Beginner

[inkmonkey5]

Hi all, I am wanting to buy my first detector. Mostly land use, tailing piles, coins ring etc. I wanted to get some input from you knowledgeable folks out there. I don't want to get something really cheap and have to get rid of it later to buy up to a better machine. Any input will be helpful. Thanks, Jeff

 

[Eu_citzen]

Tailing piles as in prospecting?

If so you are looking at an all round detector, while there is no "real" 100% all round machine that can do it all though the MXT should do well if your into prospecting and coins, relics etc.

The MXT is partly based on the GMT which is a gold only detector so it does well on gold as long as it's not to small.

BUT if your after "small" gold (nuggets) then it is a better bet to get 2 machines, one "all round" for coins etc and one for gold only.

 

[tabdog]

Hay Jeff,

Welcome from Arkie Land.

You said:

[size=medium]I don't want to get something really cheap and have
to get rid of it later to buy up to a better machine.[/size]

That may not be as bad an idea as it sounds.

Why? You say.

Because most of the time the first detector a
person buys is not right for them.

You don't know much about metal detectors
yet. You are not ready to make that desision.

I can think of 4 detectors that work well and
are less than $250.

Tesoro Compadre......$152
Tesoro Silver uMax....$240
Garrett Ace 250........$215
Fisher F2.................$200

The Tesoro'es are analog. No display, fast
response. Works good on gold jewelry and
relics. Life time warranty can tell you
something about quality.

The other two are not as sensative to small
gold, but they have displays and are good
coin machines and relics as well.

I like Tesoro'es because I hunt for gold jewelry.
I like the warranty and performance.

All these machines are light weight and will
do for starters until you can learn what your
need may be.

The MXT is a good gold machine also. But
it is much more expensive and much heavier.
More bells and whistles. If you are older, the
weight can put you in major pain for days.

What ever you decide, best wishes,

Tabdog

 

[Eu_citzen]

Hey TabDog he said he did NOT want something cheap.

Seems like you missed that part?

 

[I a thr]

Just get an Minelab Xterra 50 or 70 and an extra coil for the gold. I might be the only detector you will ever need.
JMHO
Bill

 

[marcomo]

One thing to be aware of is that a good pecentage of people who try detecting decide not to stick with it.

If you do stick with it, you can bet that somewhere down the road you're going to see a different detector than the one you currently use and decide you really want it.

The nice thing about metal detectors is that they hold their resale value. You can usually get the majority of your purchase price back if you decide to sell a detector you bought new.

The one important thing I would suggest if you are new to detecting is to do your research and get a detector that is easy to learn and master. You've got enough to learn when your new at this hobby, you don't need a machine with a long learning curve

 

[Wayne/TX]

Tabdog is right on with his choices for you. For a little more $$'s I'd go
with the Fisher F5, White's MXT, Tesoro Vaquero or Garrett 1350, or
Fisher F70, all excellent units. For Gold nuggets as well as coins, you
could go with the Tesoro Lobo Super Traq. For just Gold, perhaps the
Fisher Gold Bug 2. For all around, maybe the Vaquero, F5 or MXT.
Good Luck!
..W
P.S. Except for Tesoro, here's a great source for info or sales for
the above detectors: http://www.kellycodetectors.com/

 

[dahut]

... along with your other money, then get the Minelab. Very nice detector - NOT made in the USA. Hey, I like Aussies... but well, there you go.

If you are serious about prospecting and common detecting together then you have set some serious goals. Here's one that most people will eschew, but does well in both environments - the Garrett Gold Stinger. Tesoros Lobo is another good choice.
The Garrett wont break the bank, the Lobo wont either.
For a more coin and common detecting oriented machine, that has some prospecting applications, then I'd say the MXT is a good choice. Fishers new F70 is promising but may be alittle too new on the scene yet to talk about prospecting.

 

[tabdog]

[size=large]I think I addressed that point.

If you re-read my post, you should see where I addressed
that issue.

Point is, I went through 5 detectors in two months before
I found something that worked for me.

If I had purchased a Whites, It would have been collecting
dust all this time because I don't have the funds and my
ego could not take the battering of buyers remourse over
wasting over a grand.

If you got $$$$ to blow, then just ignore this old Arkie.

Happy Huntin,

Tabdog[/size]

 

[Eu_citzen]

No I see your point, what I meant is if he has the cash to get a high dollar detector and wants one they are often easy to sell of should he not be happy but of coarse I think that apply to most detectors

I was more lucky then you I went trough 1 detector sold it and found one that works perfectly for me.

But I began researching detectors a few years before I even got one in my hands.

hahah yeah it might have, I think the idea is to get a machine that works for you, both expensive and cheap work.

I see that I misunderstood your point now that I read it a second time.
Oh well that happens.

Good Hunting!
Eu

 

[tabdog]

Hay EU,

I see your point also.

It is a good one. You are right. If one does his home work well,
and get's real users openions like your's and mine, he will be
ahead of the curve. That's why you and I are giving our honest
oppenions. We are just being honest and trying to help.

I had trouble at first. I didn't know about the forums until after
I got my first BH.

On the internet, I got great fead back on the others I bought.
I did not really get into forums until I got my first Tesoro.

But, by then I had already found what I liked on my own.

That was kind of expensive for me. I admit it. I'm a dummy. But,
that's my experience, and if anyone can learn anything from it,
then good for them.

I am not trying to miss lead any one. Nor am I trying to push
a brand of detector.

I just hope Inkmonkey5 gets off to a good start.

Maybe he will with our help.

Happy Huntin,

Tabdog

 

[Eu_citzen]

Of coarse it is tabdog, I think thats the reason he asked.

I found the forums before I even got my first machine and began searching trough old posts and such to see what think would be good for me. (search function really helps! *Hint*)

I bet you are not trying to mislead anyone, most of us don't try to mislead anyone.
Neither am I.

Another good thing to do is to read the manual of the detector before you get the detector the manuals can often be found on the Internet.

Good Hunting!
Eu