Frank in NH
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n/t
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How is the Tesoro Mojave working out for people that have one?
- Thread starter Frank in NH
- Start date
dirt doctor
Well-known member
I bought a used one a few months back and I really like it . It's light , very well balanced and even without a pinpoint button you can get dead nuts on centering by just X-ing the coil . The 7" concentric coil is just the right size for the type of hunting I do . It uses a single nine volt battery just like my Garrett Pro pointer does . The single tone is a good firm one and pleasing to the ears . When I set the ground condition switch to HIGH it handles my highly mineralized dirt quite well . The response is quick and definite and it will find surprisingly small objects . I haven't used it a lot yet as I have been very busy the last few months but I have found a silver coin and some junk jewelry with it . I haven't found anything coin sized deeper than 5" yet but there was plenty of tone left to spare .
For a $250 detector that I paid $185 for , I'm a very happy camper .Be prepared to dig a lot of junk but also be prepared to be pleasantly surprised on occasion . It's a lot of fun to hunt with and my tired old , body can swing it for a real long time without putting the hurt to myself . If you like to mess around with a lot of settings and like a lot of bells and whistles this isn't the detector for you .
For a $250 detector that I paid $185 for , I'm a very happy camper .Be prepared to dig a lot of junk but also be prepared to be pleasantly surprised on occasion . It's a lot of fun to hunt with and my tired old , body can swing it for a real long time without putting the hurt to myself . If you like to mess around with a lot of settings and like a lot of bells and whistles this isn't the detector for you .
Tot Lot Bandit
Well-known member
I got back into the hobby in May with the purchase of a Mojave. I later added a Silver Umax, Garret Ace 350 and a Vaquero. I hated where the disc knob was on the Silver Umax. I kept hitting the all metal switch accidentally so I sold it. The Ace just felt too front end heavy after using the Tesoro's and I sold it. I never found anything more while using the Vaquero and it beeps too quite so I sold it too....lol I have found 2 IHP's and a Merc dime with the Mojave and I just love the light weight and the placement of disc knob is perfect. It actually feels like it is part of my arm while using it...lol. I bought a 8" doughnut coil for it and it goes deeper. See it in action on Dig-a-holic on YouTube. I also have a Fisher F22 on the way. I like the tone sounds of it. I could buy a Equinox 800 but I like using the lower cost underdog machines.
kittlitz
Active member
The Mojave was my first Tesoro, and resulted in me buying a number of other models too and selling my non-Tesoro detectors. For its price range, I don't think it can be beat. Besides being super light and simple to operate, the High Mineralization mode does surprisingly well in wet salt sand. I was able to use it on a beach on the West Coast without any stability issues... and I managed to find some good stuff as well. It's a great machine to have around.
-Ken
-Ken
dirt doctor
Well-known member
kittlitz said:
That's really great to hear Ken as I have not had a chance to try mine at the beach yet .
kittlitz
Active member
dirt doctor said:
I should mention that the beach I used it on wasn't mineralized, apart from the wet salt sand. I don't know if the Mojave would well on, say, black sand.
I was also using the 7" stock coil. I'm planning on taking the M to another beach in a month or so and am debating what coil(s) to bring. Definitely the cleansweep, but also considering my 10x12 concentric. I'm worried that that one might be unstable on salt sand because of its greater size, though.
-Ken
Fishers Ghost
New member
Australia:
26 January 2019 10:55 am
Purchased a used Mojave and am awaiting delivery
Price was right and the machine has an ok reputation, so thought I would give it a try out.
Unfortunate about Tesoro.
I have still not received a reply to my email to them and from what I have read it seems that they are not answering anybody. That is not doing them any good when it is an extremely simple matter to reply to an email..
Keep up that attitude and even their hard core fans will find Tesoro fading from memory.
30/01/2019
I received the Mojave yesterday. It is typical tesoro. Light weight and no frills.
Gave it a try out this morning.
A depth monster it is not but never the less it can find our Aussie coins at approx 8 or 9 inches in dry sandy ground which is ok for a 7 inch concentric.
The discrim works well and can be set to give a signal that is fairly accurate on steel bottle caps without loosing sensitivity to gold and silver.
I tried the two GB modes (High & Low minerals) and did not notice any change in depth between the two settings.
Neither mode could knock out heavy iron mineralisation, so I would not bother trying to use the Mojave in the gold fields, it is a coin and relic machine with performance similar to the Compadre.
There is no pinpoint mode but I found the small coil to be pretty accurate at pinpointing.
Setting the disc above foil will loose small low grade gold. I found half way between iron and foil to be about right but if you want to cherry pick your targets then you can set the disc wherever you like.
