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I've got a GTI2500 & I don't understand -- oldtimers please help.

A

Anonymous

Guest
How can so many people get so excited by the ACE 250? Someone said in their post, 'you never can have enough metal detectors.'
I spent a bunch of money for my GTI2500 + $500 for a periscope P.I. detector to confirm the identity of the object and help precisely locate it's position in the ground.
Now I read of people thrilled over the ACE 250 costing less than a fourth of the price of my main detector. I even found myself remarking to my wife that I was begining to think I'd like to try one myself.
That sounds absolutely CRAZY. Isn't MY GTI2500 with it's 5x10" eliptical, 9.5" imaging, and 12.5" imaging coils superior to all other Garretts? I started with a Treasure Ace 200 which I traded for a GTA 350 which I seldom use: why use an inferior metal detector?
Or do the different computers that go with the other well spoken of detectors give each a different "personality" -- capable of doing stuff the others won't, although the raw data from the search coils are basically the same?
Are there some Garretts better for some search jobs than others?
If I'm tempted to try another detector, shouldn't I be saving my money for a truly different KIND of detector -- like the Inifinitum? Maybe I should try the Fisher CZ-70?
I'm just like any other fisherman (of the ground) -- happy to have anything interesting, especially old stuff. My ambition is to get down to Tennessee and find a mini-ball. I live in N.W. Indiana.
After 4.5 years at this, all I've found so far are various form of "junk" -- some rings(none very valuable, I think,) toys, nothing spactacular, a 1918 penny is the oldest coin -- 14 silver coins (2 standing liberty quarters) and 44 wheat pennys.
I WOULD like to grow in my only retirement hobby, but am unsure if the direction I should take is to work the GTI2500 more intensively and concentrate perhaps on better places to hunt?
Or maybe using a different VLF machine would give me more perspective in the sport. Should I use the GTA 350 more? Is the Yeller machine a wasteful diversion?
 
Mike, you have the best of the Garrett line. It's a great detector. Just spend a few weeks getting thoroughly familiar with it, and learn to use the all metal mode more.
The Ace 250, if I understand correctly, is a really good detector for the price but it's doesn't have the capabilities the 2500 does.
What it does have is a LOT less weight, so if you're just looking to sweep a play area, or a public lawn for an hour or so, the Ace 250 should be a lot EASIER to swing, and good enough to find most targets in the 0-6 inch area, or deeper is some soils. I'm too lazy to dig much deeper than six inches, so the Ace 250 would be a good choice for me.
If I thought I could get a couple of DD coils for it, I might sell a 2500 and get one. I know in advance I'd be giving up the really deep stuff, but swinging a couple pounds is easier than swinging almost five (2500 is 4.6 isn't it?).
I don't think the Ace 250 would be a waste for you though, there's always a potential need for a backup machine (just in case), plus if you encounter someone that might be interested in joining you, you have a machine available that is apparently easy to use and still will find neat stuff, without a killer investment in the hobby. I haven't been able to interest my better half in joining me, but she likes to wear some of the rings I've found.
The alternate recommendation I would make is to invest in a waterproof machine, such as a used 1280-x or CZ20, Garret or Whites for water hunting. I found it to be THE MOST ENJOYABLE hunting I've done so far. It is also the most rewarding in terms of the amount of jewelry located.
Either of the above should expand the scope of your hobby somewhat.
Best of luck! Enjoy!
 
I agree with bill,
you have the best garrett offers at the moment for land detection. I also own a 2500 and like ALL machines, you have to spend a lot of time (suggested by garrett himself, 100+ hrs) using it to realize it's full potential. I used to have a gta 1000 and I loved that machine once I figured it out! As bill said, try hunting in all metal (or at least coin/jewelry mode/s) more often, this is where you get better depth and pick up more metals beyond coins, also, try your own program, start in all metal mode and eliminate only the 2 left most notches on the screen to eliminate finding rusty nails/bits of iron but leave all other notches. Adjust it to your style of hunting and the conditions around you! Use your coils to your advantage, small one in trash areas, large one in fields/etc. where there's not much trash but will allow you to pull coins, etc. at 10+ inches!
Hope this helps, HH
Treasdiver
 
