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Hi Everyone,

I'm brand new to this forum and brand new to the world of metal detecting. I have been looking for a hobby that would be interesting and a bit of a challenge. So I hope this is good fit. I also thought this would be a great place to ask for advise on purchasing a metal detector for a beginner. I have heard two different trains of thought one being "buy once get quality" or " Buy cheap to make sure you like want your doing, so if you don't like you have not dumped a lot of money into it.
So I have looked at buying the cheap Dr Otek combo on Amazon Amazon product ASIN B0B3D88C6Tor after watching a lot of YouTube and reading a lot of articles I thought the Minelab Vanquish 440 would be a nice fit.
Also looking for recommendation on pinpointer and anything else you would think is important to a first timmer.

I would really appreciate everybody input on this. A little bit about myself is Im 64 years old and serve as a medical Officer on the good ship F/T Alaska Ocean. We are a large boat 376ft ( about the size of a football field from end zone to end zone) and a crew 150. We catch, process and freeze our product. We target a fish called Pollock.

I look forward to hearing all recommendations and advice and thank you in advance. . Oh my name is Steve
 

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seamedic911 said:
Hi Everyone,

I'm brand new to this forum and brand new to the world of metal detecting. I have been looking for a hobby that would be interesting and a bit of a challenge. So I hope this is good fit. I also thought this would be a great place to ask for advise on purchasing a metal detector for a beginner. I have heard two different trains of thought one being "buy once get quality" or " Buy cheap to make sure you like want your doing, so if you don't like you have not dumped a lot of money into it.
So I have looked at buying the cheap Dr Otek combo on Amazon Amazon product ASIN B0B3D88C6Tor after watching a lot of YouTube and reading a lot of articles I thought the Minelab Vanquish 440 would be a nice fit.
Also looking for recommendation on pinpointer and anything else you would think is important to a first timmer.

I would really appreciate everybody input on this. A little bit about myself is Im 64 years old and serve as a medical Officer on the good ship F/T Alaska Ocean. We are a large boat 376ft ( about the size of a football field from end zone to end zone) and a crew 150. We catch, process and freeze our product. We target a fish called Pollock.

I look forward to hearing all recommendations and advice and thank you in advance. . Oh my name is Steve
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum. As to buying detector, there are many inexpensive but still quality machines available today. I'm sure you will get many suggestions thrown at you but regardless, go with a decent quality machine from a reputable source. A garbage machine will discourage you quickly and give you a bad impression of what detecting really is like. Good luck.
 

seamedic911 said:
Hi Everyone,

I'm brand new to this forum and brand new to the world of metal detecting. I have been looking for a hobby that would be interesting and a bit of a challenge. So I hope this is good fit. I also thought this would be a great place to ask for advise on purchasing a metal detector for a beginner. I have heard two different trains of thought one being "buy once get quality" or " Buy cheap to make sure you like want your doing, so if you don't like you have not dumped a lot of money into it.
So I have looked at buying the cheap Dr Otek combo on Amazon Amazon product ASIN B0B3D88C6Tor after watching a lot of YouTube and reading a lot of articles I thought the Minelab Vanquish 440 would be a nice fit.
Also looking for recommendation on pinpointer and anything else you would think is important to a first timmer.

I would really appreciate everybody input on this. A little bit about myself is Im 64 years old and serve as a medical Officer on the good ship F/T Alaska Ocean. We are a large boat 376ft ( about the size of a football field from end zone to end zone) and a crew 150. We catch, process and freeze our product. We target a fish called Pollock.

I look forward to hearing all recommendations and advice and thank you in advance. . Oh my name is Steve
Click to expand...
Welcome on board!
I also recently got into metal detecting and my starter machine is the Vanquish 440. It's great and you get your moneys worth, that's for sure! It's very easy for a new guy to figure out as you can basically turn it on and go. I mostly use the jewellery mode with the first iron segment accepted so I get a better feel of whats under my coil. I've found a lot of cool relics and coins with it! I definitely don't think I'd buy the Dr Otek for myself but that's totally your call. With the Vanquish you get Minelab's proven Multi-IQ technology for a very good price.
The new Xterra Pro would be a great option as well but you don't get Multi-IQ. That's not a dealbreaker if you aren't hunting beaches or really mineralized soil though. It has more customizable settings than the Vanquish so that's a plus unless you just want to start out with something very easy to understand.
Either way I really think that if your testing the waters then you won't go wrong with either of these. I definitely like my Vanquish 440!
Good luck and happy hunting!
 

Also I bought a cheap "GP Pointer" off ebay and it's "Meh" at best. It works ok and it's still quite helpful but I'd recommend something a little more expensive with good reviews. You definitely need some kind of pinpointer. You won't last long in the hobby without one.
 

