Good choice for 1st detector?

[Orlando J]

Hello all.

I'm an Orlandoan (Orlandon-ian?) thinking of getting a detector to poke around some of the local beaches and outdoor areas. My primary mode of getting outdoors is a kayak I paddle with my fiancee, but I'd like to add another way to get outside and wander around a bit. I also think the idea of locating long-lost objects, whether valuable or just interesting, is pretty fascinating, and it looks like the tech has come a long way since my $5 garage sale Radio Shack-type machine that seemed too fragile to do much with.

I visited a big local store this weekend and got some solid advice from the rep there, and I'm thinking of going with the White's M6, because I liked the auto ground balance and simple controls, and it seems to be built very solidy have some nice features like the trigger pinpointing / variable tone. The other model I looked at in the store was a Fisher F4, which seemed nice enough, but I'm not a fan of those membrane-type buttons, which I've had break on me on other gadgets.

I'd like to be able to search beaches, including wet sand, although I think I'll pass on the idea of going underwater for now, as those seem to be very high-end detectors that require a lot of skill to operate. And I'd like something that also makes sense on high ground in terms of weight, having a visual display, etc.

Am I at least heading in the right direction? Any other models along these lines I'm overlooking? The White's is a bit pricey, but I find that with most gear, I prefer to go in a half-step or so above the most basic equipment, so I can "grow into it." I've been lurking here for a couple of weeks and see a lot experience and knowledge and would welcome any input.

Thanks in advance.

- J.

 

[goodmore]

The M6 is a great choice. Simple to learn. Powerful coin hunter & you can use the coils on other Whites units if you decide to upgrade down the road. I have a few suggestions:

Shop online and save the taxes. Ask for a bargain. Shop around.
Make sure the coil is V rated if you buy an M6. (means it can be used on the Vision)
Check into joining a local club. Learn from the Pros
Keep Reading this forum & asking questions.
Buy a smaller coil ( v rated also ) This is easier to hunt in trashy areas. Everyone needs a small coil

 

[Elton]

A very nice used unit can be bought very reasonably.... That way when you hit the water line your set to go..

Simple operation............... A land detector can be dropped in the water, and the salt isn't kind either on the electronic parts.

 

[Orlando J]

Mmmmmmm. Detector Pro Wader? That's one I hadn't heard of. Thanks for the tip -- I'll take a look.

The M6 is a great choice. Simple to learn. Powerful coin hunter & you can use the coils on other Whites units if you decide to upgrade down the road. I have a few suggestions:

Shop online and save the taxes. Ask for a bargain. Shop around.
Make sure the coil is V rated if you buy an M6. (means it can be used on the Vision)
Check into joining a local club. Learn from the Pros
Keep Reading this forum & asking questions.
Buy a smaller coil ( v rated also ) This is easier to hunt in trashy areas. Everyone needs a small coil

Thanks. I've noticed this "small coil" thing. Counterintuitive -- you'd think bigger would find more quickly, but I think I get the idea about looking deeper and avoiding trash. No shortage of that around here, unfortunately.

 

[TURNMASTER]

I think I'll pass on the idea of going underwater for now, as those seem to be very high-end detectors that require a lot of skill to operate
I started in the hobby in April this year. As near as I can tell, all MDs require skill to operate proficiently. Water machine or not.

I've noticed this "small coil" thing. Counterintuitive
A small coil will get you thru the trash items. DD coils seem to be the best at this. Even at larger sizes.

Elton is spot on in my opinion about wanting at least a water resistant machine if not water proof. If I was going to beach hunt a lot that is what I would run.

As to model WOW, lots of choices out there. I am sure that most Quality mfgs have a good choice. Whites, Fisher, Garrett. Minelab and I am sure there are other good choices.

 

[TURNMASTER]

Check Kellyco, they have a whole list of machines on one page.

Then decide VLF, BBS, or PI They all seem to excel depending who is running them. I have read good things about the BBS and have read the PI machines will hit real deep -- or at least some of them. Not sure if the PI machines have any level of discrimination, If you intend on getting in the water then waterproof!

Hey El do you perfer a DD or a CC usually?

 

[Mike Hillis]

I think you'd like it.

Take a look at the Fisher F5, too. In your ground almost any machine will do well, just pick one that looks good to you that has features you'd think would be helpful

HH

Mike

 

[Shambler]

Find a local club and ask advice and borrow some.... it's the only way you'll know.

 

[dahut]

Mid range detecor for a newbie, huh? Im assuming you'll want features and buttons and a display - most newbs expect that these days.
After hearing what has impressed you so far, you seem to lean that way. I would also suggest that none of the Tesoro line will strike your fancy. Call it a hunch.

I like Mikes advice on the F5. It is feature laden and offers some astonishing performance, although you do have to go to school a little bit to get the most from it. The M6 requires almost none of that and Garrett has their GTP 1350, which is also dead easy to use.

