Detector choice help .. what would you buy

[J_w73]

Would would you buy at each price level

$250
Looking at the ACE 250 but heard the F2 is better

$500

Garrett 550x , F5 or F75??

$750

Looks like the xterra 705 is "THE" machine at this price point.. any more suggestions ??
What would you do? Money isn't really a problem but I am really into value or bang for my buck.. I hear some people liking the bounty hunter 3300 more than any other machine .. don't want to spend $1500 if I can get a machine that can almost do the same thing for $700

 

[goodmore]

Depends on where you live and where you are going to hunt. Also what you are going to hunt. Also your experience with a detector.

 

[J_w73]

I will use it for parks, playgrounds and beaches.. maybe around water or salt water..
I also want to use it for prospecting around river beds when I go panning and sluicing...
only used a detector for a bit when I was a kid.. so I'm a novice..

 

[Dwayne2010]

Sounds like an MXT would be good for you then, although, I haven't used one, but I know it was suggested to me for the prospecting feature.

 

[david1962hd]

I may be a little crazy and really don't know what I'm doing at times (which is most of the time) but I think the Teknetics Omega 8000 would be a good choice.
In fact I have the V-3 and within the next few months I plan on buying the Omega 8000 because of the good reviews and just to add another detector to the arsenal.
The 3 coil unit sells for 799.00 which ain't a bad price.

 

[J_w73]

I have looked at some of the teknetic models.. I like the look and it seems like they have a lot of features and from what I have read it sounds like they work ok..

Teknetics are made by Bounty Hunter, right??

 

[david1962hd]

I think you are correct to say that Teknetics are made by Bounty Hunter.
I think it would be a great choice for what you listed; Parks, Playgrounds and Beaches. I am not sure about the Prospecting around river beds but I'm sure someone will come along and inform both of us.
I have been reading the Teknetics Forum and have also downloaded the manual and I just love this machine.
Wish I could get my hands on one and "Try it before I buy it".

 

[oldcoon]

If you just want to find "stuff" found in parks, lawns, gardens and the like you might want to look at the Whites Prizm 5 found on the White's site. Right now they have it on sale. It's a light machine, target ID, depth, notch discrimination and runs forever on 2 9 volt batteries. With this machine you can successfully hunt the top 5 or 6 inches where most of the goodies are found.

 

[J_w73]

Problem is that I really want to get this to run around the riverbed when I go panning and sluicing for gold..
So I would like it to be able to find a nugget if one is there..
But my dad will probably use it the rest of the time around parks and lawns..

 

[Monte]

First, you don't want to try and assign a particular model to a price group for a few reasons, especially when you've got them in wrong groups. Also, since you're asking, we ought to just consider the suggested retail price to buy a brand new detector.

Would would you buy at each price level

$250
Looking at the ACE 250 but heard the F2 is better.

If at all possible, try to stay away from this general price group. One of the biggest problems is that most of these models are based on a factory preset Ground Balance and the operator seldom has the ability to tweak it for good performance. The result? Often some falsing and/or lack of depth and performance in challenging ground environments.

That said, if I was shopping in the "be simple" category knowing that I want to hunt but won't have very good adjustment capabilities, I might go for the Teknetics Delta 4000 in the low-end price group. many models that are low-priced with fixed ground balance will have a delayed response when you sweep over a target. Not all, but many. Tesoro's are a quick-response/fast-recovery and the Delta 4000 was better in that it also provides visual Target ID, Coin Depth, Notch Discrimination, and is also very well balanced. The low-end White's Prizm and Coinmaster series and Garrett Ace models, however, have the delayed response and recover time that can be a bit annoying when hunting in typically trashy coin-hunting environments.

$500

Garrett 550x , F5 or F75??

The Fisher F-75 and Teknetics T2 models do NOT fit in the $500 price range. This group would include many that, again, have some drawbacks due to a slow-response and recovery and/or limited Ground Balance adjustment capability (Garrett), but can include models such as the Fisher F5 which is a quick-response and has both Ground Grab and manual Ground Balance functions.

If you're going to lump everything below $750 into this group, however, you can count on the Teknetics Gamma 6000 @ $499 and Omega 8000 @ $599 and White's M6 $ $699.95 because they are all very good performing models with ample adjustment features. Personally, in this price group you've established I would consider the M6 .... if there were no Teknetics models. I've owned 3 White's M6 detectors and they are all very good, but they do come up a little short in comparison. The M6 is based on their MXT but simplified. It does have a full-range Sensitivity control and the Discrimination adjusts low so as to accept 'all metal targets.' It also features a very fast auto-balance feature that you can let track ground changes (I don't care to do that) or 'lock' the established GB setting. The Target ID is ample and provides either a single tone audio or you can opt for the 7-tone audio Tone ID.

That said, and since you asked, here is why I would definitely add the Gamma and Omega to the consideration. Both are quick-response/fast-recovery designs and powered by 1-9Volt battery. They both feature a very similar fast auto-balance Ground Cancel circuitry that hold the established setting and they both feature an instant Ground Grab capability. Also, they both provide manual Ground balance to let you 'fine tune' the GB setting , if desired.

