Need honest opinions on the Tesoro Silver U-Max

[BarberBill]

Tesoronut, I don't know that I'd go as far as to say the Silver is the BEST, but do know it's one dandy detector for the price. One of the reasons I'm saying this is -- put it against a machine with manual ground balance in high mineralization and the ground balance machine will out perform it. However, as I own several preset Tesoros including the earlier SSumax, I can vouch for the fact that in reasonable ground, the preset machines can hold their own quite well so don't misread this to think I'm knocking the Silver as I don't mean to.

To RMPTR -- I've had a green machine and a black PzmIV that I got rid of for the same reasons you mention. Their response/retune time was intolerable after using a Tesoro. The MXT is a very versatile, powerful, but HEAVY detector, but the weight and balance make it less enjoyable to swing in my opinion.

One more thought, on the White's forum, Monte made an excellent point that a given detector may be the "best" for the type of hunting and preference of the user, but that comparison doesn't make it "out perform" another model. In that vein, I'd like to point out that my SSumax is so much lighter and pleasant to swing, that it is "best" compared to an MXT when used in competition hunts. Doesn't mean it "outperforms" the MXT. Just my personal opinions. Love this hobby.
HH
BB

 

[tabdog]

I'm glad TesoroNut said that.

When I say I can tell what
a display can read-out and
more with a Tesoro, people
either take it with a grain of
salt or ask how I do it.

All I know is that I started
listening to tones more than
30 years ago.

Back then, I could not hear
what it was sayin.

But after swingin a pin finder
for about 20 years, I started
gettin an ear for it.

That has carried over and has
blended with TR MD's until I
can do better with a good tone
any day.

I can't even help it.

TID's don't do nothin for me.

And Hay!...I know that was a double Do Do.

That's just tha Tabdog in me......

Tabdog in Arkie Land

 

[BarberBill]

Tabdog, there was a time not all that long ago that I would have questioned what you're saying. However, over time I've come to recognize a lot of target information from the combination of the sounds and a bit of disc. knob twisting. I wouldn't say I can call a dime at 5 inches, but I can do pretty well on coin versus trash and don't find the lack of TID to be a major handicap at all, thought I do like it in some instances.
HH
BB

 

[Anonymous]

I'm glad TesoroNut said that.

When I say I can tell what
a display can read-out and
more with a Tesoro, people
either take it with a grain of
salt or ask how I do it.

All I know is that I started
listening to tones more than
30 years ago.

Back then, I could not hear
what it was sayin.

But after swingin a pin finder
for about 20 years, I started
gettin an ear for it.

That has carried over and has
blended with TR MD's until I
can do better with a good tone
any day.

I can't even help it.

TID's don't do nothin for me.

And Hay!...I know that was a double Do Do.

That's just tha Tabdog in me......

Tabdog in Arkie Land

Cool, Tab! You do very well with you machines, for sure!!

 

[Anonymous]

Tesoronut, I don't know that I'd go as far as to say the Silver is the BEST, but do know it's one dandy detector for the price. One of the reasons I'm saying this is -- put it against a machine with manual ground balance in high mineralization and the ground balance machine will out perform it. However, as I own several preset Tesoros including the earlier SSumax, I can vouch for the fact that in reasonable ground, the preset machines can hold their own quite well so don't misread this to think I'm knocking the Silver as I don't mean to.

To RMPTR -- I've had a green machine and a black PzmIV that I got rid of for the same reasons you mention. Their response/retune time was intolerable after using a Tesoro. The MXT is a very versatile, powerful, but HEAVY detector, but the weight and balance make it less enjoyable to swing in my opinion.

One more thought, on the White's forum, Monte made an excellent point that a given detector may be the "best" for the type of hunting and preference of the user, but that comparison doesn't make it "out perform" another model. In that vein, I'd like to point out that my SSumax is so much lighter and pleasant to swing, that it is "best" compared to an MXT when used in competition hunts. Doesn't mean it "outperforms" the MXT. Just my personal opinions. Love this hobby.
HH
BB

I'm a little "biased", because my first Tesoro was the Silver, and I just happened to get into a "virgin" CW camp with it right after purchasing it. I kicked @ss with that machine. I also have "competed" with some big-dog machines, and held my own with the Silver. I have a couple of Tesoros, now. Where I hunt, I can often run sensitivity on "max", without having much falsing, so I guess we don't have alot of mineralization here, although there are some smaller, major patches of hot rocks and minerals. I guess different machines do different things depending on where you hunt. My Silver creaks when I swing it now, just like my old bones. The Silver has a lifetime warranty, but my old bones don't. Looks like the Silver is gonna out-last me.........

