, even one of those mass produced department store brands. The majority of the items we dig up could easily be detected by ANY brand of detector - period.

I don't like detector wars and all I have to say is this: Whatever YOU like and gives YOU confidence then that's the machine for YOU. ;D
 

Jeff
The Sovereign does have 17 transmitted frequencies.The Explorer does have 28 transmitted frequencies The Infinium does has 98 transmitted frequencies. We could go on with other detectors but it is irreverent because all these frequencies are not received by the detectors.

The Sov and Expl only RECEIVE what 2 or 3 frequencies. If the Explorer actually received all transmitted frequencies or just a portion of the higher frequencies it would be sensitive for small metal such as small gold nuggets which it is not. This erroneous belief was one of the reasons I bought an Explorer 11 because if it could receive high frequencies it could be good for small gold too. However, the Exp 11 was not sensitive for small gold as a Gold Bug or even my X-5 which is a high frequency machine.

The multi-frequency blitz was just brilliant marketing. The Sov and the Explorer indeed are incredible detectors which users thru their finds have well established, however, Minelab has left us with the "frequency wars" which is getting pretty old.


George
 

GEORGE I can't say with the Explorer, As I'v only had it since June or July.
However it May Need Exact Tweaking, But With it's Many Possable Settings ?

HOWEVER, I Disagree on Not picking up Tiny Gold.

I Have found Tiny Gold Earrings, & Charms With my Sovereign, Even With the 15" Coil.

This is NOT B.S.

This Is FACT? 8)

Gold Chains ? Not sure. I never had the Chains Tested for Content, & no Markings I can see.

Nuggets ? Probably Not. They Don't advertise it as a Gold Detector.
 

Perhaps I should clarify. Small gold for me is not earring sized gold- it is matchhead and similar sized gold. I owned the Explorer 11 at the same time as my X-5 and compared both of them for gold this size. The X-5 operates at 19 Khz and was able to detect very tiny nuggets which the Expl could not detect so I felt that the frequencies the Explorer was receiving was well below this.

I blame myself for listening to some detector salesman selling me a line that the Explorer could detect small nuggets because of it's high frequencies e.g. 100kHz and have been a bit angry since then.

Again the Explorer with it's ID ability was the best pure coin machine I ever used. Minelab just did not need to "hype" the machine in this way to sell machines. Just let the customers and their finds tell the true story.


George
 

George, It Does sound Like you were Givin Pure Misinformation.

It's Salesmen like that who Give all of us Reason to Doubt Claims.
 

There is a lot of good posts here and a lot of truth to everyting everyone is telling us. I own many detectors and of course I have my favorites. My favorites are based on the time I found my first gold ring with my son on a Fathers Day, and not on the amount of deeply located items. I enjoy mastering a detector and learning its limitations and not all high priced machines match the lower cost ones in the ability to find items. Not all machines are equal to the task of a certain type of hunting. An not all detectors of the same brand are equal to each other. I have tested some that at the same settings could find items the other detectors of the same brand couldn't touch. In other words they were HOT. I understand manufactures lose money by adding bells and whistles to a detector and selling it below cost just to be competative to draw customers to their brand.

But the main thing I don't like are the sad sales help that has to sell these machines in the big box stores. They don't know about the hobby end of it and sells the dream of finding treasure $$$$ instead of the adventure, fun part that got most of us into it in the first place.

HH,
Sandman
 

The Sov will find the small gold but the Ex2 will not, try a small 1/4" diameter hoop of a gold stud earring, perhaps a thin tennis bracelet. Nothing... But then the Ex2 finds silver coins like no other machine... The Sov is a great machine for little stuff that is gold, the Explorer unfortunately is a miss. Andy Sabich wrote about it in Mastering the Explorer S&XS. I verified it the other day, it does find gold rings and other gold items though, don't get me wrong...

Just goes to show you one machine can't do it all!

I think the further definition of SNOB would be someobne who buys the most expensive machine and keeps it perfectly clean and uses it once a year to find this and that. Basically anyone who can afford to buy the most expensive thing and use 1% of its capacity.

I got the Ex2 after pushing a beep dig XLPro around for a couple of months, a friend let me listen to a silver dime with tone ID at about 9", something I would have a really hard time finding with the White's. I knew that if I really knew the machine and ran TR wide open I might be able to hear the coin but there would be no ID on the meter, so once I learned first hand what another machine was capable of I was on a search to find a detector that would get me that dime at 9". The DFX gets there but the ID begins to break up at 9", the Sov works well but I was having a hard time with the sliding tones, I tested the Ex2 and thought I had died and gone to heaven, solid ID on a silver dime at 9". After a couple of months I got used to the wacky noises and have found less junk and more keepers. My first real target with the Explorer was a 1890 IH penny, the same friend was showing me how to use the machine and out pops a IH! Too cool!

