Did you ever want to

[Bowie]

try out another brand, look for something that you thought would make that click. Im sure most of you have.
Before I go any further, I wanna say that Richard of Backwoods Detectors is a good guy and so is LarryIL, both an asset to this forum.
Ive been wanting to try something new, learn more and many of you like Mike Hillis , Elton,Monte and others I cant recall, are unselfish and helpful. Some of you really take the time to explain with facts why a machine and its functions work for you,in your environment and hunt style and do not bash another brand just because you favor the detector that has worked out for you.
Ive been into this now for a tad over two years and still a babe in the woods,lol. Ive had two Whites, the XL Pro and M6 and enjoyed them very much. But, I want to try something new for what I do. That is, hunting old sites out in the woods and fields. I just enjoy looking for these sites, then getting to hunt them. I hunt in towns at times, but the other is what I like to do.
I learned a great deal thus far and Im learning more. Im sure everyone has seen my post asking about a Minelab, White , Fisher etc and want to thank you for anwering my questions, and no Im not crazy,just lack experience in the many machines available.
Yes, its like a search itself,looking for that next machine, trying to learn about the disc abilites, tones, where the tones land according to how the disc band is set up on a machine. Sometimes, I read so much, I have to exit out and come back later,lol.
Just wanted to thank you guys for being patient with me, and Im not thru yet,lol.
HH,
John

 

[Larry (IL)]

Thanks for the kind words John.

Do you have a MD'ing club anywhere near you? That is a good opportunity to make some friends and many will let you use their detectors for a hunt or two. There are also others on here who want to try other detectors and maybe an ad in the classifieds will result in a trial swap with someone. Be careful doing that, but many are honest, long time, Findmall friends. Elton, Monte and Mike are just three good examples who have, or had, just about tried all of the good detectors on the market.

 

[Bowie]

Thanks for your response Larry. No clubs around these parts. I will settle on a machine, Im in no hurry,lol.
Well its 35 degrees out today, think Im gonna go hit a field and do some walking and looking.
Best.
John

 

[silversniper]

John,

I understand what you mean by "looking for something new". I used a Garrett CXIII for 8 years. Finally, when I stopped finding anything at one of my favorite spots, even junk in all metal mode, I decided I needed something new. I did a TON of research and decided on Minelab. I liked the idea of being able to accept, or reject, one (or many) specific target. There were other reasons, like FBS, but that was the main reason I chose Minelab.

I ended up buying an Explorer SE Pro from Bill Paxton. Bill actually worked with Minelab to help design and test the SE Pro. The machine I bought, according to Bill, is the one actually used for testing for one of Andy Sabisch's books written on the Explorer and Etrac.

Anyway, after receiving the package I couldn't wait to get out there. I had already read Andy's books and was ready to go. As soon as I could I grabbed the SE Pro and went to that site I mentioned above. When I got there I turned the machine on and went to town. Less than 2 feet into my search I got a tone. I dug it and behold, one of the reed-like thingys from an old organ. OK, I thought to myself. I know I've been "there" before. So I continued on. Two minutes later, another reed, then another, then another. Before I knew it I had a dozen of those things and I know I was over, and over, this area with the Garrett.

So I went through the steps in Andy's book and rejected this specific item. Ten minutes later I had a Merc, them another Merc, then a Barber dime. I finished the day with the 3 dimes, 1 1964 JFK, 2 Injuns, 13 wheats, and 7 Lincolns. EVERYTHING was below 6" with the deepest being the Barber at around 8". Bill Paxton can attest to the above because I called him on his cell phone several times that day. I couldn't thank him enough for selling me that machine.

That was last March or April. I have had the best year hunting for me, ever.

If you want, I will send you one of Andy's books on the Explorers. All I ask is that you return it. Or, you can buy them cheap enough. I can hook you up with the site if you want, or a simple google of "sabisch minelab" will do it for you.

Hope this helps,

HH!!! -Kevin in Central NY

 

[tab-nabit]

Oh yeah - I think it's normal to wonder what another machine is like. That's how I usually have about a dozen detectors. But in the last couple years, I'm trying to cull it down to 4-6. Not an easy thing, for me anyway. Trying to keep up on the difference between one detector compared to other. I also think if I had 2 detectors, I would probably be more tuned into them compared to trying to remember a handful. I say 2 because when I go, I always take a minimum of 2 in the vehicle.
For the folks that have only 1 detector, it's the only one so they should learn and know it well.

While I was culling out a few machines, one by one, some new interesting detectors had to hit the market. That usually bounces my count back up a little - almost like I'm loosing the battle. But I did make a little headway - I'm down to 10 now I think - so that makes me feels now so bad now. What does make me feel bad is the cold wet fog, and sometimes a little breeze just makes it a little worse :angry:

 

[go-rebels]

Tab, what are your 'keepers' as of today?

 

[tab-nabit]

Vision/V3 - It's my newest and having fun learning it. Has loads of potential. Long run, I don't know, but not letting it go for now. Wireless.
F-75 - Fast recovery, deep and it's growing on me as a keeper. Hits targets well. Need more hours on it & I like it so far.
Tejon - Has done me well at some of my favorite relic sites. Been a good friend to me.
Compadre & Silver uMax - Simplistic, fun, effective. Like sleeper machines. I just like them.
Bandido-II - Found this unused in the box. Fun using a classic once in awhile, although I haven't used it much.

Cortes - Labels and display is small for me. Although it has found me one of my best ring finds, can't make up my mind yet.
Cibola - A fast grab & go, but think I'd rather have the vaquero for the manual GB. But did get me some nice silver last year.
Explorer-II - Deep silver seeker for a few years, but wears me out. I got the F-75 to replace it, although I still have the Explorer-II.
ACE-250 - Bought for the wife but she never tried. I use it once in awhile, but don't prefer the bell tone. Gets a good bit of loaner use.

7 PinPointers and I don't know now how many shovels, probes, trowels, gold pans, and all those accessories associated.

Been pondering the idea of getting a couple new detectors, but figure I better get rid of at least a couple. Trying not to go overboard. I did that with other hobbies, and friends think I was a pack-rat-gone-wild, off the deep end. So after thinking about those other hobbies, I figured if I did it all over again, I'm to the point now where I'm letting to much collecting dust.
Don't know how many fishing poles I have, but I'd say 3-4 dozen of them run 200-500 dollars each. Reels, oh no, lets not go there.
Shortwave radios & HAM radios and boxes of their accessories, tuners, frequency generators & counters, power supplies, antennas, a few nice 4-channel o-scopes etc etc etc. Radios all over the place. But had many nights years ago with a shortwave in a foxhole.
Lets not get into the latest HD TVs, 1 in each room plus the spare room and garage. Yeah I just had to get that new 55" LED that's 1.2" thin. Lets see - 8 laptops, no 9, had to get another for x-mas. Goes along with 9 sets of golf clubs plus all the extra singles piling up. This is what I mean.
Detectors? Beside metal detectors - how about my radar detectors. I seem to use 2 of them 90% of the time. Same with GPS's.
Been discussing with the wife that I don't really need 4 vehicles, and all the motorcycles. At least I got rid of the few boats in the last couple years I rarely use, and that's what got me thinking of all the downsizing. And I'm getting there as I let go about a half dozen metal detectors last year.
So with 1 kid left in college at home, a wife that has never had a working income, I'm coming to sense's as I get older - I don't have all the energy I used to have to keep up with everything
Hunting, reloading, shop tools, telescopes, antique's, etc etc etc on a load of odd ball stuff.

I don't know why, but I think I can get way with 4-6 metal detectors. May 3 or 4 for my main use and a couple for good old times. Letting my gold detectors go last year was a sad day indeed - but then I been thinking on a new one. See, there I go again. Better hold off.

 

[go-rebels]

Wow... I needed to negotiate with the Wifey for my one metal detector! Tab, you appear to be up to your ears in "stuff".

