Help me find a good detector under $250

[ILoveGold]

Hello seeing how this is my first post I would first like to say that this forum is great. Well I have recently got into metal detecting and my sister in law bought me a mine lab detector off ebay but seeing how it was only a search coil I will be selling it in the classifieds/ebay and hope to get around $200 for it. So after I receive money from that transaction I will need a new detector. So my question is can someone point me in the direction of a decent all around detector for under $250? Please tell me if this is the wrong place for this topic.

Thanks,

Billy

 

[ivansalis]

good low end models out there ---most "serious" metal detector folk tend to look down on the "cheaper" machines but if you take a bit of time to learn your machine---please do yourself a real favor--read the book that comes with them and pratice a bit with in your yard using known objects first to learn about discrimation and the various "sounds" your mahine produces when it finds them --you would be suprised how many folks don't and end up whining saying ---this things a piece of junk --just because they don't know how to properly use it. hey the guy who knows how to drive a "old beater" can beat a fellow who owns a "high dollar car" but doesn't know how to drive it properly ..if you get my drift--so that said --the machines-- first what kind of use --(remember some of the low end machines are touchy about saltwater areas due to high minerial content) this are online at kellyco-- the top picks are the garrett ace 250---$212 a nice machine according to many-- I kinda like also the new titan's (look at the kellyco site)--these folks were famous for the bounty hunter line of products-- they just bought out fisher by the way-- and there are several models in the well known bounty hunter line---my favorite one is only $129 the bounty hunter IV very simple to use -- works good--light weight--another is the qick draw II--it is a bit better and has a meter to assist in figgering out somewhat what you've found--oddly although many "big name" detector guys down the type of detectors most of them seem to own one as a back up in case of failure of their bigtime rigs. like I said take a look at kellyco site. Ivan

 

[ROGER (TN)]

n/t

 

[DFX-Gregg]

Take a look on the Garrett forum to the response of the Ace 250! You would hardly know Garrett makes another detector!!

 

[clondike clad]

ACE 250
PRIZM 2 OE 3

 

[Gila Marc]

n/t

 

[Weird Wally (NY)]

Go For the Garrett ACE 250. It works well Great to start with. I have one as a back up detector and if any newbies want to go out hunting with me. it is simple to use.

 

[tab-nabit]

My vote for a $250 budget would be the Garrett ACE 250. For the price you can get a new detector, big bang for the bucks and the reviews say it all. An inexpensive, effective, 5 mode machine with features and its easy to use. Uses four AA batteries and the coil accessories are reasonable cost. My 2 cent opinion.

 

[ILoveGold]

Thank all of you for your help.

 

[Skillet]

If you plan to hunt parks/ballfields amongst modern trash, the 250 (as has been already stated) is a good choice in your price range. If you shop and buy used, you will be able to get the 4.5" sniper coil as well. Does very well in modern trash. Pinpointing isn't as intuitive as with some machines, but quite manageable (with the stock coil). Pinpointing with the small coil is effortless.

If you are planning to hunt around old homesteads where there will invariably be an abundance of junk-iron, I would suggest a Tesoro, maybe a Silver Sabre Umax etc. I have two Tesoros and they are very good at picking out targets in iron.

Right now I mostly use Garretts and a Tejon, so I'm not qualified to comment on the Whites, Fishers etc. but I'm sure that they have machines avail. (especially used) in your price range that would serve you well.

The main thing is to spend enough time behind your machine to learn it really well and get a small coil if you can at all afford it!

Skillet

 

[ernied]

check out the ace 250 at $212 dollars it has more features than any other detector in its price range.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Bill,If you buy used some good choices Whites ID Classic,Fisher 1236x,and Minelab Musketeer Colt.These units have a lot of optional coils perform well,light and just fun to use.Best of all in certain circumstanes these detectors can match or outperform any of the higher priced detectors.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Garrett Ace 250. The only one to buy for that kind of money. It's a $600-$800 detector wrapped up in a $200 package. Garrett can't make them fast enough.

Bill

 

[SAhunter]

Ace 250 all the way