Garrett GTI 2500Pro or Minelab Explorer SE ??? Im tryin to get my 2nd job again

[treasurefiend]

I am going to get a 2nd job, actually my old night job, security guard, I just re-applied tonight and my state license is still valid. I had 2 full time jobs for years (I'm an insomniac), but when I bought everything that I wanted, I quit the night job. Now I want to buy 2 more detectors. I like my Ace 250, but I want something that will go deeper, and I want a beach detector (Minelab Excalibur II). It would take quite awhile to save up the money without it. But with a second job, it would just take 2 or 3 months.

I read that the Explorer SE Premium operates in multi frequency and the Garrett operates in single frequency. I also heard that the Minelab will show you the continuity of an object to help you determine what it is.

What do you recommend??? And if you can, give reasons for your replies.

I want to buy this and have it for a good long time. Thanks for your input.

 

[treasurefiend]

I have seen the Minelab in action, I saw a guy pull up 10+ Mercs just following behind me and my Ace 250 with the 9x12 coil. He was accurately detecting a a depth of 12-15 inches!!! He showed me targets that I missed, and he showed me false targets, he dug them up and sure enough it was right.

I am thinking I like the continuity scale because at the boy scout site, there is a ton of aluminium foil that registers as a solid dime with the Ace. He instantly knew it was foil, and dug it up just to show me.

 

[UK Brian]

Its an easy choice if you want to work the wet sand for gold rings as you would have to go for the multifrequency Minelab.
If your not wanting to go in or under the water why bother with the Excaliber as you will be limited in coil choice and the initial cost and possible further cost of repairs is much more. You could save money and get the Sovereign which will provide as much/or more performance with correct coil choice than the Excaliber or bite the bullet and get the Explorer as you seem to like its target I.D. system.

If your not intending any wet sand work you could consider the Garrett which has an extremely deep all metal mode and target sizing which I find of little benefit myself, but each to his own.
http://waynesthisandthat.com/metaldetecting.html has a interesting write up on the 2500.

 

[rifleman]

I think the SE is the best of what you have listed for your intended uses. One thing to be aware of is that the SE has a pretty steep learning curve. If you are willing to spend the time to learn how the SE works, it's hard to beat. Some people get frustrated with the SE and give up before getting the full potential from it. If you are not willing to put in the time, an X-Terra 70 might be a better detector. It's quite a jump going from the Ace 250 to the SE. I went from the 250 to the 70 because I was willing to give up a little depth for the ease of use and am not a beach hunter. I'm not trying to scare you off from getting a SE, just letting you know it's not a pick up and run detector. This forum has great advise on the SE and if you can find an experienced SE user in your area to help you get started, it would be a real plus. I kinda think that the Garrett machines are a little dated. Once you have mastered the SE, you won't look back.

Good hunting, John K