OK, say were shopping for a new MD

[IndianaSmith]

OK, say we're shopping for a new MD

This is all hypothetical, because I'm not currently "shopping" (wishing yes, shopping no). Another post got me thinking about this though. Take someone who know's little about the actual "workings" of detectors, now this person say spend a year or two with a less-expensive detector, so they have a "feel" for that particular brand/model and the hobby itsself. Now they want to upgrade, say something with alittle more "power", depth, descrimination, ID, etc.

What does a person look for when upgrading? I mean I see posts all the time where someone asks for suggestions of a brand/model, or someone says "this is the one you need", another says "no, here's the one you want", that's all well & find, but how does the person doing the buying know he's truely getting what he wants?

OK, say I go to a dealer, grab a MD & go to a "test range" he has set-up....what can I expect to learn from that? Say I try 6 different MDs & 4 of them perform better than the other 2, how would one choose between the 4? I mean they all seem to do an equal job on the "test". It seems there's alot of brand-loyalty, which holds true with alot of products. Do you buy the name, then "whittle-down" to the one model to buy?

More money doesn't mean "more-better" ( ), right? I'd mentioned in another post about how intimidating it is/was for someone "new" (atleast for me) to look at all the models, read the data info......and scratch their head If someone asks 50 people to reccommend a detector, and 30 agree on 1 (lol, I know, fat-chance) would that MD suit the person who purchased it?

What would you tell a person in this situation? Buy it, sell it if you don't like it & try something else? I'd think a person could lose a fair amount of cash pretty quickly doing that. Would one be better-off to play "follow the leader" and take an "average" of what the top-20 "finders" on say this site are using?

What is the best unbiased advice you could give someone?

Thanks
Smitty

 

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[syko]

Re: OK, say we're shopping for a new MD

well..I dunno...but at some point you have to jump in and get something.
Works the same with buying an ATV or car...start with the price range you are working with.
Then, I would stick to buying in the higher price range I'm comfortable with, usually get what
you pay for is true. Then when you know ,let's say $500 is the most..look for a used one that normally costs more than
your price range or a special online and get it.

To me..looks are important..at least on a car and ATV..metal detector,,is not the same,it's mostly a tool.
It's not really something you are wanting to show off. I would look into reviews and then look at the MD and see
if it appeals to me....sometimes, a product just doesn't "feel right" to me

Just jump in..or you will never make up your mind

 

[rebelLT]

Re: OK, say we're shopping for a new MD

I think it would be just like buying a car.

1. determine price range.
2. decide wants/needs.
3. research.
4. comparison shop.
5. hagle
6. return to step number 1 :P.

 

[Sandman]

Re: OK, say we're shopping for a new MD

When deciding on a new metal detector you must plan on how you want to use it. Many want it for coin hunting and then take it to a saltwater beach and cuss out the brand when it can not work right on the wet sand. If you are only going to the beach a couple times then you should stick with the dry sand where it is within your detector of choice's abilities and enjoy it for where you mainly like to hunt.

Price comes into play early on as the high priced jobbies aren't for everyone. Some like the turn on and go, and some people like the extras that make the high end ones pricey. Is the detector from a major brand and not some company in China with decals all over it. Does the manufacturer offer more than one coil for it? How about a warranty? Does it have the features you need, like a headphone jack, adjustable shaft. Probably most importantly, is the detector comfortable for you to use for long periods of time. If not, is it hip mountable to take the weight off your arm.

Performance is important of course, but what does that mean exactly? It is advertised as getting maximum depth, compared to what? How much depth do you really need? With the added depth comes more work in digging out the coin. There are many considerations where sometimes you just have to go with your gut feeling.

 

[desertfox]

Re: OK, say we're shopping for a new MD

Smitty, Buy the best you can afford! You already know what's being found by who on here and what they use. As Sandman said, stick with something that you'll be using every time out. Good luck in you're quest and happy hunting!

