looking for some advice from those who have had an ace 250

[xxxbockxxx]

i've been getting jealous from all of these pics of silver and older coins being found. from the sound of things, in order to find these coins is first finding a good location. one of my questions is after i find this location will my ace 250 find me some goodies? so far, i have been able to find clad about 2 inches down. i am worried that i will pass right over something worth digging up. my other question is approx. how deep would these older coins be found?

 

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[RJGMC]

XB,

The location is of major importance. The more likely a site was well used years ago, increases the odds that older coins are there. Many parks are very old, but usually have been hunted to death. You need to look for the most likely places for old coins, and do not go there. Yes, do not go there! Look for the areas that are not as likely. In an older park, all of it has had foot traffic on it. But so many people have usually detected the "likely" spots. Many people detect along an old sidewalk on the side away from the street, (many people), but few have bothered to move away from the sidewalk 4 - 5 feet or so. There may be fewer targets, but very few people have looked there. Always look between the sidewalk and the curb, especially in older neighborhoods. You will dig trash, but you will also find tokens, coins, jewelery, keys and dog tags. Some places this may only be 3 feet wide, others 6 feet or more.

The Ace 250 is capable of much more than the clad at 2 inches. I would guess that swing speed and overlapping is why you are not getting deeper coins. Try and find some one who you can go with for pointers and some hands on. It does not need to be an all day affair, ( it would be nice though). They can show you what you are doing right and what is not right. The more time you spend with your machine , the better you will get.

Stay at it! The older coins will come!

Bob

 

[twistidd]

Bock,

First off, location is key. You can have the most updated, high-tech, expensive machine with all kinds of bells and whistles, but if the location isn't condusive to finding old coins, you won't find any, simply put.

To answer your question regarding the abilities of the Ace 250...yes, the Ace 250 can and will find old coins. BUT- keep in mind, the Ace 250, although a great machine, has its limitations, in regards to target separation, depth, and overall versatility. You should definitely be getting more than two inches with it, though, even with a small coil such as the Sniper.

One of the reasons a lot of people are finding the coins they are is because they are able to get around trash and/or iron that masks a lot of the older coins. These coins are not easy to find with your average detector, and many old timers missed these ones in the past, dismissed as trash targets. You'll see examples of coins that are found with rust stains, indicating iron was present. Some are simply too deep and underneath bottlecaps and pulltabs and nails and bits of wire and canslaw and bobby pins and cans...you get the idea. There is a reason why a lot of these guys here that are so successful in this hobby spend over a grand for a detector that can get around these obstacles and snag deep elusive silvers, indian heads, etc.

Having said that, I have found some silver coins with my Ace 250. However, I only use that machine for the occasional tot lot hunt nowadays. It hits great on shallow coins and it is great for small gold or foil. It is not the best at separation, and having only two tones doesn't help it's situation. Since I upgraded, my success rate has vastly improved, and I don't even use a super duper expensive detector, just one with more options.

Your best bet is to find an area low of trash, like the woods. Very few signals in comparison with say, a park, but a higher ratio of good finds to trashy finds. Hit me up one day if you'd like to get together some time, maybe we'll hit a spot or two that can give up some silver for you. Just remember, the Ace 250, though a great machine, is NOT a Minelab Etrac.

Joe

 

[twistidd]

And by the way, you will find old coins anywhere from 1 inch down to beyond the capabilites of the most advanced detectors. It has a lot to do with the ground. In general, open areas like parks, especially lower areas, will produce old coins deeper than say, a high area in a wooded section of land. I recently found an 1890 V nickel, practically on the surface at the base of a tree. It was there because the trunk of the tree kept it from sinking lower. Kermit found an 1893 V nickel at 2 or 3 inches at an old park- go figure! On the contrary, many of us have found modern zinc cents at 10+ inches, though those are typically the result of well-intentioned regrading or bad-intentioned planting by crank hobbyists trying to fool us youngins (and often succeeding!)

RJGMC suggested you avoid obvious places. Seeing as you are using an Ace 250, I would agree. However, if and when you ever decide to upgrade to a machine that has better capabilites, you will find that the "obvious areas" will actually produce very nicely for you. I can't count how many of my comrades have found some nice finds in areas that have been "hunted out". Hunted out? Says who? The guy who wants you to stay away from his spot.

I find that everytime I hear someone say a place is hunted out, I hunt it later only to find good stuff. Nice attempt at keeping others away, but, no.

You'll get your old coins, just take your time and don't rush. Took me a looong time before I found an old coin that wasn't a wheatie. At the risk of sounding cliche, keep the passion high! lol.

Joe

 

[outlaw007]

for me the ace 250 is a good playground or beach detector. i would never use it at a park, you would be digging at lot of trash . you could also get some older coins and bury them at different depths , to test your machine out! what they call a test garden!

 

[watercolor]

Welcome to the IL Forum of TNet

RJGMC is correct. . . and, search places no sane person would think of going,
such as densely wooded areas. . . full of 'skeeters & poison ivy. . . that are adjacent
to nice open parks. 80-years ago, many of these heavily-wooded areas were open
areas dotted with clusters of shade trees. . . perfect for picnic gatherings and
OTHER types of "social" activity.