Since it's new money you are spending, lets talk about depreciation. You'll hear all sorts of recommendations as to which instrument to buy, and everyone has their pets. But, here's a secret: most mid-range detectors are wholly adequate for your tasks.

What you won't hear is that most electro-gadgets drop 30-50% of purchase value when you open the box. Detectors are no different. This is important in case you decide detecting isnt all it's cracked up to be. The one that holds the highest resale value is the Garrett, at least on ebay. On these forums, the pricing is decidedly low compared to the online auction giant, as most here are "buddy trading" among peers or trying to cut a deal.
The auction format is a closer picture of what the market actually brings for sold items, since it appeals to a wider audience. I've been watching ebay and of these, the Garrett appears the least often for resale and goes high. Ditto the M6.

For an outdoorsy person, the Whites is probably the least tote-along friendly of these. I use two Whites on the same chassis as the M6 (Classic ID and XLT) and they aren't exactly sprightly featherweights for the field man. The Fisher would be best in this line of thinking and the Garrett second. Whichever you get, obtain the environmental covers that go with the instrument and get a rugged carry bag. I use a waterproof military bag.

I think you are wise to get a mid range detector that you can grow into. The low end units often are functional, but lack flexibility as rule. Some are downright cranky.
If it were me, I'd hunt up a good deal on a Garrett GTP 1350.

 

[Orlando J]

Thanks for all the thoughtful comments, everyone. The F5 was actually a model I thought might be a good bet -- oddly, the store rep I spoke to (who was very cool) went by that one pretty quickly and bracketed the F4 and the M6. He was definitely trying to do right by me, so I'm guessing he thought the F5 might be more of a handful for a first-timer to dial in? It would have been a good recommendation, though, as I wasn't quite taken with the F4 and wasn't quite ready to spend what the M6 cost. I don't recall the price on the F5, but it should have been dead in the middle between the two.

The observations on the used market are well-taken, too. Thought that might be a way to get into a mid-level machine at a lower level price, and without all the depreciation. I checked out ebay and noted a few possibilites (Minelab holds value pretty well too, eh?). Then I poked around here some, and I think I've gotten lucky and picked up a lightly used M6 from one of the forum members I saw others speak highly of as a seller. Should arrive tomorrow. I'll give her a spin and report back.

 

[dahut]

Thanks for all the thoughtful comments, everyone. The F5 was actually a model I thought might be a good bet -- oddly, the store rep I spoke to (who was very cool) went by that one pretty quickly and bracketed the F4 and the M6. He was definitely trying to do right by me, so I'm guessing he thought the F5 might be more of a handful for a first-timer to dial in? It would have been a good recommendation, though, as I wasn't quite taken with the F4 and wasn't quite ready to spend what the M6 cost. I don't recall the price on the F5, but it should have been dead in the middle between the two.

The observations on the used market are well-taken, too. Thought that might be a way to get into a mid-level machine at a lower level price, and without all the depreciation. I checked out ebay and noted a few possibilites (Minelab holds value pretty well too, eh?). Then I poked around here some, and I think I've gotten lucky and picked up a lightly used M6 from one of the forum members I saw others speak highly of as a seller. Should arrive tomorrow. I'll give her a spin and report back.

And there you go, as they say. Yes the Minelabs are good sellers, and good detectors. But surprisingly, they dont hold their value better than anything else. At least not according to some of the X-Terra 705 resale's I've seen.

The M6 will do you nicely. As Mike Hillis would say, "Tones Rule!"

 

[kered]

Glad for you that you passed on the F4
I met a detectorist on holiday in the summer, he had an F4, ok in the dry sand but in the wet it falsed all the time even on minimum sensibility, for the beach i would say no unless your happy to stick to the dry sand.
Personally i would look for a second hand Sovereign XS, XS2apro, they go for the price of a new unit(that you mention) more or less depending on the condition, and if after a while you decide detecting is not for you, you can sell it for what you paid, no loss, keep an eye on the classifieds here on the forum. Also Ebay
The sovereign is one of the best beach detectors ever made, although not everyones cup of tea
You might even find someone that wants to trade one for a M6

 

[UK Brian]

If you will definately not be going near the water most of the detectors mentioned will equal or outperform the Sovereign. The slower sweep speed necessary to get the depth with BBS can mean that someone who walks on the beach at the same time as you will cover all the hot spots before you get to them.

Also bear in mind that if you get an XS the coil is not waterproof (its easy to be tempted to stick the coil in a pool or investigate a stream thats cutting through a beach) and like most XS2's will not be in the Minelab repair window of ten years.

To make real money off the dry sand its often better to go for near surface targets and cover more ground. Detectors like the XLT fitted with the 18" X 3" Bigfoot coil or a Tesoro with a "Cleansweep" offers a real advantage over those with conventional type coils.

 

[Orlando J]

Took delivery of the M6 tonight. It's in great condition (really like new). Dug some junk in the backyard to test and to get a feel. I think it's going to be really good fit.

 

[TURNMASTER]

Enjoy yourself and BE PATIENT
Ask questions

HH
Jeff