Old Bandido

[RLOH]

Today I got the old Bandido out of winter hibernation and took if for a clad run at a local fairgrounds. I am one to get caught up in the hype of the latest and greatest and sometimes lose track about what detecting is really about- having fun. People who scoff at Tesoros and their lack of new detectors must have never used a Tesoro. Today I decided to "cherry pick" with the Bandido. I set the disc to just below zincs and started wandering the large fairgrounds field. I am constantly amazed at how quiet these Tesoros run and after ten minutes of nothing, I started finding coins. No silver, but I hardly ever find silver here, but loads of coins with some at respectable depths(six inches or so). I am always amazed at the clear signals of the six inch deep coins. I have no doubt that there is a couple of more inches of depth available. I have owned most of the newer Tesoros and this older Bandido seems just as deep and accurate as the newer ones. The only complaint I have with the older ones is the battery setup. It is a pain to change the batteries and stuff them back in the compartment. My last coin of the morning was found with one of the borough workers witnessing the retrival. I let him hear the signal and he watched in amazement as a 1965 quarter came out of the 6 inch deep plug along with a two inch rusty nail. It doesn't get much better than that.

 

[tabman]

That story makes me want to get up and do some detecting. Thanks for sharing.

I've never used one of the really old Tesoros. All my Tesoros that I have used have been the

 

[RLOH]

Tabman, I always thought the older Tesoros that mount under the rod looked big and heavy. I was amazed when I got my first one at how small they actually are. They are not as big as they look. They are not as handy to "thumb the disc" as the newer Umax detectors. The disc knob on the newer ones are right at your thumb and very easy to slowly check where the target drops out. Randy(the original Hombre) has said the older Tesoros are great iron detectors. I do know that I hardly ever dig rusty iron with this Bandido. I also have an older Troy 7 inch coil that seems just as deep as the 8x9 spoked coil. That little coil works wonders in the trash.

 

[kaolinwasher]

sounds like a good machine

 

[metalfun]

Thanks for the post.HH

 

[Sven]

The older units actually come in two sizes. The Toltec II and the Lobo share the large housing. The Bandido II, Silver Sabre II and the Cutlass II had a similar but smaller housing.

They are pretty light and do work extremely well. The Umax versions are just mini units to fit into the Toltec meter housing.

 

[tabman]

Sven that Bandido II looks like it could do some serious detecting. It does look small and light. Oh, I going to have to get one of those.

One other thing, what does the audio tone sound like compared to some of the other Tesoros?

tabman

 

[Sven]

One other thing, what does the audio tone sound like compared to some of the other Tesoros?

tabman

You had to ask......................

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loiADsqD3FQ

 

[tabman]

Sweet!

Thanks
tabman

 

[machineman]

I had one of these about 2 years ago. I tried it a few times and then sold it. I should have kept it and given it a better chance. I remember that it did well on coins. At the time I was trying to get a Vaq or Outlaw and didnt give it a fair go. Its always fun to go out with a different detector once in a while.

 

[poppat63]

Sven, I still swing my Toltec 2 , they are great smooth-running units if adjusted properly. I call mine "Old Faithful" . Poppa T

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Older Tesoro's may be heavier and not match the depth of some of their newer models but do have audio variances not found on newer units...

I speak from experience as I used a bunch of the older and newer models over the years..Perhaps the best gold ring unit ever made old or new...

 

[RLOH]

Dan, funny you mention the audio variances on the older Tesoros. I have only about 25 hours on this old Bandido, but when I am bored and want to do some experimenting, I set my disc just below nickel and see if I can pick out the coins from the tabs without "thumbing the disc". I have found a very distinct variance in the tones. A round object, is very different than a tab or beaver tail. This is the case with many detectors, but it is extremely pronounced on this older Tesoro. I would say my success rate is about one in four without moving the disc. Heck, I probably dig more trash than that with my expensive newer detectors. I always am amazed when I empty my trash pouch. You would think I could have much better trash to good target ratio. Like you, I am getting older and have to conserve my knees if I want to continue detecting so I am starting to pass on more of these "iffy" signals.

 

[PlateauSkull]

[size=medium]I have an old Sidewinder that I love to use when I get frustrated with my T2 SE, or Omega or G2 ! It is a non-Umax but has that style housing and it is as light as can be. It brings back the fun of detecting, and to be honest, it really is a coin magnet ! I have a Vaquero on order and hope it might get depth closer to my CZ-6a or T2 (probably not , but some claim it can be run super-tuned and get extreme depth ) Anyway, I can't wait for my Vaquero...also I have the 5.75" coil coming too ! HH.....

 

[wheatymike]

[size=medium]I have an old Sidewinder that I love to use when I get frustrated with my T2 SE, or Omega or G2 ! It is a non-Umax but has that style housing and it is as light as can be. It brings back the fun of detecting, and to be honest, it really is a coin magnet ! I have a Vaquero on order and hope it might get depth closer to my CZ-6a or T2 (probably not , but some claim it can be run super-tuned and get extreme depth ) Anyway, I can't wait for my Vaquero...also I have the 5.75" coil coming too ! HH.....[/quoteYou will like the V. I had fun with the one I had. That's a hot machine. Sometimes it gets a little chatty in iron but it will go deep and make some good finds.