No closer to purchasing a MD. augh-h.e.l.p

[earthfinder]

I think I read too many reviews on here, on Amazon, on metal detecting sites. I am so confused now. Of course, we just got our first snow fall, but it has melted already. I sure am anxious to get one. I feel like I'm buying car- some are loaded, some partially, some not at all. lol!

I want an in between one. I don't want a beginner one as I am in my 40's and I think I can manage something more. Any help would be appreciated.
Dirt= clay/sand
Woods/ city properties/ farm land /possible military sites (old)
jewelry, coins, relic

Thanks MD Peeps.

[RWJR13]

Welcome .....look at the MXT........

[stewart73]

One of the Minelab X-Terra series or perhaps even the Safari??

[achaios]

It would help if you would let us know the amount you have budgeted for a metal detector, and maybe what features you've decided that you definitely want...

-- Tom

[SkiWhiz]

Any of the Tesoro detectors are good hunting in Dirt= clay/sand
Woods/ city properties/ farm land /possible military sites (old)
jewelry, coins, relic.

[Bonesquat]

Originally Posted by SkiWhiz

Any of the Tesoro detectors are good hunting in Dirt= clay/sand
Woods/ city properties/ farm land /possible military sites (old)
jewelry, coins, relic.

ANY detector is good for that....

[don716]

I would look at the MXT or the new Garrett A/T Pro. It has a setup for beginners and pros. Both machines should be easy to operate. Just don't get one expecting to get rich quick. It will take a little time to learn your machine and how it operates. Then it will be alot of fun. It all depends on your budget. Where are you located? Add some to your profile.
Donny

[dockmur]

earthfinder, you and I are sort of in the same boat. I have a CZ-20, but the weight of it has me looking for something else. After reading all the reviews and opinions I decided to just decide what was best for me. I settled on the Tesoro Vanquero for simplicity, light weight, and warranty. The only decision I have to make now is where to buy it. I do not have the experience or expertise to base my decision on anything else. I suppose that getting to know your machine is more important than what machine you pick...that seems to be one opinion that everyone has in common, and makes the most sense to me.

[Idaho PRB]

I really liked my X-Terra 70. It was light and you could get a bunch of different coils for it. I found a lot of great stuff with it. If it wasn't for wanting to move up to the E-Trac, I would still have it. I'd get the 10" DD 7.5 kHz coil for general detecting and the 6" 18.75 kHz DD coil for trashy areas. You would be set for anything from relic and coin hunting to gold prospecting. The latest is called the X-Terra 705.

[zeemang]

Never said his budget, did he?

[lil-red]

are cheap metal detectors any good...I found one on ebay for £14.99..Im NEW and have never done this before....

[goodmore]

You get what you pay for just like any other hobby. Buy a mid price detector and learn it well.

[Detector]

You're going to get a lot of different answer because there are a lot of detectors that will do what you need. To make the choice even more difficult is that what works well for one person many stink for another, and then you have personal likes and dislikes which makes it even more confusing.

I suggest you look closely at the many posts of people using all those different detectors and find one that is doing well for what you want. This still will not guarantee the right choice, but if the majority are reporting good results from a particular detector, chances are good you will also.

[tjc45]

Analysis paralysis.

I'm new to this just like you. Here's what I've found. There is no such thing as a beginner detector. And, outside of salt water beach detecting, spending more money doesn't buy you more detecting power. So the adage about getting what you pay for doesn't entirely apply. What money does buy is bells and whistles. What you need to decide is, what bells and whistles are important to you, if any. Once you've figured that out a detector from any of the major manufacturers will do. That's what I did.

I bought a Tesoro Vaquero and Tesoro Compadre. Though some elitist have called these "beep and find" machines toys, they are simple, light weight, and will find as well as detectors costing many times more. They are also high quality construction.

I'm now going to buy a salt water beach machine. One decision, submersible or non submersible? That's it. Either way Minelab is getting the nod.

Lastly, research retailers customer service history. A trip beyond all MD forums is recommended to get a complete uncensored picture. A weak spot on all the MD forums.

[sllingshot47]

Originally Posted by lil-red

are cheap metal detectors any good...I found one on ebay for £14.99..Im NEW and have never done this before....

The Compadre is good for the money-excels in some areas over it's bigger brothers. I've also heard good raves on the Fisher F-2.

[Waterman]

Buy the Gold Bug PRO, very affordable and will run neck & neck with many of the big expensive detectors!!!!!

[FL-Hunter]

Garrett ACE 250 $212 from Kellyco.

You need not look anymore. I have had mine for years and it is my preferred detector, unless I'm hunting saltwater, then I grab my Minelab Excalibur.

The ACE is by far one of the easiest to use and it works well.


HH

[don716]

For anyone new and don't want to put alot of money into a top of the line detector yet should look at the simple to operate but great machine for hunting in parks,around schools is the "Garrett Ace 250" I haven't owned one but I know they are a great proven machine. You can go on Youtube and watch plenty of reviews and nice finds with this machine. They run around $200.00 or so and that's a good starting price.I too used to want to have a nice top of the line detector but what if you spend all that money on one and decide it's not for you. Start out with something simple and if you fall into the "Vortex" with the rest of us then upgrade to a higher end machine and use your Ace 250 as a back up or take a friend out and let him try your 250 with you. All-n-All this is a fun hobby but learning the machine is where it's at and the Ace 250 is a nice turn on and go machine that will fit the bill and won't break the bank.By the way, I'm no dealer but I just know the Garrett line and know they have good products.

[earthfinder]

I think my brain is just over-loaded from family health issues and holidays.
Sorry, but thanks for your patience with me.

I live in Central NC where the soil is red clay/sand/rock.
My budget is $300-$350. $400 tops (since I need headphones, digger, PP)
Things that would be good:
-lightweight or just not to heavy to lug for miles.
-detect coin, jewelry, relics at a decent depth-not 2 inches. Deeper would be good.
-dial that you can turn to weed out soda tabs or is that impossible?
-not too difficult to learn, but I DO have patience.
-one where you can interchange coils (I have read that is important from many)
-One with decent warranty.
-One where a headphone coil wouldn't come out when bending down (I read that here)
-Made in US of A.
-How did I do?
So Tesoro seems like a hit here-which one in$price range?Compadre, Vaquero.
Thanks MD peeps.

[don716]

For what your looking for the Ace 250 or 350 would fit the bill.Either machine should come with all you asked for.Plus either machine will have a curser to weed out pull tabs if you want but you might lose the nickels and possibly rings when doing so. Both of these are about the range of a pull tab. The Ace 350 would probally go a little deeper than the 250 with the new coil and is still in your price range. Look up or call New England Detectors and ask for Andrew. He will put you together a nice package and he will be way within your budget. Also go to Youtube and watch videos on the Ace 350 in action.
Donny