input on md

[raider rich]

i am a beginer but i would like a very good md. coin, jewelery, gold jewelery, relic. Have been looking at minlab safari, garret 2500, 1500 or a whites. Im looking for some ease of use. I wood like your input on these or other md. Also will be used on beach

 

[raider rich]

A lot of views but no posts, would really like some input on this.

 

[UK Brian]

There's not really enough information to help. If you want to detect the positive wet salt areas of a beach it changes the type of detector you need. Land and dry sand anything will work with varying degrees of sucess.

The exception to the general rule is twin or multifrequency machines . Of the ones in current production most have a learning curve if they are to be used to the best effect. Any model of Sovereign is easy to use but other detectors of this type do have built in programmes or presets to help you get started. The Safari in your list performs well almost anywhere and will allow you to get good results from the first day and then you can grow with it.
Consider the speed that you feel comfortable detecting at. Minelab tended to need a slower sweep speed and Whites a faster one though with the later versions from both manufacturers its not as clear cut as it was. Some love the Minelabs discriptive tones other don't. Weight/balance is a factor you can only judge yourself. I can detect longer without strain with Whites than with Minelab. With my Sovereign I fitted a third party shaft and rear mounted the control box to balance out the weight of larger coils. In driving rain you can chest mount the Sovereign under your waterproofs as you don't need to check out a meter and the controls hardly need adjusting.

As for land detecting the best detector for one area might be the worse where you live. I like to a ground balance control but don't worry about meters one bit. If you did a lot of park work you might feel that a meter would be of help with I.D.'s to minimise digging and damage to grassed areas.

Best of luck with your choice

 

[Larry (IL)]

If you are new to detecting, I would suggest starting off with a turn on and go detector like the White's MXT or MXT Pro. A proven USA made detector with a great company behind it. If you are going to hunt in the water, maybe the Garretts AT Pro should be considered but only if you wanted a waterproof machine. Check out what MXT users have to say about the MXT/Pro on the MXT forum.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I think the MXT would serve you well.Of the three you had in mind the Garrett 1500 would be my pick,but the Garrett 1350 is more user friendly and performs very well at less cost would be a better pick.Salt water beach the CZ and Sovereign's are hard to beat.My suggestion go to some local dealers and look at equipment you'll be surprised how an actual demo will change your original picks.Good Luck

 

[daddyflea]

I have several brands of Detectors and I can tell you that Bells and Whistles sell Metal Detectors. As a new person you need to stay away from these. These are confusing and very frustrating. I am not a fan of displays either. No Metal Detector makes a Display that tells you what you are digging before you dig. This is good guess at best. I have Garrett, White, and Tesoro. My favorite right today is Tesoro Golden Umax. Because of its notches, I would not recommend this to a new user. I am a real fan of this machine because of the Tone ID. This machine gives off tones for objects based off their conductivity. Please do not use displays to decide what you are going to dig, if you are not an experienced user. My Indian Head pennies and Civil War Belt Buckles would never have been dug. I know you are wanting suggestions and here is my best. I suggest a Tesoro with a life time warranty with no display. I believe the only ones are the Golden Umax that have tones. If you get this machine use it without Notch until you are real comfortable. This machine is a bargain at $449 and is top of the line. Next choice is a Tesoro Campadre but I really enjoy tones helping me decide what to dig. There are only 5 tones to learn. Overload and 4 ID tones. Beginning user digs usually high tones which are old pennies, dimes, and quarters.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

I would suggest getting a mid range unit that is user friendly....contact a mult-line dealer and he will steer you in the right direction..If there is a local detecting club in your area they could also
provide positive info and am sure they would invite you as a guest to their next meeting..Getting a entrance level unit or perhaps a top of the line that is hard to learn may make you have a quick exit from the hobby...

 

[Mike Hillis]

There isn't one metal detector that excells in all the categories you mention. So what will be your primary target? and where will you look for this target the most?


HH
Mike

 

[BarberBill]

The closest detector I have to a "do it all" is the Whites MXT. Fairly easy to learn, no menus to scroll through, just knobs and switches and you can be hunting fairly successfully just using the factory suggested presets. It does have a screen and is pretty accurate on its identification for a machine's best guess. That said, as a beginner, I would recommend ignoring or covering the display until one gets a handle on the subtle changes in the audible tone on different targets. On single tone detectors this is hard to describe, but after enough hours of listening and digging all or at least nearly all targets, one can tell a lot from the tone. Above all, don't get caught in the "bigger is better" trap on coils. Unless hunting in open, pretty much trash free areas, a large coil can be more of a handicap than a help. For trashy parks, fair grounds etc. a smaller coil handles the trash and noses out the goodies much better than a large on.
My two bits,
BB

 

[mr.thumb]

I agree with all that is said before, however you will undoubtedly have to check which is going to be the best for you. Usually first time buyers are looking at the cost as the first priority, then what is it best suited for, dry land, sand, beach, water resistant, water proof. It is all about the area you live and where you will be mostly hunting. Some folks like as much information a display can give, others would rather go by sound. It really is hard to choose the first detector, but choose you must. By all means go to the various sites that show different models and manufacturers, a good thing to do is download the manuals and read through them and see how hard or easy they are to use and what controls, tones, and the like that each has. If you are going to spend hours on end hunting, weight can be an issue, your age and flexibility are also considerations. So there is so much info out there and as many opinions as coins in the ground. Good luck, and do your homework, it will be worth it.

welcome to the happy hunting grounds.

Mike

 

[blade310]

That's absolutely ridiculous!. I have an At Pro and have put 23 hours on it. Its has a standard mode which is very easy to use, and a pro mode for when your ready to step up,It is good on the beach,in the surf,on dry land,relic hunting ,coin and jewelry hunting, in the rain. I have found a piece of gold jewelry,12.00 in coins,10 wheat Penny's,A small silver sandal (from a charm bracelet?) and many oddball Items,,keys,spoon,tokens. Raider I am not tryin to sell you on the At Pro,but don't disregard its possibilities. Larry it sounds like you are tryin to push the MXT. don't get me wrong I am liking everything I am reading and hearing about the MXT. In fact it may very well be my next machine.It just really suprises me that "you" would tell a man to consider the At Pro only if he wants a water proof detector Raider I am not tryin to discourage you from getting an MXT or any other detector. I just believe any and every detector deserves a fair shot. Larry is right,check out the Mxt forum.Check out the At Pro forum. check out all the forums. Daddyflea mentions the golden umax. I like the things I have read about it also. And the Deleon (spelled right?). What ever you decide,best of luck to you.This is one fascinating hobby

 

[Oak]

n/t

 

[UK Brian]

The AT Pro really isn't that good. In fact its poor on wet salt in the water or out. Almost all my land detectors outperform it as well. Its plus is in working fresh water so there's no worry if you take a dunk but elsewhere ?

What should be said about it is that it offers good performance at its price point. Then add the benefit of the waterproofing and decide how much the build quality/design annoys.

 

[Elton]

n/t