I am trying to decide on my first detector. I would be using it in fields and in woods. Was looking at the Tesoro compadre. It's not to expensive and has a lot of good reviews. I read it will find gold and silver and coins too. Will it find brass too? Should I be looking at a different model instead of the compadre and I was going to get the 8" coil on it? Thanks for any help.
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Choosing my first metal detector
- Thread starter Grayrider
- Start date
REVIER
Well-known member
Metal detectors do exactly that...find metal of any kind, this one is no different
The Compadre is a fine unit to start out with, many do and keep it around and use it long after they upgrade to another models.
Other units can cost more, might have other features too but the value of a Compadre for its price and what it can do has rarely been questioned.
The 8" coil model is the deepest and best for your purposes.
The Compadre is a fine unit to start out with, many do and keep it around and use it long after they upgrade to another models.
Other units can cost more, might have other features too but the value of a Compadre for its price and what it can do has rarely been questioned.
The 8" coil model is the deepest and best for your purposes.
Stoof-tabsallday
Well-known member
Besides my ace 350, which I didn't like, the 8" compadre was my first realetal detector. It's a great unit.
Out of all my detectors, my compadres will be the ones I'll always keep.
They can find fine gold that others won't see (fine gold chains)
It's easy to use, simple to understand, and out of all mine it actually has the most time on it.
Don't get me wrong, I love my other units, but the ease of use and performance for the cost is unparalleled.
For the price it's a great detector especially for a first detector. It's always the unit I let new people use when they are interested.
You really can't go wrong.
Buy new and fill out the warranty card and send it in and you're set for life against defects not caused by you.
Out of all my detectors, my compadres will be the ones I'll always keep.
They can find fine gold that others won't see (fine gold chains)
It's easy to use, simple to understand, and out of all mine it actually has the most time on it.
Don't get me wrong, I love my other units, but the ease of use and performance for the cost is unparalleled.
For the price it's a great detector especially for a first detector. It's always the unit I let new people use when they are interested.
You really can't go wrong.
Buy new and fill out the warranty card and send it in and you're set for life against defects not caused by you.
Grayrider said:
No.
For woods and fields in particular, you probably want a detector capable of greater depth. Compadre is great for the $, but not as deep as some others, and you can't swap a big coil on it. My choices for what I think you want to do, would be either Outlaw or Vaquero.
Sounds like you might be relic hunting. Not sure the Silver or Compadre are the best units for that task.
Maybe a used Cibola if you are trying to keep it cheap, simple and Tesoro.
More information about what you are hunting for and the conditions will help people give you some
more detector options.
Bryan
Maybe a used Cibola if you are trying to keep it cheap, simple and Tesoro.
More information about what you are hunting for and the conditions will help people give you some
more detector options.
Bryan
Well, I live in northeast MS. I will be looking on farm land for not really nothing in particular. Gold, silver, coins, relics, just stuff, have lived here most of my 50 years. I am not rich, so I can not afford the big toys and I still go to work at 6 am every morning. This brand of detectors sounded like something that would be worthwhile to buy.Thanks for all the replies.
Cibola or Silver either one are good. The Cibola particularly is a deep unit. The Silver is supposed to be a great all around detector. Really a Compadre with 8" coil should be just fine. They are really great IMO, I found my best gold with one. That ground being kinda close to Alabama might be somewhat mineralized? Are you anywhere near where they produced iron?
Cibola can be deep but if you plan on swapping coils and detecting in different soil conditions, you may want a unit with adjustable ground balance... I do. My current favorite Tesoro is the Outlaw. I have most of the current Tesoro land models and several older, discontinued ones. Outlaw is pretty sweet and quite versatile. Vaquero is a little deeper and also very capable, but a bit less of a coinshooter, and more of a relic unit; still great for coins, just not as nice as Outlaw, particularly in trashy areas. Cibola is very similar to Vaquero and great in mild soil, but not as good in heavily mineralized spots (no GB).
The current Silver μMAX is the one I don't have (though I have both the Silver Sabre and Cutlass μMAX). Silver has a fixed ground balance which isn't going to let you optimize GB for different soil conditions or coil swaps, but I think it should be a very nice coinshooter in mild soil.
