More like triple. There are a lot of variables. Soil can vary in mineralization and hardness. Target depth and types vary...
Get the AT Pro if you can, but you don't even know if you are going to enjoy metal detecting yet? Not everyone has the patience or the toughness. A lot of people don't want to be seen doing it, because it can be seen as scavenging like, homeless people collecting cans. LOL! I have a feeling that thousands of AT Pros are being purchased, but people who end up not having the patience or time. I will have to hit the garage sales soon!
We average finding $1 per hour. If you are looking for silver coins, you will find one every 10 hours of hunting if you are lucky! Some people go a year or two before finding one. The best case would be to borrow the F2, from someone that upgraded, but if you had friends in the hobby you probably wouldn't be asking. LOL!
When I was first shopping for detectors, I actually thought I could find several silver coins every hunt and average $15 an hour, LOL!! I though I would do better than the people on the forum. The good news is that it is very fun anyway. I have a really hard time detecting less than 6 hours at a time even in the heat!
If I was doing this for the money I wouldn't even buy one. I raise, fly & race PIGEONS,, if I can handle all of the negativity that goes along with NASTY, STINKY FLYING RATS as some people call them, Metal Detecting should be no problem.
I wear a suit clean up REAL HANDSOME, read a poem and release White Doves at funerals, from a Chapel and a remote controlled basket hidden off to the side.
When it all comes together I bring Tears to their eyes,, & mine to some times.
When I tell people I raise pigeons, the first thing they think of is birds down town eating french fries and pooping on statues. I have several breeders that cost more than most people make in 2 months time. ( Shhhhhh ) don't tell the Misses
I needed GOOD quality breeders. I could have spent less or more, it wouldn't have made the birds any better. Quality and dependability was what I was after and I knew the man who had what I needed.
The same as a metal detector. I have seen them from $16.00 to 4 - 5 thousand.
The El Cheapo might last or work very well, and the 5 thousand dollar one may not do any better than a 5 hundred dollar one.
As with birds I just want a good quality detector that will last,
not the El - Cheapo & not the 5 thousand dollar one.
That is why I ask for advise from the forum.
Thanks to your wisdom as the others, they all lean to the AT Pro.
Tomorrow I am making the call. AT Pro it is!!
Thanks to everybody who gave their opinions & information.
