Is this a crazy thought for a total newbie?

[osta.doc]

So, I've been reading this forum for a couple of weeks now, and I'm thinking about a Tesoro Compadre and a Garrett ProPointer.

I like the warranty and the price of the Compadre. Seems that the ProPointer is more accurate than the onboard units of individual detectors?

My other thought was the Fisher F2, but thought that the 40.00 difference could be deducted from the cost of the ProPointer. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I'm going to take a while, read some more, and try not to spend too much money.

Any help is appreciated............Doc

[Hotel71]

Since it is way to hot outside, grab a beverage, sit back and read...then your choice will be clear my friend..

http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=87892

[Longhair]

Originally Posted by Hotel71

Since it is way to hot outside, grab a beverage, sit back and read...then your choice will be clear my friend..

http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=87892

Just don't drink the kool-aid!

One big reason that I went with the F2, was it's ability to change coils. Well worth the extra $40, even if you don't count multiple tones, TID, and notch capabilities.

[DIGGER27]

Originally Posted by Hotel71

Since it is way to hot outside, grab a beverage, sit back and read...then your choice will be clear my friend..

http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=87892

I started that thread.
The problem is, I also started this thread.
http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=53930

Back to square one.

I know...buy one, (and the Propointer), then find enough to buy the other!
It won't take long with either one as a first choice.
The F2 is a little easier for fresh faced newbies to learn on because of that screen, IMO.

[osta.doc]

to buy the 2 coil pack (4" and 8") for the extra 15.00, if I were to go with the F2?

And then get the ProPointer later?

Soumds like most everyone uses a pinpointer of some type? So, are handheld pinpointers really better than the onboard units?

[DIGGER27]

Originally Posted by osta.doc

to buy the 2 coil pack (4" and 8") for the extra 15.00, if I were to go with the F2?

And then get the ProPointer later?

Soumds like most everyone uses a pinpointer of some type? So, are handheld pinpointers really better than the onboard units?

Yes, you want that sniper coil for the extra $15 because it will cost you double or more to buy it in the future...and you will want one for trashy sites.
I just started using mine and I am very impressed.

The cheap F-Point pinpointer comes with the package, and while it is not great, it still works some so it could help.

The pinpointing ability of the F2 is fantastic once you learn to use it so doing everything the Propointer can do is not super important to you right now, just digging a hole over the location of your your target, is, and the F-Point should help you further find the target in the plug or bottom of the hole or the sidewall if you miss.

Eventually, and probably quicker than you might believe, you should be able to find enough to pay for the Propointer and that is also something you definitively want to do in the future.

I started with a crummy detector that had problems pinpointing and struggled with it for weeks till I bought a cheap Harbor Freight unit and that helped a lot till I eventually bought the PP.
That one is a game changer.

The superior pinpointing with the F2 and that cheaper handheld should get you by for awhile.

The pinpointing ability of the Compadre is also laser like, by the way.
The Propointer is not really needed with either of these to find stuff, but...
By learning to use the PP and all the things it can do before and after you dig a hole, you can cut 1/2 to 2/3 off your recovery time and that means more finds per hunt in the future when you get one.

[hillbillydigger]

I'd recommend the F2 over the Compadre just because of the screen interface is easier to learn. I would recommend not waiting and get the Propointer right away as it significantly increased my recovery time and also the amount of finds as many times I never could find what I was digging for with the Fisher pointer. I gave my Fisher pointer that came with the detector to a friend. With the F2 you also can get more than one coil in the package. I use the 4 inch coil the most, but if you ever want to go for deeper relic hunts you will need a bigger coil than the Compadre has.

[lem]

If Money is an issue, my advice would be to purchase the Fisher F2, wait on the Pro pointer, and put that money into the F2 with the extra coil package. Play with your detector, get to know it, and how it responds. Then if your serious about the hobby, go buy your Pro pointer, like someone mentioned you can always use the 16 dollar harbor freight, until you get the finances.

Best of luck with what you decide

[Mama2Twins]

Originally Posted by osta.doc

So, I've been reading this forum for a couple of weeks now, and I'm thinking about a Tesoro Compadre and a Garrett ProPointer.

I like the warranty and the price of the Compadre. Seems that the ProPointer is more accurate than the onboard units of individual detectors?

My other thought was the Fisher F2, but thought that the 40.00 difference could be deducted from the cost of the ProPointer. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I'm going to take a while, read some more, and try not to spend too much money.

Any help is appreciated............Doc

Perfect first detector. It is one of the best machines!

[Beepette]

No advice on the MD, but buy the Pro Pointer with whichever one you choose. From one noob to another, I wanna tell ya that in this heat you won't want to spend a lot of time digging, re-sweeping, digging some more, swiping handsful of dirt past your coil, just to find a little piece of wire or a rusty nail The ProPointer allows recovery of targets super fast, and really does to help hone your pinpointing skills with your machine. My ProPointer helped me to learn my machine because I was able to spend more time searching for new targets instead of endlessly sifting through holes. Also in trashy ground, the PP lets you know whether you've retrieved everything in a hole.