For a tight budget, beginner's detector, (I'd) go with the 8" Compadre. If you can budget a bit more $, (I'd) get the single coil Outlaw. Whichever Tesoro you choose will be fun to learn, but some are better in certain applications than others.
^_^
The current Silver μMAX is the one I don't have (though I have both the Silver Sabre and Cutlass μMAX). Silver has a fixed ground balance which isn't going to let you optimize GB for different soil conditions or coil swaps, but I think it should be a very nice coinshooter in mild soil.
For a tight budget, beginner's detector, (I'd) go with the 8" Compadre. If you can budget a bit more $, (I'd) get the single coil Outlaw. Whichever Tesoro you choose will be fun to learn, but some are better in certain applications than others.
^_^
fowlercharles
Member
Hi Greyrider, I'm in agreement with REVIER. the Compadre with 8" coil should do you just fine depth wise , and the Compadre is as good a discriminator as there is and should do fine in the more littered areas of the older once habitated sites you are looking for in he fields and woods. It will be easier on your pocketbook and give you enough time to make some good finds and settle into the hobby. Getting some experience and learning the Hobby will hone your thoughts about your future plans and any new directions in the Hobby. It appears you are already going the History direction in the fields and woods so Research is going to be a big part of your learning experience. On a rainy day that can be almost as much fun as detecting! I have a wall /closet full of Tesoro detectors and I have no problem hitting the woods with my Tesoro Amigo 2, 7" coil. It's the forerunner / same as /older brother of / the Compadre, and I love to hunt with it! I almost always find goodies behind the big dogs with all the bells and whistles! So,Compadre Will Hunt !!, Go Enjoy it bigtime and keep coming back to hang out with this bunch of folks for all the help you need! HH, Charlie
If you have the funds, I would say the Cibola (if you keep the 9x8 that comes with it) or the Vaquero (to be able to get the best depth using any coil that Tesoro makes for that series of metal detector). The Compadre is what people use mainly for coin shooting around parks. I, myself will be getting both Compadres (one with each coil for versatility). Always remember that soil conditions are a killer for depth. Here in Louisiana, I can go pretty seep with either the Cibola or Vaquero that I own just based on the ground mineralization.
Stoof-tabsallday
Well-known member
I still have to say that for the cost and considering what you said about being brand new as well as the finances, the compadre will do you just fine. I've used mine in alot of situations.
My soil is mild I guess. But it reaches deep enough to have great finds.
Let's face it there's a 50/50 chance that you'll stick with the hobby and the compadre gives you the chance to have a detector worth much more than it costs, while still allowing for you to decide not to continue and not be out much.
As you can see I own all the detectors also mentioned and all are really great.
I stand by the compadre as a first (and one you'll keep using) detector.
No you can't change coils, but because of the hole in the 8" I actually found it easier at the beginning to center in on the target because of the hole. You can locate it to that 3" hole every time and start digging.
The knob is in the best spot too for "thumbing" while learning the detector.
That said if you want to spend 2-4 times the amount you will be happy with any Tesoro you buy.
But again my compadres are the only detectors I know that come hell or high water I'll always keep.
I've started 5 people in the hobby with the compadre on their first try.
But any one you choose will be great.
Let us know what you decided.
My soil is mild I guess. But it reaches deep enough to have great finds.
Let's face it there's a 50/50 chance that you'll stick with the hobby and the compadre gives you the chance to have a detector worth much more than it costs, while still allowing for you to decide not to continue and not be out much.
As you can see I own all the detectors also mentioned and all are really great.
I stand by the compadre as a first (and one you'll keep using) detector.
No you can't change coils, but because of the hole in the 8" I actually found it easier at the beginning to center in on the target because of the hole. You can locate it to that 3" hole every time and start digging.
The knob is in the best spot too for "thumbing" while learning the detector.
That said if you want to spend 2-4 times the amount you will be happy with any Tesoro you buy.
But again my compadres are the only detectors I know that come hell or high water I'll always keep.
I've started 5 people in the hobby with the compadre on their first try.
But any one you choose will be great.
Let us know what you decided.
shilohdiggr
New member
My Troy shadow custom built detector will blow away all the ones you asked about plus it's rare and a collector's item.I'm the original owner so you can send it with a lifetime warranty under it's original owner's name should you ever have any problems.
shilohdiggr
New member
you're right down the road!!! your answer is solved hands down!!!