Suggestions welcome!!

[cmsgt5]

Greetings:

I am about to buy a MD and welcome suggestions based on my intended use.

First, I have had some limited experience using MD's; years ago in Queensland, Australia I was using a friend's Garret?. Found lots of barbed wire and square nails. Nothing else. Then I had a relic detector, White's in N. CA. I found both of them to be frustrating for me cause I did not want to put in the time to master the discriminating sounds; and, from a career in the air force, my hearing is not great.
However, I'd like to do some relic detecting in MT and gold nugget seeking in AZ, so I'd like a versatile detector. I understand that the White's MXT, DFX, and XLT are good choices.
But, I want the best of both worlds: capability and simplicity. And I don't want an inch thick manual -- read enough of those in the AF (technical orders). It would be nice to have a reliable versatile MD that shows data on the screen; be able to watch a quick DVD, and take it to the field. I'd rather put effort into the searching rather than the learning. Maybe the technology has improved to the point I can start the hobby again.
thanks
cmsgt5

[Sphelt]

When you figure out which detector does all you are looking for please let all of us know because it would be the detector of my dreams. :-)

There are several that come to mind, but I don't know if you would consider them simple in the sense of a turn-on-and-go machine. The Whites MTX and M6 and the Minelab X-70 are excellent, versatile machines with digital readouts. I would also take a look at the Tesoro Cortes. It is probably the only one I have listed here that is near your easy to use requirement and it will do OK for gold and relics and it excells at coin-shooting.

Good luck!!
Jim

PS I would also recommend that you use headphones with any of the detectors.

[cmsgt5]

I was reading about the Tesoro Cortes -- seems like a great relic and coin detector, but what about gold nuggets?
Can one buy a different coil for the Cortes model without having to buy a specific gold nugget seeker?
I like that their home is Prescott, AZ; great place; lived there for 3 years.

[achaios]

Most gold-seeking-specialty detectors have higher frequencies than relic-type detectors. I think that the Cortez is a 10khz, and would not be great on small gold. The Vaquero is about 14khz, while I think the Tejon is about 17khz, so either of those would be better.

If you are looking for a Target ID detector that is good on small pieces of gold, I don't think that's where the Cortez' strength is.

-- Tom

[Lowjiber]

Originally Posted by cmsgt5

I want the best of both worlds: capability and simplicity. And I don't want an inch thick manual -- read enough of those in the AF (technical orders). It would be nice to have a reliable versatile MD that shows data on the screen; be able to watch a quick DVD, and take it to the field. I'd rather put effort into the searching rather than the learning. Maybe the technology has improved to the point I can start the hobby again.

Ain't no such creature. If there was, everyone in the world would own one.

I have a MXT and love it. Like you, I'm very hard-of-hearing (good headset cures that somewhat) and retired (means I have time to learn something new).

Good Luck.

[Sphelt]

I used the Cortes at the LDMA/GPAA claim at Stanton, AZ over Easter this year. Didn't find any nuggets but I did find a number of lead bullets. The Cortes is not specifically designed for nugget hunting and as Achaios says it will not find small gold well. I used a 7" Troy concentric coil and had no unusual problems at Stanton.

You are better off with a dedicated gold machine if you are going to be doing alot of nugget hunting. If you only get one machine the Whites MTX and the Minelab X-70 have the ability to run at frequencies for nugget hunting.

[cmsgt5]

Based on all the helpful advice, I ordered a new Garrett ACE 250 for metal and relic detecting. I am thinking I can order any headset for this model. On my MT property I have a small creek that runs into roaring Rock Creek, and maybe I can find some old metal relics that my coal-mining Finnish grandfather and his cohorts might have left behind. Doubtful --because they did not have much. It goes underwater, so maybe I'll luck out and find something besides the barbed wire I have seen. This winter in AZ, I suspect I'll be getting something like the Tesoro Lobo from Prescott.
I was tempted in buying from Ebay a poor Chinese 3030 product, but the relevant postings steered me away.
thanks,
AA

[Lowjiber]

The ACE 250 is a nice machine. Good luck and Happy Hunting.