Question about Viper Underwater Detector...

[GTA_MIke]

Hi Guys, I am new here. My name is Mike. I live on the West Coast of Florida. I am originally from New York (long Island) I moved here when I was 11. I am now 36. This seems like a great fun bunch of people. I have really been wanting to get into this hobby all my life since I was a little kid. I had a toy metal detector when I was a kid and still remember finding change and a ring. I would love to try and get time to get into this hobby. Especially with my to younger daughters. I think it will be a fun time for the whole family. I would like to know some of your opinions on a nice metal detector. What I would like to get is a decent all around metal detector that is not a toy, that I could buy and not have to upgrade for quite a while. Something that is all around good. I really want to stay in the $250-no more than $350 range. Any advice, opinions, etc would be greatly appreciated. Does anyone know, or familiar with the Viper underwater detector? It can be used on land and water, but seems somewhat cheap in price,($228) which makes me wonder. I have posted the statistics of this detector below. Thank you so much in advance everyone. I am going on Vacation in December to the Georgia/Tennessee Mountains. I would need to purchase one before than, and would be happy if I even found a penny there. And I know my girls will be also.
Take care
Mike
Features of the 2006 Viper Metal Detector:

· High-powered 10"Neutral Buoyancy Concentric searchcoil. Use on land and in water.
· Dual lightweight matched impedance underwater headphone with heavy-duty coiled cord.
· State-of-the-art highest reliable circuitry
· Operating frequency 12.5 kHz.
· Full automatic tuning
· Full automatic ground balancing
· Full range Super VLF discrimination
· Fast audio response for easier pin-pointing.
· Bright Target response light.
· On-Off control with built-in detection depth control· Built-in automatic battery testing circuit
· Operates on a 9-volt Battery (Not included)
· Coil design is an open type to reduce the weight.
· Lightweight at only 4.2 lbs.
· Heavy duty powered coated aluminum control housing
· Powered coated upper and lower stems
· Arm Rest with rubber cushions.
· Easy open battery door with o-ring seal
· Adjustable lower stem with locking ring.
· Total extended length of metal detector is 46 inches.
· Collapsed length is 40 inches.
· 5 Year Warranty

[l.cutler]

For under $350 I would choose the Tesoro Cibola.

[spittfire]

TonyinCt is the person who can give you advice, welcome to the forum!

[Cfmct]

Please don't buy a Viper unless you want to waste your money... Put it to you this way, It couldn't see a car buried an inch under the sand.

If you're going to hunt the wet sand or water you can't go cheap you will be wasting your time because those of us who detect the beach, use the deepest detectors out there.

My detector the PI PRO is not expensive and yet I find plenty of good stuff. My advice go with a detector like a BeachHunterID if money is an issue..

[spittfire]

Sorry guys and girls, did not mean to infer that TonyinCt was the only knowledgeable person. There are many who know their stuff on this forum and I for one have the greatest respect for all who contribute their time in answering our questions over and over again. Thanks to all of you!

[GTA_MIke]

Hi All, thanks for the big welcome.! !I have been researching this stuff all day today.! ! I am not too worried about the water.! I just wanted to get one that would be able to go into shallow water.(sine I live almost directly on the Florida coastline)! As a beginner, I think I have almost kind of narrowed this down a! little.! !If you see my other question on the board, sorry.! I am new to this.! From researching the ratings on the main page! (for the beginner units), The Garret 250 Ace seemed to get an all around general good review for a decent beginner unit. And the Garrett name seems to be pretty reputable from what I can tell.! However I am new to this How does the Garrett Ace 250 compare to the Garrett! Predator 3 Metal detector?! I saw the Predator 3 On ebay for around $299 if I remember correctly. (Aardvaark metal detectors)! I believe they are the same company as Kellyco.! But I did notice that with the Garrett Predator 3 the one that is for sale through Kellyco, it has a searchcoil that can go into shallow water.! Can the 250 Ace do that? The 250 Ace through Kellyco comes with two different searchcoils, one that goes deeper than the original. I had to edit this post since I had my info screwed up. LOL Hope I didn't confuse you all too much. I have looked at so much info today my mind is boggled LOL.! What do you all think about these two units as a beginner unit, and which one do you think would be a better unit?! Thanks for all your patience!! I want a decent unit, but Have only a certain amount of money to work with, and I just don't want a toy.
Take care my friends
Mike

[Cfmct]

Originally Posted by GTA_MIke

Hi All, thanks for the big welcome.! !I have been researching this stuff all day today.! ! I am not too worried about the water.! I just wanted to get one that would be able to go into shallow water.! As a beginner, I think I have almost kind of narrowed this down a! little.! !If you see my other question on the board, sorry.! I am new to this.! From researching the ratings on the main page! (for the beginner units), The Garret 250 Ace seemed to get a all around general good review for a decent beginner unit. And the Garrett name seems to be pretty reputable from what I can tell.! However I am new to this How does the Garrett Ace 250 compare to the Garrett! Predator 3 Metal detector?! I saw the Predator 3 On ebay with two searchcoils for around $349 (aardvaark metal detectors)! I believe they are the same company as Kelyco.! But I did notice that with the Garrett Predator 3 one of the coils can go into shallow water.! Can the 250 Ace do that?! What do you all think about these two units as a beginner unit, and which one do you think would be a better unit?! Thanks for all your patience!! I want a decent unit, but Have only a certain amount of money to work with, and I just don't want a toy.
Take care my friends
Mike

Garrett does not make the Predator 3 metal detector I'm pretty sure its the same company that makes the Viper.

Talk to TonyCt maybe he can hook you up with a detector that can be used in the water and be of better quality than the two you mention here.

The Garrett Ace 250 is not stable in the salt environment and its not a very good choice for using in the wet sand or near the surf, you really need a detector made for hunting near the water.

Ace 250 is fine for dry beach sand.

[Willy]

Run, don't walk, away from the 'Viper'. As for the Predator series of detectors, they are ultra low end Garretts that have been rebadged by Kellyco with a hefty profit for them as a side dish. I believe that they are the old Treasure ace series... garbage. ..Willy.

[GTA_MIke]

Man, Thanks Guys! I don't want to buy !!!!. How do I get in touch with TonyCt? and someone did mention a Tesoro Cibola. Does TonyCt sell them? When you go to Kellyco and check, the site makes it seem like The Garrett Ace 250, and the Predator are the same Company.

Thanks friends!
Mike

[Brian]

Ace 250 and Predator are the same company but Garrett dropped the ball as the bulk of their money came from security machines and produced the Treasure Ace series which were not good. When they produced the very good value Ace models it seems KellyCo got the rights to the old model and rebadged them as Predators (good name, poor machine).
All coils are waterproof nowdays so you can pick anything and use it for wading.

[GTA_MIke]

Hey Guys thank you all for all your help & knowledge. I really do appreciate it. I talked with TonyinCt, he is a real nice guy. I am going to go with the Tesoro Cibala. I am going to order it tonight. I am sure I will be around with plenty more questions. LOL I have alot of great info and forums to browse here.
Thanks again friends

Mike