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My hunt for the best detector
- Thread starter mike5853
- Start date
I agree I had several different high end models of the whites and Garrett but when I crossed over and purchased my first tesoro I knew I was on to something great, and I never looked back without a doubt tesoro is the best without all the fancy bell whistles, if you want to go to the next level in this hobby go Tesoro. HH Hank.
The Vaquero has "fewer" functions than the more expensive machines but it does those functions EXTREMELY WELL. I've had several cameras. I like the "automatic" ones but I "LOVE" the manual ones. I like my ACE 250 but love my Vaquero. Maybe I have a "beep and dig" type personality! I've heard of lots of detectorists that only use the "sound" on their automatic detectors (no longer looking at the screen).
Mike,
I have gone the same route as you. I have owned several detectors with all the bells and whistles. The detectors I had with VDI got me really lazy and I would pass up a lot of targets. Even when I would go out with my DFX, I would start to wonder if I had programed it correctly, ETC.... Just took all the fun out of detecting. Then one day about 15 months ago I started reading reviews about the Tesoro Tejon, Once I got one I fell in love with detecting again.( I have now sold off my XL Pro, DFX and MXT) I should also say I am getting older and the White's were getting heavier.
I enjoyed the Tejon so much I got a Vaquero. Just can't think of getting any-other detector
I have gone the same route as you. I have owned several detectors with all the bells and whistles. The detectors I had with VDI got me really lazy and I would pass up a lot of targets. Even when I would go out with my DFX, I would start to wonder if I had programed it correctly, ETC.... Just took all the fun out of detecting. Then one day about 15 months ago I started reading reviews about the Tesoro Tejon, Once I got one I fell in love with detecting again.( I have now sold off my XL Pro, DFX and MXT) I should also say I am getting older and the White's were getting heavier.
I enjoyed the Tejon so much I got a Vaquero. Just can't think of getting any-other detector
All that information is great but if you're not careful you'll become irrelevant in the hunt, relying on the "screen" and what it's telling you. I can now see where I was getting complacent and even lazy. You're right sandtrout, a lot of guys don't even look at the screens much and rely on the tone or sound. That speaks volumes!
Craig said:Mike,
I have gone the same route as you. I have owned several detectors with all the bells and whistles. The detectors I had with VDI got me really lazy and I would pass up a lot of targets. Even when I would go out with my DFX, I would start to wonder if I had programed it correctly, ETC.... Just took all the fun out of detecting. Then one day about 15 months ago I started reading reviews about the Tesoro Tejon, Once I got one I fell in love with detecting again.( I have now sold off my XL Pro, DFX and MXT) I should also say I am getting older and the White's were getting heavier.
I enjoyed the Tejon so much I got a Vaquero. Just can't think of getting any-other detector
Funny you should mention programming - drove me nuts! Like you I always wondered if I really had it set right, and found I was constantly tweaking the settings.
:Left4Dead
New member
The problem here is, we all know that they are the best. But it's really hard to tell a vid guy that they are. Until they spend some time with them. Then find some more cool things they would have just passed on as marginal targets. I really could not understand why anyone would want one with out a screen. .... But the tesoro cult drew me into it.. Now I will never get out.
Mike. Mn
Mike. Mn
Back when I started only a few detectors had meters and then they were only intensity meters. They knew nothing of target depth or target ID. My machine that I used for many years was a Metrotech. It was a BFO unit that was the Cadillac of relic machines. It had no meter. For me the meterless Tesoro units are a natural because I am accustomed to going by sound alone.
I had a couple of Metrotech 220's back in the early to mid 1970's that had intensity meters, and repaired one for a co-worker that didn't have a meter. They were the detector of choice for CW relic hunters here, and went pretty darn deep in our mild ground. More Civil War belt plates, cannon balls and other relics larger than bullets were probably found with them here in north MS than all other detectors since then combined. They were arm breakers, even for those of us who were early 30's and younger back then. Doubt if I could swing one for five minutes now. Metrotech still makes the 220 and markets it as a pipe/valve locator, but I'll stick with the Golden
I have owned only two machines 1st a Radio Shack Bounty Hunter the second My DeLeon they say the DeLeon is monotone but if you use it enough you can tell a slight difference in tones that with the ID on the screen has helped me dig many beautiful finds. I have toyed with the idea of getting something more expensive to see if I'm missing something but then I tell myself I know if it's out there The DeLeon will find it as long as I do my job right.