There is no volume control and the vol can be quite loud so use a set of HPs with vol control.
The Mojave is a nice little detector that you can keep in the car for those random quicky detects. It would be a great first detector for the kids.
If you already own a Compadre or any other Tesoro vlf machine then I doubt that you will need the Mojave unless you want absolute simplicity with good performance.....Don't race out and try to compare the Mojave to an Equinox or Deus or LST or Gold Bug . They are in a different league.
I like it and it found a nice sil ring and 25 cents this morning in about 15 minutes.
31/01/2019
Today 10:12 am
Okay so I took the Mojave out for another run this morning to give the 2 GB ranges a proper try-out.
I feel that I have to rate this detector better than th beginner machine that I suggested in my previous post.
The low GB setting will handle fresh water river sand and gravel very well but this time I moved over to the large rocks where a lot of swimmers sit or dive from.
These rocks gave a strong ground signal in the low setting and zero ground signal in the high setting and the mojave easily picked out an Aussie 5 cent coin at approx 5 inches deep and the coin was found to be hard up against the rock surface. Disc was set at midway between foil and iron.
Several of my detectors do not respond well when scanning over these rocks including my safari.
So the simple fact that the Mojave can penetrate these river rocks and locate small crap metal coins impressed me. I switched to Low mineral mode to re test the signal before recovery and the coin signal was drowned out by the ground noise.
Whenever max sesnsativity can be used depth can be very good indeed; I was able to use max sens on this sandy beach at Pine Island in both High & Low mineral mode although at max there was the occasional false signal when the coil contacted the sand. This is not uncommon even from very expensive detectors.
It would be interesting to see what this little machine could do with a larger coil.
How the unit performs at the salt water beaches is as yet untested
I purchased this detector second hand from The States and by the time it arrived on my doorstep the 408 AUD price inc freight and import was excessive.
26 January 2019 10:55 am
Purchased a used Mojave and am awaiting delivery
Price was right and the machine has an ok reputation, so thought I would give it a try out.
Unfortunate about Tesoro.
I have still not received a reply to my email to them and from what I have read it seems that they are not answering anybody. That is not doing them any good when it is an extremely simple matter to reply to an email..
Keep up that attitude and even their hard core fans will find Tesoro fading from memory.
30/01/2019
I received the Mojave yesterday. It is typical tesoro. Light weight and no frills.
Gave it a try out this morning.
A depth monster it is not but never the less it can find our Aussie coins at approx 8 or 9 inches in dry sandy ground which is ok for a 7 inch concentric.
The discrim works well and can be set to give a signal that is fairly accurate on steel bottle caps without loosing sensitivity to gold and silver.
I tried the two GB modes (High & Low minerals) and did not notice any change in depth between the two settings.
Neither mode could knock out heavy iron mineralisation, so I would not bother trying to use the Mojave in the gold fields, it is a coin and relic machine with performance similar to the Compadre.
There is no pinpoint mode but I found the small coil to be pretty accurate at pinpointing.
Setting the disc above foil will loose small low grade gold. I found half way between iron and foil to be about right but if you want to cherry pick your targets then you can set the disc wherever you like.
There is no volume control and the vol can be quite loud so use a set of HPs with vol control.
The Mojave is a nice little detector that you can keep in the car for those random quicky detects. It would be a great first detector for the kids.
If you already own a Compadre or any other Tesoro vlf machine then I doubt that you will need the Mojave unless you want absolute simplicity with good performance.....Don't race out and try to compare the Mojave to an Equinox or Deus or LST or Gold Bug . They are in a different league.
I like it and it found a nice sil ring and 25 cents this morning in about 15 minutes.
31/01/2019
Today 10:12 am
Okay so I took the Mojave out for another run this morning to give the 2 GB ranges a proper try-out.
I feel that I have to rate this detector better than th beginner machine that I suggested in my previous post.
The low GB setting will handle fresh water river sand and gravel very well but this time I moved over to the large rocks where a lot of swimmers sit or dive from.
These rocks gave a strong ground signal in the low setting and zero ground signal in the high setting and the mojave easily picked out an Aussie 5 cent coin at approx 5 inches deep and the coin was found to be hard up against the rock surface. Disc was set at midway between foil and iron.
Several of my detectors do not respond well when scanning over these rocks including my safari.
So the simple fact that the Mojave can penetrate these river rocks and locate small crap metal coins impressed me. I switched to Low mineral mode to re test the signal before recovery and the coin signal was drowned out by the ground noise.
