>>> Excellent question and well posed, the "V" word (value) featured prominently. Willy offered some VERY sage advice and you should save it to your files. Lets look at it closely, eh?
"I've been trying out detectors for years & found that, for the most part, the main thing a lot of the newer models offer is bells & whistles. There doesn't seem to be any real increase in depth, despite all the crowing to the contrary.
No one detector can do it all, especially in the $300 dollar range but there are some very good choices to be made (more on that momentarily). Depth is a factor of electro-physics and you cant go beyond that. You can add more gain to your circuits, but there is a trade off in stability. There is also nothing to be found if it isnt already there: NO detector can create targets for you. Where you take a detector and how you operate within it's limits is more important than the machine itself. For $300 dollars you can get all you'll need to get started.
"Get on the classified forums and buy a fully featured older detector (used) with your hard earned cash. Even a newer model that's been used a few months can go for a song."
My regrets to all the dealers, but this is more excellent advice. Most detectors in your price range made by the Big 4 are sturdy and reliable and even used are little different in function than new. I have 6 detectors right now and ALL, save one, were bought used. For a beginner, it's the best way to get started.
Who offers the best service, should it be needed, on their detectors? In my experience, it's been Garrett and Tesoro.
"Many will tell you to get a simple unit with no TID & then move up to bigger & better things, which is how I did it. Personally, I'd say "go for the brass ring"; too many people lose interest very quickly when using the basic units. Too much trash & digging. Put a decent TID in thier hands & WHOA!! ..totally different story. Yea, yea, ID isn't perfect & I'll cruise behind them & pick up all the goodies they missed (my evil plan!!), but they will get immediate gratification & want to pursue the hobby to a greater extent."
Man, Willy is a wellspring of good advice!! I couldnt agree more and have little to add. I use both, TID and non-TID detectors. Were I to buy a detector for the first time, I'd get the TID.
"If, on the other hand you still want to buy new, go for a Garrett Ace 250. At $200 new online, it's a bargain and, from what I've gleaned, is a surprisingly capable detector & perfect for a beginner."
He's right. It's all that and more. I got mine last week and it has become my right arm extension. It is sensitive(in the extreme), accurate as any detector can be and easy to swing - and therefore EZ-2-Luv.
While we're at it, lets mention tools. Youre going to need them, youll use the dickens out of them so dont skimp on them! Here's what's currently in my "possibles bag".
The Essentials (You dont need all these all the time - except for headphones - but you WILL need them ALL, sometime).
Headphones - good ones. And a spare set (the ones that came with the Ace 250). Headphone jack adapters, as needed.
Two diggers, one for shallow and one for deeper targets. In a park or on a carefully tendered lawn, DO NOT haul out your SuperMondo Crater Digger!
A sturdy probe**.
A solid, 10" flat head screwdriver.
A keyhole saw for roots.
A Relic Shovel** (only for hunting in the raw woods and fields)
A Cloth Napkin, restaurant style. Dump the dirt you pull from a hole on here, then simply pour it back in the hole when finished with target extraction.
Nail aprons, for trash and goodies.
A Fishing Vest. I have gone to this instead of aprons.
Spare batteries
Duct Tape and super glue.
Other Stuff
2 pair Gloves, rubberized
A PinPointer, picked up used
A Sand Scoop, steel, for sandy playgrounds, volleyball courts, etc.
A Plastic trowel, $.96 at WalMart, drilled out for sand sifting.
A turf/sod plugger.**
A Coin Popper.**
A Tool Pouch w/ belt.**
** = home-made tools
I carry all this stuff in a bag I got at the thrift store for $2.50
Now, as to detectors. On the used market there are tons of detectors, but allow me to caution you: stay with the Big 4: Whites, Garrett, Fisher, Tesoro.
I've owned models from each and still do. You will not suffer value with any of them. Unfortunately, I can't say that about Bounty Hunter and I wont say more about it.
Some used models I see for sale that you might condsider (keep in mind these will be TID/ID capable:
Tesoro: DeLeon
Whites: Classic IDX/IDX Pro
Fisher: CZ5/6 and 1266X (These are occasionally seen in the $300 range. Fishers command higher prices and are built like tanks. I love the 1266X and it really is a mulitpurpose machine, although it has no visual TID - it has dual DISC modes.)
Garrett: GTA1250, CXII's and CXIII's, and of course the beloved Ace 250.
Since this is a Garrett forum, I gotta recommend these. Of the 4, I'd go with the 1250 if I could find one and the 250 second. The CX's are great units, but are clunky to use - NOT SO of the other 2.
All Garrett's are easy to use and designed for years of service.
If I could only have one detector, the choice is easy: 1266X
Good luck and keep asking questions.
David