joe dirt_1
Active member
I have owned 22 different detectors over the last 30 or so years and have been a Tesoro fan since the mid 80's when I got a new Golden Saber. I started out with the Fisher 1200 series detectors and had a blast digging deep silver with those machines, but the Golden Saber found coins and rings I missed with the Fishers. So I have been a beep and dig coinhunter from the beginning. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but eventually I bought a few detectors with digital meters. It didn't take long to realize my quantity and quality of finds had dropped with the digital detectors. They tend to make you lazy,
only digging the good solid signals that lock on without bouncing around, and we all know that isn't going to happen in the trashy enviroments we all hunt. You have to dig those iffy signals also if you wanna find the good stuff hiding in the trash. I have to say of the digital detectors I owned, the Fisher
CZ's were the most accurate of all. My search for the perfect detector for me ended up being a Fisher CZ5 with 3 coils and my new Vaquero. I want to add a 5.75" concentric coil to the Vaquero and I think I will have the bases covered for the type of hunting I do.... farm fields and old picnic groves mainly
with a few old yards mixed in. Tesoro puts the fun back in detecting with their simple to set up and use detectors. Their performance rivals the fancy bells and whistle detectors but do it several hundred dollars cheaper. It just don't get any better than a Tesoro beep and dig detector in my book.....HH
Roger
only digging the good solid signals that lock on without bouncing around, and we all know that isn't going to happen in the trashy enviroments we all hunt. You have to dig those iffy signals also if you wanna find the good stuff hiding in the trash. I have to say of the digital detectors I owned, the Fisher
CZ's were the most accurate of all. My search for the perfect detector for me ended up being a Fisher CZ5 with 3 coils and my new Vaquero. I want to add a 5.75" concentric coil to the Vaquero and I think I will have the bases covered for the type of hunting I do.... farm fields and old picnic groves mainly
with a few old yards mixed in. Tesoro puts the fun back in detecting with their simple to set up and use detectors. Their performance rivals the fancy bells and whistle detectors but do it several hundred dollars cheaper. It just don't get any better than a Tesoro beep and dig detector in my book.....HH
Roger
I have trodden a slightly different path to you, Mike, as my second machine was a Tesoro (second-hand Silver Sabre II), and so my adventure with Tesoro machines grew (as did my collection of them)...then I ventured into other machines, but not the very nigh end ones (too heavy for me, especially knowing that there is a manufacturer who makes light, well-balanced machines). I still have 4 Tesoros. What I dont understand is why some forum members persist is asking Tesoro to bring out something new, to rival other manufacturers....Tesoro already have machines which rival those of other manufacturers. It just comes down to personal preference and personal choice. HH
froggy38383
New member
I owned a 1266x for years and then decided to try Tesoro. I own the DeLeon and Cibola. The Cibola is deep stable and simple to operate. I tried a Nautilus but found it very heavy and too complicated for my liking.
Furious T writes:
Because there is a certain segment of the detector buying public that will always fall for every bell and whistle a manufacturer brings out.
Back when fly fishing was the yuppie in-thing, I actually had people come into the shop buying stream-side gadgets that could be hung off their vests willy nilly because they met someone stream-side that had more danglies than them. Honest to God. True story.
I am pretty sure the same thing holds true for detectorisits. If you don't have a machine with a meter that gives you a lot of information you just don't have it. Gotta get a 'better' one.
Then, of course, you have the if-I-can-just-get-one-of-those-machines-I'll-find-more-stuff types. They basically fall prey to these message boards. Someone uses a brand X, model 43 machine and posts videos and pictures of his many finds and so people see this and think if they have such a machine they can find all that stuff too, never mind their present machine is probably every bit as good or even better that the brand X model 43.
The old saying is a fool and his money are soon parted. Just sayin'.
Because there is a certain segment of the detector buying public that will always fall for every bell and whistle a manufacturer brings out.
Back when fly fishing was the yuppie in-thing, I actually had people come into the shop buying stream-side gadgets that could be hung off their vests willy nilly because they met someone stream-side that had more danglies than them. Honest to God. True story.
I am pretty sure the same thing holds true for detectorisits. If you don't have a machine with a meter that gives you a lot of information you just don't have it. Gotta get a 'better' one.
