would like some input

[oldkoot]

I just did a pre order for the Legend pro pack for myself, was going to also purchase a Vanquish 540 pro pack for my grand son but have read some things i do not care for on the vanquish it also reminds me to much of the AT Pro which I have never liked and I always felt was way over rated even though I own one, and that's just my opinion , so I am now debating either a Nox 600 or a Orx for my grandson i want him to have a machine he can grow into either of those two i can get for around $150 more than the vanquish. my grandson is 12 getting ready to turn 13 so it will be a birth day present
where i need the input is which do others think would be better for my grandson, we will not be hunting ocean beaches unless California finally falls off into the pacific ocean LOL

 

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[Peyton Manning]

A kid 12 years old might be completely different in a year. Start cheap

 

[oldkoot]

That really does not answer my question
My grandson has been detecting with me on several occasions and has been showing interest for several years now so I want to surprise him with a good machine he can grow into

 

[cudamark]

Why not get him a Legend too? That way you can both learn together. Otherwise, I'd go with the Equinox.

 

[DannyB1954]

My vote is Fisher F-19. New they go for $450. I just bought a second one used for a little over $200.

 

[Terry Soloman]

That really does not answer my question
My grandson has been detecting with me on several occasions and has been showing interest for several years now so I want to surprise him with a good machine he can grow into

Get the Vanquish. I haven't used my Equinox 600 since I got the Vanquish 540 to test. Great machine and underrated!

 

[Tom Emery]

Get the Vanquish. I haven't used my Equinox 600 since I got the Vanquish 540 to test. Great machine and underrated!

Hey Terry, I have a bid on a used Gold Bug 2 on ebay. If you recall, I am going gold prospecting and have zero experience. If I can get it for $500.00, then I will. I like the functionality of this thing. I am getting the hang of what ground balancing, discrimination, all metal vs gold is all about.
I see you like the vanquish 540. I see the advantage of multi frequency. I can get a new one for about the same price as the gb2.
Here's the question. Do you think the 540 can do as good or better job in the gold nugget department as the gb2?

 

[cudamark]

For bigger/deeper nuggets, yes. For tiny nuggets, no.

 

[Tom Emery]

For bigger/deeper nuggets, yes. For tiny nuggets, no.

So...get one of each and go over the same ground twice. Just kidding. Is the deeper penetration due to the multi frequency?

 

[cudamark]

In a way, yes. It has to do with which frequency is used. The lower frequencies are better at ground penetration. The higher ones are more attuned to finding small gold, but sacrifice depth. Using multiple frequencies you can get both to a certain degree. If your area has nothing but shallow flyspeck gold, the Gold Bug would be a good choice. Otherwise, I would use a better, more advanced detector. That can get real expensive quick however. Another important aspect would be which would have the best ability to handle highly mineralized ground conditions, if you have that in your area.

 

[DannyB1954]

In general a lower frequency will go deeper, and a higher frequency will find a smaller shallow target. In theory a multifrequency machine is the best of all worlds, but reality is how well does the machine perform the task. A Swiss Army knife does not work as well as a dedicated knife, but it does a number of things OK. Metal detectors are similar. One that is great in one situation, will be limited in another.

 

[Tom Emery]

In a way, yes. It has to do with which frequency is used. The lower frequencies are better at ground penetration. The higher ones are more attuned to finding small gold, but sacrifice depth. Using multiple frequencies you can get both to a certain degree. If your area has nothing but shallow flyspeck gold, the Gold Bug would be a good choice. Otherwise, I would use a better, more advanced detector. That can get real expensive quick however. Another important aspect would be which would have the best ability to handle highly mineralized ground conditions, if you have that in your area.

Thanks for the reply.
I'm still in the research phase of gold hunting. I like the simplicity of the GM 1000. I really like the GB 2. I believe (and I'm probably wrong) that after some practice, the GB will be a better detector for me.
I'm liking the multiple frequency machines, but only have a limited budget. If you know anybody out there that wants to part with a Gold Bug 2 for $500.00, send them my way.
On another note: I can't seem to find a classified ad section on this website. Any suggestions?
Thanks again for your help. You Tube videos don't answer questions ha ha.

 

[Tom Emery]

In general a lower frequency will go deeper, and a higher frequency will find a smaller shallow target. In theory a multifrequency machine is the best of all worlds, but reality is how well does the machine perform the task. A Swiss Army knife does not work as well as a dedicated knife, but it does a number of things OK. Metal detectors are similar. One that is great in one situation, will be limited in another.

Thanks Danny,
That's a good analogy, the Swiss army knife and metal detectors. Do you have any advise on which "pinpointer" would work best? I'm leaning towards that "carrot" one. I can't think of the name right now.
Thanks

 

[cudamark]

You have to be a charter member to post in the want ads. As for pin pointers, there's not a lot of difference in sensitivity between the major brands. All of them will work if the nugget is big enough. None of them will work on a tiny nugget. You're better off with a plastic scoop or waving handful of dirt over the detector coil, like we all did years ago coin shooting.

 

[DannyB1954]

Thanks Danny,
That's a good analogy, the Swiss army knife and metal detectors. Do you have any advise on which "pinpointer" would work best? I'm leaning towards that "carrot" one. I can't think of the name right now.
Thanks

I have a Whites TRX that I usually use. I also have the Nokta pinpointer. I like the power switch on the Whites. It is easier to turn on with one hand. The TRX may be difficult to find now that Garrett bought Whites. I see a cheap $20 version on EBAY. It looks like China Crap.

 

[Tom Emery]

You have to be a charter member to post in the want ads. As for pin pointers, there's not a lot of difference in sensitivity between the major brands. All of them will work if the nugget is big enough. None of them will work on a tiny nugget. You're better off with a plastic scoop or waving handful of dirt over the detector coil, like we all did years ago coin shooting.

Seems counterproductive to exclude new members from accessing the classified ad section. I would rather buy my metal detector on this site, than ebay or Craigslist.
As a new member not yet out in the field, I may not enjoy it. I don't know how much it costs to "upgrade" my status, but shouldn't "free enterprise" be free?

 

[DannyB1954]

Seems counterproductive to exclude new members from accessing the classified ad section. I would rather buy my metal detector on this site, than ebay or Craigslist.
As a new member not yet out in the field, I may not enjoy it. I don't know how much it costs to "upgrade" my status, but shouldn't "free enterprise" be free?

I only found one definition online for Charter Member, one of the original members or founders of a club, organization, etc., but $20 will get you the title here. If you sell on Ebay they will charge you 3% I believe, so to sell a $400 detector will cost you $12.
Free Enterprise means they are free to charge whatever the market will bear.

 

[Iggy_AZ]

I have had a Vanquish 540 since they came out a few years back and enjoyed easy finds compared to all the Metal detector I have previously.
For me the 540 can find so much money on salty sandy beach I think it paid for itself already.
Now I have no experience with artifacts just beach combing.

 

[CreakyDigger]

Seems counterproductive to exclude new members from accessing the classified ad section. I would rather buy my metal detector on this site, than ebay or Craigslist.
As a new member not yet out in the field, I may not enjoy it. I don't know how much it costs to "upgrade" my status, but shouldn't "free enterprise" be free?

It's cheap, 20 bucks. You support the site and can participate in the political discussions. Free enterprise only means that the enterpriser is not encumbered by law - it doesn't mean they have to give away their product for free.