Narrowed down to 2

[treasure4pleasure]

Well I am still researching and have decided that I am either going with an AT Pro, or a minelab Xterra 705 I think. I was set on the Vaquero but decided I want a readout, no matter how inaccurate they can be.
I am having a tough time deciding between these two machines though. One thing that could be a deciding factor is the fact that I called 4 places today and the 705's apparently are on back order and no one has any. I was also suprised at the difference in prices at the places I called. Only one was really giving me any kind of a deal which suprised me.
I am mainly looking for old coins, relics and jewelry. I would love any info from owners of these machines that could help me decide which to go with. I also would consider buying gently used.

 

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[Lakemonster]

I haven't used a 705... I do own an AT... I like it. If you are going in the water or might be caught in the rain... its really nice knowing that it doesn't matter at all.

One of the AT's strong points on the detection side is that it really does mask iron.... nails are history... bottle caps (if using pro mode) are easy to skip. The only iron stuff you will be digging will be large stuff like plow points. etc.

The only thing I dont like about the AT is the lack of overload response. You gotta just raise your coil up to see if you are dealing with an aluminum can or not.

 

[FCCDFEd]

I don't own nor have I used a 705 before, but I do own (about 2 months now) an AT PRO and It is an awesome detector. I have been Whites user up until the AT purchase and I like it as much if not better than my MXT and DFX. It is so much lighter, it is easy to use and make changes in midstream, it is water proof, the first four feet of using this AT I found a ring and have found 8 rings in 2 months, it is killer on silver, and killer on coins. The best thing I like is that I can change the setup on the fly and I couldn't do that with the DFX. Been MD for almost 5 years and this machine has really been fun.

 

[SusanMN]

I have owned both but didn't care for the AT Pro. I didn't like the fact that you can't switch headphones easily and I like to use a lighter pair in hot weather. Plus it felt heavy and out of balance to me. The Xterra has fantastic tone and visual ID and is light and comfortable enough to use all day.

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Well I am still researching and have decided that I am either going with an AT Pro, or a minelab Xterra 705 I think. I was set on the Vaquero but decided I want a readout, no matter how inaccurate they can be.
I am having a tough time deciding between these two machines though. One thing that could be a deciding factor is the fact that I called 4 places today and the 705's apparently are on back order and no one has any. I was also suprised at the difference in prices at the places I called. Only one was really giving me any kind of a deal which suprised me.
I am mainly looking for old coins, relics and jewelry. I would love any info from owners of these machines that could help me decide which to go with. I also would consider buying gently used.

The Garrett AT Pro Spring Special 2 Coil Metal Detector | Big Boys Hobbies with the 5x8 DD coil is a GREAT setup! Once you put the 5x8 on you may never go back. Great machine!

Holler with questions or for a great deal!

 

[treasure4pleasure]

Thanks for the input everyone. Bart, I will def. call you when i'm ready to order. I did call and get some prices from you yesterday

 

[neuseman]

You should check out Dirtfishing's video on youtube using the Teknetics Omega 8000. Im in the same boat as you. Getting ready to buy a new machine and its a hard decision when there are so many good machines on the market today. I thought i had picked one until I saw his video, now im thinking about the Omega or the G2. Anyway good luck with your new detector.

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Thanks for the input everyone. Bart, I will def. call you when i'm ready to order. I did call and get some prices from you yesterday

Good talking to you! Holler if you have more questions. I want to make sure you get what you want the first time!

 

[bazinga]

One of my buddies was using an xterra 305 for about a year before he upgraded to his Explorer. He hunted along side another friend and I during that time. He pulled in around 50 silver coins that year. So, with that said, you don't necessarily need the 705 over the 305, but I also can't remember the differences between the 3 xterras. He was about as good as you are going to get with an Xterra. One of their problems though is that they hear the older rusty bottle caps and sometimes they sound like perfect silver quarters. I've seen that happen on two xterras and in some old parks, that can be a pain in the *ss. Sometimes he would call me over and tell me he had a silver coin he was about to dig and I had to break his heart every time and tell him it was just a rusty bottle cap.

I've still got an xterra 70 laying around that was given to me that I need to test out sometime.

 

[dustytrails123]

My ace 350 loves bottle caps ...but then again it loves silver im a noob with little research skillz and just do some park wandering and ive come up wth 15 silver finds so far...most from 1 park i got lucky and stumbled onto

 

[Coinstriking Michigan]

I haven't been too impressed with any videos I've watched on the At Pro. For that reason alone I would go with the 705. Also as was mentioned before the Teknetics Omega 8000 is a good choice. I have owned that one and it is very deep. The double d coil loves rusty bottle caps though which is why I no longer use it as my hunting areas are filled with them. Just do your research and pick what best suits your needs

 

[freddy williams]

Treasure I have had the opportunity to own a few differnt dectors and I would have to say The best one I have owned has been my 705 I bought from MILLER MDZ Look up Hosensack His name is Tom a super awsome person to deal with and He my have some deals going on You have to talk with him. I also have to agree with Susan it is light enough to swing all day long. I tore my rotator cuff 12 years ago and it stil bothers me today but with the 705 I can swing all day long HH and enjoy which ever detector you buy... Freddy

 

[treasure4pleasure]

Thank you freddy! I will check that out. I actually have gotten a super price on one but they aren't in stock, but it's cool..no rush! Yes the lightness of a detector is important as I've been having some major pain in my rotator cuff on my right side wouldn't u know.

 

[jimb]

Sooner or later you will own five or ten detectors!

 

[treasure4pleasure]

Sooner or later you will own five or ten detectors!

Oh Gosh!!

 

[Joven76]

Glad I found this thread as this is exactly what I've been contemplating... I'm leaning towards the 705, but I really want to get out and start hunting... I know, I'm impatient... LOL... Darn back orders!!!

 

[treasure4pleasure]

I have a little more $ saving to do so I can wait. My gut is telling me to go with the 705 but there's a little voice in my head that keeps saying "but the AT PRO can detect in the water" urghh! Pretty sure I want the 705 anyway.

 

[Joven76]

I'm in the same boat too, but my little voice is telling me, "The AT Pro is available now..." LOL

 

[treasure4pleasure]

Hahaha But that could be a bad sign too. lol

 

[bazinga]

Just to add something else to the discussion... My friends and I have often talked about opening up a local detector dealership. We know for a fact that we could make Garretts fly off the shelves. But, we all have a concious and couldn't actually recommend one to anybody if their goal is old coins in OUR local parks. Maybe other parts of the country are different, but around here, long time Garrett users don't go to the old parks with the intent to find old coins anymore. They hit fields now or look for jewelry. In the last 3 years of our club having hunts in local parks (3-5 per year), I can think of 2 silver coins TOTAL being found by garretts and fewer than 5 wheat pennies total. All of this is happening while myself and others in the club are finding 3-5 silver per club hunt with another brand.