My thoughts on the ACE 250

[Neil in West Jersey]

After all the Rave reviews of the ACE I thought it was time to pick up ths affordable "feature packed" detector.

I picked up mine about 10 days ago. I think it is a great machine for the price; great for beginners and great to keep in the Jeep for a quick hunt. It is difficult to "trade down" however to this unit from a more sophisticated unit.

Here are a few things I am not thrilled about with the ACE

1) 0-2 inch range on the depth makes it difficult to know if it is a surface find or a coin just under the sod. Without a pinpointing device you must dig.

2) I like 24 notch ID and discriminate. The 12 that are featured on the ACE seem to put me in a situation where I cannot make a "good guess" at what lies beneath. I usually dig every signal, but in areas where there is a lot of trash it can create a minor inconvenience for the more experienced user.

3) No volume control. You will need to invest in a set of headphones that has a volume control. You will have a very bad headache after a short time if you use the ACE headphones that are sometimes packaged with the unit.

4) Pinpointing is not within 1/4 inch that round coils have. I have been field testing the unit on this since i received it, and it is nearly impossible to find a .22 slug in a spread out dirt pile, without the aid of a pinpointing device. No big deal if it is a .22, but an encrusted half dime or a one dollar gold coin could be a problem as well!

All this aside I think you cannot beat the ACE for the price. I cannot, however, give up the features of my older, heavier CXIII. I was originally considering selling the CXIII on eBay and pocketing the differnce, but I have reconsidered and will continue using the "Green Monster as my primary metal detector"

 

[khouse]

I don't think people would consider it trading down. Besides you kept your CXIII. So I would have to say you complimented your existing detector.

(1) A surface target you can see with your eyes. Pretty much any coin in the ground at any level will take some type of extracting no matter what detector you use.

(2) I find the 12 notches not to be a problem. On a 24 notch unit don't you accept 2 notches for nickels? Or dig any notch from 8 to 12 even in trashy areas? Why not lump some of those notches together?
You said you usually dig all signals so a non TID unit would work for that type of hunting.

(3) Yes, It would be nice to have a volume control. But you can pick up a set of phones with volume control for under $20.00. Garrett has to draw the line somewhere as it's a $200.00 detector.

(4) I don't know any coils that you can say pinpoints within 1/4 of an inch. In a perfect world 1 inch is great given a coin is laying flat with no trash around it. Also a 22 caliber case can beep in the coin mode. Then after you disturb the halo sometimes will not beep when out of the ground. If you hunt in jewelry or relic mode it will beep. Also you may not have the pinpointing mastered on the 250 yet.

The more experience I get the more targets I dig. I dig more trash now looking for jewelry than when I first started. When I first started in 1984 I ran my disc very high. I know I left a lot of good stuff in the ground. Now being experienced I have no need for the fanciest machines. I want a good detector at a good price that is light weight. The 250 fits right in there.
I hardly look at the display on the 250. Tone ID takes care of that. When I pinpoint my ears tell me how deep the target is. No, don't take my display away. It's a good tool when used properly. I've had my 250 for about a year now and I'm still learning.
I think you should keep both detectors as you said. You will find the 250/Sniper set up is unbeatable.
Just my thoughts and good hunting!

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

I am by no means bashing the ACE. Like you said, it cannot be beat for the price. Only 7 years ago I paid around $300 for a White's Classic with no ID or depth! I was just saying that as an experienced user, it would not suit my needs as a primary detector, or maybe I should say It will be "platooned" with the green monster..

Overall I am very happy with the Ace 250. It also seems to give a lot of false readings on "hot rocks", as does the White's. My CXIII does not seem to "false" on them.

Oh one more thing...I consider a coin under a quarter of an inch a surface find. No need to dig, just pop it out.

 

[khouse]

Neil,
No, I took it that you like the 250. I'm just surprised by the little 250. I've been lucky here with no hot rocks to speak of. I think all you detectors compliment each other well. Good hunting!

 

[awhitster]

[quote Neil in West Jersey]

1) 0-2 inch range on the depth makes it difficult to know if it is a surface find or a coin just under the sod. Without a pinpointing device you must dig.

2) I like 24 notch ID and discriminate. The 12 that are featured on the ACE seem to put me in a situation where I cannot make a "good guess" at what lies beneath. I usually dig every signal, but in areas where there is a lot of trash it can create a minor inconvenience for the more experienced user.

3) No volume control. You will need to invest in a set of headphones that has a volume control. You will have a very bad headache after a short time if you use the ACE headphones that are sometimes packaged with the unit.

4) Pinpointing is not within 1/4 inch that round coils have. I have been field testing the unit on this since i received it, and it is nearly impossible to find a .22 slug in a spread out dirt pile, without the aid of a pinpointing device. No big deal if it is a .22, but an encrusted half dime or a one dollar gold coin could be a problem as well!

All this aside I think you cannot beat the ACE for the price. I cannot, however, give up the features of my older, heavier CXIII. I was originally considering selling the CXIII on eBay and pocketing the differnce, but I have reconsidered and will continue using the "Green Monster as my primary metal detector"[/quote]
1. If you can't see it, it's a dig even if it is 1/16 of an inch under.
2. Cannot make a "Good guess" with 12 notches? If it locks, dig. Or skip it and leave it for me
3. Shop around. I bought mine last year for $212 which included S&H and my choice of 4 gifts which one was a good set of headphones with volume control.
4.Pinpoint as close as you can, loosen the dirt about 4-6 inches away from the target, invest in a pinpointer and use it.
End of story.

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

I know and they pp nicely too. Most of mine hit on dime/quarter.


If I have a 2" target that sounds swallow, I use my hand held pp to find it.