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GTI 1350, 1500, or 2500!?

R

rwolfgang518

New member
Hey Guys and Gals,

I just joined the forum and I have a request for some personal feedback regarding the Garrett GTI series. I'm looking into purchasing my first machine in nearly 15 years, about the last time I actively metal detected and purchased a machine. I grew up in a rural area where both my Father and Great-Uncle metal detected with a White Series Coin Shooter from about the late 70's. When I was a teen I did purchase a cheap Radio Shack detector, but I quickly realized the value of a good detector!

Soon I'll be turning 30 and have this issue with growing older. (I know...most people are like, you're so young!) But believe me it is bothering me! So I got the itch to get into the adventurous world of treasure hunting again....okay...coin shooting...but you never know!!!!

I was always told that White Machines were the best. I'm not sure if this is true any more; but after doing some research it appears to be that Garrett products seem to be used more internationally and also seem to be a great machine for the price! So after doing some further research I decided that a Garrett GTI series detector would be the best bet for me. However, I'm not sure if I want to sink tons of money into a machine considering I haven't done this for 15 years, live in a totally different side of my state as where I grew up, and don't have any "hunting buddies." I have been leaning towards the GTI 1500 because it seems a little more reasonable and although it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a 2500, appears to basically do the same thing.

What I am looking from everyone here is a little advice. Firstly I would most likely be coin shooting, looking for Jewelry, and possibly trying to prospect along some river beds. Being in PA though, I don't think I'll be finding too much gold in dem dar hills! I also would like to have the ability to basically get out of my car and turn it on without excessive calibrations. I feel that all three of the GTI machines would meet my needs, but I want to know what you think of the machines. What would you suggest? Have you used more than one type of the GTI series and which one do you like the best? Finally maybe a good inspirational story as to what you found with your favorite version of the GTI series that sticks out in your mind!

I appreciate the feed back and hopefully will become a regular on this board with pictures and stories of my own to follow!

Thanks for the advice in advance!

Roland
 
I believe the GTI-1500 will be your best best. I have the 2500 and love this machine, but for what you mentioned and what I've heard on this forum, the 1500 will suit your needs.
 
I forgot the most important thing. Welcome to the Garrett forum and look forward to seeing photos of your finds.
 
fongu said:
I forgot the most important thing. Welcome to the Garrett forum and look forward to seeing photos of your finds.
Click to expand...


Thank you! And thanks for the advice!
 
The 1500 is my favorite Garrett detector. If your budget permits, check out the 5x10DD coil, the sniper coil, and by all means the pro pointer. Good hunting and show us the coins. Txquest
 
1500, it's a turn on and go detector, Also you will need to eventually invest in a good pin-pointer, knee pads, Lesche tool ......I can't imagine detecting for 4-6 hours without Those 3 accessory's.
 
It all revolves around the depth issue. They are both excellent coin hunters. Once you learn the imaging feature along with its limitations, it really speeds up the process of digging jewelery or coins. Now, back to the depth issue. If you want to hunt coins & jewelery, and most are in the top 6 or so inches where you live, the GTI 1500 will serve you well. You can also consider getting the 12.5 imaging coil to get you some extra depth, or the DD coil to help punch through heavier mineralized soil. If you want to hunt relics, especially in ploughed fields, the GTI 2500 is probably the better choice. I have owned both, and they are both great machines.
 
Old at 30 !!! I've got levis older than that and a detector that old. :) You're still a young pup. Detectors have changed considerably since you last used one and White ain't the best there is. Since you've been away from it so long I wouldn't jump in over my head and start out with a detector with a stiff learning curve. I'd start out with a 250 and then work my way up if I felt I needed a more expensive machine but the 250 may be all you need for a long spell. It ain't the hottest selling detector on the market for nothing. It has features and performance that equals the high priced rigs and it will go just as deep as most of them and it's a lot easier to learn and will satisfy your need for a turn-on-and-go detector..Just my take on it after 45 years swinging one, writing about them and field testing them for 30 years, being a field test editor for a treasure magazine, and running this forum and the classroom before it for 15 years.

Also welcome to the best and most popular forum on the internet. You chose well and there are a ton of good and savvy folks here ready to help you over any hurdles. Good luck with your choice and we will be looking forward to your success and pics of your many finds.

Bill
 
Folks like different brands for all sorts of reasons. I'm not a fan of Whites detectors, myself. I wasn't fussed on all the button pushing (had an XLT). That's one thing about the Garrett's that's good. Hit the on button and your off.
The imaging is a great feature on the GTI's and helps making IDings targets fairly easy. I like it with the 5x10 DD coil as well. I prefer the 1500. The only real thing the the 2500 has over the 1500, is the all metal mode which gives better depth, plus it is better for gold hunting, but if you want to get into prospecting, I'd recommend getting the Infinum. It's a fairly cheap gold machine that does fairly well on gold. The 1500 is also about 7 ounces lighter too.
Like Uncle Willy said; if money is a bit of an issue, then get the Ace 250. I find that you can size targets really well with it, and it's actually more sensitive than the 1500! It's a fun machine that can keep you learning for hundreds of hours. About the only thing I'm not fussed on the Ace, is it's abrupt sounding audio. As I hate wearing headphones, I put tape over the speaker and if a spot is real trashy and I'm sick of hearing all the rubbish signals, I just notch them out, and that overcomes that problem. It's one of the most accurate pinpointing detectors I've come across too, once you learn how to.
Mick Evans.
 
A timely post. I was considering a GTI-they made the Ace so well. But I hunt so fast and most of my targets are 2-3". It's hard to keep your mind straight, sometimes.
 
Thank you guys for the advice! I think I will be going with the 1500. Now a question about coils....how do I know what is a good coil....is bigger better!?
 
Start with the stock coil till you figure out how the detector works. Different sized coils are for specialized hunting and you can add them later if need be. The stock coil will keep you busy digging.

Bill.
 
Just go ahead and get the 2500, If you choose the 1350 or 1500, you don't want to be wondering "what if". I sawe on Ebay a 2500 pack with a pro pointer combo, the 2500 is the way to go.
 
Thank's bbillb. I've been thinking of Kellyco to purchase my unit because they seem to have the best deals with tons of freebies!
 
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