I'mJoshin-PA said:
Welcome on board!
I also recently got into metal detecting and my starter machine is the Vanquish 440. It's great and you get your moneys worth, that's for sure! It's very easy for a new guy to figure out as you can basically turn it on and go. I mostly use the jewellery mode with the first iron segment accepted so I get a better feel of whats under my coil. I've found a lot of cool relics and coins with it! I definitely don't think I'd buy the Dr Otek for myself but that's totally your call. With the Vanquish you get Minelab's proven Multi-IQ technology for a very good price.
The new Xterra Pro would be a great option as well but you don't get Multi-IQ. That's not a dealbreaker if you aren't hunting beaches or really mineralized soil though. It has more customizable settings than the Vanquish so that's a plus unless you just want to start out with something very easy to understand.
Either way I really think that if your testing the waters then you won't go wrong with either of these. I definitely like my Vanquish 440!
Good luck and happy hunting!
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for your input, I have been leaning towards the 440 more and more.
 

I'mJoshin-PA said:
Also I bought a cheap "GP Pointer" off ebay and it's "Meh" at best. It works ok and it's still quite helpful but I'd recommend something a little more expensive with good reviews. You definitely need some kind of pinpointer. You won't last long in the hobby without one.
Click to expand...
For sure. I like the Nokta waterproof pin pointer, super easy to operate. The minelab Pro find 35 is nice to. Thanks again
 

u747 said:
Hi just a quick note to say thanks for having me, U747
Click to expand...
tn_md.gif
Welcome Aboard! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forum: Select Your Area.... and selecting location information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country)...
 

seamedic911 said:
Hi Everyone,

I'm brand new to this forum and brand new to the world of metal detecting. I have been looking for a hobby that would be interesting and a bit of a challenge. So I hope this is good fit. I also thought this would be a great place to ask for advise on purchasing a metal detector for a beginner. I have heard two different trains of thought one being "buy once get quality" or " Buy cheap to make sure you like want your doing, so if you don't like you have not dumped a lot of money into it.
So I have looked at buying the cheap Dr Otek combo on Amazon Amazon product ASIN B0B3D88C6Tor after watching a lot of YouTube and reading a lot of articles I thought the Minelab Vanquish 440 would be a nice fit.
Also looking for recommendation on pinpointer and anything else you would think is important to a first timmer.

I would really appreciate everybody input on this. A little bit about myself is Im 64 years old and serve as a medical Officer on the good ship F/T Alaska Ocean. We are a large boat 376ft ( about the size of a football field from end zone to end zone) and a crew 150. We catch, process and freeze our product. We target a fish called Pollock.

I look forward to hearing all recommendations and advice and thank you in advance. . Oh my name is Steve
Click to expand...
Steve, Welcome from Middle Tennessee. I have to agree with djackson... Buy a quality brand name machine from a reputable dealer. That way you get a well built piece of equipment from a company that will stand behind its product. And a reputable dealer will answer all your questions as a newcomer to the hobby and can be a great resource in the future once you have established a relationship.

He's also right about people throwing recommendations/opinions at you. So here I go 😂 😂 😂 When you're doing your research for an entry level machine I recommend adding the Minelab X-Terra Pro(XTP) to your list. Modern technology with a few modern features that I personally enjoy. I'd be willing to bet that the software/algorithms that run the XTP are the same ones used in the Equinox series. The optional wireless Bluetooth headphones, the fact that the entire unit is submersible to 16 feet, and one of my favorites...built in rechargeable lithium battery are very nice features on an entry level unit. Less than $300! Again just one man's opinion.

As for advice, no matter what machine you choose get outside and use it. It's a great hobby. Best of luck!
 

Groundhogg said:
Steve, Welcome from Middle Tennessee. I have to agree with djackson... Buy a quality brand name machine from a reputable dealer. That way you get a well built piece of equipment from a company that will stand behind its product. And a reputable dealer will answer all your questions as a newcomer to the hobby and can be a great resource in the future once you have established a relationship.

He's also right about people throwing recommendations/opinions at you. So here I go 😂 😂 😂 When you're doing your research for an entry level machine I recommend adding the Minelab X-Terra Pro(XTP) to your list. Modern technology with a few modern features that I personally enjoy. I'd be willing to bet that the software/algorithms that run the XTP are the same ones used in the Equinox series. The optional wireless Bluetooth headphones, the fact that the entire unit is submersible to 16 feet, and one of my favorites...built in rechargeable lithium battery are very nice features on an entry level unit. Less than $300! Again just one man's opinion.

As for advice, no matter what machine you choose get outside and use it. It's a great hobby. Best of luck!
Click to expand...
Thank you groundhogg, I will certainly check into it. I think at this point I'm for sure going to get one of the Mindlab detectors! I will be down by the beach so good to have something waterproof and can go underwater.
 

Here's my decisions:
Minelab Vanquish 440
Nokta pointer waterproof
Excalibur shovel and digger
Either the Nokta Premier sand scoop of the Sitco 7.75" sand scoop with a carbon fiber handle
Find bag, knee pads and gloves

I think this will get me started ok. Thank you to all of you your input was very valuable. Let's get to digging!!!!
 

Just changed to the Fisher F-plus pen pointer. Looks to be the best on the market!!!
 

Welcome !
Jon from s/e Michigan 8-) :cat: :occasion14: :headbang:
 

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