The story--I purchased a GTA 350 several years ago. It was my first and only detector. I have used it several times (15-20) and have been frustrated to no end. Two problems, pinpointing and high mineral content soil. I built a test bed with sand and set up tests, pinpointing was dismal even when I knew where the coins were. When my wife hid them it was horrible. Also the soil around here (Oregon) has a lot of iron and clay and false hits abound. Dig forever and the hit stays where it is until it disappears and is not to be found in pile taken out or the hole left. A good example is that when I get a solid hit on my property it will have 6 or 7 hits in a 3 square foot area--dig and find nothing but little rocks. I can lose the hits by decreasing sensitivity but then never see anything. My only success is at the coast on the sand trails to the beach. I just excavate a 1 foot square area and dump it thru a screen box. Eliminates the need to pinpoint. Consequently I have not done near as much of this as I would if I weren't so frustrated.
So I figure I need a better detector, one with pinpointing capability. Have about $300 and looking at Ace 250 or Ace 350. Went to Garrett site and it does not even show the 350. Has it been discontinued? I see it is still available on Amazon. Have read several items in this forum and see some believe that it would be better to buy the 250 and an added small coil rather than the 350. But with all the high mineral soil I wonder if the 350 would be better due to iron discrimination.
Any help would be appreciated.
So I figure I need a better detector, one with pinpointing capability. Have about $300 and looking at Ace 250 or Ace 350. Went to Garrett site and it does not even show the 350. Has it been discontinued? I see it is still available on Amazon. Have read several items in this forum and see some believe that it would be better to buy the 250 and an added small coil rather than the 350. But with all the high mineral soil I wonder if the 350 would be better due to iron discrimination.
Any help would be appreciated.