since getting out of detecting about 6 years ago there are so many changes in brands and models i am confused about it all,brands i have never heard off ,bounty hunter buying fisher, many new models.and whats up with that diggers tv show,it should be called clowns a diggin .i am retired in east texas on fixed income so i will be getting one mid range machine due to limited funds.i have been looking on line at the whites coinmaster gt and the fisher f5,i know the whites would be a quality machine,with good reviews..the f5 looks great but i am not sure about the quality ,but it has good reviews..i have been in the hobby about 25 years,i used to keep about 8 detectors ,so i am not a newbe.i did lots of hunting around the dallas ft.worth area,nuggett hunting in colorado & new mexico,water hunting fresh water lakes and the gulf coast...the best machine i had was the whites dfx,"that puppy would hunt"...i have had most of the major brands,some good some not so good.most were whites and tesoro..any help picking would be great thanks...
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getting back into the game.CONFUSED.
- Thread starter basser
- Start date
What do you think you'll be hunting most? That might influence the choice. The F5 is a good machine. So is the Garrett AT-Pro and it's waterproof to 10 feet if you think you might do any water hunting.
Fisher had some QC issues when they were bought out but have a great reputation now. The Garretts are good after some initial troubles with leakage. The Minelab X-Terras are also nice mid price range machines and then there's the Tesoros. I can personally vouch for the Garrett being a good all around machine and with the 5x8 coil it's very good in trash. I hunt with a friend who uses the F-5 and it's another good all around just no water resistance.
The mid priced market has some great stuff available these days. Welcome back!
Fisher had some QC issues when they were bought out but have a great reputation now. The Garretts are good after some initial troubles with leakage. The Minelab X-Terras are also nice mid price range machines and then there's the Tesoros. I can personally vouch for the Garrett being a good all around machine and with the 5x8 coil it's very good in trash. I hunt with a friend who uses the F-5 and it's another good all around just no water resistance.
The mid priced market has some great stuff available these days. Welcome back!
I have not had any Quality Control related issues with any First Texas detector.
Like many of us ..our first experience is a life time reference to the machines we like and use.
If you like White's you most likely will always like Whites same with Fisher and other brands.
Each machine you mentioned has it's own Merits. Buy the one you like best. Our opinions will be just that only "OUR" Opinion..
Truth is you will not go wrong with a Whites, Fisher, or Tesoro, it's just a matter of which you like, and are willing to learn it's mode of operation. Their are more good machines I just referenced the ones you named in your considerations.
Like many of us ..our first experience is a life time reference to the machines we like and use.
If you like White's you most likely will always like Whites same with Fisher and other brands.
Each machine you mentioned has it's own Merits. Buy the one you like best. Our opinions will be just that only "OUR" Opinion..
Truth is you will not go wrong with a Whites, Fisher, or Tesoro, it's just a matter of which you like, and are willing to learn it's mode of operation. Their are more good machines I just referenced the ones you named in your considerations.
Nauti
Well-known member
Basser,have you considered the second hand market?Going down this route will open many more options and good dealers will always offer a decent warranty on used machines.If you like whites machines consider the M6....you would pick one up second hand for around the price you want to pay and this machine has gained a brilliant reputation......just read the reviews.This machine is as simple to operate as it gets,has a massive coil choice and will keep up with top end machines performance wise.
MNCoinhunter
Active member
The Coinmaster GT seems to hold it's own if you are more partial to Whites. Not terribly expensive either ..
I'm starting to think the brand doesn't matter as much as what you want it to do with your MD. I have only been doing this for 2 years, but IMHO, it may be best to make a list of what you want to find, what you want to do, what abilities you want, your preferences, etc. Then look at the mid level detectors and see which ones fit your list. My list was pretty short when upgrading from my ACE 250. I didn't care which brand. And, I would have been fine getting 1 new and a 2nd used one for gold since I wouldn't use it much. It also helps to go over kellycodetectors "top 5 questions" under the 'library' column. My list:
Auto ground balance
97% coins/jewelry/relics 3% nuggets - In other words, needs to do everything
Usable in mineralized soil
Waterproof (Many times I had to put a bag over the electronics when in the rain or surf spray)
Relatively short learning curve
Graphic display (hearing isn't as good as it used to be)
Less than $1000.
I ended up with the AT-Pro, of course. It was below my max so I also bought a garrett pro-pointer to replace my Automax V4 (I was happy with the V4, just wanted to recharge myself). Now I am trying to decide if I should keep the ACE 250 and carry it in my trunk for when I find interesting spots, or sell it.
Auto ground balance
97% coins/jewelry/relics 3% nuggets - In other words, needs to do everything
Usable in mineralized soil
Waterproof (Many times I had to put a bag over the electronics when in the rain or surf spray)
Relatively short learning curve
Graphic display (hearing isn't as good as it used to be)
Less than $1000.
I ended up with the AT-Pro, of course. It was below my max so I also bought a garrett pro-pointer to replace my Automax V4 (I was happy with the V4, just wanted to recharge myself). Now I am trying to decide if I should keep the ACE 250 and carry it in my trunk for when I find interesting spots, or sell it.
Mxt Sniper
Member
I would consider a clean used White's Mxt for 400-500 if your into coin/jewelry and relic or nugget hunting and if weight of machine is not a factor, as the mxt is a bit on the heavy side compared to some of the new machines. If your only doing coins/jewelry in tot lots you can go real cheap new, a Tesoro Compadre, max depth is fine for chip lots but dirt hunting the compadre depth is limited somewhat over bigger machines. It is hot on gold jewelry.