Whenever max sesnsativity can be used depth can be very good indeed; I was able to use max sens on this sandy beach at Pine Island in both High & Low mineral mode although at max there was the occasional false signal when the coil contacted the sand. This is not uncommon even from very expensive detectors.
It would be interesting to see what this little machine could do with a larger coil.
How the unit performs at the salt water beaches is as yet untested
I purchased this detector second hand from The States and by the time it arrived on my doorstep the 408 AUD price inc freight and import was excessive.
kittlitz
Active member
Great field report, Fisher's Ghost!
The Mojave on the High Mineralization setting did well on the one salt water beach I tried it on, but the sand wasn't mineralized apart from the wet salt. I'm going to try it on a few other beaches next month, and would be interested in hearing how it behaves for you.
I've tried the 10x12" concentric on the Mojave and it punches pretty deep. I was able to find a toy truck about a foot down in the (dry) sand; the only metal parts were the axles.
-Ken
The Mojave on the High Mineralization setting did well on the one salt water beach I tried it on, but the sand wasn't mineralized apart from the wet salt. I'm going to try it on a few other beaches next month, and would be interested in hearing how it behaves for you.
I've tried the 10x12" concentric on the Mojave and it punches pretty deep. I was able to find a toy truck about a foot down in the (dry) sand; the only metal parts were the axles.
-Ken
Fishers Ghost
New member
HI Ken.
It may be a while before I get to give the Mojave a run at the beach because I have recently had a knee replacement and have to do the other knee very soon.
I have several high end detectors but I am finding this little Mojave to be a pleasure to use and has plenty good enough performance to keep me satisfied.
I have owned and used 58 different detectorssince 1960 from BFO to VLF to PI and currently have 19 machines but out of all of the detectors that I have used I can say that it is my Sov XS that has dominated my beach work with the Infinium a close second along with a Whites TDI. And yet here I am getting satisfaction from the Mojave. It simply works well without any real fuss or bother.....Sure I could nit pick a few issues but why do that when the detector does what it was designed to do when used in the conditions that it was meant for.
It may be a while before I get to give the Mojave a run at the beach because I have recently had a knee replacement and have to do the other knee very soon.
I have several high end detectors but I am finding this little Mojave to be a pleasure to use and has plenty good enough performance to keep me satisfied.
I have owned and used 58 different detectorssince 1960 from BFO to VLF to PI and currently have 19 machines but out of all of the detectors that I have used I can say that it is my Sov XS that has dominated my beach work with the Infinium a close second along with a Whites TDI. And yet here I am getting satisfaction from the Mojave. It simply works well without any real fuss or bother.....Sure I could nit pick a few issues but why do that when the detector does what it was designed to do when used in the conditions that it was meant for.
BeyWolf
Well-known member
I just got a new Mojave a few days ago. Weather is bad so I only went out to my backyard test garden. It’s everything you expect a Tesoro to be.
I also have a Bandido, Tejon and Compadre.
For the last couple of years I have used the Compadre the most but I think I will be using this Mojave from now on.
I also have a Bandido, Tejon and Compadre.
For the last couple of years I have used the Compadre the most but I think I will be using this Mojave from now on.
Fishers Ghost
New member
Yes there is no doubt that the additional ground mineral ranges and the sensitivity control has made the Mojave a very usable metal detector.
It can be fooled when there is a good target like gold or silver alongside an iron target which is why I tend to keep the disc setting midway between foil and iron if there is trash about.
Recovery is a bit slow between close targets of differing conductivity but as I said earlier. The machine does what it has been designed to do and has its own niche in the grand scheme of metal detectors. Learn the machine and it will serve you well.
It can be fooled when there is a good target like gold or silver alongside an iron target which is why I tend to keep the disc setting midway between foil and iron if there is trash about.
Recovery is a bit slow between close targets of differing conductivity but as I said earlier. The machine does what it has been designed to do and has its own niche in the grand scheme of metal detectors. Learn the machine and it will serve you well.
Fishers Ghost
New member
Yesterday I took the SOV and the Mojave down to a local picnic ground for some response testing. Both detectors had the disc set to midway between iron and foil and sensitivity at about 50%.
Searched with the SOV and then rechecked the detected targets with the Mojave. Results were interesting.
Several of the targets were out of the depth range of the Mojave but four gave a strong Low iron tone from the Sov (ground was black dirt and sand in amongst rocks on a walking track). The Mojave gave a definite solid Dig Me signal. I pinpointed each target with my new combo pinpointer and digger which performed very well and proved to be stronger than it looks.
The targets turned out to be (long time lost) 2 x 2 dollar coins and 2 x 10 cent coins at near enough to 6 inches down in amongst the rocks.
