Newbie

[GeoScouter]

I always wanted a metal detector and I have played around with those cheap units but never tried a real detector. I couldn't justify spending the big bucks for a decent detector since I wasn't sure I would like it. I just picked up on closeout at Radio Shack the Discovery 3300 by Bounty Hunter after reading some of the reviews. I been reading the forums the past 3 days and can't wait until this weekend to try it out. I'm not expecting to get rich but seems like a fun outdoor hobby.


Steve

 

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[Mighty AP]

Congrats on the new machine, I've heard the 3300 isnt a bad detector. Be patient, learn your new machine well, it will pay off in the end. If you have any questions this is the place to ask, there are a lot of experienced, freindly people who will help you if you need it. Just one question.........did you get a pinpointer? I highly recomend you get one if you havent already. Good luck GeoScouter!

 

[GeoScouter]

you have any questions this is the place to ask, there are a lot of experienced, freindly people who will help you if you need it. Just one question.........did you get a pinpointer? I highly recomend you get one if you havent already. Good luck GeoScouter!

No I didn't. If I spend time with the hobby I'm sure I will get one. I haven't researched them yet. Any recommendations?


Steve

 

[Mighty AP]

I use a Whites Bullseye 2 pinpointer, they run about $100, check ebay & "classifieds" in this forum. A Pinpointer is a must have in my oppinion, I'd be lost without mine. My girlfreind just got one online for $40, I think it is a Tiny-tek. She seems to like it, it has adjustable sensitivity & works well. In fact, I think Jeff (site moderator) had the same one for sale with a nice holster not long ago, I highly recomend you get one soon, it will help immensely!
Heres something I found online about the pluses of using a pinpointer.................

You can find those small, unseen and evasive buried targets in less than a minute!!

Electronics won't let you waste extra time looking for a coin that is not there, when in fact, your detector actually beeped on tricky stuff like bits of foil, BB Shot, a hair pin, wire or nails!!

Savvy Detectorists use Electronic Probes to speed up retrieval of small metallic objects such as buried coins and jewelry, after locating with a full-size metal detector. An Electronic Probe can easily pay for itself with the extra coins you dig!

Avoid "Tree Root Frustration" - simply slip the probe between entangled roots to find those hidden coins faster.

Find targets that stopped giving a beep after you've opened a hole and disturbed the halo effect - metal targets can't hide from electronic probes!

A short detection distance in an Electronic Probe produces exceptionally accurate pinpointing on small targets. For example, a 2" detection radius (low accuracy) means the target lies anywhere within a 4" sphere when the target alert activates. In contrast, a much shorter 1/4" detection distance (high accuracy) means the target lies within a precise 1/2" of the probe. When an Electronic probe sounds off, you know EXACTLY where the target is - you've eliminated the guesswork !!


You rarely have to re-pinpoint with your main detector. Why re-scan for an elusive target with your 3-4 pound detector when you can use a 7 ounce probe?


Electronic probes, when properly used, avoid damaging collectibles by alerting you JUST BEFORE the probe actually touches a target! Non-electronic metal probing rods indicate the location of a buried target by actual contact. This presents a definite risk of nick damage.


Metal rod-type probes and screw drivers can fool you when they contact buried non-conducting objects like glass or stone. You won't get tricked with an electronic probe because it will not respond to those non-metallic objects.


An Electronic Probe can add to your enjoyment when hunting with a detector-less partner or child - use your main detector to mark the location of buried coins, then let your assistant retrieve them while you continue to "spot" more targets with your main detector. Kids absolutely LOVE this way of treasure hunting !!

 

[catlord17]

I started out using the sub-$100 units from Radio Shack back when Bounty Hunter machines would have been a step up. I saw that machine on clearance in my local RS recently, and it didn't look bad.

The best advice you can take, in my humble opinion, is this: Learn your machine inside and out. My old RS machine was about $60, and it was positively abysmal compared to my current machine, but I cleaned out every park I went to with it, up to it's depth limit of 2.5 inches. And, considering the newness of the areas I was hunting, and the hard earth - I pretty much got it all.

In fact last week, I went back with my current detector and found that even seven years later, there was nothing new to find. (They moved the park, but you get my point.) People used to laugh at me and say, "That POS will never find anything!" Meanwhile, because I knew that detector so well... I was paying for dates and gas with it, consistently!

You have a decent machine, I'm thinking. Master it's every nuance. Make it pay for the upgrades.

 

[Sandman]

When you get tired of digging the surface coins and decide there might me other older coins deeper, consider an upgrade to a Garrett ACE 250 or one of the fine Tesoro detectors. Meanwhile save your finds for the upgrade.