You'll find that your Ace 250 will be a true "work-horse" in these areas because most targets
you'll encounter will only be HALF as deep (if your concern is depth) as those in "manicured"
areas. . . that have been touted as "hunted out" (no such thing).

If I was given a choice to hunt "the woods" or the "manicured" areas of a park, I'd choose the
woods hands-down because 90% of my finds will be OLD

Good luck & HH!
watercolor

 

[outlaw007]

THAT DEPENDS ON THE AGE OF THE PARK!

 

[litefire56]

I have a 8" (deep, ok Joe? ) quarter buried in my backyard, under low handing power lines. My DFX set as hot as I can in that area will barely pick up the quarter. My Ace 250 will hit it solid from all directions. The key is to have the discrimination very low only editing out iron. This would drive you crazy in a trashy area but if you hunt cleaner ground or the woods, give it a try. Just remember to slow down once you hit a productive area. Good luck!, there are guys out there making unbelievable finds with the Ace. Just check out Crazyjarhreads posts.

 

[twistidd]

I have a 8" quarter buried in my backyard, under low handing power lines. My DFX set as hot as I can in that area will barely pick up the quarter. My Ace 250 will hit it solid from all directions. The key is to have the discrimination very low only editing out iron. This would drive you crazy in a trashy area but if you hunt cleaner ground or the woods, give it a try. Just remember to slow down once you hit a productive area. Good luck!, there are guys out there making unbelievable finds with the Ace. Just check out Crazyjarhreads posts.

An 8-inch quarter is huge! I'm surprised your DFX won't pick it up well.

wah wah waaahhhh....

Joe

 

[xxxbockxxx]

thanks for the replies. i went to the local park after posting this and found 2 dimes and 4 pennies. not much but i'm still learning a bit. i was able to find one of the dimes at around 4-5 inches deep. it was a bit of a different signal than those that have been shallower. i still need to learn more about the machine i guess. setting up a test garden wouldn't be a bad idea.

you guys have a bit more populated area than where i am at. i am sure that has something to do with it as well. this summer i plan to learn about the machine a bit more. come winter time, i will do more research on where i should be swinging. maybe next spring will be my breakout.

joe, i would like to meet up with you for a teaching lesson. distance would be a bit of a hinderance though. i'm probably 3 hours away. maybe sometime when i am up in your area we can try to set something up. i don't make it up there too often.

any more suggestions would be much appreciated. thanks.

bock

 

[litefire56]

I have a 8" quarter buried in my backyard, under low handing power lines. My DFX set as hot as I can in that area will barely pick up the quarter. My Ace 250 will hit it solid from all directions. The key is to have the discrimination very low only editing out iron. This would drive you crazy in a trashy area but if you hunt cleaner ground or the woods, give it a try. Just remember to slow down once you hit a productive area. Good luck!, there are guys out there making unbelievable finds with the Ace. Just check out Crazyjarhreads posts.

An 8-inch quarter is huge! I'm surprised your DFX won't pick it up well.

wah wah waaahhhh....

Joe

An 8" quarter is heavy too! Tried to pick it up with the DFX, but it broke the shaft....

 

[Lowbatts]

Was never a fan of the Ace 250, saw a lot of early users, mostly old timers getting PO'ed at it. Then a bunch relative newbs picked them up and some got the bigger coils for them and the machine can really be called a living legend. Joe and Fiend are prime examples of what can be done with the best bang for the buck in detecting gear. So you've got a righteous machine.

Like John said with his test garden experience, test gardens involve variables you cannot factor in and conditions which you will almost certainly never repeat in the field. Take some time, don't dig the deepest, faintest signals you hear right away. Go over them multiple times, checking and altering all available settings until they give the best target indication available. Then dig 'em and determine whether or not the machine was true. Really only takes about a hundred targets to get to know your machine if you do this sort of thing.

Now about hooking up, just tell us you own the town square in Bishop Hill and we'll all be there this afternoon to help you learn the machine....

I'm about 100% positive you've got some site potential in west central Illinois a lot of us here in concrete and asphalt land would road trip for. Our kid used to train and compete in Kewanee regularly and there were some awesome looking grounds there, only got the chance to hit it a few times but never came away without shinies. Especially good when they tore up the streets and sidewalks around the armory there about 11 years ago. Some sweeeet digs!

 

[oz_il]

i've been getting jealous from all of these pics of silver and older coins being found. from the sound of things, in order to find these coins is first finding a good location. one of my questions is after i find this location will my ace 250 find me some goodies? so far, i have been able to find clad about 2 inches down. i am worried that I will pass right over something worth digging up. my other question is approx. how deep would these older coins be found?

