Gift for Retired Dad, Which One?

[kellyjwood]

I had posted this in a different section on this site and a kind person suggested I repost it here.

"My parents are retired and will be spending the winter at Myrtle Beach. My sister and I are planning on surprising our father with a metal detector for Christmas, as he has always wanted one. Being completely clueless, I've spent the last couple of weeks trying to research which model would be best, but am afraid that I am more confused now than when I started. We would like to spend no more than $300 to $400. From the info that I have been able to gather, it seems that some can be very frustrating to use and we would definitely like to avoid that if at all possible. Something that will keep his interest while giving him some much needed exercise on the beach (just had heart bypass surgery). One question that I have, even after researching, is that if we purchase one that can be used in shallow water, will that mean it has less performance on dry ground? Seeing that they will be living right on the beach, would you suggest one that is capable to go in shallow water, or does it really matter? Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Kelly"

He also suggested that I inquire about any locals (to Myrtle Beach) that I may be able to hook up my dad with to show him the ropes? Is that something that anyone from the MB area may be interested in?

thanks again,
Kelly

 

[Mr. Carolina]

Kellyjwood: Your father is very lucky to have a daughter like you. I wish you all the luck in the world but I'm afraid your price range is going to hinder you some what. Once your father has his detector he will also need accessories in order to retrieve his finds. At the very least a scoop. If you want to put him in shallow water, ( and I can tell you that all dry sand hunters eventually have the need or wantonness to venture into the shallow water). I could go on and on about salt water problems but I think it best just to say, save a little more money so you can afford a decent machine that will give your dad pleasure not remorse. You do get what you pay for in this market and a beach machine is going to cost more because of the difficulties it has to over come. Mostly my reply is to stir the emotions of the many other treasure hunters out there that may can help. My suggestion would be to try eBay and look for a used Garrett AT PRO in your price range. Although I do not own one I be leave it is a good solid choice for your price range if you are lucky. Again, there are many, many choices out there just not quite in this price range. OK, let's help the girl out. Send her your thoughts.

 

[ROBOCOP]

I would recommend a White's MX5. Lightweight, fast response, very good ID in the dry sand and stable enough for a single frequency machine in the wet salt sand.
I have a Sovereign, Excals and Pulse Induction detectors and I still enjoy the MX5 for quick hunts on the salt water public beaches.

Get a sand scoop with a handle about 4 feet long so he doesn't have to bend while digging.

ROBOCOP

 

[GeorgeinSC]

I will not try to tell you what detector to purchase as I have not experienced a lot of them. Some are much better at the beach and in the shallow water than others. Having said that the ones that I am familiar with that are good in those areas are considerably above your price range.

What ever machine you get make sure that the sand scoop has at least a 6 inch bucket. Aluminum or stainless steel with a long handle. Targets are a bit difficult to dig in the surf when the water is moving sand back into the hole about as fast as you can dig it out.

You will get more bang for your buck if you can find a suitable used machine from one of the forum members or possibly on the big auction site.

 

[WaterWalker]

The nearest MD Club I could find is in Summerville, about 100 miles from Myrtle Beach. They could be a source of information for you.
Also please make sure your father understands the detecting law(s) where he plans to detect.

The following if from the Myrtle Beach City website?

Q: What are the rules about metal detecting on the beach?

A: Metal detecting is allowed on the beach, but it is illegal to climb or walk on the sand dunes or to break or damage any beach grass. Violations may be subject to penalties of up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail. Metal detecting is NOT allowed in city parks or on other city property.

A local detectorist would be able to give you his experience with specific detector(s) on Myrtle Beach. The Garrett ATPro as mentioned in previous posts would be OK in my book at the price point you are looking at.

 

[dewcon4414]

An AT Pro is a good choice.... but may be a little complicated for a beginner, depends on his desire to learn and be a little techie. Unless you buy a multi freq machine it wont be an AFFECTIVE wet sand/water machine. Single freq will do the dry sand just fine as well as dirt. Personally i wouldnt buy anything pricy either to get someone interested in the hobby..... why, because he WILL upgrade if he like it. Might consider a Fisher F2/F5 or Minelab Xtera 305 even an ACE 350 as a starter. They are fairly light with a Target ID screen. Hes not looking for depth.... just a good detector to spend some time on the beach mostly digging recent drops and enjoy the beach.

