Need help determining what Metal Detector to buy under 700$

[cland]

Hello everyone, I have been lurking on this site off and on for years and have finally become financially stable enough to buy a metal detector.

I have read every post I can find regarding advice on what detector to buy and still am split and hate to make the wrong choice with 700$. I would like ya'lls advice on what to buy since I plan on buying a detector in about 2 weeks.

I plan on defiantly buying a garrett ace 250 for my dad to sweep up anything I miss ( this seemed like the best one for him since hes not too strong anymore and wants to take up the hobby with me ). I am open to suggestions in the same range as the 250 ace sports package.

I'm mainly looking for silver coins and relics. I will be detecting in East Texas in and around the Houston area, but will also be using the metal detector in Germany 1-3 months a year and need something to find mainly relics there.

I'm siding toward a minelab XTerra 505, fisher f5 and a whites prizm 5g. But am open to any suggestions.
I'm willing to spend 100 more than my budget for an extra coil if required for detecting in Germany.

Thank You for all of your help.

 

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[vpnavy]

1st - Notice this is your very first post - so, welcome aboard from the great state of Pennsylvania (USA).

2nd - You might consider browsing Sub-Forums: Texas for information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state.
3rd - Whatever MD you finally decide on - please consider buying one from one of

's Supporting Vendors.

 

[fella]

First I would recommend the Fisher F2 over the Ace 250 for pops. I've used several entry level detectors (Compadre, Ace 250/350, Couple of Bounty Hunters, CoinMaster Pro) and I feel the F2 delivers better all around bang for buck. I paid $215 for the detector, w/extra 4" coil & a pinpointer! Super easy to learn too.

On to your query re: what detector to buy for <700 clams. Never used the F5 or ML's Xterra line but I hear good things about both. I guess I'd suggest looking at the AT Pro Adventure Pack as well. Comes in at about $640. It's been a great machine for me. However I really don't think you'll go wrong with any "name brand" detector. Fisher guys/gals like theirs, the MineLab folks like theirs...so on and so forth.

You mentioned the Whites Prizm 5G...those have been discontinued. Not that it means anything. But...I also don't think the 5G is in the same league as any of the fore mentioned detectors.

 

[cland]

Thanks for the welcome vpnavy.

Fella thanks for the advice regarding the ace 250, I was a little concerned with my dad finding alot of pull tabs with it. I do like whites since my friend let me use his coinmaster back in the 90s, but it was an old 80s detector. I do agree I probably couldn't go wrong with a minlab,fishers or garrett. I'll start to look into the at pro, I havn't read a whole lot about it.

I'm open to any detector that has a display

Thanks guys, I figure I'll get 100 opinions from 100 different people. But any and all advice helps.

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

Those are all good choices. As Fella said, consider the Garrett AT Pro in your evaluation. It's a good relic machine , waterproof and does well finding coins and jewelry.

For your pops, either F2 or Ace 250 are good choices. If he dislikes pull tabs, either machine can discriminate them, but you will lose some gold jewelry too.

We are located in Spring Tx/ N Houston, so if you are in the area, stop by and you can compare all the units and try them out. Mention Treasurenet for best pricing.

Wayne

Www.metaldetectingstuff.com

 

[cland]

Thanks Wayne, you are just the guy I was going to see. I'm all about supporting local Houston shops. You'll see me sometime next week. Thanks for your input.

 

[Silver Searcher]

if you are going to Germany may I suggest a used Tesoro lobo Super Traq, you should be able to pick one up quite cheap, and a great machine for ploughed land, which you will probably be detecting on there.

SS

 

[Ronzie]

I'd buy a mid range detector. Don't waste your time on an Ace. I like Garrett, but you'll outgrow that in a month.
Two days ago I met up with another hunter who has a Fisher F4 and I was pleasantly surprised by it. Yesterday I looked online at the F series and personally for me an F5 would probably suite me better. I've heard some good things about the Xterra's but I don't know anything about the Whites.
The F2 over any Ace any day. Like I said I like Garrett, but after trying an Ace 250 imo it's a kids toy.
I'm loving my Tesoro Outlaw that came with 3 coils or even better would be a Tejon.

From another post in the Garrett section, there seems to be a new higher level AT Pro type machine coming out shortly. Has me intrigued.

 

[skip_a_loo]

at pro..just turn it on and your ready set up easy to use...the on an off button you can switch to different disc modes..has it all built in for you..I like mine..I hunt 4 parks and already collected $40+ coins, V Nickel, 4 rings, Wheaties, little copper Cleo's, and trinkets so this year on my up grade I did just find...Can't wait for it to RAIN!!!

 

[cland]

Silver Searcher would you recommend the Tesoro lobo Super Traq for forests. My family has land that has been in the family for 500 years and half of its forests which I planned to do alot of detecting in. That and I am privy to quite a few local "legends" regarding a robber barrons destroyed castle that few know the location of the destroyed ruins that I plan to go through with a fine tooth comb if you think the Tesoro lobo Super Traq would be good for those areas too then I might have to start seeking one out.

Thanks for the advice guys keep it coming.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Silver Searcher would you recommend the Tesoro lobo Super Traq for forests. My family has land that has been in the family for 500 years and half of its forests which I planned to do alot of detecting in. That and I am privy to quite a few local "legends" regarding a robber barrons destroyed castle that few know the location of the destroyed ruins that I plan to go through with a fine tooth comb if you think the Tesoro lobo Super Traq would be good for those areas too then I might have to start seeking one out.

Thanks for the advice guys keep it coming.

The Tesoro Lobo Supertraq was the most popular detector over here when I started 14 years ago, about the only place its not good for is the beach. I would say it would be great for the forests there, especially if you can get one of the little joey coils for it. The likely hood of encountering small silver coins and perhaps roman coins could be high...the lobo will sniff them out for sure.

SS