Compadre an All-Around Machine

[berryman]

In "The Vaq Rocks" post below, Machineman said that he's owned lots of Tesoros but that now only his Compadres remain. That got me to wondering whether the Compadre could be used as an all-around machine and not just as a tot lot machine. Even though the Compadre only has a single discrimination knob, it's nevertheless achieved cult-like status on this and other forums. Does that suggest that it can compete with higher priced machines in a variety of different hunting conditions?

 

[REVIER]

It does well in iron infested sites, trash filled sites, wide open sites and mine seems to work well in both good and bad dirt in my experience so I believe it can be considered a pretty decent all around detector.

I have found plenty in tot lots with mine, especially right next to big metal that the other hunters always seem to miss.
Be that as it may, I have found way more NOT in tot lots.
A huge amount of clad, tons of silver jewelry including chains, more gold than you might want to believe.
Using mine only part time I have paid for it probably 8-10X's over.
I have the older 7" coil model and the sense is internally cranked up to max but I still would not use this thing when major depth is needed.
If I am looking for targets at 7" or more even up to or past 12" deep I have a Vaq and an F70 for that task.
Luckily 99% of all the good targets I have dug have been only 6" or less in the dirt...usually less.

The Compadre won't find everything out there at all depth levels but really how many units out there will especially at this bargain basement price?
If I had no other choice or options, for the rest of my time spent in this hobby if I had to use only my Compadre I would still have a blast and find more than my share of great treasure I am sure.
Many do have and use only the Compadre and seem happy so I believe if having fun in this hobby is the goal the answer to the question for a lot of people would be yes.

I have never suggested that this should be considered only a specialized tot lot unit but I have said many times that everyone should have a Compadre in their arsenal no matter what else they swing or how many.
Everyone!

 

[slingshot]

I can't explain it, but it's something else.

 

[slingshot]

To seriously answer your question, it IS an all around machine, albeit not a deep machine to contend with such detectors as my MX 5. I did have the presence of mind to double check a deep dime I hit with the MX 5 and got a faint smooth tone in both directions. The Whites was a harder hit and I only had it at just above half sensitivity. You're looking at the first 4-6", which is where most stuff is in schools, parks. But I would never part with EITHER the whites or the Compadre.

 

[supertraq]

I have one and it amazes me at how well it works in trashy sites and has good depth to.

 

[ken ward]

I think too, everyone needs a COMPADRE. I just like to get out and have fun and find anything. If I am going to hunt a old site or in a field where you know coins are going to be deep, I have my deep detectors. Sometimes I dont want to dig 12" holes. My kneese and back just dont work like it did 20 years ago. Like most of us know, most items are around the 6" or less. My compadre will do that and that is enough for me. I dont know how many years ago it was, I bought an Amego. Just like the compadre. Than they come out with the famous COMPADRE. I still have both and neither one has ever been sent in for repairs. They look like they been used too.... KEN from Ind.

 

[ToneTime]

The compadre is a great tool and a lot of fun to use and easy on the wallet too but so are many other Tesoro units. I would not want to limit myself to just any one of them. I like them all for different reasons and they each have there place. I would definitely recommend the compadre to anyone who is looking to get into Metal detecting, then again I count on people missing stuff so I can find it. I may have to rethink the recommending the compadre thing, lol.

 

[machineman]

Im coming in late on a thread about me. The first machine I ever bought was a Compadre. I still have it. I bought another one when I found it for a good price. Of all the detectors I have had I cant imagine a detector that could beat a Compadre for the price. I picked both mine up for $100 each, used obviously. Thats cheaper than most coils. I have hunted every type of terrain with mine and the only time I struck out was looking for nuggets. I mostly figure that is because finding nuggets is really hard. The Compadre hits gold and small items very well. It shines most in trashy parks where targets are not necessarily deep. Its just darn fun to use. Everyone should have one.

 

[BarberBill]

Compadres are just plain fun and simple to use. I think every arsenal should have one.
BB

 

[amberjack]

I don't like them

one thing I didn't read and maybe I missed it was the 180 disc , it sure works well !! I think the only current modal that runs the 180 if I am wrong then please forgive me

AJ

 

[REVIER]

The Tejon also has true 180 ED circuitry.

 

[amberjack]

well there ya go totally forgot haven't had one for years, thanks for the info it does work well in trashy sites

AJ

 

[Mega]

What is the best coil option for the Compadre ?? mine does have the ability to use all 5 pin plug coil but i only have 4 coils that i can use,8'' Polo,7'' Polo,7'' WS and a 4'' Concentric,currently have the 4'' coil on it as i had been using it for detecting in stream and shallow rivers for Roman votive offerings and also a 1000 years old river cross or ford call it what you like,but may try the 7'' Concentric on it.

As the river is very shallow its a hotspot for mums and toddlers during the summer for paddling,so as we are all aware that young mums usually wear grans old lump of ice on her finger/s and water shrink the fingers.Ideal location to search for some jewellery me thinks.The Compadre may be the vital secret weapon to use on that location.

 

[machineman]

My favorite it the 5.75 stock concentric coil. I Put a plug on mine and a sensitivity mod. I then tried it with all the coils from the Outlaw I had and a clean sweep coil. The Compadre ran fine with the 5.75", 8", and a 7" but did poorly with the CSC and 10x12 widescan. The Compadre shines in trashy spots and that means small coils. I would like to try the 4".

 

[supertraq]

Yea that's the thing that make compadre what it is,is the 180 disc.
It will find lower iron content meteorites than most any machine,my supertrac is the only one better for meteorites.

 

[cladcanada]

I have a compadre and a cibola , cibola is up for sale .
Compadre is in my will......

 

[JMC]

I'll travel my 8 inch Compadre stashed in the truck box. No fuss to use just turn it on and off you go. Earlier this year on a business trip there was an empty lot next to the hotel we were staying at. It was below the hotel parking lot and part of their property. I checked all around the edges of the lot in the shrubs at the lower end. In just under two hours filled almost a coffee can with small change, pennies and quarters mainly. Rain had been washing coins off the lot for years into the lower area. None were more than 2 inches down, most just under the surface. I stopped when I ran out of time leaving huge areas not checked.
I'm due back at the same property in a month or two and will continue the hunt.