Anyone Pay for their detectors?

[diggin4clad]

My detectors, and I've owned quite a few since I started detecting in 1983 have "paid for themselves" many times over. I never obsessed over whether or not the detectors paid for themselves in monetary terms though. A detector pays for itself if it brings you enjoyment no matter what you find. I always wonder why people ask if a detector has paid for itself but never ask is a set of golf clubs or some fishing equipment has paid for itself. Enjoy this hobby without trying to justify the expenditure.

 

[diggin4clad]

HAH! ya'll might want to think about saving your real good condition clad.

I have to disagree with that statement. Clad has been around since 1965 which means it's been around for 58 years and it's STILL not worth anything.spend it on silver or gold...............

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Never kept track, But every detector since 1980 paid for itself monetary. I'm pushing 69 years old and I have gained much more in quality of life.

good post. My hunting partner and I always have in mind the monetary value of our finds (key dates, etc...). But when push comes to shove : The history , the human relations & fun competition are priceless.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I started detecting in the early '80's and rather quickly moved into water detecting. I'm pushing 82 years and still look forward to "getting out there." I took my new Manticore out in the low tide shallows a little over a week ago for just over an hour. A steady westerly breeze kicked up just enough chop to make the knee-deep water too uncomfortable to navigate. Recovered 1 small bit of junk as I studied what Mante was trying to tell me! Even that was just fine with me! Looking forward to the next time out there!

• 
• 1986 three years of water hunts!

GL&HH,

CJ

Great picture !!

 

[John Madill]

If I didn't have to return this ring to a poker buddy it would likely have paid for my Simplex.

 

[bowwinkles]

Early on into the hobby I found a $16K vintage diamond ring, so every thing after that has been paid for and then some.

 

[metaladdict]

Yes all of mine are paid for.

 

[KingTotsalot]

KT's first detector was a cheap Garrett...$90 if KT's memory fails not! Within the first year from only hunting totlots, apparently all virgin at that time, KT gathered over $650 in change. Used that to purchase a used CZ, then sold the CZ making a profit, and purchased a Tesoro Compadre.....found enough gold with it that when His Majesty cashed it in, He purchased a Garrett AT Pro with the sniper coil. So me thinks this is not uncommon for detectorists to pay and more for their first and even next detectors!

 

[JAC]

good post. My hunting partner and I always have in mind the monetary value of our finds (key dates, etc...). But when push comes to shove : The history , the human relations & fun competition are priceless.

Exactly how I think I'll feel. One or two folks here sort of snorted at the "pay for itself" question, but making cash was never my intent. However, If I found enough jewlery or whatever and it did pay for the hobby, well that would be cool too. As a rookie, I certainly don't expect to find a cache of gold coins or anything, but if lightning did strike twice and I got incredibly lucky, I wouldn't complain, if you know what I mean. :LOL:

 

[aj0421]

My first year with my equinox I found a really nice multi-diamond ring that goes from white to yellow gold that I am sure when new is worth double what I paid for my equinox. I still have it and won't part with it.

 

[KOB]

In my 40 years , No. Still using my original detector. Between all my returns and the cost of batteries and gas , it's a losing cause. Or I'm just unlucky. But I enjoy the great outdoors !

 

[JAC]

In my 40 years , No. Still using my original detector. Between all my returns and the cost of batteries and gas , it's a losing cause. Or I'm just unlucky. But I enjoy the great outdoors !

I'd be estatic if I could only recoup gas, batteries and gatoraid.

 

[jmaclen]

I retired from my full-time job in June of 2018 which is also when I got an Equinox 800 after having just the 600 for a few months without being able to use it much. I also started modern clad coin and jewelry hunting on a regular basis and started keeping records about that time too.

These numbers are just to give even older people like me: who have the time, easily accessible coin and jewelry areas to hunt and physical ability/will power to dig lots of targets, an idea of what they can possibly do money wise in their spare time.

Clad totals since June of 2018 to January of 2023 = $3213.77 US dollars
Jewelry scrap melt value based on checks received from the smelter I use for the same time period= $2,857.45 US dollars.

So, it is very possible to pay for detectors while also having great experiences doing something healthy with my time and meeting great people too.

 

[SeabeeRon]

I retired from my full-time job in June of 2018 which is also when I got an Equinox 800 after having just the 600 for a few months without being able to use it much. I also started modern clad coin and jewelry hunting on a regular basis and started keeping records about that time too.

These numbers are just to give even older people like me: who have the time, easily accessible coin and jewelry areas to hunt and physical ability/will power to dig lots of targets, an idea of what they can possibly do money wise in their spare time.

Clad totals since June of 2018 to January of 2023 = $3213.77 US dollars
Jewelry scrap melt value based on checks received from the smelter I use for the same time period= $2,857.45 US dollars.

So, it is very possible to pay for detectors while also having great experiences doing something healthy with my time and meeting great people too.

Thanks for sharing! It can be done, but like you say at the end, it is about more than money!!

 

[Martin_V3i]

No, one maybe.

 

[Rattlehead]

Thanks for sharing! It can be done, but like you say at the end, it is about more than money!!

Agree. The thrill of the hunt, the camaraderie of hunting with friends, being the first person to pluck history from the dirt and hold it in your hands.... The hunt IS the treasure.

 

[Cupajo]

Agree. The thrill of the hunt, the camaraderie of hunting with friends, being the first person to pluck history from the dirt and hold it in your hands.... The hunt IS the treasure.

My recent post on the Beach and Water Forum " It's Not About The Gold!!" was about this very thing!!
I'm happy to find I'm not the only one who feels this way about "The Hunt"!!

GL&HH,

CJ

 

[Silver_Seeker]

I keep my finds but yes, if I sold it, every detector has paid for itself +

 

[MasonDixonMding]

I don’t have any interest in selling anything that I find. But that said the value of the things I’ve found would easy pay for all my detectors. And I’ve only been detecting for three years now. I’m a coin guy! When I started never dreamed that most of my valuable finds wouldn’t be coins. Old buttons are my most valuable finds. Go figure?

Having fun is the name of the game!
Value is just icing on the cake!

 

[globofgreen]

I paid for my simplex with a single find, one Frederick Goldman 14k white gold ring. If you simply detect regularly it is inevitable that you will pay it off. I call metal detecting "one time fee gambling".