WANTED! Experienced M/D Operators Only!

[TJE]

Hello folks,
Thanks to everyone on T/N ...finally decided..I will be purchasing a M/D...as soon as 'Oldman Winter' lets-go!
So, as I don't want to be confused or disappointed with my first purchase... anyone with many years "Real, Hands-On Experience" would be VERY helpful to a 'Greenhorns' decision on my 'first M/D' to purchase...thinking mid-range?..price-wise...but who knows!?
Thanks!, in advance for any knowledge from "The Experienced Folks".
TJE.

 

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[Critical Recovery]

Well, there are a lot of factor that will come into play.
What EXACTLY is your price range? You can go from 100.00 to upwards of 3,000.00 (US)

What will you be using it for? Coin hunting, relic hunting, beaches and water, prospecting, etc...

And beware in advance. There is a LOT of brand loyalty here. You will get 20 different suggestions and they will all be right and they will all be wrong.

Getting hands on experience with a machine is always recommended.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Critical-recovery has a valid point : you have to specify type hunting and type sites you intend to do. Your junk tolerance, etc .....

 

[liftloop]

white's has a detector for you and they hold there resale value

 

[SusanMN]

I would suggest that you read through all of the posts in the last few months with a similar request as yours and look at the responses from those folks who have been t net members for a few years. That will give you a ton of information about the factors you need to consider as well as recommended detectors. I would also strongly suggest you make a field trip to the nearest metal detector shop and actually try the ones you are interested in before you buy.

 

[liftloop]

white's

 

[TerryC]

Whites, Technetics, Fischer, Tesoro, Garrett, Minelab.... to narrow it down... any detector that meets your specific needs. Have I been clear enough? TTC

 

[Terry Soloman]

Tesoro Vaquero. Nuff said. Tesoro Metal Detectors - Official company web site with metal detector models for treasure hunting land or water.

 

[Critical Recovery]

Brand war in 3...2....1...

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

What, exactly, are you looking for and where? Mineral gold? Jewelry? Beach finds? Field relics? Casches? Coins at fairgrounds? Old silver coins?

Are you willing to work at a detector of prefer a "point-and-shoot" autonomous model?

How much are you willing to spend?

 

[Mzjavert]

I've used machines from White's, Garrett, and Tesoro.

I've had two Garrett machines and did not like either one of them. I hate the multi-tones (I won't buy a machine with multi-tones.) to start with. They bounce around all over the place if a target does not fit within a the predetermined levels. Plus I've never found them to be all that accurate. I bought my Garrett's 15 years apart and both came highly recommended.

I've had mixed results with White's machines. The most accurate machine I ever owned was a Mid-Level White's back in the late 90's. I decided to upgrade to their highest end model at that time and ended up hating the machine. I also had a Classic II (first machine) which was a solid machine. In fact when I upgraded I sold it to a co-worker and he found ton's of silver coins with it. My biggest complaint about White's machines is I found they don't pin-point as tight as I'd like.

My machine of choice is a Tesoro because I found for most of my hunting I prefer an audio-only machine. I don't have the frustration of expecting to dig a quarter and coming up with can slaw. Once you learn the sounds of a machine, you can tell tons about what's below the coil. Usually after I've been at a new site for a while, I've sorted out the sounds of various common targets in that area.

If at all possible visit a local dealer. When I had a local dealer, he set me up with my favorite machine, my Sidewinder which I bought used. Also guestimate the time you'll spend per hunt. The longer the hunt, the more you'll appreciate a lighter machine.

Battery life of my recent machines: Garrett Ace 250, fair at best. A set of four batteries lasted me about two weeks. White's Coinmaster-takes 2 9 volt batteries and lasts about three weeks, maybe a touch less. (The batteries packed with it lasted less than a week.) Sidewinder-takes 1 9 volt battery and easily lasts a month or more.

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Fisher products are the best for new comers!! Just turn it on basically and boom your going!

 

[TJE]

Hi folks,
Just back from out of town...then got in a snowstorm :/
Thanks for all the tips and info...will reply some more shortly.
Thanks Again.

 

[releventchair]

TJE,too units proven in the areas and for targets you are after would be good candidates. Mineralized rock compared to farmland may eliminate some detectors.

