P
phxAZ
Guest
Hi,
I have been getting into MD using a Ace 250. I've been doing losts of research on my region of the country (which turns out to be one big treasure trove in the scheme of things), so now I've got more directions I would like to explore, and I feel the Ace 250 just isn't cutting it, even as "non-serious" detector. Why? My limited experience with MD technology tells me Arizona (Phoenix Area and Rim Country where I have been searching) are way to heavily mineralized (and I mean HEAVILY) for what I understand is a preset ground balance found in the Ace.
The depth seems very limited in field testing in the ground, and even with the testing the guantlet of sensitivity, the target will change from one of several "targets". In plain dirt, it is much more consistent. Also, pinpointing in plain dirt is rather accurate. In typical soil we have though (which like I said is HEAVILY mineralized), the pinpointing is a nightmare on small objects and barely tollerable on larger ones.
My conclusion is that this is a great detector, but for my geography, and now my expanded intented uses, it just won't fit the bill. My hope is you guys can give me insight on some models or strategy (meaning buying multiple detectors that are better suited to the specific jobs).
Here are the considerations...
1) I develop software for a living, so I actually enjoy a programmable interface. So I don't want a high learning curve of features and usage despite my newness to the trade.
2) As mentioned, I am in highly mineralized area, so the MD would, IMHO, need to have superior circuitry for ground balancing/tracking.
3) Being in AZ, I would like to take advantage of the many placier spots to try to find gold nuggets. As this point, I don't see this being a main focus of ventures, but I'd a MD, if possible, that can work well (I don't think exceptional is possible?) as detecting gold, while being very good in the realm of coins, relics and jewlerly.
4) We have many lakes, ponds and streams, and I often visit ocean locales. I unit that does well in salt water is desirable. Also, I wouldn't mind trying snokeling in shallows with the MD, so that brings in the aspect of water proof MDs.
I'm sure what it sounds like by now is I want to do everything with good results with one MD, and that is probably not possible from my research... hence, my the strategy of two MD's that can fit the bill.
Because I'm fairly new, I don't know if I am ready to commit to two MDs, so please give me your opinions on a single MD that sounds like what would work well, though I do want to hear the theories on what two machines could be most ideal.
I would probably be willing to go up to $1,000 each (new/used), but being thrifty, I like the most bang for the buck usually then best money can buy.
My thoughts were a land based MD, with good depth and technology that allows discrimination, with excellent ground balancing. Then, a moderately priced water proof PI machine for water. If my research was correct, there are such waterbased PI MDs that will work better than perhaps the "general use" land MD for detecting gold nuggets?
I think this is enough info, and despite tons of research, there's just too much to try to evaluate every machine for my specific needs without the help of people who have used them and are familiar with my needs and geographical conditions.
I may be barking up the wrong tree, but for the general land use MD, the new Minelabs seemed interesting (that, or they are great making their MDs sound great for every situation, lol).
Thanks in advance!
Jay
I have been getting into MD using a Ace 250. I've been doing losts of research on my region of the country (which turns out to be one big treasure trove in the scheme of things), so now I've got more directions I would like to explore, and I feel the Ace 250 just isn't cutting it, even as "non-serious" detector. Why? My limited experience with MD technology tells me Arizona (Phoenix Area and Rim Country where I have been searching) are way to heavily mineralized (and I mean HEAVILY) for what I understand is a preset ground balance found in the Ace.
The depth seems very limited in field testing in the ground, and even with the testing the guantlet of sensitivity, the target will change from one of several "targets". In plain dirt, it is much more consistent. Also, pinpointing in plain dirt is rather accurate. In typical soil we have though (which like I said is HEAVILY mineralized), the pinpointing is a nightmare on small objects and barely tollerable on larger ones.
My conclusion is that this is a great detector, but for my geography, and now my expanded intented uses, it just won't fit the bill. My hope is you guys can give me insight on some models or strategy (meaning buying multiple detectors that are better suited to the specific jobs).
Here are the considerations...
1) I develop software for a living, so I actually enjoy a programmable interface. So I don't want a high learning curve of features and usage despite my newness to the trade.
2) As mentioned, I am in highly mineralized area, so the MD would, IMHO, need to have superior circuitry for ground balancing/tracking.
3) Being in AZ, I would like to take advantage of the many placier spots to try to find gold nuggets. As this point, I don't see this being a main focus of ventures, but I'd a MD, if possible, that can work well (I don't think exceptional is possible?) as detecting gold, while being very good in the realm of coins, relics and jewlerly.
4) We have many lakes, ponds and streams, and I often visit ocean locales. I unit that does well in salt water is desirable. Also, I wouldn't mind trying snokeling in shallows with the MD, so that brings in the aspect of water proof MDs.
I'm sure what it sounds like by now is I want to do everything with good results with one MD, and that is probably not possible from my research... hence, my the strategy of two MD's that can fit the bill.
Because I'm fairly new, I don't know if I am ready to commit to two MDs, so please give me your opinions on a single MD that sounds like what would work well, though I do want to hear the theories on what two machines could be most ideal.
I would probably be willing to go up to $1,000 each (new/used), but being thrifty, I like the most bang for the buck usually then best money can buy.
My thoughts were a land based MD, with good depth and technology that allows discrimination, with excellent ground balancing. Then, a moderately priced water proof PI machine for water. If my research was correct, there are such waterbased PI MDs that will work better than perhaps the "general use" land MD for detecting gold nuggets?
I think this is enough info, and despite tons of research, there's just too much to try to evaluate every machine for my specific needs without the help of people who have used them and are familiar with my needs and geographical conditions.
I may be barking up the wrong tree, but for the general land use MD, the new Minelabs seemed interesting (that, or they are great making their MDs sound great for every situation, lol).
Thanks in advance!
Jay
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