Newbie I was told to start here...

[Daniel54]

I feel this hobby would be great for our family. Our kids and grandkids all go rock hounding out in the Utah desert. I am usual bored and sit in the car. They are not looking for anything too specific or of value. However, a few of the family members do make some jewelry.

We visit rock hounding sites, old mine tailing piles and occasionally deserted ghost towns.

I would like some advice on how to proceed. My budget is around $500. but could be convinced to spend more.

I was thinking of just starting off with a Garrett Pro pointer and see how the grandkids take to it. Of course I would love to have the best. Something that could find everything possible at unbelievable depths. Not sure they exist. I was looking at the XP Deus as something that was technologically advanced, but not sure it's isn't just hype from the manufacture. With all this said, it would be great to have a unit that might pickup gold and silver ore as well as relics and coins from ghost towns and elsewhere.

A couple of things.

I don't want to buy a newbie unit and find out, I wished I hadn't.

I came here because I am not the "joining a MD club" kind of guy .

I have done some research and am aware of the laws of the land. I know where I can use a MD and where I can't. Completely understandable.

So I hope I didn't go on too much, but would love any help, direction or suggestions.

Daniel

 

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[justdon]

Hello and welcome.

 

[TheRingFinder]

Welcome Daniel - It's a tough call as there are so many brand names and everyone has their favorite. If you like the Garrett name, try out the ACE 350, I think they go for $350 or so. It's a decent detector for the price. Get to know it, this will take a couple years. You will need to hunt quite a bit and really listen to what the detector is telling you. You will understand what I am talking about after time. Once you really understand detecting and feel it's for you & the family; then you can research and buy one of the top notch detectors. Good luck!!!!

 

[Gunrunner61]

Detector

Welcome to the net and MDing,
If you are serious about it, then I think that the Whites MXT would be about right for you.
They can be bought for around 600.00 bucks, They have a comparative easy learning curve
as compared to my new E-Trac, which by the way is kicking my A$$. The MXT is a great coin, Relic and Gold hunter. jmho,
Gunrunner61

 

[River Rat]

 

[vpnavy]

Welcome aboard from the great state of Pennsylvania (USA).

You might consider browsing Sub-Forums: Utah for information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state.

 

[smalltowngirl13]

Hello and welcome to the forum Daniel!

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

Welcome Daniel! If you are looking to hunt some tailing piles, consider the Garrett AT Gold. It's a little over your budget, but it can find sub-gram gold, silver and relics and it is fully waterproof to 10 feet. You can use it in lakes and streams (although there aren't to many in the Utah desert).

Wayne

www.metaldetectingstuff.com

 

[cudamark]

If you want the best for nugget hunting, I'd get the Minelab GPX5000 but it's 10X your budget. A Fisher Gold bug 2 is a reasonable substitute.

 

[Urban Grund]

Welcome from Michigan!