New to the forum... need a detector... lots o' questions

[Grey V]

Hi everyone! I'm fairly new to the forum... been lurking for a bit, now decided to post.

I live in a very rural part of New Jersey (yes, there's lots of rural parts to the state, ours happens to be the most remote, rural, and back-woodsey). I have never in my 37 years seen anyone anywhere around here MDing. I figure my area isn't too tapped-out yet! There's lots of history around here too, plenty of revolutionary war action, and decades of people living their lives. My house sits on a 1/2 acre plot and we recently discovered that it was built in 1864. The lot next to us used to be a school back in the 1800s - now its just a grassy lot and the owner really doesn't care if I MD it. Are you feeling my excitement? This is just my back yard too... lots of parks and schools - many of them fairly old. I'm an hour away from the Jersey Shore which is notorious for having zillions of shipwrecks dating back as far as the 1600s or so. Combine this with a pair of little kids who really like to dig holes in the yard and I think I have a pretty good family thing going on here.

First off though, I need to get a machine. It seems that everyone here loves the Ace 250, but I'm fine with spending money on a good tool so I really don't mind dropping the coin on a much more expensive model if I can find the value in the upgrade. I just don't want to toss money on a GTI 2500 if the Ace 250 gives me everything I need (somehow I doubt that's the case). My list of priorities is:
1. goes fairly deep - we're gonna look for old stuff here!
2. should have rechargable batteries - ones that I don't have to mutz with would be nice, just plug in the machine when I get home then yank the cord out and start working. I hate dealing with batteries if I don't have to. I guess it's not a big deal, mostly I want the designers to hear me and make practically all machines with internal lithium ion rechargable batts if that's possible.
3. easy to use - sophisticated is fine, complex is bad. I really don't want to be years trying to figure the thing out.
4. gives me some decent idea of what I'm digging up before I dig.
5. happy around - and in - water.
6. for that matter, happy in all terrain.
7. not very heavy, but I gather that most machines are reasonably light nowadays.
8. pinpoints targets and gives me a depth.

That's basically the list as I see it now, but having never done this before, I look forward to experienced people's input.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[BigCatDaddy]

What you've described is the detector of all our dreams and that's the only place it exists, in our dreams. I would start out with the little 250 as it's packed with features and gets decent depth(depth is over-rated anyways, some great finds come from just a couple inches deep) and is about a simple to learn as anyone would want. Just going in, keep your initial investment low. It might turn out detecting is not for you, and if so, you haven't invested big bucks on something that will sit in the closet.
Batteries are not that big of a deal as a set of 4 lasts about 40-50 hrs. of hunt time.
You can use it on the beach, but stay out of the water. One good wave and it's toast. Dedicated water rigs are pretty expensive and you might want to wait until you are sure that detecting is for you before investing.
The 250 is super light. You would be surprised at the difference you will feel between a 2 lb. detector(250) and a 5 lb. detector(2500) after a few hours of swinging, plus the 250 can be adjusted for the wee ones to swing and the 2 lbs. would be manageable.
Pinpointing takes a little practice but should come in a short time. Target ID is subject to the user. Most TID machines will tell you what it THINKS it is. It's up to the user to decide. No machine will tell you exactly what is under your coil.
Depth readout is fairly close but since it's given in 2" increments, it's just general.
Hope this helps and nice looking family you've got, thanx for sharing the pic!!

 

[John-Edmonton]

Big Cat Daddy pretty well explained the ACE 250 below. I have written a quick comparison of the higher Garrett machines. They all utilize AA rechargeable batteries and are basically all turn-on-and-go machines. No ground balancing required. For water, you should consider getting a water machine. One accidental dip and it's toast! The water machines are of course water proof. All three metal detectors have icons showing a probability of a target, and also size a target so that you are not digging up a lot of tin cans. They also show an approximate depth of the target too. All Garrett detectors will pinpoint for you except the ACE 150. All Garrett detectors have a variety of coils to use too.

I have used the GTI 2500 many times this year, the GTI 1500 since it was released several years ago and just about a whole season using the GTP 1350. Here is a simple run-down on these machines.

