I think Im ready to up grade?

[Mr.Jody]

I think I'm ready to up grade?

Ok, I have the basic entry level detector.Its time, I "think" to move on up.I have been reading about the machines some.How hard is it to 'adjust' the machine? Ground balance?My MD has an on/off switch and dept, no adjusting, Do I need to keep reading if I don't know those answers?Thanks for any help. There is just SO MANY choices,I have no idea which "one" to get.

 

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[funkman]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

Mr. Jody,

Depends on a couple of things I guess but the obvious is what is your budget like? I started with a Radio Shack / Bounty Hunter detector (which I still have and I know someone on this forum who still uses the same one and has found many great coins with it) and I upgraded to the Ace 250. Now if you have seen some of my posts this machine has worked wonders for my finds as well as many of the other people here who use this machine. The Ace 250 is a great entry to mid-level detector and if used properly and understanding it will net you some great stuff. I have not used it on beaches because I mainly hunt old homesteads and such looking for old coinage and artifacts. Not sure how it is on beaches so someone else might have to give their opinion on that.
If you want to upgrade to more "bells and whistles" and have the necessary funds, I have been researching the Minelab X-Terra 70 and I think when I upgrade (hopefully in spring) I will be getting this model. I like the ground balancing feature and the VDI numbers and such and have heard many great things about it. It also has the capability to swap out coils to get different frequency ranges depending on what you are trying to search for. I would start with the basic standard coil myself but at least have options. This detector is around $700.

The others will help you get a better understanding and hopefully help you on your choice but everyone has an opinion and some may be the same while others will be different than my own, which is fine. The more information you get will help you determine what detector to purchase and you will not feel sorry about your choice. The main and most important thing when getting that new detector is to not get frustrated if right out of the box you are not digging up 18k gold jewelry or that 150+ year old coin or CW buckle. Take the time to get to know the machine, what it can and cannot do and understand what it is telling you. You and it are speaking two differnet languages at first and you have to start listening when it goes 'beep' means pulltab and when it goes 'BING BING" means great items.

Good luck on your choice and make sure you read all opinions and posts based on the detector you are thinking of choosing and ask questions. That is one of the reasons most of us are here...oh and to also post our great finds!

HH

Funkman

 

[blklab]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

I would suggest that you take a look at either the 'WHITES" M6, or MXT. Both are very good machines, pretty much turn on and
go and user friendly. Either one would be a great upgrade for you. FYI, I do not work for White's and I'm not a dealer. I have
a White's DFX and it's terrific. However that is a huge jump up with a steep learning curve and significant more money than the
other two I mentioned.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting. (blklab)

 

[Mr.Jody]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

Yes, I appreciate the comments so far.I will keep reading and maybe get some more feed back from others.I just hope I have more fun with the 'upgraded' one than I have with my 'inexpensive' one...

 

[dazoff]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

What kind off hunting are you doing and is weight a factor. Do bells & whistles confuse you, is close to turn on and go what your interest leans toward then the Whites MXT or Detector Pro line are good machines to look at./ If you don't mind bells & whistles the X-Terra 70 is highly versatile. Tesoro makes a great line of beep & dig machines that are very capable and come at a better price line than the others. Again do you need or want screens to decide how deep or what the target is. Lots to consider but its tough to offer much without knowing some of the above as there are any number of great products out there. Starting to sound like a dealer. LOL Dan

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

You didn't specify whether you're a beach hunter, relic hunter, coin hunter, or prospector-or all in one. Without that information, it would be impossible to recommend anything.

 

[khouse]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

We need to know where your at now? What detector are you using now? What is it about it that makes you want to upgrade? What type of hunting do you perform? What is your budget?

 

[kando]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

We need to know where your at now? What detector are you using now? What is it about it that makes you want to upgrade? What type of hunting do you perform? What is your budget?

khouse it says florida under his name ,

 

[kando]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

Get a Minelab Sovereign and you will be all set for inland & beach. And the sovereign is just about turn on and go no big long learning curve.

