Bounty Hunter discovery 3300 VS Pioneer 505

[Pa Woodhick]

being new to mding, which of these 2 is the better one? where I live the ground has high mineralization, also which one has better pinpointing? also looking for something easy to use & has decent performance. thanks in advance for your time & advice. & HH

 

[mwaynebennett]

I have an Elite 2200 and a Pioneer 505. The Elite 2200 is much lighter weight and therefore easier to swing. Also, all its controls are membrane switches that can be accessed with the thumb of my right hand, the hand I use to swing. The light weight and easy access to the controls make me prefer the Elite. Regarding pinpointing, I'll put my "Xing" in discrimination mode on the Elite 2200 up against anyone with 505 in all-metal in a pinpointing shoot-out any day.

Mark
Elite 2200
Pioneer 505
WA St

 

[kydigger]

Welcome Woodchick. I'm new too. I have a Discovery 3300. I did a lot of on line research just to learn what I should spend and look for feature wise.
I think you would be happy with the 3300. It does have all the feature you should need while being easy to use. It also has manual ground balance if you need it.
I got lucky and got my 3300 at a pawn shop for $90. It seems a lot of people get a detector then decide to hobby isn't for them.
I suggest you check pawnshops,your local Craigslist and Ebay before you buy new.
you may not find anything but how long does it take to make a few phone calls and send a few Emails.
After all, life (and shopping) IS like a box of chocolates. (LOL)
______________________________
Ron R.

 

[BH_Landstar_]

Welcome to the forum Woodchick.

I don't own a 505, but I do own a Legacy 3300 which is the same as the Discovery 3300. I also own a Land Star.

Now both the 3300 and the Land Star are good coin magnets, both have good depth. The Land Star is similar to the 505 so it does not have the digital display with the numbers like the 2200 or 3300.

The Land Star works really well on the beach on dry or wet sand, you have to ground balance it for the wet sand area's.

The 3300 is a great detector on the beach in the dry sand, I've not had any luck with wet sand yet as I've not long had the unit (2 weeks) so I am still playing with the settings on it.

Out of the two, I like the 3300 due to the digital display with the numbers on the screen, it gives me an idea of what the unit is detecting with more accuracy, it's also a tad lighter than the Land Star. I just recently found some sun glasses in great condition at a beach local to me (Oakley sun glasses .. $275.00 !!), the 3300 detected them at a depth of 8"in dry sand, it was on the button with that. Both the 3300 / Land Star will detect a quarter at 8+ inches and a dime at 9 inches. I've also detected soda / beer cans at over 2 feet deep. The Land Star is a ring pull / tab sniffer, it will see a ring pull / tab at 7+ inches (rings of the gold kind come in this range along with nickles).

The Legacy 3300 is $249.00 new and the Discovery 3300 is $299.00.

The Land Star is around the $350.00 mark.

I hope this helps you out, and good luck with which ever one you decide to purchase, and happy hunting.

 

[Old Katz]

I know you accidently posted this on Whites forum. It's happened to me to so don't feel bad.

Comparision wise,the BH 3300 isn't going to do any better in high mineralized soil than the Ace 250
you asked about on the other forum.

If it wasn't for that I'd say you should get the Ace 250. The BH 3300
doesn't have VCO pinpointing; the ace 250 does. The Ace 250
also has five different modes to hunt in; the BH 3300 doesn't as far as I know.
What Can I say.Price wise $212 for the ace 250 is a steal.

Its not that the BH 3300 is a bad machine, it isn't. Its just doesn't have the
value added feature as the Ace. I don't know anything about the 505 you mentioned.
It might have what you want.

Some people will tell you its a junk machine and thats why it's only $212.
Not so; Garrett made a wise move by buiilding a sturdy machine with added features
that should be priced in the mid range $400 +. He priced it low to steal a good portion
of the market and it worked.

If your in really bad ground you might have to figure on spending a little more money.
Hope this helps. Its just my opinion anyway.

Katz

 

[Pa Woodhick]

Thanks for all of your help, we had 2 nice sunny & warm days, but they are calling for more snow every day of this coming week:veryangry: so I guess I will have some more time do some more research.

 

[Aces High 333]

The 3000 I just got does a little better in no-motion mode (pinpoint) than my Landstar. The motion modes wasn't working right so it's at First Texas right now getting fixed. When it comes back I want to give it a good review and comparison.

 

[Aces High 333]

not 3000, it's a 3300

 

[Pa Woodhick]

I was also looking at th BH Landstar, still, but I still have time, looks like more snow on the way:veryangry:

 

[Old Katz]

I see KellyCo is selling the F-2 that looks alot like the BH3300 and 2200
for $215. It comes with a free 4in coil and a Fisher pin pin pointer.
For $275 you get thre coils: 8in, 4in, 10in and a free Pin pointer. I've never used aqy of them, The BH or the F2
but for the price it might be worth investing a few dollars.
Katz

 

[Pa Woodhick]

Thanks Old Katz, I will check it out.

 

[scotrod]

i just bought a land star from kellyco for 199.00 go to kellyco home and serch landstar christmas they found some left over a good deal with bag and digger check it out

 

[Old Katz]

If you get the F2 don't be disappointed if the fisher pin pointer turns out to be junk. Some of them work but
from what I've been hearing now, that pin pointer really sucks. Probably why they are giving them away.
But if you want the extra coils, the price is good.
Katz

 

[themartaman]

Buy the F2 over a Landstar.

 

[Pa Woodhick]

does the F2 have manual ground balance?

 

[BH_Landstar_]

does the F2 have manual ground balance?

No.