First Metal Detector

[EMF]

Hey guys and gals, I've always wanted to have a metal detector since I was a kid, but unfortunately never did but that's about to change!

My wife and I are both wanting to get into the hobby and figured our two kids would have fun as well digging up our finds for us lol. Free labor!

Anyways, we live in southeastern Kentucky (Corbin) about 20 minutes north of Tennessee border right off I-75 if that helps anyone figure what kind of soil/terrain we have here. I've been watching a lot of youtube videos, reading a lot of forums and thought I would get some input before I pulled the trigger. I plan on getting my wife one for Christmas and I believe she is going to get me one as well.

Would it be best if we get two different detectors, like one that is good for coin and one for relics/gold etc or is there a detector that can be dialed in to do them all? I thought maybe that way we could cover the same ground for different loot or get two of the same and just spread out. We don't have a spending limit, although I don't want to pay more than I have to if a mid priced one will do the job of a more expensive model. I have been reading some good things about the Tesoro line like Vaquero, Cibola, Outlaw etc. I don't mind learning to ground balance, might get my wife one she can turn on and go. Doesn't have to be a Tesoro, just been reading a lot of good things about them and the warranty/customer service. I would also like to have at least one I can jump in the occasion creek or lake edge.

We also would like to have one we can use on the beach when we make it to the coast occasionally. Is there one for sand/surf or will a all terrain work in sand but need a Sand Shark etc for water?

We will mostly be detecting in parks, fields, woods with occasional creek or lake area. I don't mind to buy one specific for each job, would just like some expertise on it since I'm a greenhorn but I'm chomping at the bit to learn and can't wait for Santa Claus to bring me my first metal detector! I just have to tell him which one I want first because she errr he has no idea. I'm 45 and my wife is 35 and we have two kids, son age 9 and daughter age 7 if that helps you make a decision on what detector/tools we should get like pointers, scoops etc and the weight of said detectors/instruments. I think this will be a lot of fun for all of us.

Thanks for any and all help you can give me.

 

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[the bone]

if you plan on hunting freshwater lakes and beaches a garrett at pro would be a good choice they are waterproof but not good for salt water it is also a good all around machine from what i've heard. The tesero's i've also heard are all great machines but if you want a screen to look at they have none of those bells and whistle just a stright forward good beep and dig line up from them if you want to keep it simple. however none of them are waterproof except the sand and tiger shark and the will not do well for relic / coin shooting.

 

[EMF]

Good deal, I'll have to check the Garrett AT Pro out. Sounds like that may be an option for at least one of my detectors so I can jump in the occasional creek or lakeside.

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate you.

 

[Dwight S]

if you plan on hunting freshwater lakes and beaches a garrett at pro would be a good choice they are waterproof but not good for salt water........

AT Pro will work in salt water once you learn the ground balancing. Reduce sensitivity and go. I use mine on the coast of NC with no problem.

I also recommend the AT Pro and AT Gold detectors. Pro is probably easier to learn, but Gold would be a great relic machine. The Tesoro detectors are also good .

 

[Terry Soloman]

You can start with a Tesoro Compadre Tesoro Metal Detectors - Official company web site with metal detector models for treasure hunting land or water. that even the kids can use and you'll keep even when you upgrade later! Good Luck and Big Gold!

 

[EMF]

Thanks for the replies guys, I'm still researching and reading all I can so I don't have too bad of buyers remorse lol. I'm definitely going to buy a Compadre, I just can't help myself. I've ready too many good things about them and I can def pass it to my kids when I get me a bigger machine. My only concern is the small size of coil might wear me out in some big fields I'm itching to go check. We had a hippy fest here back in 93 and there were thousands of people, locals and out of towners passing through there and I always wanted to go do a sweep of it to see what was lost. Nobody has been there in 20 years and it's all grown up now. Was a former strip mine, with the most people hanging out down in the pit.

I've considered the AT Pro, Gold and even thought about getting a Sand Shark and just digging everything that beeps that way I could take it to the beach as well. I really don't know where the best place to buy is, was looking at one place that has a special right now for $137 includes Garrett Pro Pointer and Lesche Digging Tool. I'm def going to get me a pro pointer and since it's only $10 for the Lesche figured it was a good deal. My kids are wanting to do the digging, not sure how long that will last lol. Another site just seemed to offer cheap junk that I already have. My daughter has a lowes apron she plays with and we have some kid shovels and handheld garden digging tools, so I'm thinking that Lesche and a Pro Pointer and we'll be set.

If I do go with a Garrett, it would be an AT Pro or Gold, nothing lower than those two. Tesoro, going to get a Compadre and possibly a Sand Shark for the beach and shallow ocean sweeps.

If anyone has any ideas for one that would work well in big fields chime in. I will use the Compadre for tot lots and small areas, but maybe a larger coil machine would suit me better for some of these large areas I'm wanting to scan. I'm still reading in the meantime.

Thanks.

 

[Dwight S]

Give Bart at Big Boys Hobbies a shout to see what kind of deal he can work up for you with a detector, digger and Pro-Pointer. If you get the AT Pro, think about getting the 5x8 coil to go with it. Garrett offered a "Spring Special" that had this coil as part of the package. It's a great little coil for trashy sites. Bart had the Spring Special advertised and he may still have access to them.

