Eldorado

[spanishsilver]

Got a chance to get an Eldorado for 200.00. Hows is this machine for coin hunting and hunting cellar holes. Thanks guys

 

[Wraytex]

I haven't hit any cellars with mine but it does very well on coins, if you are familiar with what I've heard described as Tesoro's "round" sound and thumb the discrimination knob you can be pretty sure of what you are going to uncover. The ground balance is easy to set and the machine runs very quiet. I don't like a chattery machine. Deepest coin so far is an 8" quarter, found pennies at 6"+ I started with a silver, went to an AT pro, and am back... I guess trying out other equipment is the electric fence we all have to pee on for ourselves.

 

[tabman]

I just finished testing some different targets to see where they would discriminate out on my Eldorado. I used my Omega to assign ID numbers to the targets as well. Each detector is a little different and changing coils can affect the settings that the targets will discriminant out as well, but this will give you an ideal what you can do. There are several different types of modern pull tabs and each type has a different reading, 57-58.

Eldorado uMax

49 - Foil Drink Cap - front edge of discrimination pointer almost touching '5' of the '5

 

[BarberBill]

$200 is a pretty good deal IMHO if the machine is relatively clean and working properly. I know it would take quite a bit more than that to talk me out of mine.
BB

 

[Monte]

If it is clean and in proper working order, then $200m isn't too bad. I know some wouldn't sell theirs for that but I have seen them go for around $150

It can make a good coin hunting unit, especially around cellar sites, plowed fields, and other places where rocks and intense mineral bodies (like dirt clods) can cause some problems because it has a true ED-180 Discrimination circuit. The means it can be set at the minimum setting and respond to ALL targets, ferrous and non-ferrous, especially in a tough mineralized environment.

If you want to reject problem iron such as nails, the Eldorado and most models of that era and newer do not reject iron as cleanly as the 'pre-

 

[Monte]

That is to make sure the Eldorado you are using is GB'ed similar to tabman's, and also the Discriminate control knob is places on the shaft and properly positioned to begin with.

I just finished testing some different targets to see where they would discriminate out on my Eldorado. I used my Omega to assign ID numbers to the targets as well. Each detector is a little different and changing coils can affect the settings that the targets will discriminant out as well, but this will give you an ideal what you can do. There are several different types of modern pull tabs and each type has a different reading, 57-58.

Eldorado uMax

49 - Foil Drink Cap - front edge of discrimination pointer almost touching '5' of the '5

 

[tabman]

$200 is a pretty good deal IMHO if the machine is relatively clean and working properly. I know it would take quite a bit more than that to talk me out of mine.
BB

You got that right! I traded my previous Eldorado for a Teknetics Omega that is in like new condition. It was a good trade, but I got to missing the Eldorado so much that I had to go out and purchase another one.

Tesoro makes high quality detectors that last and work great .

I will buy every Tesoro Eldorado uMax that's clean and in good working order all day long for $150, because I know they're worth a whole lot more.

I certainly hope that Monte will direct everyone my way who he finds that want to sell their clean and good working order Eldorado detectors for $150.

tabman

 

[BarberBill]

I'll jump in again to support Monte's suggestion on the 7" and/or 5/34 coils. I use a 7" coil much of the time on all my

 

[tabman]

I'll jump in again to support Monte's suggestion on the 7" and/or 5/34 coils. I use a 7" coil much of the time on all my

 

[Monte]

I will buy every Tesoro Eldorado uMax that's clean and in good working order all day long for $150, because I know they're worth a whole lot more.

I certainly hope that Monte will direct everyone my way who he finds that want to sell their clean and good working order Eldorado detectors for $150.

I can understand your thoughts on this completely, but the problem is that I have a kind heart and would not want to be part of any deception since I consider you a friend.

