Minelab vs Garrett, What is the deal???

[chinacash]

I have been in Japan for about 16 years now, even more if you count other times I have been here.
Over the years I have heard more and more about minelab!
Are they really that good...or just a lot of hype? I'm sure they are good, but are the way better than other name brands and in what way if they are? Thanks Dave Garrett user and Texan!

 

[Dan-Pa.]

All major manufacturers produce good units and their are pro's and cons as no perfect machine..Indeed Minelab makes good units, but so does Garrett so see no reason to change..Could probably ask 10 detectorists their favorite unit and get 10 different answers..Why fix what ain't broke might cover it....

 

[Architex]

Minelab hobby machines are good for depth but are very slow and fairly heavy. Their gold PI machines are excellent.

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

From what I have read on the forums Garrett is tops when it comes to Customer Service.

I seem to remember seeing a complaint about Minelab's CS department on another forum over the last few days, but I can't recall which one, and I may be mistaken.

 

[Uncle Willy]

The fact tha Garrett is the largest manufacturer of detectors, plus has provided security detectors for the Olympics for many years, and airports, sports events, government buildings, around the world, and law enforcement detectors, might give you a hint. We have a member on the forum here, Ian, who lives in Japan and he and his boys use 150's and have made extraordinary finds.

Bill

 

[John-Edmonton]

I don't like to put other manufacturers down, but I will say that Garrett has the patent for both Imaging and Profiling (sizing of an object) and once you understand how it works and it's limitations, you will find more coins with these machines then any other machine on the market. No other manufacturer carries this feature.

And that's the deal for me!
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[chinacash]

Thanks to all,,,Yes, The Garrett people have always been nice when I talk to them and they sent me free battery holders for my two GTA's
Have had Garretts for a long time, back to the old alum box master hunters. Have found a lot here in Okinawa,
PS:Hope Ian will get a hold of me!
DAve

 

[kaptainkosmic]

n/t

 

[Leslie(nova scotia)]

From the land of the Bluenose...32 years Garrett only swinger...no complaints. Have gone out on hunts with lots of Minelabers...no problem and I come home without my machine falling apart or my arm tired! Happy swinging.

 

[chinacash]

Thanks Leslie,:Garrett: That is what I wanted to hear! Someone that has been with these guys! I know it is good,but looks like the touch-pad is small! Just wanted to know if there was any big deal about them, except for that they are good gold nugget detectors!

 

[Dang]

I traded my old MInelab for the Ace 250 I now use.
And now I'm struggling with the idea of selling my old Tesoro Toltec 100 so I can get the other coils.

 

[Ian (Japan)]

n/t

 

[John-Edmonton]

I am contiplating selling it too. It just doesn't pick up the clad like the Garretts, and that in itself is 4-5 hundred dollars a year.

 

[Ken (Trenton Ont)]

Up here in Canada we have the one dollar and two dollar coins and if you want to find them, don't buy a minelab as they will pass them off as junk were the 250 just loves them along with other Garrett detectors they bong bong bong. HH Ken

 

[kansasexp2]

I am curious to know which minelab you are speaking of. I have an Explorer II and there is no coin it will not detect. If the machine detects the target it is up to the user to decide whether it is junk or a good target. Don't get me wrong, I talked my brother into getting an Ace 250 as his first detector and I think it is a great little machine but I have a hard time believing it when you say a Minelab passes those coins off as junk. Are you saying the detector will not even detect the coin or what? My machine would surely detect the coin but it would be up to me to decide whether the target was good or not.

 

[Ken (Trenton Ont)]

Not sure of the model I think it was the soverign, but not positive My hunting buddy and his friend who owns the minelab was here about a month ago and we were discussing how the 250 hit on the loonies and toonies and he remarked that his machine would not pick them up. Probably they were indicating in the pull tab region like the Fisher CZ5 that I had as they would indicate square pull tab, but if you put the normal/salt switch to salt they would register as zinc pennies. I am just repeating what a minelab owner had told me. Ken

 

[Uncle Willy]

I'd hang onto that Toltec. That was one of Jack Gifford's better toys.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

That's why the Explorer is called the Exploder

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

Here's a good nugget detector and it ain't a Minelab.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah old Charlie was the first one to conquer drift on the old BFO's with his zero-drift machines. Garrett has a ton of patents.

Bill