Looking to start out - any recommendations?

[prkguy]

First off I want to say what a great resource of info this website is. Im glad I found it.

The only experience I have with metal detecting is from about 25 years ago when my stepdad had a whites machine that I would use for an hour here and an hour there. Im looking to get back into the hobby and was wondering if anyone could recommend a model of detector.

I guess I would be looking for a general purpose machine. I live in Michigan and anticipate that much of my field time would be spent around some of the old copper mines and ghost towns in the upper penninsula (Im from there so I know the area pretty well). I can also see myself working some beaches and park areas in other parts of the state. I also would like to do some detecting where friends and family live in Arizona and Idaho.

I should add that I had just ordered a Garrett Ace 250 for my stepdad as a Fathers Day present. He doesnt get around as well as he used to but Im hoping a new detector will at least get him outdoors once in a while. I have heard good things about that model.

For myself a friend of mine recommended that I purchase a Fisher brand because of the ease of operation. I would be looking to spend no more than say $450 - $500.

If anyone can recommend some models I should consider I would sure appreciate the help. Ground balance, air testing, mineralization, etc, etc, its all rather confusing. Thanks. Mike

 

[UK Brian]

I would find out what they are using in the local detector club as whats best in one area could be worse in another.
As for the suggestion to buy a Fisher because of ease of use well there's loads of Fisher models and some have either an iron magnet reputation (which you can get round with experience) or quite a learning curve. The 1236X2 is easy to use and has a pretty good performance but consider that Fisher are really not Fisher anymore but an offshoot of First Texas/Bounty Hunter and repairs might be a problem.

 

[prkguy]

Thanks for the tip. Right now I am leaning towards the Tesoro Vaquaro. There seems to be a lot of favorable reviews for this model. I will keep reseraching various models. Thanks. Mike

 

[Carolina Phil]

The Minelab X-terra 50 is in that price range and would deserve a look.

 

[jmaryt]

the white's m6,or the white's xl-pro will serve you well!..get the 5.3
concentric coil and don't take it off!...i have hunted coins for 30 years,and for the money both of these detectors are "crackerjack" coin sniffers!..have fun!

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[findit]

it's what you are most comfortable with. Do like target id or sound only, preset or manual gb, weight, where are you going to use it most?,
do you want a all metal mode, threshold or silent search etc. different preferences people have it's hard for one person to know what the other will like. best thing to do is try as many as possible and sometimes you may have to buy and sell until you find that right one you like. i think a lot of us have been down that road. I do think
though that the vaquero is one of the most versatile machines ,but that's
just my opinion. good luck

 

[prkguy]

Unfortunately my experience is so limited Im not sure what I will like. I would think that a target ID would be fun but not necessary. I realize that with any unit it will take me many hours of field time to be comfortable and competent. The Fisher Coinstrike has a mighty tempting price tag right now I must say.

 

[tab-nabit]

I would tell him "I got you an ACE 250 for fathers day, might take a few months or so of testing, I want to make sure I am getting you a working unit".
It's all personal preference on what features interest you. I would get with him, try out that ACE 250, keep researching and when ready, take that ACE 250 or determine from researching which machine interest you the most. The 4.5 sniper for the ACE 250 works well for trash areas. Good luck - HH

 

[Skillet]

Especially for hunting those old camps that you posted about (bound to be lots of junk iron in the ground)... I don't have much experience with the Fishers or Whites, but the 3 Tesoros I have do better than my Garretts at getting through square nails and other small junk iron.

I have a Tejon and some say that a good Vaquero can hunt just as deep.

Skillet

 

[RedRockNv]

Look at the White's MXT or M6. I like the MXT for myself but that M6 is a coin killer.