What should I purchase?

[Lilsanta]

Hello-I am a rather green at this new venture, but really want to do this. I had a metal det. years ago (a cheapy) that I never did find anything. In fact, I don't even think it was working right. Anyway, I live in SE Kansas, so the beaches are not an option right now. I would like to kow what anyone would recommend just starting out. I really don't want a cheapy, but can't afford the high dollar ones. I would like to hunt for jewelry & coins. Can someone give me some advice! Many thanks and Happy New Year! Lilsanta

[spittfire]

Welcome Lil'Santa When you say "cheapy", how much of a ballpark are you talking? We have some great people who sponsor this site and I am sure they will chime in later. What they need to know is how much you are willing to spend, what you plan on looking for, gold nuggets, jewelry, coins etc and whether it is dry land or lakes, beaches etc. All of this will help them guide you, look forward to seeing some of your finds.

[Detector]

Hey, another Kansan!

I have a friend who just got the Garrett ACE 250(roughly $220) and has been having a blast. It doesn't have all the fancy features but it does very well.

[SkiWhiz]

Welcome to the forum Lilsanta, this is a great place with many wonderful folks that are very willing to help. The Garrett Ace250 is a decent detector that you would have alot of fun with, and so is the White's Prizm II. Both are about $200.00 Check out Tony (a sponser here on the forum) at http://tcmetaldetectors.com/. He is a great person to deal with,honest, good pricing & wonderful support after the sale. Have fun! Steve.

[Lilsanta]

Thanks for the responses........I am willing to spend anywhere between $200 and $350......I will check w/Tony on the Whites Prizm II. Any other advice or web sites to go to? thanks Lilsanta

[SkiWhiz]

Originally Posted by Lilsanta

Thanks for the responses........I am willing to spend anywhere between $200 and $350......I will check w/Tony on the Whites Prizm II. Any other advice or web sites to go to? thanks Lilsanta

The Prizm II is a nice little machine, very light,well made,long battery life,pinpointing is dead on. I had one and really liked it, I recently traded for a Tesoro Cibola from Tony ($340.00) this detector doesn't have the onscreen readout id (nickel,dime,quarter,pulltab,etc.) but it is a great machine - very light,deep seeking,great pinpointing,lifetime warranty. I think that any $200.00 or above detectors will do you right. Here is a good place to check out different detector reviews
http://metaldetectorreviews.net/
Here is the White's Prizm II review
http://metaldetectorreviews.net/dete...tesprizm2.html

[TonyinCT]

Everyone has given you good advice here. I suggest that you come to the conclusion of whether or not you want target ID. Then the choices are fewer. Anything you get will take some patience on your part and the finds may be few at first but you have to stick with it. The Cibola is a great little detector for the money. If you need any more help please let me know. 8)

[hoser]

I agree with Tony, the advice given is good, and I really can't add to it. But i would like to bid you Welcome. Good luck on your quest, and I look forward to seeing what you find.

[mxtswinger]

Welcome aboard! And ditto what Tony said.

[TerryETex]

Welcome Lilsanta. If you want a detector with display features I would go with the Ace 250 due to it having more features. Don't get me wrong about the Prizm II it's a very good detector but until you get to the Prizm IV will you have comparable features but then the Prizm IV is almost twice the price and may have somewhat better performance. For me it was negligible. One thing I feel is that the Prizms pinpoint better. That's where you get into performance for price. I hope this doesn't offend anyone it's just my opinion from my experience.

[KESTREL0222]

Welcome to the forum!! This is really a great place to get good, honest advise!! 
I purchased my detector (Ace 250) based on the advice I got from all the great people here. I feel it was the right choice for my particular needs.

HH,

Tom

[Lilsanta]

Thanks Everyone for the great advice. I have just a few more days off from work and will really do my research before I go back. thanks again! Lilsanta

[raif10]

Originally Posted by TonyinCT

Everyone has given you good advice here. I suggest that you come to the conclusion of whether or not you want target ID. Then the choices are fewer. Anything you get will take some patience on your part and the finds may be few at first but you have to stick with it. The Cibola is a great little detector for the money. If you need any more help please let me know. 8)

Hi there everyone. I've been lurking unregistered for a couple of weeks and signed up yesterday. Hoping to convince my wife the we are in dire need of a metal detector in the near future. she's at least acknowledged that there are worse ways to spend money. It's a start.

Tony, if I could ask you (or anyone for that matter) to elaborate a little:

Originally Posted by TonyinCT

I suggest that you come to the conclusion of whether or not you want target ID. Then the choices are fewer.

I think I know what you mean, but could you lay out for a complete novice what target ID is and why it's preferrable?

Also, what is the price point between MDs that have and those that don't?

Are there any entry-level models with target ID?

Thanks much for any info, everybody. You've already been a great help.

raif

PS: I live in central Maryland, directly between DC and Baltiore, and will likely start off in local woods, and at a nearby park or three. No idea what the mineralization here is.

[TonyinCT]

Sure can. Target ID is the ability of certain detectors to Identify a target by use of a meter or sound. The meter can tell you the difference between say a dime and a quarter. When done by sound it is usually called TONE ID with higher pitched tones being more conductive targets such as coins. Other detectors without either of these are considered non-target ID and are mono tone. They may have meters but they do ID the target. There are several detectors that have target ID on the market. First Whites with the Prizm's and then Garrett with the Ace 150 and 250 lower the bar on decent target ID detectors. These will more acurately ID the target then previous low end target ID models. The Ace 150 comes in at 152 .50 so I think almost every budget can afford one. The Ace250 is still a respectable 212.45 and just about the best starter unit on the market.
As far as convincing someone to allow you to take up the hobby , i suggest you spell out the benifts . Amongst them would be exercise , FUN , the ability to find valuables , FUN , The hobby will pay for itself , FUN , show them some finds form people right here on this forum and of course FUN !!!! 8) 8) 8)

[raif10]

Perfect, thanks!

[TNHunter]

I got my prizm IV from Tony and it works great. I like the ID and tones on it. So far it has been right most of the time. Still get my shARE OF PULL TABS
Paul

[ne_seeker]

One additional comment on the Prizm II... I was very pleased with my purchase and the machine's abilities to detect and identify targets. In my case, the main "shortcoming" has been lack of a target depth indicator. This feature is included on other models, as well as on the Ace 250.

[raif10]

One more question: I keep running across the Garrett ACE250, and on a couple of sites, the ACE250 PRO. I've looked at the specs side by side, and they appear to be identical. The extras the throw in are identical, for sure. About the only difference I can find is the $85.00 more for the "pro."

Is there really a difference?

Again, thanks for any info.

raif

[TonyinCT]

It is actually a PRO PACK. The detector is the same the pro pack is what comes extra.

[Lilsanta]

So does the Ace250 use sound or meter and which do you prefer?