It appears that the Sov was fooled by the mineralisation causing it to produce the Low tone. The Mojave was not fooled when the mineral selection was set to High.
Now the Mojave is not a depth monster but I am having a real fun time with this little detector.
Cheers
Adrian
Searched with the SOV and then rechecked the detected targets with the Mojave. Results were interesting.
Several of the targets were out of the depth range of the Mojave but four gave a strong Low iron tone from the Sov (ground was black dirt and sand in amongst rocks on a walking track). The Mojave gave a definite solid Dig Me signal. I pinpointed each target with my new combo pinpointer and digger which performed very well and proved to be stronger than it looks.
The targets turned out to be (long time lost) 2 x 2 dollar coins and 2 x 10 cent coins at near enough to 6 inches down in amongst the rocks.
It appears that the Sov was fooled by the mineralisation causing it to produce the Low tone. The Mojave was not fooled when the mineral selection was set to High.
Now the Mojave is not a depth monster but I am having a real fun time with this little detector.
Cheers
Adrian
nenadgbeepin
Member
Hey Adrian, thanks for your commentary. Every time I see the Mojave, I can't help but think if you could replace that mineral switch with a GB pot???
Nenad
Nenad
Sven
Well-known member
nenadgbeepin said:
Stop thinking that way, its fine as it is.
The GB switch is just a switch that switches resistance between two resistors on the circuit board. Just not two wires on the switch and a trimpot on the circuit board. Tesoro got wise and it made it more difficult to do a GB mod.
Fishers Ghost
New member
nenadgbeepin said:
I guess that could be done but I have to admit that for a simple coin and jewellery detector.the two GB selections cover a good range without the detector loosing sensitivity between the low & high settings.
The machine works well as it is. I guess some of us will always like to try and sharpen things up a bit aye?
Tot Lot Bandit
Well-known member
GB is over rated in my area. Only 5 silver coins I found last year were with factory preset machines. Never could find one with my Vaquero.
Fishers Ghost
New member
I am not sure what you mean by GB being over rated.
I assume you mean adjustable ground balance.
If the detectors with manual and/or auto ground tracking are not producing targets then it is more likely that they cannot handle the ground or the GB is not set correctly or there were not any targets where you were detecting.
Selectable fixed ground balance settings will work well up to a point but as the ground becomes more and more mineralised the detection depth will decrease until the detector eventually blanks out the ground and targets depending on whether the ground is positive or negative in relation to the fixed gb setting. If the ground is negative in relation to the fixed gb setting and if your detector has a silent threshold then you could be detecting all day not knowing that the detector is not getting depth unless you drop a coin on the ground and check the machine now and again or if you place the coil on the ground and then raise it up suddenly and if it makes a noise then the ground is too mineralised for the detector. If the ground is positive then the fixed gb machine will at some point produce a signal from the ground similar to a metal target.
The two settings on the Mojave are a good compromise that covers a common range of ground mineralisation likely to be encountered by the usual coin and jewellery hunter. It will not operate in high iron mineralisation.
Adjustable ground balance enables you to maintain good sensitivity and depth over the whole range of the GB control. Also by setting the gb slightly positive compared to the ground being searched a useful increase in depth can be obtained.(sometimes)
Both systems have advantages and disadvantages but as far as the Mojave is concerned, I like it how it is
I assume you mean adjustable ground balance.
If the detectors with manual and/or auto ground tracking are not producing targets then it is more likely that they cannot handle the ground or the GB is not set correctly or there were not any targets where you were detecting.
Selectable fixed ground balance settings will work well up to a point but as the ground becomes more and more mineralised the detection depth will decrease until the detector eventually blanks out the ground and targets depending on whether the ground is positive or negative in relation to the fixed gb setting. If the ground is negative in relation to the fixed gb setting and if your detector has a silent threshold then you could be detecting all day not knowing that the detector is not getting depth unless you drop a coin on the ground and check the machine now and again or if you place the coil on the ground and then raise it up suddenly and if it makes a noise then the ground is too mineralised for the detector. If the ground is positive then the fixed gb machine will at some point produce a signal from the ground similar to a metal target.
The two settings on the Mojave are a good compromise that covers a common range of ground mineralisation likely to be encountered by the usual coin and jewellery hunter. It will not operate in high iron mineralisation.
Adjustable ground balance enables you to maintain good sensitivity and depth over the whole range of the GB control. Also by setting the gb slightly positive compared to the ground being searched a useful increase in depth can be obtained.(sometimes)
Both systems have advantages and disadvantages but as far as the Mojave is concerned, I like it how it is