GTI 2500- This is the to dog of land machines that Garrett currently has available specifically for land hunts. Now this machine has a manual ground balance and a true all metal mode. What this does is give the operator an edge on depth and better performance in mineralized soil over the 1500 & 1350. The 2500 is a great relic machine, great for hunting in farmers fields, woods, beaches etc. It is also a fantastic coin hunting machine, as it can determine the size, depth and probability of a given target. It has several preset modes also, for hunting coins, jewelry etc

GTI 1500- this machine does everything the 2500 does except give you a true all metal mode and manual ground balance. So, you lose a little depth. But, there may not be any targets where you are hunting deeper then 4-5 inches. Both the 2500 and the 1500 give you 5 increments for target size. This feature is quite accurate for the first 6 inches, then the probability % drops off. The machine still continues to hunt much deeper though. Generally, if you get a reading for a coin sized object deeper then 4 inches, you will dig it any ways, as it will probably be old.

GTP 1350- This detector is the same as the GTI 1500, except that it only has 3 sizing categories.....small, medium and large. All small targets are coin sized, medium is bigger and large of course is pop can size or larger. The sizing ability on the 1350 uses different technology, but it is just as accurate as the 1500. There are also some extra little tricks that the GTP 1350 can do with its audio, in that it can be programmed to give a short audio sound for small target size, medium audio sound for medium sized objects and a long sound for large. The feature works well for night hunting.

So, what to do? Well, ask yourself what kind of hunting you want to do. If you want to go after relics, coins, gold, and plan on hunting in fields, the desert, beaches, woods, other cities etc......get the GTI 2500. If you strictly just want to go after coins and rings.....and generally be an urban derectorist, hunting in school yards, Parks, backyards and even trails in woods or along creeks, the GTI1500 or GTP 1350 should serve you well. The GTP 1350 is a watered down version of the 1500. But......it gets the same depth and has a great sizing tool that will also help you leave the junk in the ground. I personally liked the GTP 1350 better, until the new imaging coil was available for the GTI Series. Now both coils are equaly stable, meaning that they don't false very much, when hunting in the woods. But...the GTI 2500 is the heaviest. If you plan to hunt on a weekly basis, this shouldn't be a problem, as you will build up some good endurance and will not suffer if you hunt all day.

Hope this helps......whatever machine you should buy depends on what type of hunting you want to do. Good luck with whatever machine you get Grey.


Below is a link to the Garrett Products in case you haven't seen it.

<center>
http://www.garrett.com/hobby/home.htm

 

[jackintexas]

Another opinion. Just starting with your first detector and probabaly not understanding all the things you should know about what each metal detector does. My opinion( I have owned about 40 detectors--now own 11 been detecting 28 years) just a little background. I think for now the ace 250 fits your bill. My wife just started detecting and loves the 250. Also does quite well. After getting your feet wet in detecting you may want to move up. From the looks of your family the 250 will not be idle. Just another opinion.

 

[ohio fred]

The 250 is a great machine with all 3 coils it should run around 340 to 380,Machine here in Ohio was 199 with stock coil but found out it went up to 212.One thing it is factory ground meaning if you go in a real hi mineral area or a lot of iron it struggles a little,some of the other machine have manual ground so you can set for the area and some have a threshold.But the 250 is a good beginning machine as well as a pro machine.There is a lot of fun packed in that machine and about 40 hrs on a set of battery's,more fun than a roller coaster.Try to find one used if you see it it is sold before you look twice as well as the coils.So if you didn't like it you would have no problem selling it.Look up threshold and manual ground balance and see if this is what you might need on a machine in your area.I have a few different machines and my area is hi in mineral but there is only a few areas were the 250 has a hard time.It is usually the first machine i go with have all the coils for it and love the big coil and the small sniper coil.Well try to look up those two words.Hope this helped good luck and good hunting.

 

[Big Al (NJ)]

n/t

 

[NM5K]

