New with a couple questions?

[rfmarshall]

I am new to this and am looking for a detector, I only want to spend around 300 dollars for now until I make sure i have the time for this. I work for the railroad and travel alot so that is why I want to keep the price down for now. I have been looking at a used minelab xterra 50, it looks brand new it the box. I think I can get it between 275 and 300 bucks. I know very little about MD and I am seeing alot of people here talk about how much they like the ace 250, I passed over it because the price was around 212 dollars and in my thinking thought it would be something that was low end. Would this one be ok also? I live in central Illinois and would be coin and relic hunting. Thanks for the help.

 

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[thompy]

the xt50 is a good machine, at that price a steal, i personally didnt like the all metal mode, but i have my personal likes, it will run all over the ace. the 50 has good depth and a good discriminator, i liked it best with the DD coils

 

[SC_hunter]

Here is some reviews on the xterra, if you haven't already read them. http://metaldetectorreviews.net/detectors/167-1-xterra50.html
I have an Ace 250 and a lot of folks call it a "low" end detector, but I can vouch for the fact that it finds coins, silver, and yes, it will even find gold jewelery...
I paid for mine in just clad within 5 months...Whichever one you choose you can't go wrong...btw, welcome to TNet...I you have questions, someone will have an answer...hmmm...might not be the right anwer but it will be an answer..lol HH and GL

 

[Sandman]

Welcome to the forum and hobby.

As Thompy said the ACE is not a bad machine at all and many like it for it's ease of operation. The Minelab is a little deeper with the DD coils and handles bad ground a little better. It is best to read as much about them as ya can to decide.

 

[rfmarshall]

Hey thx guys for the answers I appreciate it, I am still looking both of them over.

 

[seagullplayer]

I'm a new owner of an Ace 250, and I'm loving it.

That ID system is the greatest thing sense sliced bread.

 

[Nick A]

Don't overlook a used machine from a dealer. A used Fisher CZ would be a great starter machine. Just like a car, there's depreciation once you take that new detector out of the box. If you have a local detector dealer, check him out.

 

[JasonB]

Sounds like a good deal on the xterra for that price. I'd say you can probably resell it with no loss if you don't like it.

Jason

 

[rfmarshall]

Thanks again guys, all good advice. There seems to be alot to learn about MD, sounds like fun though. Always wanted to do it since I was a kid. After i get the detector the next part I guess is getting familiar with it then finding places to hunt. I live in Springfield Illinois and besides looking for coins I would like to look for civil war relics but haven't figured out where to go yet. There is a place here called Camp Butler National Cemetery, you can't hunt there of course but was going to scout out the surrounding farm land and see about getting permission. If anyone has any good suggestions on where to hunt in the central Illinois area around Springfield that would be great. There doesn't seem to be too many clubs in the area.

 

[Ray S ECenFL]

Welcome to the hobby and to TNet.

Be sure the detector comes with a manual. Some times this can be overlooked.

Even if it does not, you can (most likely) get one on line.

Ray S

 

[rfmarshall]

This is the minelab, looks new.

 

[SC_hunter]

I agree, doesn't look like it has been out the box.

 

[gary in idaho]

I would definately jump on this one, if you decide you don't like it you will be able to sell it for what you paid, at least.

 

[rfmarshall]

Thanks for the help guys, I bought the minelab xterra 50 ended up costing me 330 dollars.

 

[rfmarshall]

My detector came in the mail today and the pawn shop that sold it on ebay advertised it as used, but to my surprise when i got it it was brand new. None of the packages had ever been opened! Thanks again for the help and if anyone has any pointers to share with this model I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Uncle Willy]

THere is nothing low end about the 250. Garrett incorporated several things from their high end machines into this one and priced it at an affordable price, which is why it's the top selling machine out there. I field tested the prototype and the production model when it first came on the scene. Garrett intentionaly priced it low to introduce more people to detecting.

Most oldtimers like myself who have a stable of high end machines walk out the door 90% of the time with the 250 in hand. Price isn't always an indicator of quality or performance.

Bill

 

[rfmarshall]

Uncle Willy thanks for the reply, I shouldn't assume a low price means low end I am new and have alot to learn.