Another newbie asking for advice on a MD

[drabina]

I never metal detected before but was always interested in this hobby. I do not see myself immersing in the metal detecting as a main hobby and spending every weekend out in the woods searching for items. For me it would be a once every few weeks type of activity. I will just put the metal detector in my car when I go i.e. to the beach off season or some woods where I know something existed years back (legal areas of course). I like outdoors so I am frequently hiking, fishing, geocaching, bird watching, etc. I just don't have just one main hobby.

With all that said, I am looking for something inexpensive and simple to use. I watched tons of videos on YouTube and read lots of posts here. My budget would be up to $300 and realistically I would like to spend around $200 on the metal detector to have some money left for a pinpointer, shovel and bag. So far I am leaning towards the Nokta Simplex Lite but would like to hear member's opinions on what would be a good starter MD for a total newbie.

 

[rcornell]

I never metal detected before but was always interested in this hobby. I do not see myself immersing in the metal detecting as a main hobby and spending every weekend out in the woods searching for items. For me it would be a once every few weeks type of activity. I will just put the metal detector in my car when I go i.e. to the beach off season or some woods where I know something existed years back (legal areas of course). I like outdoors so I am frequently hiking, fishing, geocaching, bird watching, etc. I just don't have just one main hobby.

With all that said, I am looking for something inexpensive and simple to use. I watched tons of videos on YouTube and read lots of posts here. My budget would be up to $300 and realistically I would like to spend around $200 on the metal detector to have some money left for a pinpointer, shovel and bag. So far I am leaning towards the Nokta Simplex Lite but would like to hear member's opinions on what would be a good starter MD for a total newbie.

I just started detecting earlier this year. I did a lot of research and came up with the Vanquish 440 ($299.00) for Beginner/Intermediate use. Easy, easy to learn and use. See the various Pinpointer threads to see that it is possible to get by with an inexpensive one if need be. Oh.... and once you start, it will become addicting and it will be your new hobby!!

 

[Xxray]

Simplex+ - $200 budget is really stretching it for any detector unless you buy used, there is one on classifieds here now for $235

 

[Cherry Picker]

Simplex+ rocks.

I agree, $200 is really pushing for a detector that will serve you well until you're ready to step up to a mid-level detector.

 

[drabina]

Thanks for the replies. Simplex Lite or Vanquish 340 is around $200. I understand that those are beginner MDs but that's really what I am aiming for. I just want to make sure that I am not going to be disappointed with such inexpensive tool. I never detected before so I also need something simple to use. Less icons, buttons, menu options is better for me even though I may miss a target here and there.

 

[Xxray]

Simplex is amazing, probably the best bang for the buck available, it is not what we think of as a "beginners detector". They gave steroids to the Simplex and called it a Legend, but Legend would likely be too hot to handle for you, plus over budget.
I personally did not have a good experience with the Vanquish but alot of folks seem to like it. I mostly use an old Ace 400 but would be hard pressed to recommend it, cost more than the Simplex, is old tech and has far less features, is a coin/ring magnet though and simple which is why I like it.

 

[Dangerranger60]

I have an Ace 350 from Garret. its defiantly an old tech detector. But it is easy to pick up and go. after months in a closet, I can take it out and get a good result. I have a Fisher 660 from the 80's that worked on deeper targets but is much more difficult to pick up and get good results. after some swing time I can get good results with it but if I have not used it in a while it takes me some time to dial it in to the ground conditions.

Until recently I have mostly used my MD's as part of my business locating pipes, leaks, property markers, and utility shutoffs. I also located trash pits, and picked gold nuggets out of old culvert pipes. For my use the ease of getting a detector into operation was more of a concern than how deep or how well it would ID a target.
Now that I'm retired and treasure hunting I'm having to learn all new things. The newer detectors offer some better options. but you have to put in the time to get the most from them.
Mid range detectors are a sweet spot of ease of use and good features. most of those are in the $300 to $500 range. [new]

When I retired our Grands bought my wife and I Bounty Hunter Detectors. They are definably in the toy range of detectors but I can find metal objects in the grass or sand. but you have to move much slower. they don't give reliable signals on buried metal, and they can't pick out a silver coin from under a nail or toy car.

In the next couple months I'm going to be adding a newer detector, and I need something that I can setup quickly and is geared toward coins and jewelry. I'm also looking in the $300 to $500 range. DR

 

[Princess]

Thanks for joining us!

Another Ace user here. For those of us who consider metal detecting a side-hobby, I think the Ace models are quality turn-on-and-go machines -- easy & fun to operate. However, I recognize that with the newer machines, you can get more features for a similar price, so it's up to you to decide what is best for you. Whatever you choose, enjoy the hobby, and please keep us posted on your progress.


