How do you pick your new detector?

[bigtim1973]

OK I know some of you are brand loyal and I am to somewhat. But what happens when you want a new unit and your favorite brand does not have the specific unit your looking for? Or if your after a new machine and you have not made your mind up, what convinces you to spend the money on the new unit? With all of that said, sometimes when I am after a new unit, I will search Findmall and take a look at what people are finding with certain units I am interested in. Sometimes and often you will see a flood of post from a certain name unit in a short time frame with the posters proudly showing off their fresh digs on the specific name or model threads here on FM. I also look for specific features and ease of changing settings on the fly and a nice user friendly screen too. I have tried this a few times and have found some units that are popular too that I am not crazy about. So it kind of goes both ways sometimes. Just curious on some of your thoughts on model or brand decision.

 

[jim tn]

Pretty much like you, I follow the various forums here and on the T D site to see what is shaking. By the same token, I have mainly stayed with the same detector brand(s) and model(s) for a good while now and replace current model with the most current updated version of said model. Quite frankly, I like the light weight of my current swings, their ease of operation and multiple coil choices. I just recently tried one of the Turkey Red models as a result of all the hullabaloo on the two mentioned forums and I personally found it lacking in depth from my current arsenal and target separation not any better. And I used it daily for the better of two months. For my needs and likes, still looking for the next greatest. HH jim tn

 

[REVIER]

Features and abilities...rapid recovery and great target separation abilities are big with me, plus I am a naturally fast swinger so I need tools that compensate for that.
Coil choices, weight and tones...there is a brand or two out there that emit sounds I just can't get into for some reason.
Others seem to love them, my brain doesn't.

I was thinking upgrade and both the T2 and the upper end Fishers were on the table but you can't mount concentrics on the T2...I like to use both concentrics and DD's so that made the choice easy.

Looking at other's finds with a specific model or brand will give you a decent opinion base but you have to take it all with a grain of salt.
Many jump on the bandwagon of a popular model but don't see the same results as many others because all soil conditions in all parts of the country are not the same.
Skills using any certain tool can very wildly among different hunters also.
I have read posts for years from many that knock certain models because they couldn't figure them out and never got along with them and then think it is their mission in lifeto spread the word .
The worst ever they say, which is funny because many others use the same one with great success and have a totally opposite and positive experience.
Like I said, a grain of salt with about anything you hear.

Sometimes you really click with a certain brand or model, sometimes you don't.
If you are lucky you come across that one great tool that fits you perfectly but sometimes you have to try a few before you realize this.

 

[slingshot]

(1). Check here with our forum sponsors. If they give bad advice it would quickly be known, so I feel they test their units and give good advice for your particular needs.
(2). Which brings us to your needs. Some areas, like mine, are loaded with schools, parks, game fields. I excel with 2 filter machines because depth is not the key factor. I actually have gone behind many who have large coiled, ultra deep detectors and found many items they HAD to give up on because they were overwhelmed with the conditions. A club member of a local th'er club spent $5,000 for a Minelab- but he searches old battlefields, etc.
(3) About 6 months is the usual time it takes for flaws in the latest detectors to show up. For example, my White's MX5 was purchased several months after intro. The early ones had a resistor problem affecting tones and by waiting I got a great detector with no issues.
(4) Go with your gut feelings. I liked the Ace 250 w/sniper coil and used it with great success despite a lot of people hating the belltone sound. I was just reading a treasure magazine when a two page ad on the Whites MX 5 hit my "wowsie" button.

 

[amberjack]

check the bank balance

AJ

 

[Hoser John]

ALWAYS try to find a unit to USE in the field first before you spend your hard earned cash. You always drive a car(some units cost as much) you always swing a golf club or a bat, listen to a radio or watch a tv so how could a detector be any different. You only get as good as you educate and try first. One mans love is yet anothers' nightmare. Detecting since 61 and always fun no matter what or where-John

 

[John-Edmonton]

Build a test garden with various targets at various depths. Learn it well with your existing detectors. Now, borrow a new (different) one and try it in your test garden. Within a matter of minutes, you will know if it is really an improvement to what you already own, especially in your location.

 

[dfmike]

I think it really boils down to what you are looking for in a detector and what you mainly want to find. Of course finding good stuff is number 1 but in every detector forum people make great finds with pretty much any make. We all have a list by order of priority that we look for in a detector. The priorities are different for everyone. It's a little bit like buying a car. Some people will prioritize certain characteristics while these same characteristics will be secondary or not important at all for others.

I usually like to peruse the videos on youtube for "live" digs with machines that might interest me. I notice the sounds the detector makes while hunting, when a target is acquired and pinpointing. I look at the display ID to see how it behaves on target acquisition, etc. I tend to avoid any dealer presentation video as they are designed to make any detector look good. I tend to avoid videos that focus mainly or only on detector depth. There's a lot more to "meshing" with a detector than depth alone.

 

[GeorgeinSC]

Regardless of the Brand take a long hard look at how long it would take to get a repair made if something should happen to the machine. Some companies do an outstanding job and some do an atrocious job.

One of the better known brands on the Market currently is taking up to two months to get a non warranty repair made. That is what I call "Customer No Service". (Stolen from Clark Howard)

 

[calabash digger]

research is key. read read and watch videos and then its still hard because as was said above some people dont click with a certain brands and bad mouth it so you have to weigh out whats being said.

 

[dfmike]

Another thing of prime importance that is so often overlooked: Warranty and after sales service.

 

[5900_XL-1]

Another thing of prime importance that is so often overlooked: Warranty and after sales service.

Amen

 

[Phillip_in_NM]

Another thing of prime importance that is so often overlooked: Warranty and after sales service.

Amen

Amen again!

Of the detector manufacturers I have dealt with, the best customer service has been from Garrett, followed closely by Makro and White's.

I don't think I have ever paid a dime for getting any of my Garrett detectors repaired, and only one was bought new. When I called to inquire about purchasing their "Garrett Retriever" digging tool, they told me where I could get it cheaper and gave me contact info!

Makro quickly replaced my coil and bolt with mere pictures of the broken ones.

White's turnaround time is just phenomenal.

Hope this helps.

 

[Southwind]

I use a combination of sources to make a decision to try a new detector or not. I read reviews on the forums but don't put a lot of weight in them except for a few posters I have seen that speak the truth be it good or bad. I watch Youtube videos and base my opinion on what I see not what the person in the video says. Lastly, I look at the specs and features to determine if it matches the results I have read and seen.

 

[D&P-OR]

Yeah----Makro oughta replace those bolts with no questions asked & without pictures as many of them that have broken.---Not all of us are able to post pictures either.

Another thing of prime importance that is so often overlooked: Warranty and after sales service.

Amen

Amen again!

Of the detector manufacturers I have dealt with, the best customer service has been from Garrett, followed closely by Makro and White's.

I don't think I have ever paid a dime for getting any of my Garrett detectors repaired, and only one was bought new. When I called to inquire about purchasing their "Garrett Retriever" digging tool, they told me where I could get it cheaper and gave me contact info!

Makro quickly replaced my coil and bolt with mere pictures of the broken ones.

White's turnaround time is just phenomenal.

Hope this helps.