I have been challenged! Help me choose my weapon.

Terry Soloman

Gold Member
May 28, 2010
19,847
31,342
White Plains, New York
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Detector(s) used
Nokta Makro Legend// Pulsedive// Minelab GPZ 7000// Vanquish 540// Minelab Pro Find 35// Dune Kraken Sandscoop// Grave Digger Tools Tombstone shovel & Sidekick digger// Bunk's Hermit Pick
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I was at a gathering of local metal detectors and we had "the" discussion - whether it is the machine, or the operator, that leads to better finds. Before I knew it my extra large mouth was saying I could find just as much with an entry-level machine, as a new to intermediate hobbyist with the best machine on the market. Much to my surprise, one of the newer kids (with an XP Deus), piped up and said he would take that bet. We agreed that I could use any machine under $250.00 retail, and that we would detect together once a week over the next three-months. At the end of that time we will compare our finds, and a panel of our buddies will decide on the winner. The winner gets $200.00 and bragging rights.:tongue3:

Which machine would you choose with a retail of $250.00 or less?
 

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Assuming you will be buying a new machine at retail for $250.00 max I went to the Kellyco website to see your options. I came to the conclusion that you should buy an F22 that comes with the DD coil (retail $239). I consider the F22 an upgraded F2 that uses only one 9v battery vs the F2 using two and it is weatherproof. I find myself grabbing my F2 on occasion, a simple turn on and go machine, I just turn it on disc out iron and I am off swinging. The stock DD will give you better target separation vs another machine with a concentric coil and it will give more depth than the many other machines that come with an 8" coil. I am not, now and never will be, a dig it all kinda guy thus I overlooked machines that did not give a target ID number.
 

How could this not be fun? Sounds like as equal a way as can be to go about the hunts. Sorry in advance to some of you who hunt with the most up to date and expensive rigs, But I'll place my bets on the experienced hunter regardless of gear...
 

Do it with a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric Power Tool 6 Function Metal Detector

$39.99

And don't forget your 20 % off coupon. :P

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Hahahaha....I was gonna offer up my Bounty Hunter 1 but I don't want to wear Terry's knees out digging everything
 

Maybe you shoul take a look at analog looking detectors such as Pirate, they can be quite a good performes for a lover price, if that is not considered as chitting.
 

Assuming you will be buying a new machine at retail for $250.00 max I went to the Kellyco website to see your options. I came to the conclusion that you should buy an F22 that comes with the DD coil (retail $239). I consider the F22 an upgraded F2 that uses only one 9v battery vs the F2 using two and it is weatherproof. I find myself grabbing my F2 on occasion, a simple turn on and go machine, I just turn it on disc out iron and I am off swinging. The stock DD will give you better target separation vs another machine with a concentric coil and it will give more depth than the many other machines that come with an 8" coil. I am not, now and never will be, a dig it all kinda guy thus I overlooked machines that did not give a target ID number.

lol loco... heh... spend 250 to win 200 :P
 

lol loco... heh... spend 250 to win 200 :P

What would stop Terry from selling it after the competition? I am sure the bragging rights are worth more than the money that was bet.
 

What would stop Terry from selling it after the competition? I am sure the bragging rights are worth more than the money that was bet.

OR.... Keep it and have only 50 bucks into it.

Then hang on the wall and say to all those crew that attend the rum drinking "hey you see that... that's the detector that won the challenge"... " fifty two bottle caps and a worn down nickel".

" I won by a nickel". :P
 

get any machine you can for as cheap as you can then go to the locale coin store with the money that is left then got
 

Where do we place our bets? I bet $20 on the Deux kid.
:occasion14:
:boxing:
 

The thing about it is: you're going to be digging a ton of targets to try and give yourself the advantage. He's probably going to be detecting as usual. I wouldn't be surprised if you came out ahead in jewelry from digging all the pulltab signals. :laughing7:
 

Couple years ago I paid $209.00 for this brand new & free shipping.Lot of MD for the price, and its only 2.5 pounds :)good luck...
https://mans.io/files/viewer/666998/1 010.JPG006.JPG012.JPG
 

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My money is on you. You got this!

Dowsing.jpg
 

Well Terry you recommended the Tesoro Compadre for my granddaughter and she has done very well with it but Loco's analysis of the F22 is spot on IMHO.
 

I suppose it will depend on the sites you hunt but I would lean towards a compadre or coinmaster with a small 5.3 coil. You won't have the depth but you might be able to hold your own on the separation. I hunted my first year with the F22 and its a great tot lot machine you can turn the sens down and get pinpointer close to playground poles. The F22 has decent entry-level vdi to 4-6" inches but it down averages targets and but I sure found a lot with that machine.

I actually just gave my F22 away to a young kid who couldn't afford a metal detector and I'm looking forward to seeing his finds. Had I not I would have volunteered its service for this challenge.

(The DD coil might help some but the thought of going up against a Deus seems like suicide)

If the Compadre can unmask as good as the other Tesoro's and the Coinmaster should be similiar to my new favorite machine the MX5 then I would like my chances at the parks and maybe home sites. I would love to see a live video feed of this showdown though!
 

So when is this great matchup going to take place? FTR, my bet is on you Terry. That pic of you almost looked like myself back in the day and it seems I'm about a year older than you. Keep us appraised.

I have to ask if you guys will only use the detectors or will you be able to use a pinpointer too? This can make a big difference.
 

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So when is this great matchup going to take place? FTR, my bet is on you Terry. That pic of you almost looked like myself back in the day and it seems I'm about a year older than you. Keep us appraised.

I have to ask if you guys will only use the detectors or will you be able to use a pinpointer too? This can make a big difference.

We start this Saturday, weather permitting. I'm going to use the Teknetics Eurotek Pro, which was sent to me by Keith at Fort Bedford Metal Detectors. Keith sponsors my Youtube Channel, and thinks I can beat this young up and comer (or at least hold my own:tongue3:), with the 11" Double D on the ET Pro. Yeah Swaveab, I'll let the kid use a pinpointer. He'll need all the help he can get!:laughing7:
 

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This story has been told before...David and Goliath..

Good Luck David
 

We start this Saturday, weather permitting. I'm going to use the Teknetics Eurotek Pro, which was sent to me by Keith at Fort Bedford Metal Detectors. Keith sponsors my Youtube Channel, and thinks I can beat this young up and comer (or at least hold my own:tongue3:), with the 11" Double D on the ET Pro. Yeah Swaveab, I'll let the kid use a pinpointer. He'll need all the help he can get!:laughing7:

nice choice. I like how it has a volume setting were you can mute out iron signals
 

You may have lost before you even get started from breaking the agreement on retail price. That detector you received retails for $300.
 

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