headphones

[cessna152]

After being away from detecting for many years, I've finally gotten the family raised and gone. I'm looking to get my first detector in about 30 years, and have really enjoyed the Tesoro forum.
It seems with my KISS mentality the Compadre would probably do me just fine. I spend a lot of time in sand washes and around clay and sandstone hills. Finding old bullet casings and such
suits me just fine. I really don't want a complicated machine. I could spend more but why? Folks here seem to have a real dedication to the compadre detector. I would like to get a set of headphones
at the same time, and am looking for recommendations for the Compadre. Also if any of you have another recommendation on other Tesoro units, let me know. I don't need meters and buzzers and
such. Just a detector to keep in my Rover for quick looks to see what I can find. Anyway thanks for the great information on this forum. Also I will make sure I buy from one of the sponsors.

 

[pinenut]

Hey there! I know the subject reads "headphones"... in that case, look at Killer B's.

If you want a great Tesoro that's pretty much turn on and go, Compadre is good, but I'd recommend the Mojave instead. It's better suited for use in more locations where soil may be mineralized, and should see a little better depth that the Compadre.

 

[Mega]

Dont have any specific headphones that i could suggest as all my brands are UK based,but headphones in my opinion are the most important item after the actual detector,especially when i dont want too miss those deep whisper signals that can be lost.2 things i would suggest when buying not only the Compadre or infact any Tesoro based detector is get a set of headphones with a volume control as the volume on the detector cannot be adjusted on the machine,of course 1 volume control will be fine but if you do have say possible hearing problems having a volume control on both earcups could be a big bonus.

Also one possible danger to be aware of is when the headphones are plug into the detector when its fired up you can and will get a loud battery test,so maybe worth firing it up with the volume reduced just incase.

 

[cessna152]

pinenut, thanks for the information about the Mojave. I did some reading about it and the reviews seem good.
I'm not familiar with Killer B headphones, I will look into those also. I think what drew me to Tesoro detectors
was that everyone who had them were having fun with them. And being successful with them. I really didn't
want to get caught up in all the whistles and bells of things I don't understand. The idea of a capable but simple
machine really appeals to me. Thanks again for the heads-up.

 

[pinenut]

pinenut, thanks for the information about the Mojave. I did some reading about it and the reviews seem good.
I'm not familiar with Killer B headphones, I will look into those also. I think what drew me to Tesoro detectors
was that everyone who had them were having fun with them. And being successful with them. I really didn't
want to get caught up in all the whistles and bells of things I don't understand. The idea of a capable but simple
machine really appeals to me. Thanks again for the heads-up.

No problem. I use my Killer B's "Wasp" model with all my Tesoros.

Sometimes I wonder how the modern detectors would work for me, but I've had pretty good luck with Tesoro. I found my first silver coins for this year with a brand new Mojave and think it's a fun yet capable machine. Nothing wrong with a Tesoro Silver either, but it lacks any sort of ground balance adjustment. Mojave has a "high" and "low" setting for when soil conditions get tougher (more mineralized).

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

I definitely will second both the mojave and compadre
To be honest the tip of the hat along with the price hike goes to the Mojave, but again goes with extra cost.
But between the silver (don't own one) and the Mojave I have to give it to the Mojave. The ground switch, which I didn't have to use yet, is a plus in case you run into bad ground.
I love my killer B's but one thing you have to understand is that the price of them puts the bottom line alot higher.
I wouldn't recommend them unless you really want the best and willing to pay for it.
Combined, considering you're buying premium headphones, I would go for the Mojave.
With the ground switch, it could be the only detector you need. And considering that you'll buy the killer b wasps, paying a bit extra for the Mojave can save you from spending more later for ground the compadre can't handle.
I don't know where you are and can't tell you outside of Michigan how the soil is. But I know rusty told me that it's the first "turn on and go" (no manual ground balance control) to be able to run quietly and well in Arizona dirt.
So, in conclusion, if you're considering killer B's then I'd go for the Mojave to possibly make it the end of your spending.
Now you may get the itch like the rest of us, but just trying to help.
Let us know what you choose!!!!

 

[NCtoad]

I use a pair of Koss QZ99 headphones on my compadre and feel they work really well. They're a good, cheaper alternative to detector specific headphones. I also use sunray progolds on my Fisher F70 and they do "sound better" than the Koss's, but I don't think you'd miss digging anything using the Koss headphones. You will need a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter for the QZ99's.

 

[joe dirt_1]

The Compadre has an almost cult like following, and for good reason. It's hot on gold jewelry and does a decent job hunting coins for an entry level detector.
When you factor in the lifetime warranty and the build quality, you really can't beat the Compadre for 160.00 new.

