Ok guys and gals, first off Im new to the forum (hello!) as well as metal detecting. Im looking for a new hobby to get me outside and something I can do with my 3 year old daughter who loves digging. I'm looking for something in the price range of $400-$500 but am overwhelmed with all the choices and figured I would come to y'all for help.
What I will be using the detector for:
My first prospect is my moms 2 acre property in the Texas hill country, where the house was built in 1902. From what i remember from digging in the yard when I was a kid was the ground being hard with lots of small rocks just below the surface and always finding plenty of trash (cans, nails, bottle caps..etc). But I think I might be able to find some coins and whatnot there as well as get some practice.
I don't really plan on going to the beach for my detecting but would like to use it around rivers, if this helps. A lot of the rivers and streams here in Texas are dried up from the drought and I thought that might also be a good place to hunt. is it? and will most detectors pick up most metals such as gold and silver?
Here is one detector I found on ebay with extras and would like the forum's input or better suggestions suited for my needs in my price range....
It is a Minelab X-Terra 305 Powered by a 9" (7.5kHz) , Waterproof Search Coil?? (no idea what any of this means) lol!
and comes with...
3 Pocket Coin Pouch
FiberComp Scoop/Digger
Minelab Carry Bag
Automax V4 Pin Pointer
Audio 200 Headphones
Also comes with these but not important to me...
Spanish 8 Reale Treasure Coin Replica with Certificate of Authenticity
Collectors Edition Treasure Hunting Magazines
State by State Treasure Guide CD
Finder's Log
Trial Subscription Card to Lost Treasure Magazine
This is $400, but I would really like the forums opinion before I buy anything.
In short I'm just a noob to all this but very interested in picking it up as a hobby and figured I would ask the gurus for some help.
I'm excited and can't wait to pick one up and share my finds with the forum.
Thanx,
Matt F.
What I will be using the detector for:
My first prospect is my moms 2 acre property in the Texas hill country, where the house was built in 1902. From what i remember from digging in the yard when I was a kid was the ground being hard with lots of small rocks just below the surface and always finding plenty of trash (cans, nails, bottle caps..etc). But I think I might be able to find some coins and whatnot there as well as get some practice.
I don't really plan on going to the beach for my detecting but would like to use it around rivers, if this helps. A lot of the rivers and streams here in Texas are dried up from the drought and I thought that might also be a good place to hunt. is it? and will most detectors pick up most metals such as gold and silver?
Here is one detector I found on ebay with extras and would like the forum's input or better suggestions suited for my needs in my price range....
It is a Minelab X-Terra 305 Powered by a 9" (7.5kHz) , Waterproof Search Coil?? (no idea what any of this means) lol!
and comes with...
3 Pocket Coin Pouch
FiberComp Scoop/Digger
Minelab Carry Bag
Automax V4 Pin Pointer
Audio 200 Headphones
Also comes with these but not important to me...
Spanish 8 Reale Treasure Coin Replica with Certificate of Authenticity
Collectors Edition Treasure Hunting Magazines
State by State Treasure Guide CD
Finder's Log
Trial Subscription Card to Lost Treasure Magazine
This is $400, but I would really like the forums opinion before I buy anything.
In short I'm just a noob to all this but very interested in picking it up as a hobby and figured I would ask the gurus for some help.
I'm excited and can't wait to pick one up and share my finds with the forum.
Thanx,
Matt F.