Length of time as a TH'r

[Tom_in_CA]

Are you sure about the date 1962, for a Compass? I don't think the company was started till 1970 or so. Or was there another company called compass years earlier?

 

[mudpuppy]

Nice to read these posts! Not even a year for me, but I'm hooked...I would highly suggest any parent get their children one of these things...especially now adays, with the trouble they can get in, and the ADD stuff kids are labeled with..I think it would help develop concentration skills and awareness of surroundings with immediate gratification, an appreciation of history, etc...

 

[UK Brian]

Don Dykstra was the co-founder and manager and invented the widescan coil and the first Compass "factory" was in a converted greenhouse in 1971.

 

[Mike Hillis]

I orderd my first detector, a BH Tracker IV in late November of 2003 from Dick's Sporting Goods. They had problems and couldn't ship it and I didn't actually get it in my hands until late December when I cancelled my order with them and bought one from Kellyco. So I've been increadably obsessed with these things right at 6 years now. Had 40 different metal detectors (counting some repeats) through my hands during that time looking for the ones that I really love to use. My personal detecting library contains now defunct websites, articles, posts, schematics, patents, maps, books, and personal notes. The only thing I don't have enough of is time.

Wish I had gotten into this hobby much earlier. Might have changed my past a little.
HH
Mike

 

[mrgarlic]

I started in Oregon in the 70's. My first was a compass. A little green box with a speaker and one maybe two knobs. Wish I had it to give my grandson. Since then another Compass, White 5000, White 6000DI ( still have ) another Whites that I didn't like and finally my best friend a Whites MXT PRO.

 

[dan b]

I started in 1990 with a cheap Radio Shack detector. It didn't take long to get hooked, and realize I needed a real detector. So I bought a Garrett Freedom 2 Plus. That was a great detector. I tried quite a few machines over the next 20 years, some I liked, and some I hated, but I'm settled on Tesoro products now.
Dan

 

[jackintexas]

I started in 1977. my first detector was an old Garrett twin circuit.....Jack

 

[WV62]

After a couple tours in Vietnam in the Air Force and a couple years later I took the first nibble around 1973 or 74 with 5 Jetco's, I kept putting the coils in water and shorted them out. I would return them and do the same with the next, after they ran out of detectors I took a 10 speed bicycle. Then my dad got me back into it around 1981 with a White's 5000D, that is when the hook was set. Ron in WV

 

[morelic55]

On & off, more so the last 10 years. 1st machine was a Bounty Hunter 1...........Still have it......

 

[jmaryt]

started in 1977..first detector was a relco out of texas,and found an old license plate in my back yard!
next up was a compass judge 6 in '78..high frequency (t.r)..got into whites with a 6 db another high frequency unit,then
started using white's excellent 6000 series units (v.l.f.)..in the 80's..got into fisher in the 90's with a cz6a..(pigtail)
then a cz-70,and now currently using a f-75!..enjoyed every moment of it,and lookin' forward to findin' a ton of stuff,now that i am officially retired!

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[Keith Southern]

n/t

 

[D&P-OR]

First two detectors (Compass & Whites) in 1974 or '75.---Can't remember for sure which year (it's terrible to get old)!---I'll be 72 in Feb.----Wish I could have started when I was 8 (like Keith).-----Don't know what I would have used for a 'tector back then though, maybe a WWII vintage minesweeper!! --------Del

 

[jmaryt]

go easy on him!..he's still a young pup with a 'ton" of experience!
best of both worlds!

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[Grumpyolddiver]

I saw my first detector about 1965 and wanted one ever since.It took about six years after that before I got one of my own.It was called a Cricket and was a BFO detector and boy did I dig junk.So I'll guess at 1971 for My first and I figure My last will be some where about 2051. Grumpy

 

[D&P-OR]

Hey jmart----Keiths forgot more than I'll EVER know about tectors & tectin! ---Besides that, I think he's tested ever detector known to mankind--I listen to what that guys got to say! ---------Del

 

[downeaster]

It was 1971 for me. First detector was a Gardiner, then used Compass for several years and have used mostly White's and Tesoros since. I'm retired and can get out often now but still, the best finds I have ever made have been the people I've met and the friends I've made along the way. Merry Christmas to all and may God bless you . Steve

 

[jmaryt]

yep!..experience!..the "best" teacher there is!

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[SoArk]

Reading through many of the responses in this thread, I am a relative newcomer to the hobby. I started in 1983 when my dad bought a Fisher 1266X, and I'd go out with him searching old schools and church yards. It didn't take but a few months for me to realize I had to have my own detector. I bought a Garrett Freedom II Coin Commander, and was seduced into a long lasting relationship! I've not owned near as many machines as most of you folks, but gravitating from coin shooting into relic hunting, I have been through a few....... Grand Master Hunter CX III, Whites Eagle II, Troy Shadow X-5, and now have a Fisher F75, a Detector Pro Pirate, and a D.P. Wader. And, as soon as I can afford it, I plan on getting the Teknetics G2..... this just looks like a machine, with the 19kHz, that would compliment the F75 on some of the trashier relic sites I hunt.

I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas, and a Happy Hunting New Year!

 

[terry-cola]

I have already 6 years obsessed w/ metal detecting. I started using the a bounty hunter 101, then a master hunter cx plus, then the compadre, and an ace 250. I'm planning to buy now either the at pro or the omega 8000. I love to be in old places and wonder about who handled those objects found back then. Great hobby. Regards to all.

 

[Chuck in KY]

It may have been in thr early 70's I'm geting old ya know. lol I just dug it out & it say's model #99-1B Compass Forest Green, Oregon. I bought it used.I used it until I think about 1977 or 78 when I got my Garrett & Fisher's. Now I'm eyeballing the AT Pro.