Hi Mike, I don't think Garrett would make a $200 detector that outperforms their top of the line model,however they could make a detector thats more user friendly with less learning curve and light weight, that people just grab swing beep and dig, thats really how you find stuff, and being on properties that have the oldies and goodies can,t hurt either <img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":)"> There are times when i prefer the metered notch machines and depth readings, such as in trashy areas and basic beep and dig machines in clean ground. In my area most coins even colonial coppers are only about 4 to 6" deep and found most of my silver coins at 3"-5" on average. there are exceptions of course and other parts of the country are different. My favorite places to hunt are #1 old homes #2 old public and private schools,#3 old parks and #4 Woods #5 Beaches , however i'll try anyplace once.No matter what machine you use, know it well and once you trust it don,t analyze too much, when it beeps "DigIt" . Good Luck . HH Bill
 
Over 20 yrs ago I was using a Compass BFO, and a Friend was using a Then top of the line Garrett.
I vowed I would one day own a REAL detector.
The pressures of raising a family and other hobbies kept me from doing so untill 2 yrs ago, and I got an Eldorado. A year later I got a Cortes, both great machines. I have always skulked around the Garrett Forums and participated little.
Now Users that have been in the Hobby 20-30 yrs and I know own top of the line machines from many manufactuerers are saying good things about the 250.
Well a machine that retails for $250 is getting the attention of those who know far more than me.
That fits into my plans very well. I fid myself often having 30 minutes to hunt. I am very hesitant to carry a detector that if stolen would cost upwards of $800 around in my truck. However $250 would be an unwelcome but bearable loss, especially for a machine with respectable performance.
So in about 6 weeks I will also have a 250.
I don`t expect it to outperform my top of the line machine, but still offer good performance at a reasonable price.
I have no intention of giving up my Cortes, but would use it for more deliberate hunting days.
 
Its all in what you need and want i think. The 2500 has the depth and features. The 250 appears to have very good depth and surprising performance in a very low priced detector according to all the users. I like to take my GTA 1000 with me for after work to check out areas for an hour. I take the 2500 the other times. Sometimes i take both on my days off. I like to switch back and forth between the two
 
I agree with Jim.
I am examing my new machine as I am getting back into the hobby after a hiatus. It is another brand from Garrett but I have been looking at the ACE 150 and 250 with a interest to possibly makine one of them as a backup machine.. or possibly.. and machine to have to get a friend or accquantence into the hobby down the road.
As far as your machine, the GTI 2500, I would use it as your machine like no other. But new machines tend to bring out accolades and all the attention. Its the nature of marketing I guess.. New things today become the status qoue of tommarow. So I would not pay attention to the new Ace models.. Unless you want to trade weight and capability for a lighter machine.. or maybe get a Ace 250 as a backup model
<img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":)">
Brand Loyalty is a great thing.. but no one should stick their nose at others because of it.
Kitanis
 
Don't fret my friend you have the best that Garrett makes and the 250 in no way compares with the 2500, but when you've been at it as long as many of us have and owned about every detector ever made and currently own several - we just get excited when a cute, cheap, little detector comes along that bangs like the 250 does. It's like a new toy. <img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":)">
Bill
 
Me neither. Think they opened their doors for business with a TR. I bought my first one back around 1970 and worked my way up to a 77IB then up tp a Relic Magnum 7.
Bill
 
It may have been a Bounty Hunter? All I really remember was it was a Bronze colored machine with 2 knobs. It was a fun machine and got me interested in the hobby.
 
It was a Bounty Hunter. I had one way back around 1970 that wouldn't find a cannon ball in a tub of oatmeal. Think I paid fifty bucks for it. Dumped it fast and got a Compass. They were metallic green.
Bill
 
Bill--- Tom Modglings first detector was a Bounty Hunter 1. He sold it and I bought it. He and Kay moved up to Compass 94 IB's. The rest is history for
Kay and her meteoric rise with Compass. I bought a 77 B from Kay and still have it.
 
The 250 won't compete with a 2500. Sounds like your lack of success is just a result of not being on the right sight or not using your detector enough. <img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":)">
 
Yeah Kay girl was the queen of detecting and the Empress of Compass - really putting them on the map. I think Kay got my buddy Jim Straight started.
 
Yeah Kay girl was the queen of detecting and the Empress of Compass - really putting them on the map. I think Kay got my buddy Jim Straight started.
 
I tried twice to post a pic of Kay but it just wouldn't fly. Will try later.
Bill
 
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