new to these forums

[gprater]

Hello folks.I just registered and need to tap you for some advice.

I own a Whites Coin master 4000d series 2. I think I purchased it around 1980. I haven't detected since the 80's but have been thinking about starting again(casually). I have read enough in the last few weeks to know that there has been advancement in the technology in detectors since then. I am trying to decide to whether to purchase something newer. Is the improvement in technology so great that it that it would make a huge difference in casual coin shooting, or would my old detector still serve me well?

If I did decide to upgrade and wanted to purchased a used model, how far back in time could I slip and still get significant gains over my old 4000dS2?

I realize these questions aren't totally objective but thanks for any advice.

If i did decide to purchase a new/used model, my price limit would be about $250.00

thanks


greg

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

If you can afford it a older used MXT would be a good starter detector.
An ACE 250 from Garrett's go for around that amount.
Not sure what brand your interested in but lots of good starter units out there.

 

[skookum]

High Greg,
For $250 you will be hard pressed to find a detector that is giant steps better than the 4000D S2.
Your detector has adjustable threshold, manual ground balance, Dics. and Sens.
You can hunt in all metal (GEB) or in Disc.
According to the manual it detects a quarter at 7".
Its

 

[gprater]

Thanks for the help. I guess what i was most impressed with on the many Youtube videos ive seen the past 3 days are the units in my price range that not only have the visual display but more importantly different tones for different objects. \

So, to get this straight, other than visual displays, larger coils, and ergonomic features the actually technology of sending and receiving hasnt changed since the early 80's? at least in my price range

 

[skookum]

High,
Quote:

So, to get this straight, other than visual displays, larger coils, and ergonomic features the actually technology of sending and receiving hasnt changed since the early 80's? at least in my price range

You got it.
There is not a single detector on the market, that can absolutely and positively tell you that you have just targeted a gold ring.
No matter how much money you

 

[skookum]

High,
Found this on the internet.
Maybe you might like to read it.

http://www.njminerals.org/metaldetecting-deepcoins.html

HH
skookum

 

[Ed in SoDak]

Take it out and do some swinging, you'll be reminded soon enough of the things you liked and disliked about your old Whites. New machines use fewer and/or smaller batteries, they're lighter and easier to swing. The basic way they work has not changed to a huge degree, but neither have they lost ground, so to speak.

I see in the comment by skookum that your older White's machine has GB in one mode and Disc in the other. That was common in those days, but that limitation has been addressed in many of today's machines. If you have difficult ground, that may limit depth or the places you can hunt effectively with it in disc mode. Today we may call the two modes "no-motion all-metal" and "motion disc," but most modern machines can combine some form of preset or automatic ground cancel along with disc. Some all-metal modes include target ID. Tone options run the gamut.

If you're a "dig-it-all" fan, you can get along just fine with what you have if it's comfortable to swing and battery use is affordable. Myself, I like the added features that on-screen ID bring, even though I seldom use any disc. I like seeing and hearing more information about a target than simply announcing its presence. I decide to dig or not based on my own experience and the info presented. Modern machines are well under three pounds in weight. Some give many hours of use with a single 9-volt battery and most all can use rechargeable cells. Thanks to fast digital processors and good software, plus modern coil tech, target response can be lightning swift, which along with ID, help to separate nearby targets into two or more separate signals instead of a broad, confusing one. People who love the older machines have learned the subtle tones that help them detect in similar places, but it takes a lot of time and experience digging many targets to learn the tricks. New machines can be hard or easy to learn, but I'd say more target info can't hurt.

Your White's would be called "analog," while almost all current machines are predominately "digital." You'll find advantages to both and drawbacks as well. If you're looking for more target info than your older one-tone go-no go machine, you might be happy with any number of the current offerings from any major manufacturer. Buying used might be a good option. For example, I paid $550 for a BH Time Ranger back in 2003 that had all the bells and whistles, but today you can pick one up for hundreds less used. Same for many other detectors. Teknetics has some very capable models in your price range, and there's plenty of fans of the Ace models too.

But no harm done by refamiliarizing yourself with the hobby and your old machine and see if your tastes have changed and you want to upgrade. Maybe you can meet up with someone in your area that has a newer machine to hunt with, swap machines and compare.

-Ed

 

[gprater]

Thank you to all 3 of you. Since I posted I got the unit out of my garden shed where i carelessly stored it for the past 11 years (before that it was stored inside for over 10) I expected some damage due to my neglect. The batttery lead and 6 cell battery pack snap on connectors corroded to the point where they disintegrated when i tried to unhook them. I ordered a replacement leald and pack from whites last night. I cleaned it up and the 6 knobs the unit has, 2 of them do not turn smoothly anymore..not sure if that rust around the posts inside the unit. Ill wait until the parts get here and try it out. I may end up buying a new/used anyway because of my carelessness.

I dont want to repeat my self too much, but I was quite impressed with 2 videos I watched of "live hunts." In both, the gentlemen, through experience with their units, could hear the different tones, check the display, and VERY accurately predict what they were about to dig up. For many reasons that consume my free time I definitely dont want to be a "dig all" person. I had some success in the 80's with my coinmaster. Found a lot of clad, a couple of silver coins, and a college classring which I had to give back under the conditions of property owner and his permission to allow me to hunt.

