Still undecided and getting pretty frustrated.

[richbat]

This trying to decide on a new machine is starting to be like a fulltime job.lol Just when i think i made up my mind on one specific machine i start to look at others and think maybe this one would work better,it can be very frustrating to say the least.I really hate to keep asking for opinions but what else can one person do after viewing countless posts,viewing vast amounts of videos and just plain surfing the web for anything related to any given machine of interest.I have even considered going up on my budget from the $300-$400 price range to get the best machine and the things i once had before,like the pinpointer and a good digger.So here i am again asking for some suggestions.My primary focus will be coins and jewlery but i will not rule out a machine that can also be used for gold prospecting also,so i guess what i'm looking for is something that's all-purpose not really alot of gold here in Pa.lol but one never knows where my travels might take me.But for the most part most hunting will be done in parks,school yards,fields and older homes.I'm told that the mineralization is not that really bad here and have tried to find out info. on this but no such luck.Thanks for any help.Rich

[marcus118]

Rich feel free to give me a call today and we can discuss the options.

[351maverick]

my first MD was/is a Tesoro Cibola - I love it, it's GREAT for PA's good dirt

and it IS frustrating deciding - took me 3 weeks of research

[richbat]

3 weeks ? I must be going on at least a month or better.lol Yes it can be very frustrating.I do have it narrowed down to Minelab,Fisher,Whites or Tesoro.Left out Garrett only because after owning an Ace 250 and hearing those dang tones it gave off and drove me crazy,not saying that it's a bad machine but just not one i cared for to much but it must work for some.To each their own.

[beephead]

Originally Posted by 351maverick

my first MD was/is a Tesoro Cibola - I love it, it's GREAT for PA's good dirt

and it IS frustrating deciding - took me 3 weeks of research

Deciding on a Tesoro is always a good and wise move.

Tesoro users are happy people. They don't just like their detectors, they LOVE them.

beephead

[robby4570]

There is NO one machine that will excel at all the things you want to do. Different metals respond better at different frequencies. A machine that is GREAT for coins will be just OK for Gold. A gold machine will work on coins and jewelry but not as well, etc. Any detector over about $150 will serve you well as a first MD, after you get comfortable with it, then look at an upgrade to a dedicated MD.

[badgerd]

I agree with robby...

Get a good "all around" starter (I'm partial to my AT Pro and F2 for the dirt fishing, but might get a Cibola if I get enough clad this year just to play with) and then get a "dedicated" machine for gold prospecting. There are lots of machines that will serve you well and you can get some great info from some of the sponsors here... They USE the detectors, not just sell them...

It took me 2 months to decide on my AT Pro... I got a fantastic deal on it which is what made the decision.

Good luck and HH!

[pulltabMiner]

Yeah, don't go crazy with this one. Pick one of the major players out there: Garrett, Whites, Fisher, Bounty Hunter, Minelab, Tesoro. You will do fine with any of those companies.
Each brand has its followers and it seems to be a factor of what you get to know and what you get to love, not that a machine is better than another.

Once you get a machine, don't give up too quickly on it. Learn it. You won't be sorry.

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Originally Posted by robby4570

There is NO one machine that will excel at all the things you want to do. Different metals respond better at different frequencies. A machine that is GREAT for coins will be just OK for Gold. A gold machine will work on coins and jewelry but not as well, etc.

Great info right there!

Rich I would look at the Fisher F4 Metal Detector. It has a great coil and a ground balance. 2 HUGE things you want to look for in a machine to get good performance.

The Minelab X-Terra 305 metal detector has a ground balance as well and you can change the coil and it changes frequency. You can go from a good coil machine to a good gold machine in seconds. Very cool feature.

Holler if you have any questions. Love to help you! Bart

[vanstheman3]

Welcome to the forum from Lake Dallas Texas. I researched for my first MD almost 2 months, trying to learn as much as I could as fast as I could Just to have a chance to know enough to make an informed decision and not be BSed. It was one continuous circle of making a top 5 list and dropping MDs off of it and adding MDs onto it. 12 hrs a day on PC researching and reading EVERY REVIEW I could find, then spending my nights dreaming about MDs. It was becoming overwhelming. I finally started talking to a sponsor/dealer and getting great input, but I just couldn't get rid of any of my final four! I finally got to the point where I knew I had to make a decision and be done with it, I sat down at my PC and filled out all the Purchase info in the check out of the sponsor I was buying from. I had my final four written on little folded up papers in a cup, just in case I needed to decide that way. As soon as all the info was completed on the check out page I made my choice and hit send!!! Knowing what I know now I recommend that you Call Bart right now, Talk to him and he will explain his reasons for recommending The MDs he recommends to you, Pick your MD and Buy it right now if you can!!! It will save you a lot of Stress and aggravation, and you will be out detecting in a couple days and Posting Finds.....Good Luck and Happy Hunting

[triplehooked]

Md shopping can be a challenge. Especially once you really get into it and start to get picky... Everyone has great advice and once you step up into this price range, as long as you stay with the top brands, you will get into a good machine. I'd agree with others on here and say as long as a screen isn't a must have, the Cibola or Vaquero are fine detectors. If you are looking into tinkering with some prospecting along with a coin and relic machine, the ole' MXT is pretty hard to beat as it has specific presets for coin, relic, and prospecting. Although you would be looking at a used machine to keep within your budget. But don't let that steer you away. They are built like a tank...

[geoproseeker]

I recommend the Tesoro Vaquero because it is simple to use and fully adjustable to where and what you are hunting. I love mine and will never part with it.

[Draddog]

I just started the hobby of MD'ing about 2 months ago, and I know exactly how you feel. I initially was going to spend 300 or less on a MD. After a couple weeks on the forum, i decided to spend a little more and get the AT Pro.....Man am I glad I did.....I love the AT Pro.....there was so much information on this forum and youtube, and on the sponsors web sites that I have picked up on using this machine quite easily.....still have alot to learn, but I have been very successful thus far.......HH Rex

[Captain Silver]

Look at the top hunters in your area and see what they are using for equipment and what they're finding with it...

[richbat]

Thanks,Capt. I finally decided,going with the Tesoro Vaquero.Had a couple other Tesoros and i'm pretty familiar with their operation here in Pa.'s soil.Did really want to give the Fishers a shot but being that i have had good luck with the Tesoro line figured i may as well stick to them.Rich