Minelab or Whites

[High Dezert]

Ok, here goes..I need a good all around detector and I have it narrowed down to a minelab safari or a similarly priced Whites ..I know each has a cult following. I don't want to spend over $1,000 because it's my first detector and I wouldn't mind buying a 2nd detector in the future to also use and after a couple years I'm going to want to try (or may need) something different. Parks, schools, a few homesteads and eventually at the beach , (river and ocean) looking for coins and definitely jewelry as well..which machine and why? All opinions welcome

 

[After-1-]

`So , it sounds like you never detected before, or maybe when with someone who had a detector? I would say buy -----------, and all detector's are only good if you use it ------What ever you buy, Spend some time and research headphones!!!!!!!They Are A Must Have just like a good screw driver or digging tool ---------------------------GH-----------------------------------------after1---------------

 

[oneguy]

BEFORE you spend the bigger bucks I think maybe you should find a used mid-priced unit until you get a feel or idea of the hobby and the time and work that it involves.....????? It takes time to learn any machine and your trash to treasure ratio will basically follow your experience and the amount of time/effort you put into it? There are a LOT of people that just don't have the persistence and patience to put into our hobby....their detectors sit in the closet after a few trips to the local Park with not much to show except a few clad/zinc coins and a bunch of trash in the pouch. Start cheap and see how things go and if you think you might take to the hobby......if you do, THEN start looking for a unit that fits your style of hunting???? jmo Good luck..............

 

[slingshot]

I've found that a person already kinda knows what they want. The best deciding factor is all the places you'll be searching- which machine would satisfy what you'll be doing. I, for instance, chose a whites MX5 because I was loaded with schools, parks, sports fields, etc. and it had the auto GB, tone ID, I.e., more than enough features to satisfy any demand for my area. I talked to a club members wife who was a little upset because he spent $5,000 on a Minelab- but he hunts old Civil War sites, etc.

 

[Southwind]

That's a tough question to answer because there is no was to tell what you might prefer. Say the Minelab Safari or Whites MX5. Two great machines but with a lot of differences. I like the Minelabs when it comes to a need for flat out depth, and the White for the best all-around machine.

 

[GeorgeinSC]

Regardless of what machine you decide to purchase and if you are not looking to purchase a used machine talk to at least five of the sponsors of this forum to get the best price and best accessories. Personally I like my Minelabs but when I purchased my first machine I thought that I had wasted in excess of a thousand dollars. It took a bit of time and a lot of work before I started to understand what the machine was telling me.

You mentioned working the beach. Salt Water beaches are difficult for some detectors to be able to give you good depth due to the mineralization. I am not familiar with what Whites machine works good at the beach but the Safari does.

Good luck in your quest.

 

[High Dezert]

I appreciate all the responses, I have a little bit of experience with metal detecting not much... have used an older whites and a newer technetics... it sounds like the whites maybe a little bit better on jewelry and the safari will be a bit more depth and hit on deeper silver, does that sound about right? We are moving to Oregon in 2018, I might go with the whites for now and look to get a second machine a few years in the future if needs be, probably one that will do well at the ocean

 

[High Dezert]

At least that's what I'm getting from all my research

 

[still looking 52]

High Dezert, check out the Fisher f5. I honestly believe you can't find a better detector for the money. Hard to find a used one because nobody wants to sell after they have it. I'm thinking you can get a brand new one for less than 600$.

 

[KindManTall]

The Minelab Safari for the multi frequency for the sand / beach...
The Minelab x-terra 705 I am trying that for Gold Detecting ..
The White's MXT Pro for the inland detecting.. I have the inline probe .. Lock the toggle switch forward (Locked Pin Point) and use the probe..
The White's VX3 ... Looks like the 3 frequency will do good .. Just not enough hours on it.

 

[Phillip_in_NM]

White's M6 is hard to beat. Lots of coils, super simple, laser pinpointing. Better on gold than my Etrac.

White's just discontinued them, but there are used ones available on the forums fairly frequently. I will never give up mine!

 

[Steelhead]

I'm jumping in late on this but before buying anything do yourself a favor and try both units out at a dealer if you can. Sometimes having it in your hands and trying it out first makes the decision easy. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Mxt Sniper]

You can't go wrong with a MXT Pro, with a 5.3 eclipse coil.

 

[Justme]

Definitely can't go wrong with an mxt. Ive had a couple. Now I own a v3i and an mx sport. Ive got all my bases covered for what I do.

 

[Bigtom123]

Minelab all day if your considering deep coins or beach hunting.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

I would feel Whites makes a better all around unit for your needs and has one of the best service after the sale, however your call and indeed start out with a less expensive units and can always upgrade..Unfortunately many start the hobby but few stay with it so take this into consideration...