Metal detector for the beach - advice needed

[Belinda]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this hobby although it is something I have wanted to do for quite awhile. I live in Central Florida and often visit the Treasure Coast beaches (Vero Beach, Sebastian, Ft. Pierce, etc.) I'd like to purchase an inexpensive metal detector ($200-$250) that I can use on the beach.

I know that the more expensive beach and water detectors are advised for this type of searching, but I don't have a lot of money to spend. I've been thinking of purchasing the Garrett Ace 250. Would it be suitable for use in dry sand. I'd stay away from the water and wet sand? Or is there another detector that would be better for the beach in my price range?

KellyCo is only about 20 minutes from my house so I plan to go shopping there tomorrow. I'm spending the weekend in Vero and will be visiting the McLarty Treasure Museum on Saturday which should be really interesting.

I'd greatly appreciate any advice any of you could offer.

Thanks,
Belinda

 

[JoeinMemphis]

I don't see why the 250 wouldn't work for you as long as you stay out of the damp / wet sand. My girlfriend and I hit local freshwater beaches here, and she does just fine up in the sand. Get a dry sand scoop, trowels are for the birds in dry sand, the sand keeps filling back in the hole. If your detector gets a bit "chattery" back the sensitivity down a bit till it smoothies out. HH Joe

 

[Sanddigger]

n/t

 

[PaPa-Joe-Fla.]

I would think that would be the time to buy , and test any detector you may have interest in. They will be competing for your business, plus all the accessories will be there. Where in Central Fl. are you?

 

[goldnugget]

I do not think you will go wrong on the Garrett Ace 250.Be sure to buy a set of Headphone's with you detector.They might give you a Free Set of Headphones with Purchase and a Treasure Pouch.

Also on your digging tool, nothing beats a 3 prong digger ( I call it a claw Digger,like you might use in a flower bed ) you can purchase a good one at Lowes Hardware or Walmart probably close to $ 3.00. I have used this for almost 20 years and it is lite weight and it will get down in the sand very quick and deep if needed. Be sure to cover you holes and maybe find a pouch to put you loot in and trash objects.

I saw how this machine works and I believe it like's small item when you don't discriminate them out like small Gold Rings I own a couple of Minelabs and an old Fisher 1260 that is going with me to the F M D A C Hunt this next weekend in Mesa,Arizona.. Good Luck on detecting and save me a parking spot some day if I go to The Treasure Coast.. Goldnugget in Charlotte,North Carolina gosports1@aol.com

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

I know where you are coming from. I didn't have the money for a top of the line detector either. You will do better with a top of the line detector. That doesn't mean you won't do well with the Ace 250. I got 17 rings last year. Gold, silver and diamond. I didn't go to the beach that often. I did live near DeLand, but have moved out of Fl. I was in Kellyco's newsletter a couple of times for my finds. Yes you can go in the wet sand with the Ace, not as deep as the others. Soil is different everywhere you go, so the Ace will detect different on different beaches. Go to the beach early in the morning or just after people start leaving.
If you are not on the beach, the Ace works good in Fl. sand and is a very good detector for Fl. It will go deep and you will find lot of good treasure. Read my tips below. I think you will find them helpful.



Salt water tips on Daytona Beach for the Ace:

sensitivity..4-3 in wet sand
use all metal mode
PP is very vague,detune pp works good
Fast moving water makes it false..sen. 1...no good cure
swing level
You can hear and learn a false hit from a good hit
YOU CAN notch out below penny and eliminate most falsing and all gold
Pennies 4" and quarters at 6" in wet sand
Stay in the dry sand and you can beat them all(well, it seems like it)

Summer treasure comes from tourist. Winter treasure comes from the sea.

 

[Belinda]

Thank each of you for the great advice and well wishes. This seems like a very friendly group!

John'n'WVa - thanks for the info on the best settings on the Ace250. That's probably the one I'll end up getting and I've printed out your instructions for future use.

PaPa-Joe.Fla - I sure wish I could get up to Daytona and check out all the vendors tomorrow before leaving. How often are these events held here in the Central FL area? I ended up having to go in to work today so didn't get to KellyCo afterall. I'm in Orlando so Daytona is going in the opposite direction tomorrow. I tried talking my friend into a little detour, but she doesn't want to (and she's driving so.......)

Goldnugget - thanks for the advice on the 3 pronged digger. I even already have one that I haven't used yet. I'll set it aside for when I get my detector.

It doesn't look like I'm going to have a chance to buy a metal detector this weekend before leaving I read somewhere that they rent them at the McLarty Museum so maybe I'll be able to have a little fun anyway while there.

Maybe this is best as I'll more have more time to shop around for a good detector. I'll be going to the beach a lot this summer so there is plenty of time. My parents live in Destin and I'll be visiting them for 10 days in June. I definitely want to have one before then and there is probably plenty of "loot" on the beaches there.

Thanks again everyone. Good luck in Daytona to all of you going to the event! I'll look forward to reading about it when I get back.

Belinda