What do you guys recommend?

[Shoobee]

Hi,

I?d like to buy my wife a metal detector (MD) for Christmas.

Neither one of us have any experience about MDs.

I have read several posting and am more confused.

We have no idea what we will be hunting for with MD. We do send a lot of time on beaches and I see that most MD don?t like to get wet.

I have no idea of price ranges, new or used and really don?t want to spend a great deal of money on a start up hobby that may not fly.

So what do you gurus recommend as a good entry level, try it you?ll like it MD?

Thanks

Jim

[Homerun04]

I started (and still use) a less expensive Bounty Hunter 3300.....works fine and you don't need to be a MD expert to use it....it will get you started in understanding the hobby without investing a lot of money. Once you learn more about ground balancing, discrimination, target depths, mineralization, etc. you willl be ready to upgrade.

But my BH3300 works just as well as much more expensive units IMO.

[FelixtheCat]

That's a fine recommendation if he can find one at the $112 price, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my 3300. However, all the Radio Shacks have been out of it in my area.

[TonyinCT]

Welcome to the forums. I would be more than happy to help you and answer any questions you may have. Check out my site and you'll see plenty of detectors there. Once you've narrowed it down let me know and ask more questions here or you can call me and we canm discuss it in more detail.
Good Luck !!!

[johnnyboy25]

i would recommend a minelab musky,great intro machine and you can get a used one in $200 range

[spittfire]

Originally Posted by FelixtheCat

That's a fine recommendation if he can find one at the $112 price, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my 3300. However, all the Radio Shacks have been out of it in my area.

Get them to search their data base, I got one 3 weeks ago for $99 direct to u policy. I think it is an okay machine but I have a terrible time trying to pinpoint it. It is lighter than my DFX and picks up everything that my DFX does but I cannot pinpoint worth a darn on it.

[TomNWMI]

Very few entry level machines work well on salt water beaches in the wet sand. For $320.00 the Fisher 1236X2 is one of the better single frequency detectors for wet sand beach hunting and definitely not entry level performance wise. The option of being able to hip or chest mount the control box makes it safer to use around water.

HH
Tom

[Brian]

I really like the Minelab Musketeer but not for the beach. It just doesn't like the damp/wet sand and is nose heavy so might be a little heavy feeling for your wife.
Fisher 1236X2 is really good. Again a little on the heavy side.
Any chance you and your wife could pop down to Tony's shop ? Weight and balance can turn a great hobby into a chore. You can't beat having a machine in your hand.