Good luck and happy hunting with whatever you go with

[osta.doc]

Thanks to all that posted. Not exactly how soon I'll be jumping in, hopefully fairly soon.

One more thing, how big of a deal is having a machine that has ground balancing?

[norbyx]

Originally Posted by osta.doc

Thanks to all that posted. Not exactly how soon I'll be jumping in, hopefully fairly soon.

One more thing, how big of a deal is having a machine that has ground balancing?

It all depends on your ground conditions. If you have a hi mineralized ground or your surrounding grounds are very different from one area to the other, ground balance is a must otherwise you will get less depth or erratic behavior from a fixed GB machine.

[Mama2Twins]

I agree with Norbyx, you need to be able to GB.

Also another thing for your list is an N42 Rare Earth magnet. They are cheap and will save time pulling the iron from the soil. Swipe over that hole again if there's junk. You might have something.

[Jhkramer]

whatever detector you purchase make sure to get a garret pro pointer to go with it. When i started i didnt have a pointer of any type. shortly after i got a pro pointer and it is a complete game changer.

[Mama2Twins]

Originally Posted by Jhkramer

whatever detector you purchase make sure to get a garret pro pointer to go with it. When i started i didnt have a pointer of any type. shortly after i got a pro pointer and it is a complete game changer.

[yrekadude]

Originally Posted by osta.doc

So, I've been reading this forum for a couple of weeks now, and I'm thinking about a Tesoro Compadre and a Garrett ProPointer.

I like the warranty and the price of the Compadre. Seems that the ProPointer is more accurate than the onboard units of individual detectors?

My other thought was the Fisher F2, but thought that the 40.00 difference could be deducted from the cost of the ProPointer. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I'm going to take a while, read some more, and try not to spend too much money.

Any help is appreciated............Doc

My first metal detector was a Bounty Hunter and after a short while of using that I gave up and continued my gold panning and sluicing.. However over time and after being a member of Shasta Miners and Prospectors in Redding CA.. I saw some members that had much better detectors.. the one that impressed me the most and the guys were spilling their beer over was the White's MXT...

You might not be able to afford one right away, but I'd set your sights on it in the long run as my detecting skills grew and my enjoyment of Metal Detecting with it also.. If you can't get an MXT then you surely want to get one with auto ground balancing to help keep your sanity and getting a Garrett Pro Pointer is a MUST...

Detecting with a quality detector is very enjoyable.. if you have to get something cheaper to start out with I personally would NOT reccomend the Tesoro Compadre.. I had a metal detector dealer try to sell me one for $50 to get rid of it and after I turned that one single nob and tried out the tiny little coil... I quickly put it back on the shelf and politely declined...

That's just me.. you'd do better with one of the Garrett Ace 150 / 250 etc.. that with a Compadre.. and even that Fisher is better I think..

if you do get one of the cheapies at first, hunt like hell, save up your clad and goodies and get a much better one as soon as you can

Yrekadude

[Mama2Twins]

Check the users on the forum and their feedback
1. Location/soil
2. Hours on the machine
3. What kind of hunting they are doing

I don't know... I think I should have gotten a compadre rather than a silver Umax. People with the more expensive machines still keep the compadre for backup. It's not just about the detector, it's your interpretation of the sounds it makes. Which detector will fit your needs is the question...

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Originally Posted by osta.doc

So, I've been reading this forum for a couple of weeks now, and I'm thinking about a Tesoro Compadre and a Garrett ProPointer.

I like the warranty and the price of the Compadre. Seems that the ProPointer is more accurate than the onboard units of individual detectors?

My other thought was the Fisher F2, but thought that the 40.00 difference could be deducted from the cost of the ProPointer. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I'm going to take a while, read some more, and try not to spend too much money.

Any help is appreciated............Doc

Lots of good info here but a ground balance is not ALWAYS needed but in most cases a properly ground balanced machine will run smoother and gain a bit more better target ID. A Compadre and a F2 is an excellent first choice. F2 has tons of feature on them!

Holler if you have questions. Bart

[Brittany-Guy]

Originally Posted by osta.doc

So, I've been reading this forum for a couple of weeks now, and I'm thinking about a Tesoro Compadre and a Garrett ProPointer.

I like the warranty and the price of the Compadre. Seems that the ProPointer is more accurate than the onboard units of individual detectors?

My other thought was the Fisher F2, but thought that the 40.00 difference could be deducted from the cost of the ProPointer. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I'm going to take a while, read some more, and try not to spend too much money.

Any help is appreciated............Doc

Either the Compadre or the F2 & a Pro Pointer will get you started nicely. But be sure to check with each of the Forum's Sponsor's for their best prices. Especially if you decide on the F2.

You can save some $$ that way.

Happy Hunting!!