Deleon or Vaquero?

[Habanero]

Let's say price is equal, which one would you choose and why? Pros and cons? Will be used in unmineralized conditions hunting trashy parks. Thanks!

 

[Hombre]

Habanero,

In the conditions that you discribe (trashy park) I think a target ID detector would suite you better. If your ground is unmineralized, the DeLeon should run fine with it's factory pre-set ground balance, and the LCD target ID is a plus in the trash. I snuck off with my wife's DeLeon for a short while yesterday and found three wheat pennies in one hole, I really like this detector and own some top of the line White's TID detectors, and this light weight Deleon is pefect for my wife. It is up the the detectorist on how well he or she does in the field. You can use a target ID detector as a non- target ID detector by just going by audio, and not give much thought to the meter or you can cherry pick the high coin signals.The added information of the meter and with the running depth reading on the meter display...... it is easy to find the older and deeper coins.JMHO

 

[DiggerDug]

I liked the Deleon but it depends on what type of hunter you are. Do you need a screen to give you an idea of what the target is. If I was strickly a coin shooter I would go for the Deleon. But if you like relic hunting or beach hunting I would go with the Vaquero. The fact that it can be ground balanced is the a strong point and it is a very deep machine. Put a 5.75 coil on it and it will blow your mind.

 

[johnnywayne]

What Digger said. If looking for coins I would go Deleon without any second thought.

I did a test recently with a old man who is ALWAYS at the detector shop by my house and he is a play by ear hunter. I had just recently got a TID machine and he stated I had wasted my money and I all needed was my ears, having told this man I had plenty of beep dig machines he just scoffed in disgust and turned his head. I then said ok bud I tell you what we will go to a local park and see who finds more in a hour, so surprisingly he accepted. I freaking ran circles around this guy (and not because of age), it actually got embarrassing how bad I made him look.

Reason

If you own or have owned a beep dig machine you already have a ear for things and secondly what most play by ear folks fail to mention is they are constantly turning the knob checking targets, EXACTLY the same thing the TID is telling you without having to reset your dial. I'm sure there is a play by ear hero who can tell you exactly how many ounces of dirt is in a pile, and tell you how many blades of grass is under his/her coil and caught Moby Dick with 5lb test line...*COUGH *COUGH, but anyone who says more info on a given target is worthless is a fool IMO, its what you do with the info provided is what makes the difference.

 

[Habanero]

Thanks for the input y'all. I was holding out for an Outlaw and may still get one but had also been looking hard at these other two machines. Yes, when I am in parks I am after coins; jewelry would be nice but I also hunt water so that's more my kind of jewelry hunting. Also, I don't have a whole lot of time anymore with my first child having arrived recently, full time school and work so I don't have several hours to hunt anymore and that extra little bit of information might be handy. If I had all the time in the world, I would be more inclined to beep then dig b/c I like the unknown and enjoy surprises with my digs. I haven't ruled out the Vaquero, or the Outlaw, for that matter but that exra information looks appealing. The only problem I forsee is the enjoyment factor of the Deleon; I say this b/c I had use of a Cortes for a couple of months. I don't know why exactly, but the Cortes just was not a very fun detector for me to operate. It may have been the small screen, the field of detection on the coil, the depth meter that was not very accurate or any number of other things. Just not sure I will be pleased with a Deleon if I did not enjoy the Cortes.

 

[phinbolt]

Hmmm maybe you can guess my answer, I have never used any other Tesoro machine other than the DeLeon the years I have had it have been unbelievable to say the least. My best year I found 25 rings half were gold over 400.00 in change 20 silver coins. I use the TID to help me decide if I want to dig a target but most the time I dig everything from foil to silver and everything the DeLeon hits good on. It is a great machine and will find silver very deep as far as relics go I have taken the D out to old mines ghost towns lakes, rivers and just about any place I go and it has all ways produced a cool find. This year I am already up to 10 rings and over 200.00 in change, last Friday the Mercury dime I found was over 8" deep. You can't go wrong with either one but you couldn't give another machine for land. I will be buying a Sand Shark in the near future.

 

[Habanero]

Oh yea, I didn't need to ask your opinion Phinbolt; I knew the answer already lol You are using a different coil though other than the stock right? I thought I read you using a clean sweep coil but what do you use for relics and other hunting?

 

[phinbolt]

For the deep stuff and around old homesites I use the stock coil, for parks and sports fields I have been using the cleansweep I have only had the cleansweep coil since Christmas so until this year everything was found with the stock coil.

 

[Habanero]

Was your clean sweep a good investment in your opinion for the Deleon? That 12x10 coil they are gonna package with the Outlaw looks appealing too! Sigh....too many Tesoros and not enough time and money to try them all.

 

[BarberBill]

The conditions you set up are identical to the way I use my D. I've done well with it on coins. As to trashy parks, I'd say you might be better served with the 5.75 versus the CS. Also, any of the 5 pin

 

[phinbolt]

For me I think the cleansweep was a very good investment not only has it saved time hunting in large areas it is like a vacuum cleaner it misses nothing but it also showed me a new adventure in hunting with the DeLeon it is like a different machine with the cleansweep coil on it I had to learn how to pinpoint differently. Now I'm thinking instead of buying a new detector I can just get a different coil to sate my need for something else at half the price and add a new dimension to an already awesome machine. Maybe next Christmas I'll ask for the 10x12 coil for added depth and see what I have been missing it's always nice to hunt a place you thought you cleaned out and find more goodies.

 

[Habanero]

Thanks for the replies; I went with a Deleon for this go around! The Vaquero and especially the Outlaw may be added later but the Deleon gets the nod this time.

 

[Beale]

Thus my plight! I im thinking the same way, I may just go Deleon myself. You asked a great question. Thanks, Beale.

 

[phinbolt]

Just remember the ID on the screen is only a tool to help YOU decide to dig or not dig I still dig lots of trash but many are the signals I have found rings at. The more you use the DeLeon the easier it is to read and hear what it is telling you. It does have a small difference in sounds from junk to better targets like silver if u have any questions or I can help in any way leave a mesage at the BEEEEEEP........ LOL

 

[otie]

Habanero, being on the road full time i have used my Deleon in Ga. SC, NC Mass,Vt,Ky, and now in Bar Harbor Me. It has been great,take the time to watch the bar graph,it is talking to you. You put in the time and pay attention you will be well rewarded. HH Otie

 

[Habanero]

Thanks for the tips and well wishes on the new Deleon! I'll post something up eventually when I get it in my hands and get to use it for awhile.