Beware Bountyhunter!

[Carson]

Specifically the Quicksilver model (also called Pioneer EX)

I purchased one brand new, popped in the batteries and went at it for a good week and a half before it stopped working (before I even had problems, the headphone adaptor didn't even work to begin with so I was forced to use the speaker).

It would go crazy and fly through all the modes of discrimination when it wasn't even near metal. It would jump from iron to silver, and then to 5 cents to aluminum, all at random intervals. You could hold the thing straight up in the air with no metal near it and it would go off. I tried changing the batteries, letting it sit for a few days, unplugging the coil, nothing worked.

The pin-pointer that came with it was a great little tool for the price, but I returned that as well.

I contacted the seller and was refunded, which I used to purchase a slightly used Garret ACE 250. Hopefully that'll do me better than a cheapo junk MD.

[GetDiggin]

I am not saying that it was not defected, BUT. If you have a similar problem with your ace250 there is a good chance you have some type of Interference. Power-lines, WiFi, etc. if you have your sensitivity at a higher end those things will make detectors go nuts.

Either way good luck with the Ace! and HH

GetDiggin

[DIGGER27]

I had that same one, a hand me down from my brother bought at Wally World.
Horrible little unit and I try to warn as many people off of it as I can.
I also had severe falsing on just about every swing, and could not pinpoint at all because I think it was cross-eyed.

Pioneer Ex, Pilot, Quicksilver...all the same.
All the rest of the BH line put together has had less complaints than this one.

[shagdue]

I have the BH 505, no problems at all.

[davidlhyde63366]

I have a Bounty Hunter tracker IV no problems at all.

[kireta]

I purchased a bounty hunter gold digger from a yard sale for ten bucks and was amazed at what I found with it. Its what got me into the hobby.A thousand upgrades and dollars later (And Years) Im swinging the V3I.I think any brand or model will have the occasional lemon.I am currently having a problem with the lower (carbon fiber shaft) as this will be the third one thats broken on me in six months.My gold digger could go through an F5 tornado and work fine.Go figure.

[Carson]

Originally Posted by GetDiggin

I am not saying that it was not defected, BUT. If you have a similar problem with your ace250 there is a good chance you have some type of Interference. Power-lines, WiFi, etc. if you have your sensitivity at a higher end those things will make detectors go nuts.

Either way good luck with the Ace! and HH

GetDiggin

It had nothing to do with sensitivity or interference. I drove 150+ miles home after camping with it and it did the same thing. Doesn't matter what sensitivity it was on, what discrimination you used, or where you pointed the thing, it would go crazy even when it wasn't even near metal!

As for the other Bounty Hunter models, you'll probably be safe for a while with those. I just wanted to warn users about the Quicksilver model and how crappy it is.

[mgc digger]

I have the quicksilver. Did the same thing with me couldn't get it to shut up constantly going crazy. Had cheap batteries in it, put energizer in and have had no more problems unless I put the cheap ones in again then it goes crazy again. Been running energizer for 6 months with no problems.

[Pennyfinder]

I have the Bounty Hunter Pioneer 202 (from Wal-mart) that is at least 10 years old or older and it works great. However -- it does not like HEAVY DUTY batteries. It will go all heywire (sp) if you put anything but alkaline battieries in it. I suppose I could use rechargables but I haven't tried them. And I don't set the sensitivity any higher than "12 o'clock" (straight up) -- any higher and it goes crazy!

Also I seldom use my 8 inch coil. I have the 4 inch "gold nugget coil". It is great in high trash areas!

You could have a defective unit but it could be interference (as they said) or the wrong batteries.

[Pennyfinder]

It says right on the battery compartment cover of my unit to use 9 volt ALKALINE batteries only.

[BentRod]

Also have a BH TrkIV. Works just great for me. I say you got a lemon or it's user error. There are going to be defective units for every brand. BH may not be the best, but I can't say they're useless as I've found a load of stuff with mine so far.

[Dig-on]

Well said BentRod.

[rhino14]

Originally Posted by BentRod

Also have a BH TrkIV. Works just great for me. I say you got a lemon or it's user error. There are going to be defective units for every brand. BH may not be the best, but I can't say they're useless as I've found a load of stuff with mine so far.

I agree, I have an EX. I've only recently started the hobby (couple of months) and so far have found a ton of clad and a 10k gold ring. Its for sure a low end unit but it gets the
job done for me. Again, well said bentrod. Nothing made in mass production is going to be 100% perfect. But good looking out letting people know your experience with it.

[Carson]

Originally Posted by BentRod

Also have a BH TrkIV. Works just great for me. I say you got a lemon or it's user error. There are going to be defective units for every brand. BH may not be the best, but I can't say they're useless as I've found a load of stuff with mine so far.

Definitely not user error, as I've found over 5 silver coins, about 30+ wheaties and lots of jewelry with it.

It just didn't last me more than 2 weeks before it broke.


As for discussion of batteries above - I tried using all different brands of batteries and none would work

Luckily I was able to return it

[tedrow42]

The one that was given to me is an ex I havnt used it much just a lil in the back yard. It didn't have any trouble finding a silver eagle I droped to test it ill use it more when I get home

[randwool]

Glad to read you were able to resolve your machine problems. Let us know how the replacement Ace 250 works out.

[Jressman]

I got my start off with the Pioneer EX and that little turd machine more than payed for itself in clad. It did stink though, but taught me good technique.

I'd buy one for nostalgic reasons if one was for sale.

[Dorado]

some detectorists refer the tracker4 as their best machine by price-quality, I had that one and I enjoyed it

[ScaredOfClowns]

I have a BH 3300 (my first and only detector) and so far I'm pleased with it - I got it as a gift this past Spring. I've found hundreds of clad coins and half a dozen rings with it, so I definitely can't complain - it's been a good machine to learn on.

That said, I do sometimes wonder if I'm missing older coins or if my silver count would be higher if I had a more sensitive machine. Next year I am thinking about upgrading to something like an AT Pro and give the BH to my 10-year-old son so we can hunt together.

[Pennyfinder]

Originally Posted by davidlhyde63366

I have a Bounty Hunter tracker IV no problems at all.

The BH Tracker IV is the same as the BH Pioneer 202 and I had a similar problem but soon learned that it was the fault of the BATTERIES! It plainly tells you to use ALKALINE batteries and NOT those others -- I can't think of it -- extra strength or something. As soon as I put the alkaline back in it quit that!