I'm clueless. Please help!?

[barberc6864]

Looking at purchasing my first detector for a fun and healthy activity for me and the wife.

I am looking to keep it under $200 or at least real close to it. After doing some searching I feel like Ray Charles reading a Where's Waldo? book.

Just wondering if anyone could help?

The four I am considering are in no particular order:

Bounty Hunter Discovery 3300 $179 (Cabela's)
Fisher F2 w/ extra 4" coil $215 w/ free shipping (ebay)
Garrett 250 $212 w/ accessories (kellyco)
MP3 Pro demo model $159

Thanks

[MassDirtFisher]

I have heard that the Ace 250 is a great all around machine. If I had that list thats what I would pick. Listen to what the others here have to say. They are great with helping people decide between detectors. It would help to know what you plan on hunting. Coins/relics/jewelry. I wish my wife enjoyed MDing. Good luck with whatever you pick and Happy Hunting with your new machine. Welcome to the forum too!!

[Tin Nugget]

I would just call it between the Ace and the F2. For excercise, and it is great excerscise as you will find out the next morning, you will most likely start by hunting parks which you will need a smaller coil to do without driving you nuts. There is a sniper coil available for the Ace but the F2 comes with one so when making your decision keep that in mind. HH

[ewemule]

I would also go with either the Ace 250 or F2. Although I have heard the most positive reviews of the Ace, that deal with the F2 and smaller coil sounds pretty good. I think I'm a few months from trying an extra search coil as I've only just begun detecting. It would be nice to have the 12" and a sniper style for my 1500.
Are you going to buy two detectors eventually ? Not too long ago I heard of a buy one get one half off.
Marty

[frog]

I have owned an Ace 250 for a couple years now and am very pleased with it. It is inexpensive, lightweight and easy to use. Good things for us older folks I have never had a moments problem with it.
Whatever your choice, I wish you and your wife good luck. It is a great hobby. Hope to see your finds here on the forum in the near future.

[KellycoChick]

Doesn't sound like you're clueless to me - looks like you've done a fair amount of shopping around and have a good idea of what you want! Congrats! That's the hardest part!

If you get the ACE 250 you should know that you will have ENDLESS support on this forum and others. The ACE is so popular - I even got one for my dad and he is chompin' at the bit for it to be warm enough for him to take it out. It's really an excellent way to get into the hobby and with the various coil options it will be a machine you can grow into - which I always feel is important.

Now - I would also say the same about the F2, but it doesn't have quite as much love on the forums - not b/c it isn't as good but b/c it hasn't been around as long.

You can do a comparison on the two of them on our website. I built an awesome database full of features and it *rocks* - go to www.KellycoDetectors.com/compare and select the Garrett ACE 250 and the Fisher F2 and see whatcha come up with. That should help.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by barberc6864

Looking at purchasing my first detector for a fun and healthy activity for me and the wife.

I am looking to keep it under $200 or at least real close to it. After doing some searching I feel like Ray Charles reading a Where's Waldo? book.

Just wondering if anyone could help?

The four I am considering are in no particular order:

Bounty Hunter Discovery 3300 $179 (Cabela's)
Fisher F2 w/ extra 4" coil $215 w/ free shipping (ebay)
Garrett 250 $212 w/ accessories (kellyco)
MP3 Pro demo model $159

Thanks

[SkiWhiz]

Welcome to the forum barberc6864, out of the ones mentioned I would go with the F2. But if it was me I would spend another less than $40.00 and get a Tesoro Silver µMax. Check out the reviews http://metaldetectorreviews.net/dete...ilverumax.html it is a great detector. Steve.

[scout23]

I have the ace 250 as my first machine and love it. i have had some very good finds and when it says a dime at 4" thats what you have!!!!!! The pinpoint is right on and i picked up a bounty hunter pinpointer for 35.00 to help. Scout23

[Lowjiber]

Originally Posted by barberc6864

The four I am considering are in no particular order:

Bounty Hunter Discovery 3300 $179 (Cabela's)
Fisher F2 w/ extra 4" coil $215 w/ free shipping (ebay)
Garrett 250 $212 w/ accessories (kellyco)
MP3 Pro demo model $159

Since we're giving opinions, here are mine regarding your four...

Bounty Hunter Discovery 3300...forget it. #3 IMHO

Fisher F2 w/ extra 4" coil...nice entry level machine. The extra coil is good. I carry the F2 in the Jeep all the time for impromptu hunts. Of the four, it's number #2 IMHO.

Garrett 250 $212 w/ accessories...#1 on the list. The only "accessory" in that list that's worth the postage is the headset. My wife uses a 250 with a SunRay attached....loves it. The 250 lines up well with the F2, but the screen on the F2 is hard to read when the sun is over your shoulder.

MP3 Pro demo model...#99 on your list of four. "Danger, Will Robinson, danger!!" (Again, IMHO)

[barberc6864]

Right now I am leaning toward the Garrett Ace 250.

Kellyco has a deal going for an extra $17 you can get a AutoMax Precision V4 pinpointer.

Would this be a wise investment or a complete waste of money?

[barberc6864]

There is also an Ace 250 on ebay with a buy it now of $240.

Says he bought it for his kid who used it once and it sat.

$240 seems a bit high for a private deal but it is the deluxe sport package that includes to 9" x 12" coil and headphones along with some other junk.

Just trying to get the most for my money

[West Texas John]

Hi BarberC, even though you have limited yourself to 200.00 and below, you should give the Garrett Ace 250 Treasure Hunter Special a look also. The package has some very useful items to help you in your quest for treasure. Please contact me if I can be of service to you and I look forard to hearing from you. Be safe.

John Tomlinson,CET
John's Detectors

[BountyHunter]

I'm going to chime in for the Fisher F2
or.... the Bounty Hunter SharpShooter II at around $240 wich has ground balance.

The BH Pioneer 505 is the same as a SharpShooter although it often comes with a second sniper/gold nugget 4" coil for $260 from AArdvark in their eBay ad although its listed at $299 but in the text it says $259.95

Those two Bounty Hunter models are solid performers as the Fisher F2.

Because of having the ability to ground balance, although in All-Metal and pinpoint mode only, you shouldn't have the urge to upgrade as quicly as by going with the Ace250 or the F2

[TonyinCT]

Give me a call and maybe I can help you to decipher all the choices.