 

[BarberBill]

Tesoronut, it's okay to be a little "biased". I'm detector poor with 5 different Tesoros and a couple of others one of which I inherited from my Dad. I'd have to say I'm a bit "biased" concerning Tesoros myself. We don't have CW camps out here in Idaho, but I'd sure like to have been in on a hunt like that. I'm sort of an equal opportunity hunter - coins, relics, whatever, I'm ready to go. (When our snow finally melts, that is)
HH
BB

 

[Anonymous]

Tesoronut, it's okay to be a little "biased". I'm detector poor with 5 different Tesoros and a couple of others one of which I inherited from my Dad. I'd have to say I'm a bit "biased" concerning Tesoros myself. We don't have CW camps out here in Idaho, but I'd sure like to have been in on a hunt like that. I'm sort of an equal opportunity hunter - coins, relics, whatever, I'm ready to go. (When our snow finally melts, that is)
HH
BB

If you lived near me, we could be diggin' relics as soon as I had a day off........:

 

[Bill in Texas]

Some will think That I am nuts (and I am), but I prefer the Compadre with the 5 3/4 coil over the Silver Umax with the 8 inch coil. We have A vaquero, Inca, Silver Umax and the Compadre (also a Garrett, fisher and Bounty Hunter) Bill and Nell

 

[Anonymous]

Some will think That I am nuts (and I am), but I prefer the Compadre with the 5 3/4 coil over the Silver Umax with the 8 inch coil. We have A vaquero, Inca, Silver Umax and the Compadre (also a Garrett, fisher and Bounty Hunter) Bill and Nell

Not at all(you are not nuts).......With Tesoro, sometimes less is more! Tabdog may agree with that, also.......I may get one sooner or later for trashy areas.

 

[slingshot]

Some will think That I am nuts (and I am), but I prefer the Compadre with the 5 3/4 coil over the Silver Umax with the 8 inch coil. We have A vaquero, Inca, Silver Umax and the Compadre (also a Garrett, fisher and Bounty Hunter) Bill and Nell

Bill, do you think the Silver with the 5 3/4 coil would match the Compadre? Just wondering. Thanks

 

[Bill in Texas]

Sure in fact it might be a little deeper, because you can super tune it when the ground is clean. I use two machines a lot The Vaquero and the Compadre. I just like having two machines ready to go. My favorite all around machine is the Vaquero (it is a killer). By the way I still like to hunt with the Inca in some areas. Bill in Texas

 

[BarberBill]

The 5.75 works great on the SSumax or the Conquistador and the DeLeon in my experience so far.
BB

 

[saltwatermax]

Well I tell you my opinion I have had and still have one of each brand! Whites machines are a good machine when you go to the highest end of whites,example dfx,xlt,mxt,but they are pricey,Tesoro they are hard to beat! You get your bang for the buck,and if you take care of it you will always get your money back out of it!not to mention the life time warranty,If it were me with those choices tesoro hands down! Tesoro's are fast in recovery,Don't know much about the Deleon or Cortes but I have heard there good machines but the depth isn't quite there,Good luck Vaquero,Tejon,Lobo,and Tiger shark...

 

[amcjavelin]

pretty soon i'm going to try my 12 x 10 coil on my silver umax and see what this thing can do but far as stock coil and money you can't go wrong, these are awsome little detectors, believe it or not i picked up alot of stuff my whites m6 left behind and thats no bull! this is why i'm with tesoro today they prove simplicity is all as needed

 

[tabdog]

Tesoro Nut is right.

Depth is nice, but should every MD purchase be decided
on depth????

I don't think so.

I do agree with Bill a lot.

I love my Vaquero and have been using it most lately.

My Compadre'es are my next pick.

Sometimes, depth is more of a problem than a help.

Most people don't even realize how much masking is
going on, and how their depth and sensativity is
compromised.

Tha Compadre is great for gettin in and around things.
It can get closer to things with out going crazy.

It is a great machine.

Where Compadre does it's thing, is usually a good place
to find goodies, in my opinion.

I keep tryin ta tell yaw that.

Happy Huntin,

Tabdog

 

[tab-nabit]

I have heard some good things about using the 12 x 10 coil on the Silver. Beside the stock, I have the 5.75s for trash spots.

 

[Ray in WA]

I've owned three Tesoros--a Bandido II uMax, a Compadre, and currently I have a Silver uMax. I regret ever selling the Bandido and Compadre, both were great little machines. But the Silver uMax is also a great little machine, and is the best bang for the buck anyone will ever get so far as metal detectors go. I have found loads of silver and gold jewelry and many silver dimes with it, countless clad, as well as a 1921 Morgan dollar and a 1916/1917 (can't quite tell, it's so worn) SLQ. Not to mention a ton of other interesting and semi-valuable items. And all within one year of owning the Silver uMax.

Granted, it won't go as deep as a Minelab SE or E-Trac, but strap on the 10x12 coil and you've got two to three extra inches under the right conditions. You can even crank the sens all the way in most places without it chattering. For someone who is strapped on cash, but wants a machine that WILL find the good stuff, the Silver can't be beat. It's a true sleeper.

Even though I'm about to become a new Safari owner, I will not make the same mistake as before and get rid of my Tesoro detector. It's more than paid for itself with all that I have found with it.

Ray

 

[rmptr]

Honest opinion of a Tesoro Silver uMax?

You can't buy a better machine for anywhere near the money.
Best warranty in the business.

rmptr