Another "Newbie" Seeking Advice

[ChiefJohn]

I'm completely ignorant when it comes to the metal detecting hobby and related equipment. We have an old Radio Shack detector which we get out once in awhile and make noise! Narrowed my choices down to two, the Garrettt GTI 2500 or the Minelab E-Trac. We're full-time RV'ers and home is anywhere we park the motorhome. We see metal detecting as a great hobby as we travel the USA. Thanks in advance -- our budget is in the $1,500 range.

[tjc45]

Unless your first RV was a Bluebird Wanderlodge LXi you might want to try metal detecting out first before plunking down on a top of the line machine. Both the machines listed are excellent, with the E-Trac being as good as it gets. That said, other machines will out perform these machines in certain areas and uses. For example, a Minelab Sovereign GT will out perform these machines in wet sand on an ocean beach, and do it for 2/3 the cost. A $160 Tesoro Compadre, a very high quality machine, will give both these machines a run for their money in finding gold jewelry, rings etc.

Starting out, I'd look more high mid range, Minelab Safari or Explorer SE pro, White's MXT, or MXT Pro. And for less than half that money a Tesoro Vaquero. Which comes with a lifetime guarantee, and will out detect most of the machines listed. Going at this level will reduce the learning curve without reducing your success out in the field. it will also start you out high enough that you won't get new detector itis as quickly. Being an RVer, you know how that works, right?

Realize that more money doesn't buy you more detecting power. Just more bells and whistles. Understanding how to use those bells and whistles will affect your success and definately your mood.

[snowdak]

from North Dakota.

[RAMBLIN' STEVE]

Greetings from PA.. Land of the soft pretzel..

[beephead]

Originally Posted by tjc45

And for less than half that money a Tesoro Vaquero. Which comes with a lifetime guarantee, and will out detect most of the machines listed. Going at this level will reduce the learning curve without reducing your success out in the field. it will also start you out high enough that you won't get new detector itis as quickly. Being an RVer, you know how that works, right?

Realize that more money doesn't buy you more detecting power. Just more bells and whistles. Understanding how to use those bells and whistles will affect your success and definately your mood.

Ain't that truth! That's a lot of sound advice.

Watch all of 51silver's Vaquero videos on YouTube and you're set to go.

Also, get a Garrett Pro Pointer and Lesche digger. Nothing else compares.

[Hoze513]

Thats is a expensive detector for a newbie. But if you are serious about the hobby go for the Etrac or maybe the whites V3i. Those two detectors are the top of line.

[Iron Patch]

All my experience is on a GTI and the high end Minelabs and without a doubt the Explorer or E-trac is the choice. I could write for the next 20 minutes giving every reason why, but it's really everything so there's not much point.

I disagree with the opinion of cutting your budget to get a lesser detector because that's not the way I think, and not what I did when I started.

[Iron Patch]

Originally Posted by tjc45

Unless your first RV was a Bluebird Wanderlodge LXi

Realize that more money doesn't buy you more detecting power. Just more bells and whistles. Understanding how to use those bells and whistles will affect your success and definately your mood.

Not true because what you are paying for is the circuitry. For your statement to be correct a $300 Tesoro and the E-trac would have to have the same guts and that is definitely not the case. Most detectors are as basic as you want to make them and only when someone gets the idea that programs are the way to go do things get a little more complicated. But since programs are just a form of discrimination they do not work better than the basics of learning the unit with low disc. and moderate to high sense.

[tjc45]

Originally Posted by Iron Patch

Not true because what you are paying for is the circuitry. For your statement to be correct a $300 Tesoro and the E-trac would have to have the same guts and that is definitely not the case. Most detectors are as basic as you want to make them and only when someone gets the idea that programs are the way to go do things get a little more complicated. But since programs are just a form of discrimination they do not work better than the basics of learning the unit with low disc. and moderate to high sense.

IP, you just confirmed what I said.


My advice isn't tied to the money aspect of the high end detectors. It's the ease of use.

If you were just starting out in motorcycling and wanted a very fast machine I could put you on a Suzuki GSX-R 1100. It's one of the head of the class motorcyles if speed is your goal. But, without exaggeration, you'd probably kill yourself. And, probably do that before you got home. If you manage to survive the ride home, you'd be too afraid to ride the thing. And, even if you did ride it, sooner or later you'd drop it in a parking lot causing thousands of dollars in damage to the farings. How do I know this? Because all new to sports bikes riders do parking lot drops. Only a matter of time. Point being the dream and the reality are very different things. For motorcycling I'd start you out on a well loved Honda Night Hawk 400 or something similar. You drop it, it's not a thousand dollar bill. And, while all the dangers of riding are still there, you are much less likely to meet your maker because of something the bike does.

Just as it makes more sense to start out with something more tame and easier to ride in motorcycling, in metal detecting it makes more sense to start with something easier to use. Once getting some swing time under the belt the new user will have a much better idea if they are going to stay with the hobby and what direction they want to go.

While it might seem to make sense from a financial POV to buy the top machine first rather than include the added cost of a starter machine, survey says that most people are one and done as they give up the hobby soon after entering it. It's no different than any other pursuit. A quick look back thru these threads confirms this outcome. Go to the pictures of users thread. Go back five years and chk out the names. Heck, go back three years. How many of those people still posting here? Some may still be detecting, but most have moved on. Confirming the logic not to blow money on a high priced dust collector.

[ChiefJohn]

Thanks for all your feedback -- I went with the Garrett GTI 2500, Pro Metal Detector, "Ultimate Deep Hunter Package" from KellyCo. We'll be leaving IL in a couple of weeks going to Gatlinburg, TN for several weeks, then to the Dakotas for the summer. I'm sure I'll have many questions as I get into this hobby and look forward to being a member of this forum.

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Etrac hands down. Not even close.........