Help with latest detector technology, please!

[Janx]

The only experience with detecting, mainly coinshooting and relic hunting, has all been done using a Whites 5DB detector. It still works but having been away from this hobby for a goodly number of years, I see that microprocessor technology pretty much dominates the detector market and I find it very confusing to choose an appropriate upgrade to replace my old faithfull 5DB. Whats the best bang for the buck (under 500$) nowadays? The 5DB took allot of constant fiddling between modes and ground balancing to operate. Even at its' best optimal settings, I was never overly impressed with its' penetration and discrimination capabilities but I think it was a pretty decent detector in its' time. The coil was very heavy also and it did not take long to wear out a set of arms swinging the thing. One other thing, microprocessors are notoriously power hungry. Are rechargeable batteries included on the new rigs? Perhaps NiMh or Lipo/li-ion type batteries that can handle the load of a microprocessor or do the newer rigs still typically rely the 'dry' use and replace batteries? Can anyone please get me pointed in the right direction. Much appreciated!

[spittfire]

Welcome Janx, peruse the forum and you will find several categories that deal with battery life. I am not an expert but someone will chip in. Hope to see your pictures of finds soon.

[Janx]

I just found early on that I was beginning to coinshoot very shallow for quick finds to get enough $ to buy new batteries. This sort of defeated the original premise of coin and relic hunting. The 5DB had rechargeable batteries as an option but those packs went TU after a few charges and I was left with buying something like 18 AA dry batteries to replace the dead ones each time. I see the new whites mid-price range models use 2, 9V batteries and I have some concerns on this set-up and the longevity of these batteries as well. Are any of these new detectors rechargeable? Seems like this is a common shortcoming to an otherwise state of the art concept concerning these newer machines. Thanks for your reply, spitfire.

[seas1to2]

I use a minelab elite an it has a recharge battery avaiable an I have been using it over a year an it is still going strong, most my hunts last 10+ hours. I also have a new whites PI pro an you can use AA rechargeable ( 8) in it an I have to problem using it for 10-12 hours an the batteries still show10 volts, for the most part it seems all the new machines I have looked at get 20-40 hours on 1.5 aa an about 1/2 that with rechargeable.Some machines must use the factory rechargeable battery.

[Schrecky]

I've been using my DFX for about a year and a half. It came with both rechargeable and regular AA battery packs. I have AA's loaded in the battery holder but have never used it, the rechargeable pack has never let me down. I don't really know how long it would run if I didn't charge it up but it easily handles a full day. When I'm just using it a few hours a day at a time I usually try to rechared it once a week. I've seen some post that the rechargeable packs have about a two year life but mine is still running good.

[Phantasman]

Probably the easiest, low cost IC detector would be the Garrett Ace 250. ($212.00 online). It sounds like you coinshoot, and the Ace is a great coinshooter for the price. It has most of the settings that higher priced units have. It uses 4 AA batteries that will last 20+ hrs of constant use. Its also quite lite.

[dooby]

I bought the Ace250 just for that Phantasman, coinshooting, during warm weather I can run close to 20 hours on a set of batteries, in this cold / cool weather I am running 10 to 12 hours on a set of batteries..............

[Janx]

Thanks! I will definately look closer at the Ace 250. May be just what I am looking for! Lite sounds fine with me after swinging my older whites around for many years. The new Whites are really out of my price range and this sounds like something that would suit my purposes that I could reasonably get into.

[Phantasman]

Just a heads up on the 250.

It's sensitive. Run sensitivity at about 4. I have seen mine detect at still 8+ inches, and have pulled up stuff 10" down (usually something bigger than a coins though). Read the Garrett site for pinpointing. I found it quite easy and almost always 100% on target. It's recovery rate is fast, so you can swing it pretty fast. Get the sniper coil. It's about $60 and worth every penny (no pun intended).

I have found that the Jewelry mode at half sensitivity is best for me. The GB is preset at the factory. Also, it has no volume adjustment, so get a set of headphones with volume controls.

Hope that helps.

[Janx]

How do you like the factory preset? I was use to constantly tweaking GB on the Whites. Does this preset cause you any grief in hot or salty soil?

[KESTREL0222]

I have also found that the factory setting (sensitivity) was too high for my area. I have since “figured out” that I need to lower the settings by 1 or 2 “bars”. It seems to work a lot better at this reduced setting. 8)

[TonyinCT]

The Ace is a great starter detector. And WOW , I haven't touched a Coinmaster 5 in a long time and yours still runs. Since you said about 500.00 budget I'm going to suggest the Ace250 on the low end and the Whites Prizm V at 500.00 or the Tesoro VAquero at 420.00 or the Fisher Excel ID and lastly the Minelab Xterra 30 at 398.95. All of these are in a different catagory from the Ace and definitely better. Let me know if you need any more help narrowing it down and with your purchase.
8)

[Janx]

My bad! My Whites is actually a Coinmaster 6DB. It still looks and works like it always did. I have to give Whites credit for a rugged machine as I have used it off and on for about 30+ years. It is a dinosaur in the weight department though. I am really tempted with the Ace though, even after looking over the other options you pointed out. Can you recommend an inexpensive, appropriate headset with volume control that would be good to get as well and perhaps where I might get one on-line? I may go this route and perhaps pick up the sniper coil after I get accustomed to the detectors operation. I used to like lots of knobs to fiddle with (my old 6) but I kind of got over that and want something simple and light that I can just grab and go when the urge hits. I also like the sound of how easy the 250 is on batteries, only four at that! Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated!

[TonyinCT]

Go to my site and look at the Calrad or Vanco brand. Both are low priced good headphones. 8)

[Janx]

Ok, the way I have it sorted out from replies to this thread, MD reviews and various vendor product descriptions, it appears that the Ace 250 is plenty of MD for my purposes. I hesitate to ask such a foolish question, but, what can I expect from the microprocessor technology used in modern detectors as opposed to using my old Whites' analog-type 6DB for coin and relic hunting. I have it in my head that there will be a quantum improvement in the user-friendly, overall capability besides just the bulk and weight reduction of the older vintage machines. Is this an unreasonable expectation? If I had no detector experience, I would be all over the 250 by now. I just need a little push to confirm my suspicion that I will be, at the least, mildly impressed with the capabilities of an ACE 250 over this old detector. Furthermore, would it be wise to invest in the headset and sniper coil at the same time? I appreciate the advice, thanks to all! Hopefully, the next questions I pose will be operational in nature. Detector shopping makes my head hurt!

[TonyinCT]

The 6Db is/was a pretty good detector. You won't get more out of an Ace250 other than the less weight and maybe a little more performance in mineralized ground. If you are upgrading form the 6DB then I would suggest going further than an Ace250.

[Janx]

Thanks for slowing me down, Tony. Should I maybe start concentrating on something along the lines of an M6 or Prizm IV/V? $$$$

[TonyinCT]

Now you're talking. ALl of them would be an upgrade. 8)

[mxtswinger]

Amen to Tony Janx. And not just because he is a dealer and super nice person. I really don't believe you would be satisfied with less than an upgrade from your old machine. Don't sweat the batts, because technology has come a long way. My MXT does about 40 hours on 8 AA's. Yes I could by a NiMh pack for it, but I haven't felt that the cost would be justified. All newer machines are probably much lighter than their predecessors as well. I would take a long look at the M6 or something in it's class at least. Happy Huntin!

[Janx]

Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated!