What is with this 250? That is about all I read about anymore. I own a 550 which I bought about 3 years ago. It seems to be a pretty good detector but nobody hardly ever mentions it on this forum. Would I be wise to buy a 250? Does the depth finder really work? Is it a superior machine compared to the 550?
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Does anybody NOT use a 250?
- Thread starter KansasDon
- Start date
Here's why:
The Garrett Ace 250 Info
When Garrett introduced the Ace 250 to the market they couldn't know how much success they would have with this detector, could they ?
I own an Ace 250 along with other top of the line detectors and i tried to find the answer for the success of this detector nicknamed "yeller feller" on the Internet forums.
UPS delivered my yeller feller in the nice high quality box. I paid 199$ for it with some freebies and didn't expect much. After i opened the box and took a close look at all the detector parts.
The coil is with the "Rhino tough" design and the oval size of 6.5 by 9 inch is one of the best made coils i have ever seen. Other companies charge about 160 $ for a coil in that quality and in this case this coil is part of a 199 $ detector. New is its oval design that is usually found on DD coils. Why is this coil shaped like that ? I will answer that later.
Next i inspected the control housing, the rods and the armrest and had no complaints about the quality here either. All is so well made that the price of 199 $ seems way to low for this detector.
How can a company make a quality detector like that and sell it for a low price ? I sure have to ask Mr. Garrett about that . Or shouldn't i ? I don't want to give him some hint to raise the price for the Ace.
Assembling the Ace was just a matter of minutes because it is easy to do. Next i noticed is that is just needs 4 AA Batteries (pre-installed by the factory).
How smart, i thought. I can buy me a charger at walmart with 4 NIMH batteries for just 10 $ and don't have to buy batteries for the next years. How much money do people waste in a year of detecting if they have to buy 8 AA alkaline batteries for their XXX brand detector in a week ? That can easily add up to 400 $ in just one year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is what 2 Ace 250s would costs !!!!!!
Installing or de-installing batteries couldn't be easier than on the Ace detector. Just slide the cover on top of the control-box back and change or charge them.
Lets take a look at the features of this well build detector :
Display with these features:
Graphic Target ID Cursor (12 Segments)
Discrimination: Notch
Electronic Pinpoint Tone and Visual
Battery Condition Indicator
Coin Depth Indicator
Push Button Controls
Tone ID, 3 levels
Touch-n-Go Operation
Lightweight design
Search Modes:
All Metal
Jewelry
Custom
Relics
Coins
Let me repeat the price........199 $. Now read the features again :
Discrimination with Notch Accept / Reject , 5 Modes, tone ID. I know more expensive detectors that don't offer that. Lightweight, yes ! I never liked this heavy machines that wear you out in less than two hours.
Later i found this statement on Garretts homepage :
"Introducing the ALL-NEW Garrett ACE series - not just a new line of detectors, but a new way of thinking. We've taken much of the leading edge technology and well thought-out features from our GTI and GTAx lines and packaged them into the most aggressive, rugged outdoor design in the industry. These attention-stealing detectors are turning heads and sending the competition back to the drawing board.
But put aside their aggressive good looks and you'll see just how much amazing technology we've packed into these NEW machines. From custom notch discrimination, pinpointing, adjustable sensitivity and depth settings to the newest addition of the PROformance coils series, the 6.5x9" ACE coil, these detectors will never stop impressing you - or finding treasure!"
If one would read that without having seen the Ace 250 first he may think, this is just hype. But after using the Ace now for over a year i couldn't have said that better.
Let me add some tips here that Garrett has not on their homepage and will help you shorten your learning curve of the Ace :
1. Tape the coil cable straight up the lower rod.
That way you can run sensitivity much higher without falsing.
2. Hunt in the Relic or All Metal Mode. If you start notching out more you will easily loose 2 inches of depth.
3. If you get a weak signal try to swing the coil faster over the target. That improves target ID and depth.
4. If the target just jumps in the coin range, it is a deep coin most of the time. If it jumps all over the ID range it is trash.
5. If you use the 4.5 sniper coil (just 60$) run sensitivity at max. You can still get coins 6 to 7 inches deep !
This small sniper coil is important for trashy sides (around old houses, around trees in parks). The standard coil sees to many targets at once and good targets will be masked by trash. Try it...it will open you eyes what target separation is.
6. Pinpointing:
If the pinpointing area seems to large go over the target release pinpoint switch and press it again OVER the target.
That is called detuning and the target will shrink and be in the center of the coil.
Here is the reason Garrett made the oval 6.5 x 9 coil :
+ covers more ground per sweep
+ no air inside, better for warding
+ the rhino tough PROformance coil is better made than previous Garrett coils.
This coil makes a great standard coil but is has a large inner receiving loop and would see to many targets at ones in a trashy area like parks or around old houses.
If you don't choose the right coil-size for your type of hunting the display will bounce around because it tries to display for you what's under the coil. Some people think if they use a smaller coil they will loose depth. But depth is worthless if the good targets a masked by rejected targets. This is the reason you need the 4.5 sniper coil. Street-price of that coil is just 60 $ and worth every cent you pay for it.
Buy one and go back to the spots you hunted before and i am sure that will open your eyes. I believe that more coins are hidden by target masking than by depth. With the 4.5 sniper coil you will still get coins up to 7" deep. The fast target response and recovery speed of the Ace in combination with the 4.5 sniper coil makes it a killer in trash .
Now you may ask why Garrett just introduced a 9 x 12 inch coil. If you have to cover a large area where you don't expect much trash the 9x12 will cover more ground faster and give you more depth. Its street-price is 80 $.
Sweepspeed: The Ace 250 needs a fast sweepspeed to get its full depth. Here is an example why this can be a very nice feature :
Lets compare an Ace 250 with one of the most expensive detectors, the Minelab Explorer at the beach. We all know the Explorer need a slow sweepspeed to get the depth and Target ID. Yes if you swing the Explorer slow it will be deeper than the Ace 250 at the beach. But if you have to swing a detector slow you can NOT cover much ground in a given time. If you use the Ace 250 with the 9x12 coil you can swing that detector very fast and cover ten times more ground than an Explorer user in the same time. The good stuff isn't always very deep, you just have to swing the coil over it. Don't get me wrong, the Ace with the 9x12 coil can find stuff very deep. Just want to point out that depth isn't everything when you have to swing the detector slow.
Is the Ace 250 the best detector money can buy ? NO it is not !!!!! But it is sure the best you can buy for 199 $.
I wish Garrett would put automatic ground tracking and a true All Metal Mode in it, make an 8 inch round Proformance coil and charge 100$ more. That would make a good detector even better.
What if you don't like the Ace 250 after a few weeks ? Used Ace 250s still sell for about 150 $. So all you can loose is about 50 $ if you decide to quit. But if you stay in the hobby and want to upgrade some day you will never forget what this detector did for you at a price of 199$.
How come i still own one next to my more expensive detectors ?
Could it be the Yeller Feller Fun Factor (YFFF)? Yes !!!!!!!
Buy one and start the Fun......and no, i don't get paid by Garrett.
HH,
Andy
The Garrett Ace 250 Info
When Garrett introduced the Ace 250 to the market they couldn't know how much success they would have with this detector, could they ?
I own an Ace 250 along with other top of the line detectors and i tried to find the answer for the success of this detector nicknamed "yeller feller" on the Internet forums.
UPS delivered my yeller feller in the nice high quality box. I paid 199$ for it with some freebies and didn't expect much. After i opened the box and took a close look at all the detector parts.
The coil is with the "Rhino tough" design and the oval size of 6.5 by 9 inch is one of the best made coils i have ever seen. Other companies charge about 160 $ for a coil in that quality and in this case this coil is part of a 199 $ detector. New is its oval design that is usually found on DD coils. Why is this coil shaped like that ? I will answer that later.
Next i inspected the control housing, the rods and the armrest and had no complaints about the quality here either. All is so well made that the price of 199 $ seems way to low for this detector.
How can a company make a quality detector like that and sell it for a low price ? I sure have to ask Mr. Garrett about that . Or shouldn't i ? I don't want to give him some hint to raise the price for the Ace.
Assembling the Ace was just a matter of minutes because it is easy to do. Next i noticed is that is just needs 4 AA Batteries (pre-installed by the factory).
How smart, i thought. I can buy me a charger at walmart with 4 NIMH batteries for just 10 $ and don't have to buy batteries for the next years. How much money do people waste in a year of detecting if they have to buy 8 AA alkaline batteries for their XXX brand detector in a week ? That can easily add up to 400 $ in just one year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is what 2 Ace 250s would costs !!!!!!
Installing or de-installing batteries couldn't be easier than on the Ace detector. Just slide the cover on top of the control-box back and change or charge them.
Lets take a look at the features of this well build detector :
Display with these features:
Graphic Target ID Cursor (12 Segments)
Discrimination: Notch
Electronic Pinpoint Tone and Visual
Battery Condition Indicator
Coin Depth Indicator
Push Button Controls
Tone ID, 3 levels
Touch-n-Go Operation
Lightweight design
Search Modes:
All Metal
Jewelry
Custom
Relics
Coins
Let me repeat the price........199 $. Now read the features again :
Discrimination with Notch Accept / Reject , 5 Modes, tone ID. I know more expensive detectors that don't offer that. Lightweight, yes ! I never liked this heavy machines that wear you out in less than two hours.
Later i found this statement on Garretts homepage :
"Introducing the ALL-NEW Garrett ACE series - not just a new line of detectors, but a new way of thinking. We've taken much of the leading edge technology and well thought-out features from our GTI and GTAx lines and packaged them into the most aggressive, rugged outdoor design in the industry. These attention-stealing detectors are turning heads and sending the competition back to the drawing board.
But put aside their aggressive good looks and you'll see just how much amazing technology we've packed into these NEW machines. From custom notch discrimination, pinpointing, adjustable sensitivity and depth settings to the newest addition of the PROformance coils series, the 6.5x9" ACE coil, these detectors will never stop impressing you - or finding treasure!"
If one would read that without having seen the Ace 250 first he may think, this is just hype. But after using the Ace now for over a year i couldn't have said that better.
Let me add some tips here that Garrett has not on their homepage and will help you shorten your learning curve of the Ace :
1. Tape the coil cable straight up the lower rod.
That way you can run sensitivity much higher without falsing.
2. Hunt in the Relic or All Metal Mode. If you start notching out more you will easily loose 2 inches of depth.
3. If you get a weak signal try to swing the coil faster over the target. That improves target ID and depth.
4. If the target just jumps in the coin range, it is a deep coin most of the time. If it jumps all over the ID range it is trash.
5. If you use the 4.5 sniper coil (just 60$) run sensitivity at max. You can still get coins 6 to 7 inches deep !
This small sniper coil is important for trashy sides (around old houses, around trees in parks). The standard coil sees to many targets at once and good targets will be masked by trash. Try it...it will open you eyes what target separation is.
6. Pinpointing:
If the pinpointing area seems to large go over the target release pinpoint switch and press it again OVER the target.
That is called detuning and the target will shrink and be in the center of the coil.
Here is the reason Garrett made the oval 6.5 x 9 coil :
+ covers more ground per sweep
+ no air inside, better for warding
+ the rhino tough PROformance coil is better made than previous Garrett coils.
This coil makes a great standard coil but is has a large inner receiving loop and would see to many targets at ones in a trashy area like parks or around old houses.
If you don't choose the right coil-size for your type of hunting the display will bounce around because it tries to display for you what's under the coil. Some people think if they use a smaller coil they will loose depth. But depth is worthless if the good targets a masked by rejected targets. This is the reason you need the 4.5 sniper coil. Street-price of that coil is just 60 $ and worth every cent you pay for it.
Buy one and go back to the spots you hunted before and i am sure that will open your eyes. I believe that more coins are hidden by target masking than by depth. With the 4.5 sniper coil you will still get coins up to 7" deep. The fast target response and recovery speed of the Ace in combination with the 4.5 sniper coil makes it a killer in trash .
Now you may ask why Garrett just introduced a 9 x 12 inch coil. If you have to cover a large area where you don't expect much trash the 9x12 will cover more ground faster and give you more depth. Its street-price is 80 $.
Sweepspeed: The Ace 250 needs a fast sweepspeed to get its full depth. Here is an example why this can be a very nice feature :
Lets compare an Ace 250 with one of the most expensive detectors, the Minelab Explorer at the beach. We all know the Explorer need a slow sweepspeed to get the depth and Target ID. Yes if you swing the Explorer slow it will be deeper than the Ace 250 at the beach. But if you have to swing a detector slow you can NOT cover much ground in a given time. If you use the Ace 250 with the 9x12 coil you can swing that detector very fast and cover ten times more ground than an Explorer user in the same time. The good stuff isn't always very deep, you just have to swing the coil over it. Don't get me wrong, the Ace with the 9x12 coil can find stuff very deep. Just want to point out that depth isn't everything when you have to swing the detector slow.
Is the Ace 250 the best detector money can buy ? NO it is not !!!!! But it is sure the best you can buy for 199 $.
I wish Garrett would put automatic ground tracking and a true All Metal Mode in it, make an 8 inch round Proformance coil and charge 100$ more. That would make a good detector even better.
What if you don't like the Ace 250 after a few weeks ? Used Ace 250s still sell for about 150 $. So all you can loose is about 50 $ if you decide to quit. But if you stay in the hobby and want to upgrade some day you will never forget what this detector did for you at a price of 199$.
How come i still own one next to my more expensive detectors ?
Could it be the Yeller Feller Fun Factor (YFFF)? Yes !!!!!!!
Buy one and start the Fun......and no, i don't get paid by Garrett.
HH,
Andy
tucky_tector
Member
I have never owned a 550 so I can't compare the two detectors, but Andy's description of the Ace 250 pretty well sums it up. Great description and tips. All I know is that since I've owned the "Yeller Feller" my other detectors have become dust magnets. I might get them out of storage someday if I want to build my arm muscles up. I take the Ace with me every where I go. Its quick to get out,turn on and detect if I come across a new spot in my travels around the county. I'm an electrician and have also used it to trace a few wires with. I have all three coils (6.5X9, 9X12, 4.5 sniper)which makes it an all around machine for the type of hunting I do. Yes the Ace 250 is a amazing machine for the price. I bet Charles Garrett had second thoughts about the price after he saw how popular his little "Yeller Feller" had become.
Just my opion,
Bud
Just my opion,
Bud
Neil in West Jersey
New member
I have a Garrett Grand Master Hunter CXIII. I paid $350 for a used one on eBay, about one year ago.
The Ace 250 has almost all of the same features as the CXIII, in a much lighter design. THe CXIII is a like an old workhorse. taking 6 C cell batteries!! Imagine the weight with the optional 12.5 inch Deep Seeker Coil!
I love the results of my CXIII, but I may "trade down" to an Ace 250 at some point in the near future. All I read are RAVING reviews!
I am curiouus if anyone has done a comparison between the two.
The Ace 250 has almost all of the same features as the CXIII, in a much lighter design. THe CXIII is a like an old workhorse. taking 6 C cell batteries!! Imagine the weight with the optional 12.5 inch Deep Seeker Coil!
I love the results of my CXIII, but I may "trade down" to an Ace 250 at some point in the near future. All I read are RAVING reviews!
I am curiouus if anyone has done a comparison between the two.
Leslie(nova scotia)
Well-known member
n/t
Both are great machines, however, the GMH CXIII has a true all metal mode, auto tracking and can be fitted with a 2 box system for deep hunting. The ACE is a turn on and go with many of the same features.
he LOVES it! I love it as well. I have been detecting for 27 years and truly believe the Ace 250 is the best bang for the buck I have come accross yet. It's perfect for beginners and experienced users as well. I have never seen any other detector come even close to having all the 250's features for only $200. It's a no-brainer...AND a WINNER. Heck...I even find myself swinging it at times!
Happy Hunting
Happy Hunting
tucky_tector
Member
Another satisified "Yeller Feller" user. The Ace is a great machine and a lot of fun too. Keep swingin' and findin'
KY Bud
KY Bud
Uncle Willy
New member
When they first came out the discount price was $199, then later on they jacked it a bit to the current price.
Bill
Bill
Uncle Willy
New member
Don't swing it to much or you'll find yourself parking that Explorer. 
Bill
Bill
i use a 550 and love it. i am just starting to really get the hang of it.went out to the lake to really get the hang of pinpointing[easier digging]dug everything i could find so i could get the hang of it.since then i really enjoy detecting a whole lot more.at first i was digging big holes and not finding my target very easily.now i can dig smaller holes and its easier to find my target.i don't own a 250 bout i definitely love my 550. just took awhile to get used to.i think that you would have this problem with any machine.
Uncle Willy
New member
Yeah the 550 is a dandy machine. I have a field test on it at losttreasure.com
Bill
Bill