please help newbie with cheapie detector

[retro-redux]

hello all,
I am new to metal detecting, and after surfing the net, reading a lot about the fantastic finds and fun the folks have MD'ing I wanted to get into this hobby-but unfortunately low on cash right now. After researching all lower priced machines, I really want a Garrett 250 but don't have the moolah for it right now and didn't want to plop down $100 locally for a inferior unit.

While surfing ebay I came across this auction-yes, I know it's a radio shack and probably crap-but, for $22 shipped I figured I'll get it, try MD'ing, and hopefully find enough coins in the next few months to pay for the Garrett 250-then my 8 year old can have the radio shack

My question is-since the auction stated nothing about the year or model, does anyone know anything about this MD? (see link to auction below for pictures). Is there any considerations I need to know before going out with it? Any help with this would be appreciated.

I really enjoy reading all your posts and am thrilled with all your neat finds-valuable and otherwise. The idea of finding "buried treasure" is great-my little boy is chomping at the bit to go do this too
Thanks in Advance,

Laura

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5781818150&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT

 

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[Gold Digger]

Laura...

Wal-Mart carries low end Garretts. They would be a better option than the RS unit. I see you've already purchased the unit though... Personally, I've never used RS equipment, but as with most other things, you get what you pay for.

Garrett offers a couple of introduction detectors that have, for the price, some good options. They are a name brand and will back their units. White's also has some nice intro units, as does Fisher. You may want to try a few yard sales in your area and see what you can find there. I'd hate to see you get disappointed in your first detector and give up completely because of the unit itself. Otherwise, you'd be better off saving your pennies for a better unit.

Another option would be to check for any local detector clubs in your area and see if you can find a hunting partner or someone that'd be willing to show you the ropes. Someone there may even have a decent detector they'd be willing to loan or sale you cheap...

Good luck.... Let us know how you are doing and keep in touch with us....

 

[Gold Digger]

I just noticed you're in Texas... Where you at? I'm in Garland, where Garretts are made... If your not too far I'd be happy to show you the hobby and even loan you a top of the line Garrett until you can get a good detector...

 

[retro-redux]

Hey man,
Thanks for the offer . Unfortunately I'm quite a bit away from you. I'm near Beaumont, which is about an hour an a half from Houston.

As for the MD-I agree with you-I got what I paid for. But I have several concerns about MD'ing down here anyway that are not for detector related-the very hard ground (it's called "gumbo"), the amt. of places I could MD legally, etc-so it's probably better that I got the cheapie machine to see if I'm up to the task at all. But I completely understand what you are saying-if I come up with low or no finds maybe not to get discouraged because if may be my machine. In fact, I had already thought something like that would happen with the RS so I planned on re-going over each location once I got my better machine.

Any other pointers for a fellow TX. MD'er? What should I bring with us on a several hour dig-whar gear, supplies? Any potential dangers/problems I should be aware of,etc?

Thanks again and keep the answers coming please

 

[deacon]

Laura, Have you used your detctor yet?

First thing after reading manual is try it on known coins. Make yourself a test plot. I'm sure that has been some discussed on here somewhere, but just bury a few coins at various depths, mark their location (I use golf tee's) keeping them about a foot apart. Don't forget to have some at the surface. This way you will know how your detector responds in your conditions. Yours may noy seem like much of a detector but if you can get a few inches depth and dig all targets, you just might get lucky and find that gold ring that will let you upgrade. My first detector was a Micronta (Radio Shack) BFO detector many years ago, but it was enough to fullfill my interest for a year or two. Then I started upgrading. Each detector I've had would pay for itself, once paid for I would start looking at the next step up.

Welcome to a fun hobby that can pay for itself and then some, and welcome to the forum.

Deacon

 

[retro-redux]

Hi Deacon,
Thanks for the response. Nope, don't have the machine yet. Won it Sunday night and was shipped yesterday via Priority so we're all anxiously awaiting it. I hope the thing works-OMG-that would be bad if it got here broken

Cute story-my son, who is 8 and all boy when it comes to anything natural or with science-was going crazy all day yesterday to go to the beach to look for coins, rocks, fossials-I told him not til the detector comes in. Well, his response was "mom, let's just try without the detector,let's go and just dig holes everywhere-LOL! I can see us, shovel in hand looking for "treasure"
Hope that MD comes soon before Colin reaches for a backhoe
Laura

 

[omnicognic]

My first detector was an el cheapo radio shack. I found more with it than any other detector because I took it everywhere! With it, I found thousands in clad, gold chains, a gold charm for a friend that was lost 50 yrs ago and I found many friends with the same interests! Later I found it rewarding to upgrade and by then I knew enough to know just what I wanted in a detector! Don't be bullied into dropping a bunch of cash on a detector until you are ready, instead, have fun and learn the one you have! The best chance of making great finds is not having the latest and greatest, but knowing your own detector. Make a coin garden, don't bury them all deep (like stated above) bury them a varying depths leave them buried and practice! You will be an old pro in no time! Keep reading this site as it is the greatest repository of metal detecting knowledge anywhere! Keep your discrimination low and dig everything! If you have ANY questions don't hesitate to ask! PM me if I can help! I look forward to your posts! Good Hunting! omnicognic 8)