Also, check out the forum sponsors before you make a purchase. They may be able to offer a better price.

 

[Wgan]

If you’re going to a saltwater beach you should get a halfway decent detector. I would probably go with a nokta like the score three for a few dollars more

 

[Wgan]

Big boys hobbies has the pro pack for 499 I think that’s a good deal for someone starting out

 

[jmaclen]

Minelab X-Terra Pro, fully waterproof and it has an actual saltwater beach mode

Minelab Vanquish 440 which has the minimum amount of features, the 340 is a great little detector but no pinpoint mode and no iron audio On/Off among other things, the 440 also has outstanding simultaneous multi frequency beach capabilities but only the coil is waterproof. Really accurate target ID system

Nokta Double Score, simultaneous multi frequency, fully waterproof and lots of good features,

Nokta Simplex models, fully waterproof but you had better really like the tones on the Simplex detectors. I would not recommend buying one unless you have heard what they sound like compared to the ones listed above.

Nokta Legend, awesome full featured, fully waterproof detector and there is a used one for sale in this forum's classifieds for $330 which is a total steal. You won't need to upgrade for a long time.

 

[markinmichigan]

Nokta Legend, awesome full featured, fully waterproof detector and there is a used one for sale in this forum's classifieds for $330 which is a total steal. You won't need to upgrade for a long time.

That is a great deal on a great detector.

Mark in Michigan

 

[drabina]

Thanks again for all the replies. I need to stick with a lower priced models. If I spend $330 on a used MD (plus shipping) then I will have no budget left for pinpointer and accessories. And while I can probably repurpose some bag and steal my wife's small gardening planter shovel, I will have to go with a $15 Amazon pinpointer. Wouldn't make much sense to go with good MD and crappy pinpointer and I really don't have $500 to spend on the gear.

 

[rcornell]

Thanks again for all the replies. I need to stick with a lower priced models. If I spend $330 on a used MD (plus shipping) then I will have no budget left for pinpointer and accessories. And while I can probably repurpose some bag and steal my wife's small gardening planter shovel, I will have to go with a $15 Amazon pinpointer. Wouldn't make much sense to go with good MD and crappy pinpointer and I really don't have $500 to spend on the gear.

I have only used a ~$15 Pinpointer and have been very happy with it. As I said above, check out the 2 or 3 recent Pinpointer threads for input. IMO, if your detector gets you over the item so that your dig is in the right spot... your Pinpointer is going to find it for you. When on a limited budget, you don't need to spend $90 on a Pinpointer.

 

[hoser]

First off welcome to the forum. Since you have a budget, have you considered a used detector. People have a good detector and want to upgrade. You may be able to get a mid range detector that is right in your price range. Just please don't by an off-brand Chinese unit that is only good for making a pole lamp. Good luck.

 

[jmaclen]

Thanks again for all the replies. I need to stick with a lower priced models. If I spend $330 on a used MD (plus shipping) then I will have no budget left for pinpointer and accessories. And while I can probably repurpose some bag and steal my wife's small gardening planter shovel, I will have to go with a $15 Amazon pinpointer. Wouldn't make much sense to go with good MD and crappy pinpointer and I really don't have $500 to spend on the gear.

Bags and shovels are great to have but they are not essential. You can use a zip lock plastic bag and a flat head screwdriver and recover a ton of targets at a normal turf site. For beach hunting or forest hunting you will need more expensive diggers. A pinpointer is essential even if it cost less than $50. Serious Detecting is selling some of their Quest XPointers old stock for $40 right now. Excellent pinpointers.

 

[The Lama]

Garrett 200 with propointer is 219

 

[drabina]

Garrett 200 with propointer is 219

I never considered Garrett 200. Would that be a good MD for a beginner on a budget or should I stick with Simplex Lite?

Will look at the Quest XPointers that are on sale. Thanks for the info.

 

[Tony-Ok]

The Nokta Simplex with wireless headphones is what you need. Avoid the Garrett.

 

[Xxray]

I don't consider a pinpointer essential, I went around 2 years without one when I started [they really weren't available 20 years ago] and I did fine without it, no doubt they are handy though.
No need to go overboard on digging tools either, in all these years I mostly used a common 5 in 1 paint scraping tool to dig, works great at tot lots, beaches and digging in soft ground. You need shovel type out in the field but that is something you work your way up to, in your backyard or at grandmas yard, you don't want to dig trenches, and that is what especially a beginner will do with a shovel or hand hoe.
Don't get a cheap steak to make sure you get prime potatoes - Detector is the heart and soul of the operation, everything else falls into place.
edit: You would want at least a Garrett 250, which is the model I started with and still a great machine. Reason being, earlier models don't have a pinpoint function, which is essential, even with a pinpointer.