I am finally getting my metal detector!!

J

jellyfish

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I have always wanted to have a detector. I know very little about how they work. I am an elementary school teacher looking for a new hobby. I live in Kansas. Not sure where the best hunting grounds are located, but I will do some research. I am thinking of buying the DFX. Is that too much detector for someone new to the sport?? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Jellyfish
 

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The DFX is a good detector. You could go cheaper and easier to use but they may not suit you if you are serious. Read the manual well. Used the presets until you get used to it. Go to the Reasearch/Techniques in the Forum and check out the post under Techniques. Be sure to post your finds and questions. Good luck.

Ed Donovan
 

I would go with the Ace 250 to start with. Very good machine and you can get one for 200-250 dollars.If you really get into detecting then up grade. The 250 is hard to beat for the money. Good luck.Another really good detector is the tesoro cibola($340new ,life time warranty) Goes deep but only one tone.I have one and it is really good for deep woods relics . Read up on it.HH
 

I've been told to get other detectors, much cheaper ones at that. I am 19 very new to hobby, and live in canada. The thing is though, you have to remember detecting will take a lot, at times, you won't find anything, and come home aching, but its worth it when you do find something cool. I bought the dfx because i wanted to start out with something that will last me, and is not a toy. So far she's treated me very kindly.. Takes time to get used to it, but once you do, it really is a beauty. If you have the money to spend saved, and you won't get bored, after not finding anything for a week, a nd throw the hobby away, than i say go for it. get her.
 

the dfx is a great machine, but it is expensive and has a learning curve. if you are sure you will stay with the hobby, and understand that it will take a while and some effort to learn to use it, then go for it....(a top of the line machine that is,not necissarilly a dfx) if you are not so sure if detecting is for you, and you want a good solid machine that is easy to use, and no so pricey, get an ace 250. ( in my opinion) personally, i would go with the less expensive detector to start with, not only for the already mentioned reasons, but because as a beginner, you dont really know yet what features you want in a high dollar machine. there are a ton of different machines out there that all excel in one area or another, and they are all good. it depends on what type of things you want to find, what kind of ground conditions you will hunt in,the weight of the machine, how complicated a machine you prefer........all important things to consider, and at the present time, things you dont really know a lot about yet. i would figure out all of this stuff while using an ace 250, and then move up later on. ;)
 

Welcome to the forum jellyfish!

The DFX is a very popular machine and it should do a good job for you once you learn it. From what I've heard it's a little something of a challenge to learn but you should be able to get it rather quickly.

This is a great hobby and very good for the health. Just do a little research and hunt the better potential spots and this will help keep you interested while you learn.

Best to you,

Badger
 

This forum has really opened my eyes to where to hunt. I had my metal detector for several years and didn't really find much, in part because I didn't know where to hunt. However, reading this forum has really changed that. Read the Metal detector code of ethics and follow that to begin with, then think about places where people gather and get rowdy, roll around on the grass or even just hang out, or take their keys out of their pocket and pull out who knows what i.e. parks, playgrounds, the beach, school yards, church yards, sports fields, grass and gravel parking lots, board walks, concession stands, fair grounds. I just read a post about an old Boy Scout camp ground. The opportunities are endless. The older the place is the more likely there will be older and more lost stuff to find or stuff buried and not recovered. Those are the places where people loose stuff. If you are really interested in doing this, I would suggest to go to SEVERAL metal detector stores and see what is available and try to use the different detectors inside or outside of the store. Find the best one that has the features on it that you think you will want to have and you can afford. Advice from other users here on the forum may not be a bad idea, but I think you would benefit from finding out what kinds of features are available and what you are most comfortable with. More expensive is not necessary better for what you want to do with your detector, but there are subtle differences and sometime you do really get what you pay for. Happy Hunting for your detector and when you get it. Welcome aboard.
 

Welcome, Jellyfish.

I would make sure that I liked detecting alot before buying a DFX. I started with a prizm....then moved up to my DFX.

Detecting takes alot of patience. Not everybody likes it. You'll dig lots of junk at first.

Good luck with whatever you buy. :)
 

Yes, make sure you are not going to have it on ebay in a couple of months... and make sure the weight is ok! I would start with something light with all the basic stuff like a garrett GTA! GOOD LUCK!
 

jellyfish.
welcome to the forum! I'm sure you're going to love it here.
As to the detector, I started with a GREAT machine and just couldn't figure out how to use it. There are few other hunters in my area. I sold that and bought the Ace 250 and it fulfilled all my dreams of coinshooting. Now I have moved to an IDX PRO and love it. I'm getting ready to buy a Quattro and that would be my pick for you.
A Minelab is the top of the line--don't let anyone kid you about that! The Quattro is one of their newer models and has a great reputation as a deep searching machine. They are cheaper than the DFX and will outhunt them in about any soil conditions.

grizzly bare
 

dfx is great, thats what i use need time to get use to it though
 

i.ve been detecting a year and a half.. i won.t say what machine i use as not to sound partial, but,, i had thoughts on the dfx, and i know i'm not ready yet,,if you start with a machine that may frustrate you, you may not totally enjoy the hobby,, if you can turn on and go i'll bet you will enjoy it much more,, just a thought,,
 

If you have the extra dough go ahead and get the DFX. A lot of people who get cheaper detectors spend the money for a better detector anyway. The DFX CAN be a turn on and go detector. Just use the preset programs while you learn to tweak it to your hearts content. You buy a DFX with one smaller extra coil and a GOOD pair of detector headphones and you'll be set for a long time. If your using a cheap detector and you're not finding anything you'll have that little voice in your head wondering if its because of the detector. And IF you DO decide that this hobby is not for you the DFX holds its value very well.
If you want to spend less money up front Whites has an excellent line of less expensive detectors. Find a couple of local dealers and try as many different makes and models as you can. If there are no dealers try to find a detector club in your area. Most club members will be happy to show you the ropes and give you feed back on which detectors they like. ALL detectors have their strong and their weak points. Whites detectors are among the best. That's a fact. Decide what type of detecting you'll be doing and find a detector that best suits your needs.
Go in with your eyes open. Chances are you'll not be finding silver, gold and rare coins most of the time. More often than not you'll be finding pull tabs, screw tops and memorial cents. But there are plenty of goodies out there. You put in enough time and you'll find your share.
Good luck and have fun.
 

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