I am not rich and need the most performance from my machine as possible and it just so happens the Explorer works for me... If I hadn't had the ability to test drive a few machines I probably would have had a tuff time plopping down $1200 for a molded plastic toy looking thing that everyone seems to rave about. I had to see it with my own eyes and listen to what it told me about the target, then I knew what the next step was...

Tone ID rocks and is the way to fly!

HH

JW
 

I bought a Minelab Excalibur last spring from KellyCo and used it all summer. A month or so ago I sold it on ebay.

The machine was 1st class quality as far as material construction? It was also very very deep on large iron and scrap metals. I sent it into the company just before I listed it on ebay just to make sure it was working correctly. It tested perfect and I was very happy with their fast, friendly, service.

One thing I couldn't get used to was the way the machine jumped around on targets. I'd spend several minutes working a target from several directions, adjusting the sensitivity, etc., only to dig a false signal in about 40% of the cases. It drove me wild with it's ultra slow recovery after hitting on a target and then finally returning to a hunting threshold once again. I took it to my best hunting sites and had my worst recoveries in 12 years. Last summer was my poorest hunting year in 37 years.

Now, I'll say right up front--I don't think the Excalibur is junk. But I will also say this, even after using it all last year, and reading every bit of advice I could find, I couldn't learn that machine.

I came to the conclusion that it wasn't the machine but for some reason it just doesn't work with my mind. It's just not my thing. I know people who love the Excalibur so it must have been me.

I'm a turn-on and go sort of guy. I like a machine that recovers super fast, stays tuned (you don't have to wait 5-20 seconds for it to come back to threshold), and it light weight. And of course depth, discrimination, and quality of workmanship are assumed.

I don't know if the Explorer sounds the same as the Excalibur because I've never use the EXII. But if it works pretty much the same it's not for me.

But above all these things it comes down to finds. The finds just weren't there for me with the Ex Cal.
 

ZEB the Explorer is NOT the same as the Excalibur in ANY WAY.

? ?HOWEVER , If you couldn't tolerate the Excalibur.

? ?You Will absolutely HATE the Explorer.

Seriously, Don't Buy one !

and this is NOT being Sarcastic Like above.
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?JEFF
 

Well, I just gotta jump in here with my 2 cents. I've had 2 Sov's & an Excalibur and did a lot of hunting with all 3. Tested them all in my bad ground and Az against a GTI1500, Cobra II, White's 4900, Gold Stinger, Infinium. The upshot of this was Minelab saw the "for sale" sign. Every other detector matched or exceeded it for depth and EVERY SINGLE ONE could find smaller low conductive targets. No B.S., I've been detecting for over 20 years and used a lot of detectors and... the ML detectors I used were definitely a triumph of hype over substance. It might sound as if I'm gratuitously bashing ML detectors, but the BS I've heard associated with them is truly astounding. I hate misinformation and therefor did (and still do) head to head tests IN THE GROUND between various detectors and have found that many times the hype is just that. If you want to talk small gold sensitivity, start bragging up a Sov. or ExII at a prospecting forum, that should be a short lived and humbling experience. I also prospect for gold and have a pretty good idea as to what constitutes a good gold machine, or even a barely adequate one, and those 2 don't cut the mustard. I will admit, however, that the newest version of Sov., the GT I believe, might be a different story. ..Willy. ?
 

Tho ONLY thing I know is,

You Could only get My Sovereign From my Cold Dead Hands. ;)
 

I've been making this something of a study. I've found it so interesting that one person thinks a certain brand and/or model is awesome and another gives the same machine a thumbs down.

I'll be using the Tesoro DeLeon (Hawkeye) this summer. I've read lots of articles from the U.S. and the U.K. exalting this machine to the stars. However, there are also those who curse it to....well, you know.

One know-it-all on the FIND's Forum basically stated that he is the ultimate authority on all detectors (self ordained). He basically trashed the DeLeon. He even said the Ace 250 is a far better machine! This makes a $500 Tesoro worth maybe $150 tops! Do I believe him? NOT! I've only been able to do a little testing of my DeLeon outside but what I did revealed the ID meter to be RIGHT ON. Granted--as of today I'm talking only modern coins at up to about 4 inches but they were still dug. When it says COIN (95 zinc) you can bet it's a penny. Well, at least that's been the case so far. Anyway, when people say the Tesoro meter is worthless I know they're mistaken. Even just telling me it's a penny is worth SOMETHING to me. And too, I've found the depth meter is very close up to 8 inches. I also find that of value.

To one it's (any brand) no good! To another it's a prayer come true! So goes the detector review contradiction.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Roswell

⬅️ Previous Thread

what foreign coins have you dug up in the US

Next Thread ➡️

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 3 (members: 0, guests: 3)
Metal Detecting Stuff

Latest Discussions

Back
Top