Therefore, before even hinting to them that you might be interested in an Eldorado, I would first have to do the following:

a.. Personally inspect the model offered for sale.

b.. Check for a clean, unabused standard search coil, free of excess scratches, broken rod-mount 'ears', and loose cable fitting.

c.. Good clean coil connector w/o rust or damage, and no 'short' in the cable and strain relief.

d.. Make sure the middle rod doesn't have those terrible holes many of us have encountered that gouge into the fiber lower rod and cause binding, and an ugly lower rod.

e.. Check all rod-locks for smooth adjustment and tight fit.

f.. Ensure that the control housing is not dinged or damaged, and no missing control label information.

g.. Make sure all control knobs and toggles are dirt and mud-free and work properly, turning freely and are not bent or bound-up.

h.. Make sure the slide-on battery door is not missing or too loose.

i.. Check battery contacts to make sure they are not missing, bent, damaged or coated with destruction from a battery leakage incident.

j.. Ensure there is a fresh, full-life 9-V alkaline battery installed.

k.. Inspect the arm cup foam to be sure it is all there, not muddy or damaged, no chips or peeling.

l.. Check for proper overall fit-and-function by no less than 20-30 hours of in-the-field evaluation so there are no hidden failures.

I will perform this service FREE OF CHARGE to anyone interested in selling a decent Tesoro Eldorado.


If the model they are offering falls short of what I would want, or what I would consider referring on to a friend, I will return it to the initial seller.

If a model is clean and decent, and performs well in every field-performance aspect, I will gladly send contact information about any still available for $150 to you, tabman.

Just remember, they have to still be 'available' after I get finished checking them out.



Monte

 

[Furious T]

I was looking at mine the other day as it stood side by side with my recently purchased Golden Umax, and the difference in the colour of the coils was striking (both used to be white, the Eldorado coil is now getting near light brown). It got me to wondering how many swings I have had with the Eldorado, and the fact that both it and my arm are still working ok is a testament to Tesoro. Buy the one for $200 if it is ok, but test it first...about the only thing I can guarantee about mine is that it wont be for sale...ever. Merry Christmas to all.

 

[dixiedigger57]

My old Eldorado big metal box unit is still my main unit, and will be for some time. i hunt a fresh water beach in my area. the pull tabs are so so so deep! they rake this beach daily and stuff gets buried. i use an old buffalo nickel to tune with, just getting a solid hit on it. i do not depend on a preset mark, but prefer to retune my machine to the current ground conditions, and hunt wet first, then retune and hunt the dry, even though it is fresh water. i do quite well. yea, i dig an awfull lot of pull tabs, but gold rings dont escape the eldo. i have found baby earring backs in the sand. like Mr Monte says , your own eyes are the best discriminators. i look at it as cleaning the environment, and my grandkids get to take the tabs to school for the Ronald McDonald house jar.

150-200 for a REPAIRABLE classic machine aint bad.

 

[BarberBill]

In answer to Tabman's above. The 53/4 is noticeably lighter than the 7" although neither is what I'd call heavy to swing. The 53/4 separates a tad better and has nearly equal depth. To me, it's just enough smaller that I have to slow my swing a fair bit or I find that I over-swing targets and have to re find them. Practically speaking one probably doesn't need both. I wouldn't have added the 5/34 to my arsenal if I hadn't run into a good buy on a clean, used one.
BB

 

[ToddB64]

Hi Everybody !

With all the talk going on about the Tesoro Eldorados, I thought it might be helpful to post the Specifications for the older Metal box unit vs. the newer Plastic uMax model. I added asterisks to mark where the differences occur for easier comparison and evaluation. Hope this is helpful to anyone thinking about acquiring an Eldorado.

ToddB64



Tesoro Metal Detector, Eldorado (Plastic uMax)
Legend: * = Specification different than Metal box model.
_____________________________________________________________
Operating Frequency..................*10.6 kHz, 10.4 kHz, 10.2 kHz
Searchcoil Type.........................*Concentric
Searchcoil Size.........................*9 x 8
Cable Length............................. Approx. 3 feet
Audio Frequency........................*Approx. 630 Hz
Audio Output.............................*1

 

[ToddB64]

......what are the operating differences ? (Note, on the Tesoro Official Website, the Specifications in the manuals are worded differently, so I assume the operating modes are somewhat different between the two models.)

I thought the answer to this question would be a helpful addition to my previous post above.

Thanks to all who can provide the correct answer.

ToddB64