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Feel free to give me a ring wit your questions. Love to help you! Bart

 

[EMF]

Will do Bart, I'm still looking. Once I get a little more idea what I'm looking for I'll see what ya go. Thanks buddy.

 

[Crispin]

I started with the White's coinmaster pro for around 300 dollars. It works pretty good on dry land but is worthless anywhere near water. If you are going to start off casual then I would get a cheaper one and have fun experimenting. If you know you are all in from the start then I would hook up with a dealer and let him guide your investment.

 

[EMF]

Yeah I'm all in from the get go. I know I'm going to LOVE this hobby. I've been wanting to do it since I was a kid and have no idea why I haven't yet. Now I'm retired and can devote a lot of time to it and can't wait to get started.

I thought about buying a cheaper machine like the Compadre and getting a Sand Shark for beach vacations. I also have been entertaining the idea of getting a nicer model like an AT Pro, Gold or X Terra 705 to go with them so I have at least two land models because I know my wife will want to use one.

I just don't know if it's necessary to spend all the money on one if you really need to dig all the beeps or chance missing out on gold. I thought about a Tesoro Outlaw as well but those displays look fun on some I've been looking at.

 

[Crispin]

You have to dig it all. The more expensive machines can null out iron for you but you still run a small chance of missing gold. I'm sure people who have been doing this for years have better discernment and can predict with higher probability what is not worth digging but they still miss things when they do that. As a beginner, you are going to want to dig everything you come across for at least the first 100 hours or so. It takes a long time to get used to the sounds and quirks of your individual machine. I love my Sand Shark at the beach. It can be completely submerged and keeps me busy digging all the time. However, bring a land machine with you if you plan to hunt the dry sand. Unless it is a really clean beach then with the Sand Shark in dry sand you will be digging every two steps for iron and trash.

 

[Dirt.Is.Good.4U]

Welcome to the forums, from Nicholasville KY. I bought an AT Pro a while back (from Ed Hoffman at Treasure Mountain Metal Detectors. Great experience, BTW). If you're up this way sometime let me know and you can take it for a spin.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[EMF]

Hey thanks for the offer. How do you like that AT Pro? Some people on here had said it had bad balance and wore on your arm after a while. I'm tempted to get one but read some leaked if taken under water, which I doubt I would just creek/river wading.

So many choices, I'm still researching and reading. Would def like to grab a compadre for the price/performance, but I can't decide on a higher end unit for myself. It would make sense for me to get something that worked good on the wet beach/surf as well so when we go on vacation I don't have to buy one just for that. But a once maybe twice a year trip shouldn't dominate that decision I guess.

Anyways, I'm still sitting here looking, reading, watching youtube videos trying to find one I like.

 

[Dirt.Is.Good.4U]

So far so good on the AT and still on the learning curve. I have been out in the rain with mine, but haven't submerged it. Inside the 2 year warranty I'm sure Garrett would stand behind it. The auto ground balance is quick and easy. Manual balancing will come with more experience.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[fella]

Anyways, I'm still sitting here looking, reading, watching youtube videos trying to find one I like.

Don't over think it. As long as you stick with one of the brand names, you'll be fine.
Something to be said for the simplistic "beep & dig" machines. It's also nice to have a display too but it can definitely talk you out of digging what might be a good target. I've had both, I like both. I use display units but you'll find more with a beep and dig.
So stop second/triple guessing and go out and get one. The longer you wait, the less you're finding! I'm gunna recommend a Tesoro Cibola!

 

[EMF]

Well I bought a Teknetics Delta 4000 at a local sporting goods store just to play with until I order some nicer ones Monday. I couldn't take it any longer. We got home and all of us were outside at midnight digging around lol.

Yeah that sounds like a fun one, maybe a Cibola and a Compadre just to get out there and might get an AT Pro and AT Gold in a bit. That way we'd all four have our own to play with and as inexpensive as the Cibola and Compadre are I wouldn't worry about the kids using them. Plus they wouldn't have to ground balance them, just turn em on and get to diggin. I would def like to have some waterproof ones later on in case I want to jump in the river or creek and hunt for some relics etc.

So many choices and you're right, I may be overthinking it. Seems like every time I find one I like I read something negative about it and start all over again. I don't think I could go wrong with a beep and dig though, especially with the kids. They could care less what it says, they just like digging lol.

I've read some people saying that having a display helps them not to waste time on junk, but if you're standing over a hole scanning it for five minutes thinking about it, you could have dug three holes with a beep and dig by the time you make your mind up. I know not everyone takes that long, but I have watched some youtube videos of people just scanning scanning scanning and trying to guess what it is. Throw that thang down and dig!

 

[Dirt.Is.Good.4U]

Good on ya. Have fun with it. GL

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[csxrailroader]

hello iam new too this sport as well and live in corbin so far the one i have has worked well do not know soil type

 

[EMF]

What detector do you use? I still haven't bought one, haven't been feeling too great lately. Hopefully I'll have one soon.