Newbie...to say the least! HELP

cajunmiss

cajunmiss

Jr. Member
Dec 2, 2006
91
59
SE Louisiana
Detector(s) used
NEW Minelab CTX 3030
Garrett GTI 1500 (board is out)
a great starter detector would be the garrett ace 250 it has all the features you need and a price tag of a little over two hundred dollars.
 

Unlike many I don't necessarily recommend starting with a cheap detector. I say, buy the one that has all the modern electronic features you can afford. Even the most expensive detectors have a turn on and go mode that you can use until your are able to learn your detector. Besides, it is fun to experiment with different features on your new detector. You accomplish a lot more by doing than by just reading. Also, there are dozens of folks here on Tnet that will be able to give you most of the guidance you will need. Stay away from Chinese made brands that at first appear to be a real bargain. Stick with your well knowns such as Garrett, Whites, Bounty Hunter, Minelab, Fisher, etc. Sorry if I left anyone out.
Now if you think you would rather enter with a less expensive detector, by all means the Garrett ACE 250 is by far the most recommended starter detector. However, and most important, if you intend to hunt salt water beaches the ACE250 is not the way to go. You need a machine with an adjustable ground balance instead. Just remember the formula, salt water = adjustable ground balance and you won't get into trouble. In closing, read all you can on detectors before making a decision, check for individual member's evaluations here on the net and ask lots of questions. No question is stupid so don't hesitate. Monty
 

THANKS for your suggestions, I have been leaning toward the Garrett brand...

And yes, I do plan on using it around Salt Water...so that info is also very helpful...

Feel free to add any other suggestions--Anyone.

Once again, thanks so much.

Missy
 

If you are looking at Garrett , look at the GTI 1500 or any of the GTI series as they have the feature that lets you see the size of your target. If you buy that detector you will have enough left over to buy your digging equipment a probe type pinpointer an extra coil and a carry bag. Someone on the forum advised he tested the GTI 1300 and liked it just as well as the 1500, and it costs less. Check 'em out. Monty
 

Research your detectors first. Go to your local dealer and demo one or 2.

I'd prefer a White's M6 or MXT for that price range. 2 great machines.

AND YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH A WHITES!!!

Ian
 

I have the Garret 1500 and the Ace 250.....love them both. I am using the Ace more...it is smaller, weighs less, and finds just as much "stuff" as the 1500. You will have a lot of money left over if you buy the Ace....then you can puchase all the goodies that help you in your digs !!!
 

Wecome to the forum cajunmiss.I started hunting with a used white's but you do some research and chose what you want.I suggest that if you have any money left over to buy a good set of headphones and a pinpointer.Good luck!
 

"This will be my Christmas gift from my husband"

Thats neat ;D

Hope you find a bunch.

have a good un..........
 

Like Monty, I don't recommend a lower bracket detector for a first choice as you will grow into it using all the advanced features. By wanting to use it at the beach you can do well in the dry sand with about any detector. For the wet sand it's best to have a detector with a Saltwater mode so the thing won't drive you crazy with all the noise to confuse you.

The Garrett GTI 1500 is a fine detector that has a saltwater mode, view screen for possible ID of the target, depth, etc. An of course there are other good brands out there. Just stick with Garrett, Tesoro, Minelab, Whites or the better Bounty Hunters. Try to buy from a local dealer if you have one near you for a demonstration of the various brands and types. They will also have the extra tools and equipment you may want.

Good Luck,
Sandman
 

Thanks everyone for your input. I've been researching all the detectors you all have mentioned. I'm still leaning toward the Garrett 1500. I like the idea that it shows size etc. And I live in a very humid climate and will most likely use on local beaches which are all saltwater.

I really look forward to using it. Alot of my family and many friends lost everything from Katrina...and there is miles and miles of hunting grounds...but unfortunately, most of the ruins were bulldozed and carried to a few major dump sites and became landfill. ????...where do I start!

Other than that, we also have about 9 acres that are less than a mile from "Fort Jackson", which should produce some interesting finds.

I'll continue to use "TreasureNet" as a resource as well as to update you'll on my ventures.

Once again, your help is so appreciated!

Cajunmiss
 

Hi Missy,
Welcome to the adventure! Whatever MD you get, be sure and spend a little more for a good pinpointer. It's very frustrating to dig a good hole and still not have a direction to go in it because the coil is too large to fit. The pinpointer will save you lots of digging and hand-filtering. I waited too long to get mine, but never go anywhere without it now. That's my two cents. HH! -Noodle
 

Is there any reading material you guys would recommend? I'm heading to Barnes and Nobles today to see what they have.

I've probably decided on the detector, but have a few other "unknowns"

if you all could share a little more of your thoughts I'd truly appreciate it!

1. Reading material/information (Books etc.)
2. Basic tools (tell me your personal preferences!)
3. General Maintenance of tools and equipment
4. Storage for tools and equipment

I am so "GREEN" that I am rather clueless. But--I'm extremely excited! My husband says all I've done is research this since we decided to do it...haha. I don't know anyone personally that has this hobby so I have had no prior experience to gain info.

So--thanks to you all...I'm getting a good start!

Missy
 

Something else to think about if your buying a new unit is you might want to consider the warranty. I know Whites is 2 years and can be transfered to new owner if sold, Minelab's good on new units to original buyer, cant transfer it. I don't know the warranty info on Garrett but I do know Tesoro is the only one with lifetime warranty to the original owner.

I'm a newbie and wasn't aware of this when i bought mine. Im happy with my Whites Beach Hunter ID, but I am getting a 2nd water unit shortly and it will be a Tesoro. I would like a new Excal, but time I get the rod mods and few other recommend mod/items it would be over $1300. Tesoro Tiger Shark is $565 delivered to my door new.

Good luck and be careful it's addicting. ;D
 

Hey, Missy,

I couldn't find ANYTHING in our local Books-a-Million. But then I discovered I didn't need anything from there because anything you ever wanted to know or even wonder about is right here on the forum! Dig around into the different topics (Home) and you can go back for years, it seems. LOTS of stuff for everyone! ;D Plus, you might find a topic/thread that brings something to you that you never heard of and there ya go! A new direction! HH -Noodle
 

Hey,the most important thing you should think about is the weight.If your arm gets tired quickly,you'll loose interest in the hunt rapidly.Check the reviews on the site below.All the Tesoros are light and minelab XT30 is light.I don't know exactly where you are but it sounds like on the coast.There is a dealer in Biloxi that can let you try several brands.

http://metaldetectorreviews.net/

www.tesoroonline.com

Goodluck!
 

Buy a minelab... learn it... and thank me later...

Honestly, I can't imagine why someone would shell out the big bucks for a garret machine. I've hunted with friends using their top of the line machines, and honestly, they aren't much of an upgrade over their Ace250. My friends find a target and let me try it and I find it with ease. I find a target and their machine makes no noise going over it no matter how many times they try to change their settings. I've witnessed this with the 250, 1500, and 2500.
 

Cajunmiss are you from Louisiana? I am from Chalmette ,La. I am a newbie to this forum but have been diggin for about 4 yrs. Lost my Garrett in Katrina but will also get anew one for Christmas from my Kids &Wife. Good luck MD .
 

Since you said you will also be hunting saltwater beaches, you might want to learn how to hunt a sandy beach without wasting most of your time.

Go to thegoldenolde.com/ If you have any other questions, you may email me.

Good Luck,
Sandman
 

Thanks again everyone...So much great information here. Each day I get more and more excited. My husband asked me yesterday for my Christmas list...haha, he's in for it!
 

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