Then, of course, you have the if-I-can-just-get-one-of-those-machines-I'll-find-more-stuff types. They basically fall prey to these message boards. Someone uses a brand X, model 43 machine and posts videos and pictures of his many finds and so people see this and think if they have such a machine they can find all that stuff too, never mind their present machine is probably every bit as good or even better that the brand X model 43.
The old saying is a fool and his money are soon parted. Just sayin'.
froggy38383
New member
sandtrout said:
I think you get a lot more information from the sound than the ID screen. I find myself spending too much time looking at the ID trying to figure out what is down there.
nick hunter
New member
Well, I have been detecting alot those last years, being able to retire very early from work.
I owned or used 60+different models, and, at a given moment, I was hooked to a high-end digital unit.
Then I bought a Compadre. I use it mainly to hunt coins on beaches here.
Man, is this a coin-killer. It Made me realise that I preferred humble, simple detectors.
Oh, I still use my specialty units when needed.
But there are some difference between the Compadre and my high-end units :
First, the global result as far as the number (and total value) of coins is concerned.
The second one, invaluable to me : FUN !!!
Yes, fun ! That little detector (8" coil) is so light and easy to Sweep, plus the coins and other artifacts popping up on regular basis, makes every hunt more enjoyable.
Gonna sell my other units, except one, and replace them with another Tesoro.
HH
Nick
I owned or used 60+different models, and, at a given moment, I was hooked to a high-end digital unit.
Then I bought a Compadre. I use it mainly to hunt coins on beaches here.
Man, is this a coin-killer. It Made me realise that I preferred humble, simple detectors.
Oh, I still use my specialty units when needed.
But there are some difference between the Compadre and my high-end units :
First, the global result as far as the number (and total value) of coins is concerned.
The second one, invaluable to me : FUN !!!
Yes, fun ! That little detector (8" coil) is so light and easy to Sweep, plus the coins and other artifacts popping up on regular basis, makes every hunt more enjoyable.
Gonna sell my other units, except one, and replace them with another Tesoro.
HH
Nick
reddirtfisher
New member
I can certainly agree with you too. I have owned at least one unit from each of the major detector manufacturers during the last 22 years that I have been in this hobby. I tend to look at things just a little differently than most. I look at the over all picture. I first check out the detector company and their track record. I recently switched to Tesoros only because I like simplicity, honesty, friendliness, and customer service. As long as Tesoro continues to be all these things and more,...I will be a lifetime customer. Some of these other companies discontinued their best units and are now pushing the highest tech highest dollar ones and detector repairs are really expensive too. So I am glady a " beep & dig " guy too but it does take a lot of patience and extra time. Thanks for the post. RDF.Heelgrasper
New member
From my Scandinavian based perspective there is a lot of truth to the keep-it-simple philosophy. As it is here your finds will depend on:
1. Research
It's relatively easy to find places with relatively new coins (and here that would mean from 1873 onwards): Beaches, parks etc. And not much fun. Most detectorists want to find older stuff and that requires research - and lot of it. It's no unusual to spend as much time at the research as on the field. Of course you have the lucky bastards who stumble on a trading place from the 9th century by chance but generally that just don't happen. Newbies often lack that understanding and think they'll find lots of good stuff on a rather random picked field. In reality it might only be one in five potential good fields that actual turns out to be good.
2. Time spent
Having picked a good field about one decent find per hour seems to be the norm. And of those good finds maybe one in five is really good (aka the stuff most guys really are looking for). So it's a given: The guy who spends 20 hours a week on the fields finds more than the guy who spend 3 hours. Again, newbies often can't understand that they haven't found anything good when they have spent 3-4 hours on a 20-30 acre field. They think they should have found as much as the guy who spent 30 hours on a field he spent several years finding.
3. Knowing the detector
It takes time to get really familiar with a detector. There's a lot of good beginner machines out there that you can learn to operate very fast but it takes much longer to learn how it reacts to different conditions and objects and even longer to learn what you should do when conditions makes detecting a bit harder. Lot of newbies don't find much the first 20-30 hours they spend with the detector and concludes that it must be the detector and not the operator that is the problem. So they get a new machine and the story repeats itself. They never get to know their machine and for that reason alone they find less than they could have.