Dew

 

[mudpuppy]

One of you local boys ought to jump on this opportunity!...key words, "They will be living right ON the beach" Which means YOU will have a place to park!

Especially if you have several rigs and scoops..show him the basics, then turn the guy loose with some real light gear working the dry sand to help him get his endurance back...You know stomping on a big scoop and swinging a heavy rig on the wet would be too hard, too soon...heck, an F2 and a really light sandscoop with a 3' handle would do the trick for now....the optimum situation would be for somebody to go meet up and get him going in the right direction.

This sport will be great therapy for your Father, Kelly...I know all of us can attest to the fact that it has kept us in amazing shape...I was nearly dead when I picked up this sport 4yrs ago, and I feel better now than I have in 20yrs from the daily walks and the excitement of thinking what tomorrow may bring under my coil, I have not been to a doctor in all that time and am on no medications either...just all this walking and having a reason to be up and at it..it is very good therapy for the mind, body and soul...to be out on the beach and see the sunrise everyday is pretty cool, detecting gives us a reason to get out of bed.
Mud

ps...sheesh Dew! was that strange or what? both thinking and posting the same thing at the same time!

 

[dewcon4414]

What can i say.... great minds think alike. Like you said, great opportunity for a local to share their info and get a parking spot. Nice thing about a beach.... you just never know what people bring and what you will find out there..... everydays a new day. If hes a talking..... there is a lot of opportunity for that..... quiet time for the mind as well.

Dew

 

[Kossie]

Go for a Garret AT or Ace. A lot of guys started with Garrets Ace on dry land. They're easy to operate, lightweight, reliable and affordable. The AT's are more versatile (waterproof up to 10ft). Another shortcoming of the Ace-series is the instability on the wet (salt) beach but they work excellent on the dry parts. The Ace (250 or 350) series is definitely achievable with your budget. Perfect for a novice. After a while (saving some of the goodies) your father may want to upgrade to a more sophisticated and more expensive machine. The AT's can offer a lot compared to more expensive machines.. In my opinion only the Minelabs are better on the wet beach but the Minelabs are somewhat heavy. For water hunting your father will need accessories (scoop, waders or suit maybe another Xmas?). Shallow water hunting is also a bit more physical demanding. It's better to obtain the basic skills on dry land. A sand scoop is convenient on the dry beach but not indispensable, a shovel will do.

I own 3 Mnelabs, a Tesoro and an Ebinger. I have owned 2 Garret Aces. I sold one (250) to a friend, which I still regret, and donated the other one (150) to my brother which got him hooked to detecting since last year.

Regards, Kossie

PS. I don't have commercial interests in the sales of Garret detectors.

 

[Mr. Carolina]

Kelly: Well, you certainly got a few responses and after reading your post a second time I change my position on what detector to buy. Your post says, my parents will
be moving to the beach FOR THE WINTER. This changes everything. If they are only going to be there for the winter months and back to there present location later,
then forget the water aspect at this point and time. I live at the beach. I water hunt ninety percent of the time, and the wind off the water in the winter can be brutal at
times, and water hunting is tough even for a seasoned professional. I wonder now how many hunts your father will endeavor now at the beach, and now we need to look at a broader range of hunts ( back home ). Although some replies seemed self serving ( a free place to park ) they did mention the detector that now I be leave will serve your father well. The Fisher F-2 would be an excellent choice I be leave now for your father. It will work well in the dry sand and later at home in the dirt. It is light, and dependable, and in your price range, not forgetting the scoop. If you go to eBay you will find a 3 coil kit, with bag, pin pointer, batteries and more for 275.00 plus free shipping. Now for the scoop. Either
stainless steel, aluminum or galvanized are your main choices. I personally own StavR scoops ( Ukraine ), Sun Spot scoops ( USA ) and RTG ( USA ). For your father,
I would recommend the RTG. It is aluminum and light. I recommend a 4' handle and a six inch scoop. Any smaller may be frustrating for your dad. The Fisher has a five year warranty and comes with three coils and a pin pointer, all of which will serve your dad well later, back home. If I read your post correctly the second time this is my suggestion. In defense of the parking statements, I think they were just trying to spur someone local on to help your dad out. I'm sure they both have your best interest at heart as they both
are well respected in the MD community. They just know how hard parking is for the beach hunts. I will be happy to help your dad out once you have made your choice.

