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Ace 250 vs 350 and coil swap air tests

BusDigger

New member
My 250 has the stock 6.5"X9" coil, and the new 350 the DD coil. Both detectors were assembled the same by having the cable wire-tied straight-up the lower stem, then wrapping the upper stem before making the connection at the housing. Both detectors with fresh batteries, All Metal mode, and 4 bars sensitivity.

250

Newer Nickle 5"
Clad Penny 5"
Clad Quarter 5"

Large mens silver ring 5.5"

Silver dime 5"
Wheatie 5"
Silver Quarter 5.5"

350

Newer Nickle 5"
Clad Penny 4.5"
Clad Quarter 5.25"

Silver Dime 5"
Wheatie 5"
Silver Quarter 5.5"

Same large silver ring 5.5"

Now, I swapped coils.....

250 with the 350DD coil

As soon as I powered-up the machine with the same settings (4 bars sens, all metal mode), it went nuts (jumping and dinging all-over the scale) until I backed sensitivity down to 2 bars, then it stopped. So note both the following tests were done at 2 bars sensitivity.

Silver Dime 2.5"
Silver Quarter 3.5"
Clad Quarter 3"

Large silver ring 3.5"

350 with the 6.5"X9" coil from the 250

It didn't have the problem noted above (jumping around/going nuts), however I still lowered sensitivity down to 2 bars for an equal test.

Silver Quarter 2.5"
Clad Quarter 3"

Large Silver Ring 3"

After seeing the major loss of depth on the last 2 tests (swapping coils), I didn't bother conducting all the tests I did on the 1st 2 (leaving factory coils on their respective machines), again, because to me it's obvious they don't work well together when swapped.

Take this for what it's worth, but I'll never swap coils in hopes of some sort of benefit......there are none.

Smitty
 
I was under the impression that you could not sucussfully swap coils from machines with different frequencies.

Is this not true with the Garrett machines?

Jeff
 
i dont know about the 350 but the 250 i have found a 4x4 piece of copper with my10x14 on the ace 250 at about 36'' hit as a dime every time super deep detectoin with the 10x14'' coil if coins were that deep it would be amazing its a quarter finder
 
Thanks Smitty for conducting the tests, which we talked about in another thread. It is very disappointing that the 250 reacted badly to the DD coil, I'm sure I read that Garrett said the coil would work on all of the Ace machines. I will have to seriously rethink my proposed purchase of the DD coil and fitting it to my 250.

Regards Tarot (Bob)
 
TURNMASTER said:
I was under the impression that you could not sucussfully swap coils from machines with different frequencies.

Is this not true with the Garrett machines?

Jeff

Jeff, there were those who sat on both sides of the fence (would/wouldn't work). Since I have both machines (250 & 350) I was asked to swap coils to see. My OP were the results, so regardless of what's claimed, I know what happened when the coils were swapped. I hope those who've ordered the coil hoping to turn their 250 into a 350 (not that it's any noticeable difference) aren't disappointed.

There are several posts of claims made, below being one of them. So much like similar claims of the AT currently being made by those who've yet to hold one, a prospective buyer should look through the "fluff" and see something other than manufacturers (or those on their payroll) claims. Advertising and hype are what sells, and there's plenty of it going around. 1st the 350, now the AT.

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?32,1271153

My OP here is not the only one stating little to no noticeable difference between the 250/350. I don't have any interest in any MD, the only 2 I own are Aces, as well as a ProPointer, so it'd be a tuff call for anyone to say I'm not a Garrett fan, I just don't want someone thinking the 350 is some miraculous upgrade from the 250 because it isn't. What I DO think is people need to climb out of the pool, towel-off, and watch the hilarity of the feeding frenzy of those who remain in the pool.....and make their decision on proof, not fluff.

