I've only been detecting for about 7 years, but in that time I've tried many detectors... I'll try to stick to those in your price range.
I started with ID machines assuming they'd be superior due to the added info.... in some ways they can be very useful, but often heavy and the ID is kind of like the machine's best guess..............so I personally like the beep and digs..... my searches are faster and more enjoyable.
I've only tried a few White's machines, but they just don't do it for me..... I probably won't ever try one again.........the same goes for Garrett machines.
I didn't appreciate the beep and dig machines till I used the Cz-20..........which has tones, but essentially its a beep and dig. I can recommend any of the CZs.....the CZ ID machines are pretty good...The weight is a bit much even when hip mounted......and they tend to like a little iron in its diet....the CZ-3d is a little quirky.....if I had to choose a cz in your price range I'd say go for the cz-70...Fishers are very easy to use / ground balance, and well built. Highly recommend the CZ-20 (used in the $ range) if you want to water and land hunt.
The Minelab Sovereign is another great machine (in your price range) that gets great depth, but the ID on those are worthless if you ask me. I highly recommend the machine, but skip the ID box. Its also a bulky / heavy machine. I consider this machine a beep and dig, because for the life of me I could not distinguish or understand its tones at all.
If you want the ultimate ID machine, want to spend a lot of time learning a machine, and don't mind a ridiculously heavy detector..try an explorer 2......I say 2, because they are a little better built. An Explorer is a hard to beat detector in many respects....auto ground balance and more bells and whistles than any other sub $1k machine..... They're made of mostly plastic...you can rarely find them used on ebay for less than $600, (I have ) but they've been selling much higher lately....Tis the season I guess......After swinging a couple for 3 years I've sworn them off. I think when you just get down to it the beep and digs are just as good at finding targets.
Eventually I tried the Vaquero.........LOVED it.........the hardest machine I've ever ground balanced though. Don't let that scare you off if you want an awesome machine.......go to a dealer and have them show you how to ground balance. Its super sensitive...really seems to sniff out the good stuff....... a con - it likes aluminum.
The Vaquero made me want to try a Tesoro ID machine..so I got the Cortes. Its a nice light ID machine.....if I were to keep an ID machine that would be the one for me. But a Say blah to the IDs ;-)
I found that even with the more expensive machines almost all targets will be within the first 3 inches and rarely are deeper than 6 inches..........my oldest coin (large cent , draped bust) was about a 1/2 inch down.
These days I'm using the Silver Umax.......I'm surprised by how well it works for its price. I don;t think you can go wrong if you bought this detector.....especially since you're "new" to the hobby.......honestly its a great machine and I don;t feel like I'm missing anything with out my $1000 explorer....or spend a little more and get the more sensitive cibola....
It might be my last machine for a long time. I have little time to hunt with 2 kids under 2..
The Tesoros ignore Iron better than Minelabs and Fishers....I firmly believe that. .
They're the lightest non-walmart machines you can buy and I can easily say they are probably the best built too. With the exception of some models' flimsy battery doors they are really top notch in construction.
You'll find there is no perfect detector.....they all have strengths and weaknesses........
I hope this helps.
