Suggestions on a detector for a newbie.

[LaenDrawoh]

I have been looking at dabbling in the metal detecting hobby and wanted some advise on a starter detector.

First I thought I should give an idea of what got me thinking about the hobby and what I am looking for at this point. A friend of mine had recently mentioned wanting a metal detector to look for meteorites and I thought that was a neat idea though the research I have done suggests that that is well beyond my price point, it did get me thinking about the hobby. My wife recently finished her teaching degree and I thought that perhaps metal detecting might be a good way to obtain historical items to use as visual aids when teaching history. Not that I would object to finding coins/jewelry etc., but my grandparents have lots of acreage in north eastern Oklahoma that has been in the family for generations and has never been detected on. I believe this would be the area I would most likely be detecting on for the foreseeable future at least.

I would be metal detecting on land mostly I believe at this point, though there is a creek that runs through one of the properties. I am also looking at a roughly $200 price point. I have searched the forums some and see the Fisher F2 has been recommended frequently as well as the Garret Ace 250. Before I found these forums I was leaning towards the Bounty Hunter quick draw 2, that happens to come with a pin pointer on amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Bounty-Hunter-...8479789&sr=1-4 I have seen the Tesoro compadre recommended a lot as well, but I had a radio shack metal detector (more toy then detector) as a child and was not impressed with sound only for feedback on it.

I know there are many fine metal detectors above the $200 price point but I am reluctant to spend more money until I know if this is something I will enjoy doing enough to warrant a further investment. If possible I would also like to know why you recommend one detector over another (IE brand x is prone to breaking down, or whatever). Thanks in advance for all your advice!