Bob, you're welcome! I'm actually glad you'd asked because I'd have likely never tried swapping them. It was interesting to say the least to see the results. I think I would require a money back guarantee from Garrett before buying a coil though, since they (according to some posters here) are the one claiming the swap would work......maybe lowering the sensitivity to next to nothing equals "working"? So I'd be specific about terms of a refund......or wait.....there might be a lot of $50 DD coils on the market soon :thumbup:

Smitty
 
The great thing about these forums, is that we can learn from the actual users before we buy. I have two Ace 250's and was going to buy DD coils for both. I own two, so that my non detecting friends can join me in my hunts, which are sometimes on the beach. My main hope for the DD coil, was for more stability on wet sand and the ability to run at a higher sensitivity level. I realize that the 250 will never be the best choice of beach machine, but it is fun to use for the occasional beach visit.

Smitty - Thanks once again for conducting the tests, and taking the time to set up both machines in identical test conditions. The results are very conclusive, and will be a great help to potential buyers.

The Confusion Goes On

If you look at some dealers websites they state:

Garrett 8.5 x 11" DD
PROformance Search Coil
(ACE 150, 250 & ACE 350)
Cat# 14-2222000

There was also another post on the 28th September by BigCatDaddy titled New Ace 350 vs. Ace 250 with new DD coil.

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?32,1302781

He has both the 250 and 350 and did a coil swap in the field, with different results. Part of his test says:

"Both machines ran smoothly with the DD coil at the 6 bars of Sens., which was nice as i usually run only 4 bars with the stock coil on the 250."


Perhaps some 250's will work with the DD, and others will not. Could it depend on the age of the 250, was there ever a change to the specification throughout its long production run. I for one am going to hold off, and see what happens.

Regards Bob
 
Garrett is supplying DD coils for all their detectors so there's no need to swap. They will be out later in the year.

Bill
 
One would do well to purchase the DD coil that is made for a specific Garrett model instead of swapping ones that aren't.. They will be out later this year for all the Garrett machines. November was the target date but may have been moved ahead.

Bill
 
Thanks for the test

my air test with a silver ring and quarter
with my Ace 250 with standard coil I got around 5 to 5 1/2 inches at 4 bars sensitivity

with Kellyco's 10 x 14
 
A DD coil for the Ace 250 would be nice. I don't see much
difference between the 350 and the 250 either and don't plan to
buy the 350. My Ace 9x12 coil works just
fine although its a heavy beast after 5 hours. I think my money would be better spent on the
AT PRO if it's everything its smacked up to be.
Katz
 
Sorry to hear of your less than impressive results when swapping coils. I had no such problem switching the DD over to the 250 and could run both machines easily with 6 bars of Sens. in my dirt. I also ran the 6 x 9 on the 350 w/o any problems but I did have to drop the Sens. to 4 bars. Do you think maybe you might not have gotten a good connection to the 250 w/the DD coil?
 
Uncle Willy said:
One would do well to purchase the DD coil that is made for a specific Garrett model instead of swapping ones that aren't.. They will be out later this year for all the Garrett machines. November was the target date but may have been moved ahead.

Bill

Thanks Bill for the update on the availability of the new DD coils. The only reason that Smitty swapped the coils, was after I had asked him in another thread if he would conduct the air tests. I do not intend to purchase the Ace 350, but to purchase the new DD coil for my Ace 250. I wanted to see how the new coil performed on the Ace 250, before committing to a purchase. As for the DD coil being available for specific Garrett machines, I see that some dealers are already taking pre orders.

Garrett 8.5 x 11" DD
PROformance Search Coil
(ACE 150, 250 & ACE 350)
Cat# 14-2222000


Garrett 8.5 x 11" DD
PROformance Search Coil
(GTI 2500 and GTI 1500)
Cat# 14-2222200


Garrett 8.5 x 11" DD
PROformance Search Coil
(GTAx 550 and GTP 1350)
Cat# 14-2222100


The specific coil listed for the Ace 250, is also the same coil listed for the Ace 150 and Ace 350. I had already seen these coils listed, prior to asking Smitty to do the tests. So the coil from the Ace 350 would appear to be the correct coil to use on the Ace 250.

Regards Tarot (Bob)
 
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