Prizm IV... Your Views?

[Steve_UK]

Hi All!
I'm a total greenhorn to the world of detecting, and was due to buy a Garrett GTAX-550 as my starter detector. However, the order has had to be cancelled due to the supplier dragging their feet.

I have now found a Whites Prizm IV at a good price, and was wondering if any of you people out there could give me any first hand info on this piece of kit?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

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[khouse]

My opinion is that the P2 is the best bang for the buck in the Prizm line up. If you were buying a new P5 I would tell you to just get the M6 for a little more. I guess it depends on how much your P5 is? How much can you get it for?

 

[Steve_UK]

Hi Khouse...

I can get P2 for £150.00 GBP, the P3 for £179.00, the P4 for £258.00.... the M6 is a bit out of my price range, unfortunately at £428.00

Not sure what that equates to in $!

I'm running round in circles trying to find the best detector for my limited budget, so any help is welcome!!!!

 

[khouse]

Buy the p2 and you'll have enough money left over for an electronic pinpointer, lesche digger and pouch.

 

[Steve_UK]

I like your thinking!
I'll take that on board, and many many thanks for your input, appreciated!

 

[Willy]

Figure that I'd join in the fun here. Don't own a Prizm, and have read rather bleak reviews. Fixed (factory preset) GB, limited disc./notch, terrible coil selection. Personally, I'd take one if it was given to me.. then I'd turn around and sell it to some suc.. err, I mean super fella. ..Willy.

 

[khouse]

I have used them all and the 3,4 and 5 are really over priced in my opinion. All Prizm's has a set GB. The P2 has the best coil available on it - the 8 inch coil. Also it can go pretty deep in moderate soil. You can lock the Prizms in true all metal mode and it still will ID targets. The P2 picks up all my targets in my coin garden. It is very capable. Is there other detectors in the same price range that's better performing? All I have to say is this is a Whites forum and the question was directed at the Prizms. So that's how I responded.

 

[Willy]

That's the problem with a fixed GB, if you're hunting over bad ground the depth isn't too good and, in fact, the detector might just overload. The fact that 8" is the smallest coil is lame. Hit a very trashy area and be prepared for loads of fun. If you aren't bald, you will be afterwards. It doesn't (Prizm2) have a true all-metal mode, just a disc. mode with 'everything' accepted. It also has a slow recovery time, which is bad in trash. ..Willy.

 

[khouse]

Willly

The 8 inch coil is the smallest coil but better at separating trash than the 950. They sure could use a 4 to 5 inch coil. The Prizms do have a true all metal mode. You push the PP button on and release. Then it's locked in true all metal with a threshold hum. I have hunted in that mode and it does quite well.

 

[Steve_UK]

Hmmm.. after reading your comments, I'm now a bit dubious about the Prizms.

This is getting more confusing by the minute... Maybe I should have taken up golf!!!!!!

 

[khouse]

Steve,
Golfers have different clubs for different shots. Same with detectors. No one detector can do it all. That's why some hunters have 3 or 4 detectors. So tell me what size of Driver are you thinking about? !!

 

[robert roy]

Go to the following website www.metaldetectorreviews.net and check out the comments of others who have used the prizm and many other detectors. The lower end prizms do have draw backs. You might look at the prizm four and five. If none of them suite you then you can always opt for
the ace 250 or F2. What kind of detecting do you want to do? The MXT is a good machine and the used machines are very stable and have a good resale value. I bought mine used. Never had a problem with it.

Robert R

 

[Delaware_Gopher]

I'd have to agree with the previous comments regarding the P2. I bought the Prizm V as my 1st detector but if I had done my research instead of listening to the dealer I would have bought the M6 (which I also now own). I still have my P5 and it is a nice unit, however, if $$$ is an issue I would recommend the P2.

Best,
Brian

 

[grob211]

I bought a P5 last summer It was the very first md I bought It was recommeded by the dealer as an affordable unit to see if this is what I wanted to do. I got the bug I have found in the limited time and search area almost 5.00 in clad an 1841 seated liberty o Dime toys and lots of trash I am very pleased with it even if I do not know how to read all the bells and whistles, My immediate plans are to buy the Minelab Excaliber for water and the DFX for land but I think this Prizm is great for the wife and or fri ends to use to have company with, I will say after I bought the pin pointer my mding has benn great don't leave home without it .