 

[silversmith]

Hey go-rebels, ya think old Tab-nabit's a pokin' a little fun at us I'll bet he's just like us, walking the gutter looking for pennies

 

[tab-nabit]

Can't argue with that. Wife couldn't understand why I would go out and pouch up tabs, nails, foil etc. back then, but she does now.
One thing I can say - Metal detecting has been the least invested hobby I ever had (money wise), and it's one that can pay back dividends. I'm no coin collector, but it's just fun and I tell her "having fun is what counts". Sometimes she fails to see that when I come back muddy, dirty, wet, and I done well collecting tabs

 

[silversmith]

Well Tab-nabit, I'm down as low as I've ever been. I got one HF rig , an FT-450at, 3 amps, a homebrew pair 813's, a Henry, a homebrew 4-1000A, and thats about all. Dirt bikes are all gone, I'm down to about 6 metal detectors, but if the sun ever comes out, I'm outta here.

 

[Bowie]

Silversnipper, thanks for that offer, I have one or two of Andys books, I know I have the one on the ETrac.
Well, Tab nabit, I dont have as many metal detectors as you, got a lot of fishing equipment, use to have tons of Archery stuff. I got rid of all my hunting/archery gear, still have my rods,reels tackle. As far as detectors go, I got a lot to learn,lol.
HH,
John

 

[go-rebels]

Can't argue with that. Wife couldn't understand why I would go out and ... but it's just fun and I tell her "having fun is what counts". Sometimes she fails to see that when I come back muddy, dirty, wet, and I done well collecting tabs

I heard that Tiger Woods said the exact same thing before having an accident with the 9-iron.

 

[tab-nabit]

Wow... I needed to negotiate with the Wifey for my one metal detector! Tab, you appear to be up to your ears in "stuff".

You just give them money (mine wife don't work), be sure there is a Walmart around, and when they disappear, you take off and make things happen.
I had some funny moments. When I got the Vision/V3, she didn't know. I just sat it in with the others. Next day I went to go try it. I took it out and after a few moments she said "I don't remember seeing that one"
I told her "yeah, it's collecting dust so I figured I better try this one today". She said it again "I don't remember that one". I told her "That's because I haven't used it much, and if I don't every now and then, then it's not worth keeping". She said "It sure looks clean, and I still don't remember that one".
Having certain things in numbers (i.e. fishing poles/reels, radios, guns etc.), makes it easy to inject another into the group. Just doesn't work with everything. When I bought another new motorcycle last year I tried to tell her "Well I bought this thinking maybe you would want one for yourself". I still can't get her to ride herself, so I guess I have to ride it now and then so it just don't sit collecting dust.

Actually - She has never worked an income job since the day I met her years ago. I just take care of her, and we raised 4 boys, still have one left in college, pay bills, eat good, get along, and she lets me be - as long as family and pets come first. Has worked well.
Just be sure there is a Walmart always nearby

 

[tab-nabit]

I have my of bows. I do all my own work on them and do my own carbon arrows. Cutting, fletching etc. Amazing the accuracy one can get isn't it? All mine are compound hunting style.

 

[tab-nabit]

Well Tab-nabit, I'm down as low as I've ever been. I got one HF rig , an FT-450at, 3 amps, a homebrew pair 813's, a Henry, a homebrew 4-1000A, and thats about all. Dirt bikes are all gone, I'm down to about 6 metal detectors, but if the sun ever comes out, I'm outta here.

I still like my Kenwood TS-830S tube set and Yaesu MP-1000 as my favorites HF big rigs. Have about 20 rigs and about a dozen 2-meter plus handy-talkies collecting dust. I bought a couple new Icom's maybe a year and a half ago - still in the sealed box - lol
I don't know - I'm kind of getting out of it. I don't even check in the nets anymore. May let my Extra-Class expire. CW wore out on me.

 

[XT18000]

There's an old saying; Beware the man that only has one gun; as he most likely knows how to use it

 

[silversmith]

to Tab-nabit. I feel the same way but I'm sure it's just because of no-propagation. It looks because of the dwindling 11 year sun spot cycle, we are going into a global cooling anyway. We'll see what happens. Ok on CW. I was a total cw freak for about my first 20 years as a ham. I got tired of it like everything else. Then I got tired of VHF, then chasing DX. You know how it goes. Never let go of your ticket. 73 for now. Silversmith...K6ZL