What's the single most important feature on each detector you have?

[Tahoegold]

I have recently picked up a Harbor freight 9 function metal detector. The single reason why I chose this was the tone break feature. I can pull coins and rings out of a nail pile.
On my Gold Racer, it's the ability to hear the tiny bits I'm looking for. So, it's 56k frequency is why I have that for prospecting.
For the Compadre, it's the pure simplicity. One knob. I can detect in the beach while looking around at the beautiful scenery and thumb the disc without even looking down.
I have the Cintech pinpointer to go with the HF9 because it's inexpensive. And it works good enough for coins.
I have the Whites TRX because of it's depth of detection. I like to know if the target is at least within a few inches, on coins. It hits on gold ok too! (Water proof is second but necessary on the river prospecting.)
There is my primary reasons for each. What's your reason for yours?

 

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[relicmeister]

My Orx rules cause it picks out the good from the heavy iron, but it’s most valued feature is its lightness.

 

[bigscoop]

Reliability & build quality! Sadly, not something often found in today's detectors. All the technology and features in the world don't mean much when you can't count on the machine from one day to the next. I can roll my Excal in the surf and it will keep right on running, on the other hand, my Nox, the CTX, pretty much have to handle them like eggs and hope they aren't going to leak every time you drown them in even mild water conditions. So reliability and build quality are #1 in my book.

 

[CASPER-2]

the guy swinging it - if he's no good ...the best machine in the world aint gonna matter

 

[Iron Patch]

On - Off, preferably on.

 

[Shakakka]

On - Off, preferably on.

Damn, you beat me to this comment by less than an hour

 

[Chuck M]

Multi-frequeintcy

 

[Nevada Prospector]

I started years ago with a BFO detector so I would have to say having ground balance is real important with VDI being a close second. These days any detector worth bringing home should have some kind of ground balance feature.

 

[Silvermonkey]

I'm with Casper 100%

 

[CCDAMEEK]

Reliability & build quality! Sadly, not something often found in today's detectors. All the technology and features in the world don't mean much when you can't count on the machine from one day to the next. I can roll my Excal in the surf and it will keep right on running, on the other hand, my Nox, the CTX, pretty much have to handle them like eggs and hope they aren't going to leak every time you drown them in even mild water conditions. So reliability and build quality are #1 in my book.

I have to agree that reliability is a key factor, but totally disagree on your assessment of the CTX! I have had my CTX 3 years now, and I have to tell Ya, this machine is battle tested! Good Grief, the very FIRST time I used it, I took it into the ocean. I spent 3 hours with it submerged, only to finally realize I never screwed on the the cap on the back of the control unit that seals the USB connection port from the water! I thought for sure that I killed the machine the first time out. Not only did the machine never blink that day, after getting it back home and dousing it with fresh water and electronics cleaner spray to try to get the salt out of the port, this CTX is still working perfectly.
I did have a bad speaker which Minelab repaired free, but I have played rough with my CTX, and it takes a lick'n and keeps on beep'n!

 

[CCDAMEEK]

I think my list of most important features would be like this:
1) Target ID indicators. Having multiple ID indicators (VDI numbers, icons, sound, chart/graph, etc). Helps with your decision to dig or not.
2) Waterproof or water resistant. Even if you never intend to get the detector into a body of water, water happens (dew, rain, etc).
3) Reliability.
4) Ground balance, and sensitivity adjustable.
5) Multi Frequency operation.
6) Portability. Collapsible or easy to break down for transporting.

 

[midalake]

Feature/Ability.

I just require a detector to be able to run clean on the edge. Many can not.

 

[BC1969]

Batteries.

 

[Jeff Beaumont]

Maybe not, but is a good place to find it.

 

[DouglasPaul]

I have recently picked up a Harbor freight 9 function metal detector. The single reason why I chose this was the tone break feature. I can pull coins and rings out of a nail pile.
On my Gold Racer, it's the ability to hear the tiny bits I'm looking for. So, it's 56k frequency is why I have that for prospecting.
For the Compadre, it's the pure simplicity. One knob. I can detect in the beach while looking around at the beautiful scenery and thumb the disc without even looking down.
I have the Cintech pinpointer to go with the HF9 because it's inexpensive. And it works good enough for coins.
I have the Whites TRX because of it's depth of detection. I like to know if the target is at least within a few inches, on coins. It hits on gold ok too! (Water proof is second but necessary on the river prospecting.)
There is my primary reasons for each. What's your reason for yours?

I see two pinpointers a HF, one is a 9V for $39.99 and the other one is $14.47. Which one are you using?

 

[xr7ator]

My ears.

 

[ArfieBoy]

Mine detects metal... preferably gold, silver, jewelry and coins!

 

[bcloud]

the guy swinging it - if he's no good ...the best machine in the world aint gonna matter

So very true!!! The number one reason many detectors are sold so quickly after purchase.

 

[bowwinkles]

What's the single most important feature on each detector you have? Well I would have to say is that when you turn it on that it works. If it does not work then all the desired features do not matter. Reliable equipment should be the first rule.

 

[Sandcrab]

Multi-frequency is important to me because it allows me to use it in the wet sand at the beach.