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I would like to begin this hobby with my two young boys who seem to love digging around and treasure hunting. I live in Washington Crossing, PA (where he crossed the Delaware on Christmas to surprise the British and Hessian soldiers). I would imagine there might be some interesting things in the fields around here and on the NJ side of the river? Bullets, etc.?
Which detector should I buy? I don't want to spend more than $250 and I want to be certain its a quality finder. Tesoro compadre? Silver uMax? What will find coins, jewelry as well as potential old buried metal objects? Am I crazy for thinking maybe we could find something from the Revolution? Is $250 to little to spend? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Get a Compadre. Will find anything just not as deep as bigger coiled machines. Only $150. If you really get into it then upgrade from there if you find the need...
I agree with Diggler...Compadre or if you want a little more adustiblity sensitivity wise, the Silver uMax.
Just don't hunt in the park !!! I live near Trenton NJ, and there is a lot of history around here and in Wash Crossing...but I believe the park is off limits.
I tried hunting the canal paths, but being a fisherman as well, I know there are tons of hooks, split shot and other small metal items that will drive you crazy...but I bet there is also some good stuff too.
either the compadre or the silver umax would be great machines to start out with. as mentioned above, the silver umax is a little more flexible than the compadre being you have adjustable sensitivity on the silver umax vs fixed sensitivity on the compadre. another feature the silver umax has over the compadre is the ability to change coils. dollar wise,. you could almost buy 2 new compadres for what you want to spend. that way you and the boys would have a detector instead of having to take turns with one detector. the silver umax will go a little deeper than the compadre because of the coil size difference ( 5 .75" on the compadre and 8" on the silver umax) but both detectors have very good discrimination in the trashy areas like parks and schools. i have a silver umax with the 8 inch coil and the 5.75 coil and love hunting with it. i would suggest the silver umax and if you can buy the 5.75 coils and 12x10 coils you would have a detector that will do the job about anyplace you would want to hunt except maybe a salt water beach. good luck and happy hunting...........roger
Even though my Compadre hasn't arrived yet I'm convenced it will make a great Tot-lot machine because of it's reduced depth of detection. For that reason, were I you I'd buy the Silver Umax with the 8" coil, cause it's better suited to your needs, but that's my opinion. Good luck
I have owned 6 different tesoros and loved them all, and they make different machines for different hunting, and you are talking about relic hunting for old items, some of which will be very deep. The two above mentions machines are fine around town coin an jewlery hunters, but there are much deeper tesoros. For the 250 you should be able to at least find a good used Cibola. It is the least expensive of the new geration machines, and is a lot deeper than a Silver. It's a fine entry level relic machine with thresehold adjustment and the 8x9 coil. Mine is so hot that I grab my Concistador when I want good seperation in trashy areas (older Umax).
I grew up right near you, Hopewell Twp, NJ, right across the river from you. I went to elementary school in Titusville. Currently live in the Reading, central PA area, but still have family in Hopewell Twp and in Yardley. You have many potential areas to use a detector in your area. Bucks is an old county with lots of old places to hunt. Just get permission before you do. As far as a detector recommendation, any of Tesoro's detectors are fine detectors. You won't go wrong with any of them. Just depends on how much money you are willing to spend on a detector. I have an old Tesoro Stingray (current model that it's related to is the Tiger Shark) and I also have a Tejon. I also had a Golden Sabre that worked really well. Any of them are good. Maybe others can recommend what they feel is their favorite, but personally I feel it depends on how much you are willing to spend and how much time you think you will be investing in it.
I think either the Compadre or Silver umax will serve you well. I personally like the Silver umax if your going after relics (bullets, etc.) Gives you the advantage to set the sensitivity which may help with depth and it has a little bigger coil. Good luck and have fun!
I think either would be good, but my preference would be for the Silver as along with the adjustable sensitivity you can change coils. Put on the 5.75" coil and you have a machine very similar to the Compadre.for tot lots etc. My two bits.
HH
BB
My experience has been when I start at the 'low end' of anything I buy, be it tools or ATVs etc., I am usually looking for more features and performance in a short while. Maybe it's just me but I have found if I get the best I can afford it's usually a better deal in the long run. Consider used from some of the folks here on the forum. There are both private parties as well as dealers who sell used equipment. The thing that's nice about Tesoro when you buy used is there is a lifetime warranty, that's not supposed to be transferrable, that Tesoro mostly ignores and repairs them for nothing. Have fun with your kids. You'll be hooked soon. Jim
Those are all good reccomendations and gives you more to study on before you decide. You are not likely to be in a big rush to get to do any"scratching" since your weather may be just a bit harsh for that now days, so give yourself some extra time and study up on all of the advice and suggestions. Give serious thought to getting 2 detectors. You can always find used machines in great shape and fair prices, and my experience has been that Tesoro always repairs their machines with no question as to who or how many owners. You can still find Compadres with a 7" coil for that extra depth you may want for the Historic Relic sites.A good used Compadre and Silver could be had with a little effort, and would really make for a good combo. If the boys are old enough, you can test their interest and involvement in the Historic aspect by getting them to help you go online(or wherever) and research some of your local sites for possible productive sites. That may even give you some idea as to just how much involved everyone really is and how much you may want to spend. I' ve seen too many folks get all excited and anxious and run out and get the wrong machine and then loose interest altogether. Take a little extra time, and continue your learning experience before you decide and you will be glad you did.
