F4, ACE 250 or Eagle Spectrum?

[CubFan]

Got the itch back after being out of the hobby for about 12 years after my 8 year old out of the blue wanted a metal detector for XMas. So we go out a few times and the "disease" has returned.

Anyway, had a White's Coinmaster 5500 Di but was ruined when basement flooded. After reading numerous posts and reviews have narrowed my search down to an ACE 250, Fisher F4 and a used Eagle Spectrum. Don't want to spend more than about $400. I can get the F4 with the stock, 8" and 4" coils for $425, the ACE 250 for $212 but then will need to shell out another $60 or so for the sniper coil or a used Eagle Spectrum for somewhere between $325-$380 on eBay. The negative on the Eagle is the unknown on what you are getting with a used detector and no warranty.

Do either of the F4 or ACE 250 give a visual ID of the coin type or is it solely via a VDI number readout and the user has to interpret the value into a coin type?

Have only used a concentric coil and have had no experience with the elliptical coils. Is there much of a learning curve? Ia the ACE 250 more of a turn on and go than the other 2?

So, bottom line does the F4 offer more bang for the buck over the other 2?

Thanks for any and all responses. The sooner the better so that I can satisfy this uncontrollable urge.

 

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[Rob66]

I would not recommend getting a used MD without a warranty.The 250 and F4 are medium range MD.
I think the only difference is the # ID read out on the F4.

That's great your boy wants to MD!!!! RD

 

[SC_hunter]

I have the eagle spectrum and the ace 250...The drawback on the eagle is the weight and boy does it love the 4 C cell batteries...but when you tweak the programs it is one deep machine. Now, for the ace 250...Look at the cd enclosed and you are ready to hunt..takes 4 AA batteries and they last and last. I use the ace with a sniper coil in high trash areas and last week I picked up 3 mercs and 1940 silver quarter...I had the eagle tweaked pretty high and was picking up every signal around and some of the trash was really masking the good stuff..so pulled out the ace and it did the trick..I hear the F4 is good also but can't tell you much about that one. Whichever one you get, just remember..Have Fun...

 

[Bill(de)]

If your going to hunt lots of trashy sites the F2,F4,Ace 250 would great choices. The Eagle Spectrum is still a great detector for covering large areas quickly and hunting moderate to low trash areas but will mask more targets at trashy sites as SC Hunter mentioned . HH Bill

 

[CubFan]

Appreciate the feedback.

 

[jtnjetta]

the F4 is light and appears to work well still getting use to it here.

It does give a vdi number aswell as an ID as to what it believes the item is.

My only real problem is trying to hunt with the DD coil it's my first one and I'm still trying to get use to it the *" round works well though,
If you can still find one of the Christmas deals you can get three coils instead of two.

just my two cents.

 

[SilverFinger]

Wow, it looks like this post was made for my current situation! Thanks for the input... I have a chance to buy an old Eagle Spectrum or (narrowed it down to) a Fisher F4. Spectrum is old, but legendary performer. Complicated with a lot of programming possibilities. The old LCD tech probably eats batteries too, I reckon.

Wasn't there a recall on the F4?

 

[SC_hunter]

If you can get the eagle spectrum at a resonable price, grab it. Not sure I heard about a recall on the F4.

 

[ReidMan]

My Eagle Spectrum outperforms my DFX, the MXT is close but you cant customize it. Go for the Spectrum and yes it's a heavy weight. I have been trying to think of a way to lighten mine.

 

[bigtim1973]

I would go with the ace 250. I had the eagle spectrum and the 250. The eagle spectrum was a good machine and you might can get a little more depth out of it than the ace. The down side of it is you have to go into the menu program to adjust settings and that alone takes sometimes 3 minutes or so. The ace you just touch the button and go from there. The spectrum was really heavy and those c size batterys really do not go as far as the aa batteries do on the ace 250. I could sswing the ace 250 all day long but with the eagle I could not go for more than 1-1/2 to 2 hours without taking a break and resting. It will wear your arm out big time. One other good thing about the spectrum was it did have a backlit lcd screen you could turn on and off, that comes in handy at night and I do miss that part about it. i have one of those little headlight LED headband type of light you get at Lowes for about 14.00 or so. So now I can look into the night hours if I wish to. That's my 2 cents.

 

[prolab69]

Grab that spectrum!!!
my spectrum goes down a good 9-10 inches on a dime, it has pre-programmed settings and very easy to ground balance, its a bit heavy yeah, but i have no trouble swinging it all day.
when i use my CZ3D it feels light as a feather after using the spectrum, but id NEVER sell my spectrum.

Pro-

 

[metalmolly]

The Ace 250 may not match up to detectors costing several times more but it is very good and for the money it costs you can't go wrong with it.

 

[treasurefiend]

The Ace 250 is no slouch!!!! I have found silver coins in hunted out areas & gold with mine.