I noticed you have started finding slightly deeper coins, a good thing. I also have a 250 and it can find silver just fine, but it definitely doesn't go as deep as some other detectors. In the Spring when the soil is nice and wet I can find dimes at 8'' using the stock coil. Alas, most are clad but with our freeze/thaw cycle the older coins may be closer to the surface as you may think. My first V nickle was less than 1'' down (and really crusted over so it wasn't a recent drop by some kiddie). This Fall (plugs may die in the summer heat & dry) see if you can hit any private property in your hood. I'm in an area where the houses on my block went up in the 1940's and 6 of the 7 houses I hit I found silver. Pays to know your neighbor's

Also, try playgrounds - although not common you may find some silver or gold bling. Already have a 10K gold nugget ring this year. Even found a merc lying on top of the woodchips LOL. Alas, that is about it as my detecting time is down to about 2 hours/week

 

[Monty]

The main thing to learn abut using any detector is patience. Very rarely does a newby immediately start finding untold treasures. It takes time to learn your machine and time to research sites and time to actually go out into the field and prove your research will pay off. The Ace 250 is a fine little detector, one that I have used on and off for four years. No, it usuallly won't find dimes at 10" but it has on occasion. For more difficult applications and realy deep depth you need to go to a more sophisticated machine, but the ACE is the easiest to learn and use for most folks and will serve you well. Keep at it. Monty

 

[ivan salis]

long time 250 user --- with the 9 x 12 coil --it can get fairly deep --however for trashy spots use the 4 .5 inch sniper coil -- while not might not be in the same class as the $1000 machines of course * ( and at 1/4th the cost or less --you really shouldn't expect it to be--- it is still a excellant "bang for buck" wise-- in my veiw )

now location is indeed the "key" to old silver coin finds --simply put if they didn't lose it there , its not going to be found there.---so you need a place that had lots of people at times --the more the better * --handling money --places like old fairground areas , old swimming areas , any place with old snack stands or food selling spots . -- anything where you might "spend cash" at is prime hunting spots --- most areas have been tried by othersbefore --there are few quality "virgin" spots out there unless you are very lucky to find one . --- so know that most of the easy to get to "high traffic" spots most likely have been hit before --so a bit of out of the box thinking might be called for -- check the "normal spots" a bit first --if your finds are all recent or seem "picked over" by nature --most likely the spots been hit heavy --so try thinking of not easy to get to but still likely spots . --- --soil conditions matter too --but I can hit 6 inchs all day long on silver dimes and wheat cents --8 in good ground .

 

[xxxbockxxx]

thanks to everyone.

lowbatts- i know that there are areas around me that would be worth going over. one place that i have in mind is either off limits or close to being hunted out. it is private land where a presidential debate was held. i doubt i would get permission but i will ask next spring-maybe this fall-so i don't leave dead spots. i will be doing research this winter while i'm bundled up in front of my computer. and unfortunately, i do not own any land even close to bishop hill.

oz_il- i have been thinking about asking a few of my neighbors. we are in an area of older homes. my house was build in 1896 so when i searched my yard and just found clad i was a bit disappointed. i should go back over the areas that i searched first when i just got the detector. i know a bit more now that then. part of my basement is dirt so i thought about going down there just for the heck of it.

 

[treasurefiend]

The Ace 250 is a great machine, I have found lots of silver coins and even 2 gold rings and a gold earring. But from day one I always used the 9x12 coil. The larger coil just gave me an extra 2 or 3 inches depth to find old coins that Twistidd couldn't even get a signal with his stock Ace 250 coil. Location location location!!!! I was super lucky in the beginning, my 2nd hunt I found a mans 18k weddingband that rang up as a penny and it was just about on the surface (just under the grass). My 1st buffalo nickel was also a surface find same with like joe said I found a V-Nickel like an inch down in a city park. Yes old coins can be deep and yes old coins can be just an inch down - there are way too many factors that make them do the things they do. I would suggest that you just go out and have fun learning your machine, don't obsess about finding old coins, they will come don't worry.

Oh on my 1st hunt of 2009 I actuially just wanted to go bottle hunting but after we decided to go MD'ng, well guess what - I didn't bring my Minelab so I had to hunt with my good ole Ace 250. Not even 10 min in a super trashy and super hunted area I found my oldest merc (I think it was a 1917) and it was down not too deep by some trash that made the curser bounce. Its on my first video of this year.

Oh yea, to save your self a lot of trash diggin (not all but a lot, just use coin mode)

 

[rsc]

LOCATION>>>>LOCATION with that said..........
what sensitivity are you set on? 3 bars for quick shallow coins. More bars for deeper.
What program? I think the jewelry mode is more sensitive than the coin mode. It certainly has a faster response.
You may want to play with all settings. A coin test garden is a great idea.
Good luck........... TREASURE IS OUT THERE HH Gayle

 

[twistidd]

I have a 8" quarter buried in my backyard, under low handing power lines. My DFX set as hot as I can in that area will barely pick up the quarter. My Ace 250 will hit it solid from all directions. The key is to have the discrimination very low only editing out iron. This would drive you crazy in a trashy area but if you hunt cleaner ground or the woods, give it a try. Just remember to slow down once you hit a productive area. Good luck!, there are guys out there making unbelievable finds with the Ace. Just check out Crazyjarhreads posts.

An 8-inch quarter is huge! I'm surprised your DFX won't pick it up well.

wah wah waaahhhh....

Joe

An 8" quarter is heavy too! Tried to pick it up with the DFX, but it broke the shaft....

lol