 

[George (MN)]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

How strong are you is a consideration. The Minelab Sovereign GT weighs 6 lbs, with the lightest detectors 2 lbs.

Also a consideration, what is the most you are willing to spend? Any preference for used or new? Used someone else takes most of the depreciation, but for recently introduced detectors, maybe only new is available. Good choices used are White's MXT & M6, Fisher F5 & F70 (I have F5 & F70, used to have M6 & MXT). Minelab Explorer is a good choice if weight, complexity (adjustments) & slow sweep are OK.

New models: White's Prizm 6T ($599.95); Teknetics Delta 4000 ($349). A Minelab E-trac costs nearly $1,500!

I hope you will find something you like at a price you can afford. HH, George (MN)

 

[Mr.Jody]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

Interesting posts...
Well, yes I'm in Florida and I hunt out in the woods as much as I hunt on the beach. As far as carrying around weight,I dint want to be lugging around 50 pounds for hours and hours at a time.. .
As far as bells and whistles,I just want one that will pick up everything.I don't care if it is a KIA or a Mercedes(sarcastic).The one I have now works, and it has allowed me to pay for my new machine,but I know there is so much stuff it is not picking up.OR is it that I am finding everything,and just not gold and silverLOL
I don't want to get one that I have to have a college education to adjust it.I dont mind having to adjust it as far as the wet beach sand or the woods, that's OK.
PRICE::I want to stay around 500-700 bucks.I feel anything more, and you are just buying the name and color??..
Keep the comments coming fellas,I read ALL of them with consideration

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

Just get an Xterra 70 and forget about it.

 

[dazoff]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

X-Terra 70 is likely one of the most versatile out there lots of coil options Whites MXT would be worth looking at as well. Dan

 

[Keppy]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

I would still say the Sovereign the way they have it sit up you can hunt all day with it. The box is under your arm way back with stright shaft. And it can be mounted on your belt also

 

[Mr.Jody]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

Fisher Gemini-3 Metal Detector , Is this for the "vets"? I understand it is for seeking DEEP targets, but will it pick up one coin on the beach or is it for deep caches or?

 

[Detector Wars]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

Get a Minelab GPX 4500, it will pick up everything, you won't need to upgrade for the next 30 years. You can turn the PI function off and it'll go deeper in quiet ground. If you're gonna spend $700 you might as well wait a little while and save up an extra $4000, then you'll have the best unit.

 

[Mr.Jody]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

$4000 for a MD? NO, I'm not that "into it" yet...lol
The small scrap stuff I'm finding, it will takefor ever to pay for that one...

 

[Willy]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

Reality check dudes. A Minelab GP for general detecting would definitely NOT be considered a wise choice. An XTerra 50, MXT, Fisher F70, Garrett GTP/GTI, or one of the Tesoros (if you're a back to basics kinda guy) would do just fine and be in your price range. Buy used and you can get an even higher end unit. ..Willy

 

[littletwig]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

If it's simplicity and raw power you are looking for then look real close at the Whites MXT or M6. The M6 has the same engine and power as the MXT it just doesn't have 3 separate modes. The M6 has a 7 tone TID which enable you to not have to look at the screen everytime you get a hit. This is one of my favorite features. The M6 only has a 2 tone TID except in relic mode where it has 3 tones. If you primarly are going to be hunting coins and jewelery and just a little prospecting and relic hunting then the M6 is the machine for you. It's deep for relic hunting, it runs at 15 khz which will pick up very small gold and it's absolutly a coin monster. I'v used mine for all three and its done fine. To really maximize the ability of the M6 or the MXT for that matter I would advise you get either the 6x10 DD or the new 10 inch round DD coil. These will allow you to increase senc and increase your depth while keeping the machine running smooth. These coils are great at target separation in trashy areas.

 

[Willy]

Re: I think I'm ready to up grade?

The 6x10" coil was my main coil on the MXT. I found the stock coil to be next to useless and only used it for water hunting (the 6x10" coil floats). Don't get me wrong, it's a decent coil.. for low trash areas and not for prospecting. it would be a different story if White's woulda stuck on a 10" DD instead. ..Willy.