Bounty Hunter

[PapaBear13]

Hello all,
Recently I had a few extra sheckles and decided to get a metal detector. I used to have a Bounty Hunter Quick Draw 2 and was fairly familiar with its controls, so I opted to get that one again. I got a really good deal on Amazon on it and recently it arrived and I was happy about that.
My only problem is that after viewing a bunch of YouTube videos about metal detecting and reading some posts here on this site, I kinda feel like I should have gotten something better. I suppose any metal detector is better than using a diving rod in a field (lol), but I am suffering from buyers remorse for no real reason.
So I have decided to just be happy with what I have for now and if I ever find some nice gold on the beach here on the Gulf in Florida, I can upgrade......but what too?? Thats my question. Whats a good one for when I am a ready to upgrade? I see some that look as if they are totally water proof (as in the control box can be submerged). Also, can I get a larger coil for my detector and will that really help me at all? Fill me in as Im a newbie.
Thanks to all for your input
Ed

[Tab-Star]

I had been given the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV for fathers day and recently (due to a good deal on craigslist) upgraded to the quick draw. I am very happy with it so far. I love this site and the advice I get from everyone is so helpful but I think Bounty hunter brand is like showing up to school in miejer school cloths instead of hollister. Of course I could be completely wrong but mine does a great job and no one can tell me exactly what is so bad about bounty hunter. I'm sure I will upgrade to a fisher or a garrett when I have the disposable income just so I can sit at the cool table but I'm having a great time with my bounty hunty for now. Good luck and happy hunting.

About the coils, I heard fisher's are compatable. I want to pick up a DD for it myself.

[Rusty Nails]

I have a Radio Shack version of a BH Landstar
and I love it. I think that Bounty Hunters are
under rated.

Down the road if I decide to buy a new detector
I think that I will pay a visit to a metal detector
dealership so that I can get a feel for what I am buying.

[ZR2guy]

Originally Posted by Rusty Nails

I have a Radio Shack version of a BH Landstar
and I love it. I think that Bounty Hunters are
under rated.

Down the road if I decide to buy a new detector
I think that I will pay a visit to a metal detector
dealership so that I can get a feel for what I am buying.

I had one of those Radio Shack Landstars and let me tell you , it found a truckful of coins for me. The Landstar is very under rated. I only sold it to try a different machine but it did a great job for me. There is nothing wrong with Bounty Hunter machines. The machine is only going to perform as good as you learn it, period!

[Charlives]

Does "feeling fairly familiar" mean you can run the machine?...or do you mean you can acurately predict where and what the target is? I used the QD2 for maybe 50-75 hunts. The depth reading was spot on...and the disc was always correct for coin sized objects. I could run it full sens in my local soil. Allmetal and go.....that gives you full depth...then you make the call on what to dig. I'd stay with it until you feel you really know the machine...and maybe you already do. Once you feel very comfortable with it and can predict where and what the target is then I'd suggest something with a pinpoint mode, then ground balancing. I didn't have lots to spend after I learned my BH and wanted to upgrade...so I added the pinpointer and larger DD coil. My next machine will add ground balance.
You know what else is very important?....where you hunt. Location, location, location....I bet that is more important than what you hunt with. I wouldn't get the large coil for your BH, especially if it is the Fischer...I heard that you should stay within a company with coils....don't know if that is true. I would learn the 8in coil really well and then move up. You'll take your skills with you to your new machine. But what do I know... :-) I wish you luck and am very interested in what you decide because I was in your shoes. Keep us posted!

[Jressman]

I started this season with a Bounty Hunter Pioneer EX. It had no pinpoint function 3 tones (low mid and hight). It was easy to use and effective. Sure it does not go as deep as some of the higher end machines, but the recovery rate was excellent. It taught me how to coordinate my eyes and ears to the sounds the machine made and the spot on the ground where it occurs. I still use these lessons with my new machines. I agree that Bounty Hunter is underrated. It performed just as well as my Fisher F2 in the dry sand, if not better on small objects since it was only blessed with a 7inch coil.

My advice is learn everything you can from your Bounty Hunter before upgrading.

[PapaBear13]

When I had the BH QD2 before, I was fairly good at using it when I lived in Illinois. I would go to fairgrounds soon after they had county fairs and Id find plenty of quarters. Never found any jewelry, but I tended to try to discriminate out pop tops and foil wrappers becuase I didnt want to dig junk all day.
Today I brought it to the beach (Florida Gulf near Indian Shores) and for the most part, didnt discriminate at all. I got a few quarters ( I love that higher pitched tone) and a penny and some sort of silver earring. I fiddled some with discrimination but usually went back to "all metal" mode. I read somewhere where a guy said, "Dig it all to find good stuff." Hes right I suppose. I had fun today, which is whats its realy about. I also got some sun and exercise and was distracted a few times by bikinis.....I wont blame the girls for not finding more...thats on me...lol. I did notice that when I was nearer the water Id get some odd tones. I didnt dig many of those if they werent repeatable. Maybethe salt water throws the machine off. But Im still learning the beaches here.
One thing I DID learn (no it doesnt have anthing to do with bikinis) the homemade sand scoop I made out of a big old plastic mug with a sturdy handle needs to either be tweaked with bigger holes or I need to just bite the bullet and get a nicer, sturdier metal one from amazon. Im still young enough and in good enough shape that I dont mind bending down or getting down on my knees to dig. Ill pass on the scoops with long handles as I find $100+ ridiculous for now. Maybe later.
Thanks again for all the input.
Oh..ps....ill stay with the coil that came with the machine and I do have a pinpointer that came with the machine. I find it a little helpful, but can usually poinpont fairly well with the BH

[OZARKS]

Originally Posted by Charlives

I wouldn't get the large coil for your BH, especially if it is the Fischer...I heard that you should stay within a company with coils....don't know if that is true!

The same company makes BH and Fisher... First Texas...