 

[RGINN]

Don't blow a fortune on your first one. Don't buy online. Finding a metal detector store where that's their main business will be your best bet. I use White's, but I'm not rabidly brand loyal. I would say stay away from brands like 'Shur-Fine Metal Detectors' or 'Hello Kitty Detectors'. Main thing will be is to have fun with it, don't set unreasonable goals, and use it often enough you know what the tones mean instinctively. Good Luck.

 

[TJE]

Well, there are a lot of factor that will come into play.
What EXACTLY is your price range? You can go from 100.00 to upwards of 3,000.00 (US)

What will you be using it for? Coin hunting, relic hunting, beaches and water, prospecting, etc...

And beware in advance. There is a LOT of brand loyalty here. You will get 20 different suggestions and they will all be right and they will all be wrong.

Getting hands on experience with a machine is always recommended.

Critical-recovery has a valid point : you have to specify type hunting and type sites you intend to do. Your junk tolerance, etc .....

What, exactly, are you looking for and where? Mineral gold? Jewelry? Beach finds? Field relics? Casches? Coins at fairgrounds? Old silver coins?

Are you willing to work at a detector of prefer a "point-and-shoot" autonomous model?

How much are you willing to spend?

I would be using the m/d mainly around sandy beach/stony shorelines water edges and bush.
Hunting for meteorites, old ship wreck metals, and jewelry.
Thinking in the $400-$500 range for a fairly descent (easy-to -use) not too complicated "Beginners" m/d.
Thanks Again for everyones knowledge.

 

[TJE]

I've used machines from White's, Garrett, and Tesoro.

I've had two Garrett machines and did not like either one of them. I hate the multi-tones (I won't buy a machine with multi-tones.) to start with. They bounce around all over the place if a target does not fit within a the predetermined levels. Plus I've never found them to be all that accurate. I bought my Garrett's 15 years apart and both came highly recommended.

I've had mixed results with White's machines. The most accurate machine I ever owned was a Mid-Level White's back in the late 90's. I decided to upgrade to their highest end model at that time and ended up hating the machine. I also had a Classic II (first machine) which was a solid machine. In fact when I upgraded I sold it to a co-worker and he found ton's of silver coins with it. My biggest complaint about White's machines is I found they don't pin-point as tight as I'd like.

My machine of choice is a Tesoro because I found for most of my hunting I prefer an audio-only machine. I don't have the frustration of expecting to dig a quarter and coming up with can slaw. Once you learn the sounds of a machine, you can tell tons about what's below the coil. Usually after I've been at a new site for a while, I've sorted out the sounds of various common targets in that area.

If at all possible visit a local dealer. When I had a local dealer, he set me up with my favorite machine, my Sidewinder which I bought used. Also guestimate the time you'll spend per hunt. The longer the hunt, the more you'll appreciate a lighter machine.

Battery life of my recent machines: Garrett Ace 250, fair at best. A set of four batteries lasted me about two weeks. White's Coinmaster-takes 2 9 volt batteries and lasts about three weeks, maybe a touch less. (The batteries packed with it lasted less than a week.) Sidewinder-takes 1 9 volt battery and easily lasts a month or more.

Mzjevert, thanks for the tips!

 

[TJE]

TJE,too units proven in the areas and for targets you are after would be good candidates. Mineralized rock compared to farmland may eliminate some detectors.

Exactly r/c.....won't be on much farmland myself!

 

[TJE]

Don't blow a fortune on your first one. Don't buy online. Finding a metal detector store where that's their main business will be your best bet. I use White's, but I'm not rabidly brand loyal. I would say stay away from brands like 'Shur-Fine Metal Detectors' or 'Hello Kitty Detectors'. Main thing will be is to have fun with it, don't set unreasonable goals, and use it often enough you know what the tones mean instinctively. Good Luck.

Thanks RGINN, good 'sound advice!

 

[TJE]

Whites, Technetics, Fischer, Tesoro, Garrett, Minelab.... to narrow it down... any detector that meets your specific needs. Have I been clear enough? TTC

In 'naming 6 brands'....Thanks.