 

[vic910]

Laura, welcome to the forum. You will learn so much here!!! I wouldn't worry about the detector price too much. My super dooper tricked out Minelab is in the shop to be repaired, so I've been using my sons real cheap detector and have still been finding stuff! It's just a matter of learning your machine and being aware of it's limitations. If you find this hobby is for you, then you can upgrade to a better detector later. I'm still a newbie since I just got my detector for Christmas and haven't found anything of financial or historical significance-------------yet! Let us know if you have any questions, someone on here will always be able to help.

vicki

 

[deacon]

Laura, get your son a piece of two foot by two foot fence material with 1/4' squares. Put boards on at least two opposing sides, angle it into the sand and let him sift shovels or buckets of sand through it. He'll have fun and who knows what he may find. Actually its a very effective way to find thoes small, thin gold chains.

Good luck,

Deacon

 

[retro-redux]

our adventure Tues-NON detector finds

Hey everyone-thanks for all the replys! I have to say this board seems very friendly-the only "heated" discussions seem to be over which brand of MD to buy :P

Well,
My detector hasn't arrived yet, but Colin was stilling chomping at the bit-so we went to Sea Rim-which is a state park (beach) about 30 minutes away. Went to the visitor center-had a very nice lady ranger who did confirm that you cannot MD there-BUT, she told me of several surrounding beaches where I can.

So our trip was to collect shell and hopefully fossil "specimens"-as Colin calls them

Man, there is something to be said about going to the beach on a weekday! There were literally no other folks as far as I could see. It was so nice! A really abnormal feature on our local beaches right now is a HUGE quantity of Sargasso seaweed-it covers the beach. The birds loved it-they were eating all kinds of things stuck in it.

We had way better luck finding good shells than I've ever had! Usually they are so crowded with folks that all that's left are itty clam shells or broken ones. Well, we found about 6 palm size good ones and several BONES! Of course, I have no idea if they are fossils-but a cool find nonetheless.

We also found a coconut-Colin loved that-we took it home and will be converting it to a hut for our hermit crabs The best find is what appears to be some sort of shark or dolphin? vertebrae?-it's about the size of a dinner plate and hard and black-I'll try posting a picture and see if anyone can help us identify that and the other bones.

The best find, of course, was the smile on Colin's face all the way home, clutching that vertebrae thing andhis being so happy. Ya'll would of loved it-he told me that was his best "find"-he hears me talking about ya'lls best finds. He was very happy and it makes me really happy to see him so excited about what most would consider "trash"

I think the screen idea for him is excellent-I'll try to make one myself-though my carpentry skills aren't that great.

8)

Laura

 

[omnicognic]

Sounds like a wonderful time! I'd love to see some pics, I bet someone here could ID them! Again, if you have any questions, just ask! Happy hunting! omnicognic 8)

 

[Nana40]

Sounds like you all had a wonderful day!

Can't wait to see Colin's finds!!

Nana

 

[retro-redux]

Here's the pictures the first 2 are the items I think? may be bone-not sure if they are, are old bone or new bone-whatever they are they are neat.
Laura

 

[retro-redux]

Oops!
Obviously, the white thing on the left of the big verterbrae? is a shell-just noticed it in the pic-Colin put it there cause it has some barnacles on it The black looking rock things-they have bits of small rock and shells inbedded in them-is this considered fossilized rock-or just plain ole rock?
Laura

 

[Nana40]

WoW!

Those are some AWESOME finds!!!!

Thanks for sharing!

Nana

 

[omnicognic]

I believe you have a Dolphin vertebrae there here is a pic of some:

What a neat find! Congrats! 8)

 

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

Yes, I was going to say some kind of Dolphin or whale maybe even Dinosaur for the middle large bone. The other bone on the right is some kind of Rib Bone looks Human sized.

Nice finds, Keep it up!

 

[retro-redux]

thanks guys

thanks for verifying the dolphin vertebrae-don't know if it's old-but it's black and feels petrified. I wonder what the little white vertebrae is from?

That rib looking bone and the dark bone kinda freak me out-especially the dark, thicker piece-it has more weight on it and I just get a vibe off it-like it may be a human bone. I know that's VERY far fetched but historically we did have canibalistic Indians nicknamed the "conks"-or, of course it could be some poor person murdered 40 years ago.

I wonder if it would be worth it to show these to an anthropology teacher at the local university?
Laura

 

[canthus13]

Human wouldn't be far-fetched. A friend of mine found a pair of the tops of human skulls on the beaches around there. After having the police look them over for a few weeks, she got them back. The nearest they can figure is that they possibly belonged to slaves that were moved to texas during the civil war. (My friend, being rather macabre, keeps them as knick-knack dishes on her entertainment center.)

--Me