4. The detector
Finally, the least important factor: The detector. Of course it can be the most important factor in not finding stuff if you bought something more like a toy for $30 or a 30 year old detector. But I've never known a person where we could say: "He finds a lot of good stuff cause he got a great detector". Never.
However, certain conditions might require a certain kind of detector. If you have a field with a lot junk (here that often goes hand in hand with fields full of good stuff) you might need a detector that can separate targets and is ready to detect again right after running over a piece of iron etc. If you're looking for hammered coins (very thin silver) with a weight of 1 g (for you Americans: one US penny weighs 2.5 g) or less (some weigh as little as 0.25 g) a high frequency is a good idea. For example lot of Minelab X-Terra users here use the 18.75 kHz search coil while the only one I heard about using the 3 kHz coil described it as "a great coil if you don't like to find stuff". Same coil is praised by some American cause it works great for what they do.
Lot of newbies fall in the trap of seeing experienced detectorists who use high-end units and find lot of great stuff and think it must be because of the detector. And end up buying the same high-end units without really knowing why. And for sure they have no clue what to do with all the fancy settings.
Keep it simple
Any detector from a professional manufacturer will find good stuff. You might not want the cheapest model but all others will do just fine. And you won't find more stuff with the high-end models unless you've already maxed out the potential in the other factors. Even then you should think really hard about why this new fancy detector should be better than the one you have. And no, it's not a valid reason that "this guy uses that model and he finds more stuff than me".
1. Research
It's relatively easy to find places with relatively new coins (and here that would mean from 1873 onwards): Beaches, parks etc. And not much fun. Most detectorists want to find older stuff and that requires research - and lot of it. It's no unusual to spend as much time at the research as on the field. Of course you have the lucky bastards who stumble on a trading place from the 9th century by chance but generally that just don't happen. Newbies often lack that understanding and think they'll find lots of good stuff on a rather random picked field. In reality it might only be one in five potential good fields that actual turns out to be good.
2. Time spent
Having picked a good field about one decent find per hour seems to be the norm. And of those good finds maybe one in five is really good (aka the stuff most guys really are looking for). So it's a given: The guy who spends 20 hours a week on the fields finds more than the guy who spend 3 hours. Again, newbies often can't understand that they haven't found anything good when they have spent 3-4 hours on a 20-30 acre field. They think they should have found as much as the guy who spent 30 hours on a field he spent several years finding.
3. Knowing the detector
It takes time to get really familiar with a detector. There's a lot of good beginner machines out there that you can learn to operate very fast but it takes much longer to learn how it reacts to different conditions and objects and even longer to learn what you should do when conditions makes detecting a bit harder. Lot of newbies don't find much the first 20-30 hours they spend with the detector and concludes that it must be the detector and not the operator that is the problem. So they get a new machine and the story repeats itself. They never get to know their machine and for that reason alone they find less than they could have.
4. The detector
Finally, the least important factor: The detector. Of course it can be the most important factor in not finding stuff if you bought something more like a toy for $30 or a 30 year old detector. But I've never known a person where we could say: "He finds a lot of good stuff cause he got a great detector". Never.
However, certain conditions might require a certain kind of detector. If you have a field with a lot junk (here that often goes hand in hand with fields full of good stuff) you might need a detector that can separate targets and is ready to detect again right after running over a piece of iron etc. If you're looking for hammered coins (very thin silver) with a weight of 1 g (for you Americans: one US penny weighs 2.5 g) or less (some weigh as little as 0.25 g) a high frequency is a good idea. For example lot of Minelab X-Terra users here use the 18.75 kHz search coil while the only one I heard about using the 3 kHz coil described it as "a great coil if you don't like to find stuff". Same coil is praised by some American cause it works great for what they do.
Lot of newbies fall in the trap of seeing experienced detectorists who use high-end units and find lot of great stuff and think it must be because of the detector. And end up buying the same high-end units without really knowing why. And for sure they have no clue what to do with all the fancy settings.
Keep it simple
Any detector from a professional manufacturer will find good stuff. You might not want the cheapest model but all others will do just fine. And you won't find more stuff with the high-end models unless you've already maxed out the potential in the other factors. Even then you should think really hard about why this new fancy detector should be better than the one you have. And no, it's not a valid reason that "this guy uses that model and he finds more stuff than me".