Being hard wired where the coil can't be changed to a smaller or larger coil to match your hunting conditions and not having a manual ground balance control
will affect the depth and performance ability of the Compadre in mineralized ground. So it depends on what type of ground you will be hunting to determine the
best detector to buy.

For top performance, manual ground balance is needed to fine tune the detector to the ground conditions, and will allow you to swap coils and still have peak performance.
If your not familiar with setting the ground balance, it is very easy to do and will take less than a minute. If you have a problem, there are many guys on the forms willing to help.

For a detector I would suggest going with a Vaquero, either new or used if your budget will allow it. It will give you all the features you need, will handle bad ground much better than the Compadre,
and way more depth than the Compadre. The Vaquero is hot on gold also, it loves finding old nickels, brass and lead. It also does a good job on coins....pretty much an all around great machine.
You will have no need to upgrade in the near future with the Vaquero.

Headphones.....Don't skimp on headphones...buy the best you can afford. Some of the less expensive headphones work fine also. I used Calrad headphones for years with absolutely no problems at all.
The best sounding headphones to my ears are Gray Ghost Ultimates, followed by Whites Pro Stars, and Killer B's. If you like the idea of wireless headphones, the Deteknix wireless headphones work great
and are lightweight for hot summer use.

I hope this helps you, and welcome back to this great hobby !

Roger

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

For wireless, I have to side with the Garrett z lynk. Same performance as the deteknix but with 20 hour battery life. The deteknix are around 8 I'm told.
Almost same price.

 

[cessna152]

This is mostly the kind of country I spend my days in. Lots of sandstone and washes.
Really trying to decide between the Mojave or the Compadre. I like the simple operation
of the Compadre.

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

Well if there's alot of mineralization the co.padre won't run well at all.
That's the upside of the mojave is that ground switch.
I agree that an adjustable GB machine would be best way to go but they are 3x more than a compadre. The Mojave is the best bet under 350 because even the cibola is a non GB adjustable machine so doesn't run well in bad ground.
But another idea would be to call up Allen or rusty at Tesoro and explain to them where you are and everything and your budget and they will set you up well.

 

[pinenut]

This is mostly the kind of country I spend my days in. Lots of sandstone and washes.
Really trying to decide between the Mojave or the Compadre. I like the simple operation
of the Compadre.

Just one look at that picture, and I'll say you want either the Mojave, or a machine with a fully adjustable ground balance. Mojave is your best option for simplicity and low cost, and the small 7" coil it comes with, will work well around the rocks and brush.
Compadre is a good machine, but I don't think it'll be as effective there as the Mojave would. Since it looks like your desert dirt could be highly mineralized, I'd be tempted to use an Outlaw or Vaquero there...but I know you want to keep it simple.

Just a suggestion.. Why not send Allen at Tesoro an email with that picture and a description of your location and ask him which of their easy to use detectors would be best suited. I bet he'd recommend Mojave too.

 

[jld66]

The Compadre has an almost cult like following, and for good reason. It's hot on gold jewelry and does a decent job hunting coins for an entry level detector.
When you factor in the lifetime warranty and the build quality, you really can't beat the Compadre for 160.00 new.

Being hard wired where the coil can't be changed to a smaller or larger coil to match your hunting conditions and not having a manual ground balance control
will affect the depth and performance ability of the Compadre in mineralized ground. So it depends on what type of ground you will be hunting to determine the
best detector to buy.

For top performance, manual ground balance is needed to fine tune the detector to the ground conditions, and will allow you to swap coils and still have peak performance.
If your not familiar with setting the ground balance, it is very easy to do and will take less than a minute. If you have a problem, there are many guys on the forms willing to help.

For a detector I would suggest going with a Vaquero, either new or used if your budget will allow it. It will give you all the features you need, will handle bad ground much better than the Compadre,
and way more depth than the Compadre. The Vaquero is hot on gold also, it loves finding old nickels, brass and lead. It also does a good job on coins....pretty much an all around great machine.
You will have no need to upgrade in the near future with the Vaquero.

Headphones.....Don't skimp on headphones...buy the best you can afford. Some of the less expensive headphones work fine also. I used Calrad headphones for years with absolutely no problems at all.
The best sounding headphones to my ears are Gray Ghost Ultimates, followed by Whites Pro Stars, and Killer B's. If you like the idea of wireless headphones, the Deteknix wireless headphones work great
and are lightweight for hot summer use.

I hope this helps you, and welcome back to this great hobby !

Roger

I agree with a Vaquero. If you can read and follow basic instructions, manual ground balancing is so easy and takes only seconds to do. You will have a more capable all round machine.

 

[amberjack]

one things for sure ya gunna need some good boots

AJ

 

[pinenut]

one things for sure ya gunna need some good boots

AJ

Yep; looks like rattlesnake hill to me too.