kingingkunsan
Member
Here is my attempt at reviewing the Tesoro Golden uMax. I purchase the new tones model brand new from a dealer. I started using it exactly 30 days ago. Attached are pictures of most of my keepers. My signature is updated with coin total as of April 8 2013 (one month of use). Why did I purchase the Golden? At first I knew I wanted a Tesoro because of the warranty. I also wanted a lightweight machine that had a solid reputation. I posted a question on forums regarding which unit would fit my hunting style, which is mostly parks for coins. I dabble in relic hunting occasionally too. The vote was actually in favor of the Tesoro Vaquero (one of my requirements was under 2.6 pounds) The Tejon was also a highly recommended unit but a tiny bit over my weight requirement. I had my mind set on the Vaquero. But I should mention the Golden received only 2 less votes than the Vaquero. Then I watched 53silver video on youtube about notch with the Golden. I was sold on the Golden. I want to emphasize that in no way is my next statement an attack on anyone or the machine. I Just want to be truthful and give my best opinion after 30 days of use. I tried the 53silver notch method as soon as I had my Golden assembled. I already had targets selected for testing. I air tested clad quarter, dime, copper penny, silver dime, nickel, war nickel, buffalo nickel, 5 different yellow gold rings 9K, two 10K and two 14K (all men's rings). I also had a couple different figure 8 pull tabs (there are different sounding ones) and beaver tail pull tab and foil cap from sports drink. First, set mode switch in Disc setting, notch off (center), thresh hold at 1 o'clock position (quiet hum) and disc knob all the way to left. I was able to detect all targets. Next I wanted to try the notch method. I placed notch in narrow and slowly adjusted notch knob to get the figure 8 pulltab to just chirp. I tried nickel and got solid signal. I tried beaver tail and no signal. So far so good. I found that the foil sport cap would still hit. I tried gold rings. Only one was detectable. Even after trying multiple adjustments I could still only get the same ring to detect. My conclusion to this point was to not use notch until I was truly comfortable with the machine. I set mode switch to detect, thresh hold around 1 o'clock position, disc knob all the way to left, notch knob around 12 o'clock position and notch switch in center. With these settings I can get all the gold rings from my test to hit but they sound like the figure 8 pull tab. Maybe if in an area I know is real trash laden, like a park I will use the notch to eliminate the pull tab sounds. But as of right now I have not used it since the first test. In the field what I have discovered is I dig as much junk as I did with my other machine. I have only used the stock coil so far. When I find a target that sounds worthy I turn 90 degrees and scan again. Usually can get within 3 inches of the target. Targets on edge will throw off the method though. But that is with all machines. During one outing I was with my wife and son. Wife uses Ace 250 and son uses Whites Classic. Oddly enough the Ace 250 was recommended among the Tesoros in my initial post on which detector to get. For the price the Ace 250 is a decent detector. We were in a field I researched and knew had a home at one time. I found my first large cent. Badly beaten from plows and worn to a pulp but I could read (barely) one cent on the back. I knew what it was right away. I came across another signal (which I had learned by now that it was a deeper signal more than likely a penny). I had my wife scan the spot with her Ace 250 and she got nothing. Not even a slight chirp. Same with my son. Both thought it was junk. I dug anyways and found a 1922 wheat penny. Maybe not a silver or an amazing find but I knew that if it had been silver the Golden would have got it and the others would not. On to the next field. Same machines same people. I noticed an elevated portion of the field and
decided it to be a good spot (because I would build my house on the highest point) to detect. I get to the area and my detector starts chirping very erratic. At first I did not know why. I
flipped detect mode switch to pinpoint to check thresh hold. Again erratic. I could not get a steady hum. I then looked up and realized I was directly under high energy power lines. I had to move almost 75 yards away before I could get a steady hum from thresh hold. My wife and son had no issues with the power lines. Both their machines ran smooth. This is the only time I have had an issue with power lines thus far. I have learned that the Golden according to Tesoro has 4 tones. But I hear way more than that. A copper penny sounds just like a clad dime, silver dime, silver quarter etc. Now put that copper penny on edge and you get a whole new sound (similar to the 1980's hand held football game I use to play) The deeper coins sound similar to this as well. My deepest coin find so far has been around 6 inches and it was a penny. I have not found a silver coin but have found two silver items (ring and heart earring in pictures) The diamonds are not real. The Golden is noticeably more sensitive on small items than my previous detector. I learned this almost instantly when I targeted and dug an eyelet from a shoe/boot. This is when I knew a pinpointer is almost mandatory with this unit. The lightweight allows me to hunt as long as I want and not tire from swinging. Now I get tired from digging LOL. While the Golden does not go as deep as my old machine it is a very respectable detector. All my coin totals increased with the exception of silver 1-0 and wheat cents 32-22. But I also dug half as many zinc pennies (very thankful for that) and actually found more silver items. If you are wondering how much time/how many hours did I put into the Golden this first month here is my best guess. I went through the first 9 volt and have had the second in for about a week. If we estimate 10 hours per battery then I would say around 15 hours. But I truly think it was more. I wish I had kept an accurate log. Sorry for not. In conclusion I feel the Golden was a fantastic purchase. I am already looking forward to next month and besting this months finds. Sorry for the long post. I hope it helps someone out there. Good luck and keep beepin
decided it to be a good spot (because I would build my house on the highest point) to detect. I get to the area and my detector starts chirping very erratic. At first I did not know why. I
flipped detect mode switch to pinpoint to check thresh hold. Again erratic. I could not get a steady hum. I then looked up and realized I was directly under high energy power lines. I had to move almost 75 yards away before I could get a steady hum from thresh hold. My wife and son had no issues with the power lines. Both their machines ran smooth. This is the only time I have had an issue with power lines thus far. I have learned that the Golden according to Tesoro has 4 tones. But I hear way more than that. A copper penny sounds just like a clad dime, silver dime, silver quarter etc. Now put that copper penny on edge and you get a whole new sound (similar to the 1980's hand held football game I use to play) The deeper coins sound similar to this as well. My deepest coin find so far has been around 6 inches and it was a penny. I have not found a silver coin but have found two silver items (ring and heart earring in pictures) The diamonds are not real. The Golden is noticeably more sensitive on small items than my previous detector. I learned this almost instantly when I targeted and dug an eyelet from a shoe/boot. This is when I knew a pinpointer is almost mandatory with this unit. The lightweight allows me to hunt as long as I want and not tire from swinging. Now I get tired from digging LOL. While the Golden does not go as deep as my old machine it is a very respectable detector. All my coin totals increased with the exception of silver 1-0 and wheat cents 32-22. But I also dug half as many zinc pennies (very thankful for that) and actually found more silver items. If you are wondering how much time/how many hours did I put into the Golden this first month here is my best guess. I went through the first 9 volt and have had the second in for about a week. If we estimate 10 hours per battery then I would say around 15 hours. But I truly think it was more. I wish I had kept an accurate log. Sorry for not. In conclusion I feel the Golden was a fantastic purchase. I am already looking forward to next month and besting this months finds. Sorry for the long post. I hope it helps someone out there. Good luck and keep beepin