Just my $2.43 worth.. I think I'd start with a ace 250
to begin with. Why? Cuz it's quite a decent unit, even
for non beginners, it's the easiest to learn, and for
the youngsters, it's the easiest machine by far due to
it's low weight, and low learning curve vs the higher
end machines. Then after a while, if you really like '
tecting, then consider investing in a higher end machine.
One advantage to waiting, is after a while of 'tecting, you
will come to learn what extra features might be the best
for your area. IE: is manual ground needed?,
different coils, etc..
Then, you can use the higher end box, and the kids or wife
can use the 250. You can't really lose with a 250 no matter
what happens. I'm about 90% sure it will work fairly well
for what you are doing. And the price is right. Even
if by some chance you didn't like the 250 at all, "slim
chance I bet", you can sell it fast. The demand for 250's
is pretty high. As far as the kids trying to use one,
the ace machines would be the easiest hands down. They
are pretty easy. You turn it on and start swinging.
Learning the ID and pinpointing will take a little time,
but that would be the case with any machine. BTW, the
non water machines can handle having the coil in the water.
They are sealed. It's the control box that you don't want
any water in. A true water machine has the control box
sealed up. They are also "tweaked" to work better in
water, vs some land boxes. They say the 250 is ok at the
beach. Maybe not the best in the water vs a real water box,
but it's good on the sand.
I use a 250 with the extra two coils, and it's pretty
versatile. I recommend getting a pinpointer.
You don't *have* to have one, but you will be glad you did
once you start digging for stuff in the holes. Makes it a lot
easier to find small and dirt coated objects.
BTW, I may have just confused you...Yes, the machines have a
pinpoint mode, but when I say "pinpointer" I'm talking about
a small handheld model, or an inline model. Myself, I use a
automax handheld, which is it's own small detector. But
there are many brands. Many are going with the inline jobs.
I went with the automax, cuz I got it at reduced price with
the 250. I bought the sniper and 9x12 coils later. Oh yea...
I recommend buying coil covers if you are around rough
terrain, rocks, etc.. They are pretty cheap, and will
keep your coils like new.
MK

 

[Uncle Willy]

If you have never detected before I would go with the 250 until you get the hang of it and decide if you want to stay in the hobby.As great as it is it ain't for everyone and if you lose interest it's easier to get your money back on a 250 than other models.

The 250 is easier to learn and doesn't have the learning curve of some of the higher end models and your kids will love it as it is their size and light to handle. The 250 will find all you'll want to dig for awhile until you learn all the ins and outs of detecting.

Great looking tribe there. Good luck in whatever you decide. Also, there is no such thing as the "best detector", only what's best for you. What's best for someone else can often be a disaster for you.




Bill

 

[Grey V]

Okay got it, It seems that everyone here LOVES the 250 which is what I kinda thought. I just wanted to be sure I wsn't missing out on some angle to the GTI 2500. Since I'm not making polar expeditions to find iced-over airplanes or anything like that, maybe the 250 is the ticket for now. I hear you on the handheld spot unit - it seems to me that you'd use it once you started a hole to find out exactly where that darn target is? Given that my 5 y/o daughter and 6 y/o son LOVE to dig and may be a bit young right now to learn the in's and out's of 'tecting, I sorta visualize me finding spots and marking them for the kids to dig up. They're persistent buggers when it comes to finding "treasures". Anyway, with my next $300 or so, I'm gonna make the big jump and pick up a 250. I guess the stock coil can get me started. Thanks for everyone's input. oh, and if I described everyone's dream machine and the technology is available to make one, why doesn't some company just read my post and make that machine? I'm a newbie at this and pegged the perfect machine in one short list! I especially don't get what's the big deal with having internal lithium ion batts and a charging cord. How's that not in even the top-end units? Heck, I got a waterproof sealed vibrating dog collar for my deaf dog that has that built in. (the collar becomes important when you consider trying to call your deaf dog. The vibrating collar makes it easy if I have the button in my pocket.) It's waterproof too, so the technology exists to waterproof the connector for the water machines. OR you could not use a connector and have small metal tabs on the outside of the machine that mate with metal tabs on a charging base. I digress... sorry, it's the engineer side of my head designing stuff again. Anyway, thanks again for the input. Probably be making a purchase within a couple of weeks. see pic of what a deaf dog looks like... oh yeah, she's missing an eye too. Now the question is "what do you name a deaf pit-bull who's missing an eye? You name her "Hellen" Actually "Hellen Killer" Really. That's her name. Have a great day.

 

[Wisconsin Pete]

no matter what detector you buy, take you time to learn the machine. You will be digging alot of trash before the treasures arrive...but thats alright...we've all been through it.

 

[Skillet]

And they handle that beach mineralization better than most VLF machines.

Also, you could get 150s for the kids later and there would be no learning curve as the machines are so similar.

Skillet

 

[Uncle Willy]

I had a Siamese cat years ago with one eye and he limped so I named him Gimp.


Bill