You can select one of 4 audio Tone responses to include a single tone (d1) that provides some VCO audio on shallower targets and gives very good audio depth of detection and is modulated on the mid-to-deeper targets. The d2 audio is similar to d1 except it provides TWO audio tones. A low bass tone for Iron targets and a higher-pitched audio for Non-Iron targets. The 3-tone audio (d3) uses a more saturated audio response, tied in with the Sensitivity setting, and you get a low Bass tone for Iron, a High pitch tone for higher-conductive targets such as US clad and silver 10

 

[Elton]

I think you are correct to say that Teknetics are made by Bounty Hunter.
I think it would be a great choice for what you listed; Parks, Playgrounds and Beaches. I am not sure about the Prospecting around river beds but I'm sure someone will come along and inform both of us.
I have been reading the Teknetics Forum and have also downloaded the manual and I just love this machine.
Wish I could get my hands on one and "Try it before I buy it".

Teknetics is made by First Texas using the old name ..Bounty hunter is made by First Texas, also Fisher Detectors are manufactured by First Texas..

First Texas is a Multi line Manufacturer who incorporates some of the same design in some models and all new in many. Tek and Fisher high end units being an example.. First Texas has some, if not," the best" current Engineers in the industry of Metal Detector design....So to say Bounty Hunter makes Teknetics is not the case..As with most manufacturers once a design and line is produced some of the good from a platform for new design may be borrowed and tweaked for new units. but over all F/T has made all new products..

 

[Southwind]

don't want to spend $1500 if I can get a machine that can almost do the same thing for $700

Contrary to what those who choose to spend $700 instead of $1500 say, You get what you pay for. There are those with a lot of experience on a lower end machine that do quite well, and those are the ones who make it sound like there is no difference. There isn't for them thats what they really mean.

You can get a good used White's DFX for around $450 and that is as versatile as you're gonna get for that money.

 

[J_w73]

Thanks monte, elton and southwind.. those are some great replys..
Teknetics wasn't really on my radar cause I wasn't sure of the quality of the machine.. looked nice but wasn't sure how it could compete.. sounds like they are right up there.
From Montes description they are in my choice list for any level.. .. my problem is how much do I want to spend.. since everything is just $100 more for the next level it seems..

 

[J_w73]

How does the Fisher F2 compare to the Teknetics Delta 4000? I have heard that it has very good recovery.. Seems like every post about it talks about someone finding a quarter in the same hole witha nail or a bottle cap..I have seen that mentioned at least a half a dozen times during my searching..

 

[greenbean58]

I'd definitely get the MXT in your higher price bracket. One great machine.
Greenbean58

 

[JeffNS]

Get a machine with automatic gb or manual gb...otherwise cross off wet saltwater beaches from your list of hunting grounds....you'll also need to be able to ground balance if you plan on prospecting. Lot's of machines to choose from. If you're in areas which suffer alot from EMI then you might want to stay away from F series Fisher detectors as they are very prone to chatter. You can get rid of it by reducing sensitivity but that seems to be an issue for some even though the sensitivity is not a liniar adjustment...ie setting sensitivity at 2 isn't 20% sensitivity on a scale of 1 - 10.

Don't discount Fisher's CZ series of detectors. CZ-3D...new ones can be had for $800US. Used and in some people's opinion the older models made in the Los Banos facility are quite prized. You can pick up one these units for between $400 & $500 US. CZ-5, CZ6a...also good units. Just because the technology is 6yrs old doesn't make them less of a detector trust me. They'll keep up with the "big boys"...heck...they are in that category already. Teknetics Omega 8000 great machine...again...prone to chatter in areas with high EMI. F2 is a very good detector for the money...friend of mine uses one exclusively and his finds speak for themselves. One of the best diggers on the East Coast but don't let him hear me say that...Shhhh...don't think he visits here anyway. F2 runs very stable too...but no ability to ground balance manually so it's a no go for salt beach or prospecting.

Sounds like you really haven't narrowed down your search. You're in a good spot for information.

 

[silversmith]

Well consider this, it's been a while since you've done this and you're somewhat confused about what you want, why not pick up a really cheap detector thats a real kickbutt. The Tesoro Compadre I talking about. Yea, it's just about $150.00, but talk about bang for your buck I have several detectors but this little warrior is always in the back of my truck. Go find an awesome metal detector dude called "tabdog" and read how he does with his. He can be found by typing "tabdog" on Google. Then when you find what you want to do you can go from there. I don't think you'll find a "detector of all trades" I think you end up with at least a couple. I doubt any common detector will touch one of the "Gold Bugs" for light prospecting (I got a Gold Strike coming myself), but I wouldn't want one for hunting coins in a playground. Anyway, consider the fantastic Compadre for a cheap, introductory, competent, easy to use, beginners tool, all the Tesoros are really good. Good Luck.

 

[J_w73]

I'm looking at the Tesoro's now.. Looks like even the lowest level tesoro you can discriminate.. what about notching.. can the vaquero or cibola notch in or out certain items.. or is that even necessary..

 

[JeffNS]

Tesoro Compare was my first detector. FANTASTIC discrimination capabilities. Single tone. 10khz frequency. Great turn on and go beep and dig detector. Reasonable depth but not outstanding...but for the price well worth it. With shallow targets of up to 8" max it'll hold it's own and is VERY sensitive...even to small gold with 0 disc. No ground balance renders it useless as a prospecting or salt sand detector though.

 

[Woodchuck]

The classic fishers are nice back to basics,you learn more instead of being spoiled by bells and whistles IMHO And its moe fun to see what you pulled up.