Desertfox

 

[IndianaSmith]

Re: OK, say we're shopping for a new MD

OK, all good/sesnible advice given so far. Lets rate this a step further and "go shopping".............(keep in mind I currently have/used an Ace 250)

Say I have $1,000 to spend.

I mostly coinshoot, but don't want to miss the jewlery & relics either.

I have no idea what the ground mineralization is here (IN), but I may travel at some point (who knows), so I don't want to "limit" myself. Chances of hunting beaches is extremely small.

I have health issues, so weight is a concern. (I understand this doesn't apply to everyone, but wieght would still be a factor in most peoples minds)

I'd read a recent depth-test where a more expensive (considerably) MD didn't read any deeper than my 250. I have dug alot of clad (new as 90's) here at 4"+, so I often wonder how deep the older coins are? So I want something that'll spot a coin at say 8" (I understand this may come from a coil-swap).

I haven't had my coffee yet, so I'm sure I could probably add a thing or 2, but this'll be a start. So, I have my list here, and I just walked into the "Super-Mega MDs-R-US Warehouse". They carry every current brand and model being manufactured today. I walked-around, and picked-out 12 different MDs because they fit the criteria listed above. They're all spread-out across the counter, within $50 of each other on price, close to equal warranties, coils available for each of them, close in weight.

Now, I guess I could ask if I could "test" them, which would probably require me paying for each one, trying it for a few days, which won't be enough time for me to familiarize myself with any of them, or learn the controls, operation, and adjustments (will it?), returning it & doing the same with all 12.

Is taking those 12 & walking-out with 1 a "roll of the dice"? Do I "eni-meanie-miny-moe"? Do I listen to the salesperson who's now spent 3 hours with me, lol and though he's being professional, curteous, and more than willing to help....he's gotta be getting tired of someone who hasn't whipped-out the wallet yet. Do I spend $1000, and 4 months later decide "I don't like it" and lose $200 by selling it to get a different one?

How do I pick one??

Smitty

 

[stoney56]

Re: OK, say we're shopping for a new MD

Having $1,000 to spend on a detector doesn't mean you have to buy a $1,000 detector. Take some of those funds and apply it to say a sniper coil, a good set of headphones, etc.
Look at the used market. See what machines are always being gotten rid of, Although some may be doing it for money needs, some people may lack the patience to really learn the machine. Keep in mind that whatever machine you choose should have a good resale value in case you do change your mind. Act like you're buying a car. Look at what options comes with it and what can those option do for me.
Nowdays, warranties mean a lot. Is it for just a couple years on parts with labor extra or is it an all inclusive warranty for the life of the machine.
Getting more depth usually means a manually ground balanced machine but not always. However, it's nice to have that option. As in a car, town driving doesn't require an overdrive tranny but it comes in handy. So does a manual GB machine, not all soil is a nice soft sandy loam.

 

[echostar61]

Re: OK, say we're shopping for a new MD

I dont know if the dealer's name was printed on the literature I gave you or not,but I've got his card. He rents many brands and models by the day,so you can try them out. This is what I should have done.
Terri

 

[lessthanzero]

Re: OK, say we're shopping for a new MD

There is only one word for your problem/issue: Minelab family of detectors, actually it is more than one word, but it is powerful. Like you, weight is an issue with me, so the X-Terra series fits the bill for me.

 

[IndianaSmith]

Re: OK, say we're shopping for a new MD

First, I appreciate the replies, and hope to get more. I think this may help anyone (including myself) who may someday be in the position to make either their 1st purchase, or add another to their "arsenal". Though all replies so-far are certainly good ones, I was hoping for something alittle more "specific" in helping to determine between certain brands & models. Again, I'm not "shopping".....just merely thinking out-loud.

Maybe this is too specific per the individual buyer? Like say buying a hat, or pair of boots....lol, just buy what you like. Let me ask another way, say there are 6 "comparable" MD's.....could one put their pics on a dartboard, throw a dart, and be equally satisfied regardless of which he hit?

If you have a particular brand you're "loyal" to, would you buy outside of that brand if a new model (of another brand) came-out (assuming you were in the market for another MD)?

Smitty