Thanks again for your help.


Greg

 

[WV62]

Sounds to me like you have little bit of a project just getting the old 4000D S2 detector going. From reading what problems you have with the 4000 you may be better off sending it back to White's for service or moving on to a newer machine. If your 4000 was just needing the batteries charged and was pretty much ready to go, I would just say use it for while.

One of my younger brothers just retired a couple of years back and was wanting to get back into detecting, so I started looking around and found a Bounty Hunter for $40 that I bought at a rummage sale, that I was going to flip and make a couple of bucks. Long story short I offered it to my brother for the same $40 and he took it. I did find a small coil for him for another $20. So he has got $60 in his rig and loves it. We hunt together a lot and he seems to keep up with me and my $1100 detector most days.

All of us guys have our favorites so I won't get into telling you mine. I would suggest if you decide to buy new or used, that you get a line on several that you like and just post them for comments from the guys or gals that have used them.

Ron in WV

 

[Ed in SoDak]

Hmm, that's a game-changer. Rust on control shafts may be the only issue or it may have internal corrosion that may require a good cleaning. It may be best to not try to turn those controls until you have the battery clips and pack installed. Unless one is the switch and volume, then of course you must be able to turn it on to use it. My fear would be the delicate wiper and carbon track may be fused and forcing it may make the control non-functional.

If the detector was left on with batteries installed, the corrosion may travel up the wires to the board. When you open up the case, you'll see the tattletale green crusty stuff elsewhere if that happened. But it may be confined to just the battery wires if you're lucky.

I'd think a repair bill from White's may exceed its value, so cross your fingers and open the case to see how far the damage may have spread.

-Ed

 

[Tom_in_CA]

i gave a stab at your question over on the Whites forum, where you posted the same queery.

 

[gprater]

Update: Went to radio shack to see if they sold the 6 AA cell battery pack. They did not so instead I cut the remnants of the battery lead off leaving just the red and black wires shaved back some insulation and temporarily taped the wire to the terminals of a fresh 9 volt battery. I placed the unit on the kitchen table with the coil pivoted to face upward, turned it on and it worked. I re-learned how to use it and did some air tests. It was the discriminator and sensitivity dials that were "sticky". I waved 4 different coins, a gold wedding band, crumpled aluminum foil, some non-rusted nails. It detected them all but none, not even the quarter, at a distance of more than 2-3" from the coil. When I tried to disc. out the nail and the foil I was unsuccessful. No matter where I placed the disc setting all objects were detected. Now, I am not totally sure this was a true scientific test, but I have decided to not pursue repairing this unit. As a matter of fact I have an email into Whites since yesterday to see if i can cancel my order for the replacement battery pack and leads.

I have worn out eBay looking for used detectors. Found some options. If you know anyone willing to part with a good condition entry level unit let me know. Ive been looking at the ace 250, F2, teknetics 4000, and the coinmaster pro and GT.

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice, you folks truly stepped up quickly. I guess that shows your passion for the hobby.

thanks



Greg

 

[WV62]

If I were in your shoes I would contact several of the forum dealers and tell them what you are looking for and see what they can offer new or used.

Ron in WV

 

[Mtnmn]

You might want to give further consideration to the Coinmaster GT which is the former Prizm 6T re-packaged and now for $200 less than it was before as the 6T. The biggest complaint about the 6T was that it was over-priced. With the Coinmaster GT now selling for $400 (less or free extras if you wheel and deal with our sponsors) the price should no longer be an issue. With features such as Auto-Tracking and manual ground balancing, a large visual target display number ranging from - 95 to + 95 along with 9 different tones to listen to for each of the 9 different target segments and even a backlite display for late evening or night-hunting. With all these features and others the GT will match up with much more expensive detectors. If you go to the White's home site and click on the GT, you can bring up its online manual which will give you a much more detailed description of the GT's features.

 

[gprater]

If I were in your shoes I would contact several of the forum dealers and tell them what you are looking for and see what they can offer new or used.

Ron in WV

Ron,

I never even considered dealers selling used detectors. The only 3 places Ive looked for used are ebay, craigslist(a bust for my area since I will only trade in person), and another forum site that has a for-sale sub-forum. Are the dealers only listed in the ads at the top of the page or is there another list of them somewhere else?


thanks

 

[WV62]

There are several, and they listed at the top of the page on each forum. I noticed Backwoods is at the top of this forum and Big Boys Hobbies is listed on the Fisher F series forum, I have used both and they will treat you right.

You can also hang out on the classified forum, the forum members post there detectors there and the dealers list their detectors there as well. Being you are new I don't think you can list anything like you want to buy or sale. But you can post on an item you may be interested in. Most of the time they want you to send a PM which again I think you are to new to send PM's, but you could list a email address on their listing or a phone number and maybe work out a deal. I am sure you can work with a dealer.

Good luck,

Ron in WV