 

[kellyjwood]

Thank you all very much for your responses. Everyone I have spoken to, corresponded with, or received advice from, has far exceeded my expectations with their kindness. This hobby must attract people with those qualities so one thing I have learned for sure is that my dad will be among some good people!

I've spoken with my sister and we've decided to ask some of the grandkids if they would like to go in on the gift with us, so I'm pretty sure that our price range can be raised a fair amount. One post above, dewconn I believe, had a good point about not getting something too pricey until we know for sure it will be something he enjoys. I didn't really think along those lines at first, but dewconn was correct - it would be something my dad would definitely upgrade himself if he likes it.

They are living directly on the beach, here is a pic they just sent me taken from their living room!

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At first I was thinking that shallow water capability was almost mandatory, but Carolina's comments made sense. It may be a little too much for him right now, and sand (then dirt once back home) may be more suited to him. Are you from the MB area Carolina?

You've all given me a lot to think about and research and I want to thank you all once more. Also, I know that my dad would welcome anyone to visit him/park. He's never met a stranger in his life!
Kelly

 

[scoopjohnb]

Living that close to the beach and starting out in the hobby.
I'd recommend a Fisher F4.
Frequency will hit deep on coins and DD coil will handle the salty beach.

No need for waterproof detectors yet, just stick to the dry sand with a small shovel.
Width of the shovel slighlty wider than the width of the coil.

Just about everyone I know likes digging a beep. And after a few unsuspected "treasures" they all have an excuse for taking "TECTOR" out for a walk.
And if your dad get's a little hooked, then part of the hobby is looking out for a better treasure finding machine as well.

Nothing get's you going back on track and on the mend like a metal detector.
Last year they removed a brain tumor, left me 50% deaf on one ear, I partially dislocated my right shoulder, have a bad knee and have problems with my balance.
Do you actually think that stopped this old Pirate
Once you get gold or silver in that scoop, there is no stopping you!!

 

[Mr. Carolina]

Kelly: Wrong Carolina. I still can help your father by phone though. I do hope you start out with something easy like the F-2. Go to utube and type in Fisher F-2 demo
or F-2 finds. It's a lot of machine, well made and five year warranty is hard to beat. He will need ear phones as well as the scoop and the three coil package has the ear phones I think. You should check. Dry sand will have little to no mineralization to worry about, only in the wet salt will that come into play. A single frequency detector will do the job.
Let me know what goes on.

 

[Rainyday101]

First I don't live on the coast and have never hunted on the coast. I would get him a Tesoro Silver uMax. Good depth and discrimination, simple to use. On the beach he would be in a dig it all situation anyway. This will teach him to listen to the tone instead of watching the display. Price new is about $255. For more depth he could add the 10 x 12. On freshwater beaches my Silver has gotten plenty deep and has no problem finding tiny and gold rings. If he takes a liking to this and wants to upgrade to an Excalibur some day it will be an easier transition as he is already use to listening to tones.

By the way I like the Fisher F2 and have seen many great finds with them on the forums. As we age our eye sight goes even further south than us. For this reason if considering a detector with a display I would go with a Teknetics Alpha, Gamma, or Omega for the larger displays.

 

[kellyjwood]

I wanted to thank you again for your advice, I seriously would not have known where to begin. We actually ended up purchasing the Fisher F4 today, from KellyCo. Unfortunately, I did not see your message suggesting the F2 until after I placed the order. I hope that the F4 will not be too "involved" for him. We purchased it with the option 2 which included a small scoop, headphones, and some other goodies. Another thing I forgot to mention that my dad is pretty hard of hearing; so I'm hoping that he'll be able to use the headphones! I'll give him the information to this forum and your user name (after Christmas of course!) and I'm sure that he would appreciate any further suggestions/advice. Thank you again.
Kelly