Vaquero First Impressions

[cougarmccxxi]

I received my Vaq this past Friday and took it out to a cellar hole yesterday. Here are my first impressions;

1. It is heavier than the Compadre. The 9 x 8 coil not surprisingly is noticeably heavier than the 5.75 x 5.75. After swinging for a while however I did not mind. Using the machine was not tiring.

2. The build is good. The knobs are firm and nothing is loosey-goosey.

3. Air tests show the Vaq is deeper. On a quarter the Vaq was about two inches deeper then the Compadre. On larger items the Vaq was 4 inches or more deeper. The smaller the object the less difference between the two in depth.

4. Setting up the threshold and the ground balance on the Vaq is quite simple and easy.

5. The Vaq's discrimination is very good. If you like the Compadre's discrimination circuit you will like the Vaq's. I did notice though with its discrimination turned all the way down (not all metal mode) it would still ignore very small pieces of iron.

6. All metal mode is astounding. If you want to find items smaller than a BB this is the way to go as it sounds off like a madman on the tiniest of objects and is deeper than discrimination mode.

7. I noticed running the threshold higher gives the Vaq a response similar to the Compadre; the abrupt and loud sound-off that a target is there. Higher threshold also helps it detect smaller items. It is my guess the Compadre is "super tuned" at the factory as it has no external adjustments. In my opinion "super tuning" the Vaq, running the threshold and sensitivity as high as one can without the unit being unstable, is where one would want to run this machine.

8. The playschool toy purple Vaquero logo will deter thieves unless they know what a Tesoro is.

9. I like the machine overall. The Vaq compared to the Compadre dollar for dollar reminds me of having four wheel drive and snow tires in the winter; you might not need the extra features for the most part but when a moment arises that you do you will be darn glad you have them.

HH all.

[Thommy]

I purchased my Vaquero about 3 months ago, and I have to say, it is the most sensitive, yet tough, machine I've ever owned. And I've owned Whites, Nautilus, Garrett, Fisher, even an old Heathkit detector. But the Vaquero rocks. I am finding stuff in places I thought I'd cleaned out 10 years ago. It sure finds deep stuff! I did have to use headphones to pick up on the faint signals, but that kind of a given, if you have less than perfect hearing. I recommend the Vaquero above all other machines I've ever tried.

[howardgooden]

Originally Posted by Thom_in_Florida

I purchased my Vaquero about 3 months ago, and I have to say, it is the most sensitive, yet tough, machine I've ever owned. And I've owned Whites, Nautilus, Garrett, Fisher, even an old Heathkit detector. But the Vaquero rocks. I am finding stuff in places I thought I'd cleaned out 10 years ago. It sure finds deep stuff! I did have to use headphones to pick up on the faint signals, but that kind of a given, if you have less than perfect hearing. I recommend the Vaquero above all other machines I've ever tried.

Im currently using a Fisher F2 and want to upgrade to either a Vaquero or T2. I have always liked what I have seen from the Tesoro!