Thank you for all the advice. I have so much to learn. I have another question. The ACE 350 has a digtal meter while many others have a numerical readout. Is there a benefit to the numerical readout?
Thanks again
Corey823
Yes.
The more information you have the better digging decisions you can learn to make.
Not only do those numbers give you a probable continuity ID, but the behavior of those numbers, jumpy, bouncy, stable, changes from different angles, can tell you much.
Most of the big boy detectors have these numbers for a reason.
The Ace came out and it was very popular because it was a low price detector that anyone could purchase and it could find metal.
Many started with this one and learned to use it well, all detectors will find metal successfully if you learn them and this series is still one of Garretts most popular.
After that introduction the F2 came out not only with icons but in addition those extremely helpful VDI numbers.
Since then many more detectors have hit the market all with VDI numbers on the screen.
The Euro Tek Pro, the F22 and F44, a new Bounty Hunter line and more.
The White's Coinmaster just has icons so these types are still being made but for the life of me logically I can't figure out why anyone would opt for a unit with just icons when extremely capable machines are available with so much more info.
We use all our senses when doing this hobby, ears to hear the different tones, eyes to gather in the screen info, a brain to process all input and make digging decisions.
It seems to me the more and more accurate info you have the better those digging decisions will be.
Personally, and this is just me, if I am swinging a screen unit it had better have VDI readouts because I have learned to use those numbers and their behavior to my advantage.
Believing everything the screen says 100% of the time is not recommended, but learning the behaviour and hidden language I believe that behaviour might convey is.
I think the reason I was so successful with the F2 was because I discovered there was a hidden language, I learned to understand it pretty well and no matter what those numbers were their behavior was more important than anything else on that screen.
The F2 has icons too...never looked at them once.
If I wanted less screen info I just pick up one of my Tesoros which is on the totally other edge of the scale with no screen info at all but just audio input.
Learning to hunt the Tesoro way by sound only ultimately has its advantages and can be extremely helpful even if you move to or prefer to hunt with screens.
For me using units that fall halfway between these two types would be frustrating.
You are new so you have no basis to compare.
Think logically, ask yourself how much input you want for the money and what make the most sense and offers the best value.
There is a real good chance if you enjoy and stay in this hobby this won't be your last and only one but your first learning tool is important.
We all want the most bang for the buck, there are so many different types of people out there that could mean different things each of us.
Me, I want the most for the least and I found that in the F2 but again...that is me.
Oh yeah, by the way, Welcome to the addiction
