QUESTION

[J DUNKLEBERGER]

NOT NEW TO HUNTING BUT NEED A QUESTION ANSWERED. GOT MY FIRST DETECTOR A PIONEER 505 ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO. IT WAS A GREAT BEGINNER UNIT. ITS PAID FOR ITSELF THREE FOLD. MY QUESTION IS, I NOW OWN (TWO MONTHS) A LONE STAR. IS THIS ALSO A BEGINNER UNIT?

THANKS
JD IN AZ

 

[Ed in SoDak]

Lone Star is from JC Penny, I think the Pioneer is from WalMart.

Bounty Hunter has made several models for various chain stores that are similar to, but not exactly the same as the BH models..So some are up for grabs as to which model they are most like.

The Pioneer 505 may be either a Landstar without the ground balance knob or there's a chance it is a Sharp Shooter 2 with added depth readout.

The Lone Star is most like a Quick Draw II, but without the depth readout.

While they're similar, most people would consider the 505 as a step up from the Lone Star.

Here's a listing I wrote up a number of years ago, it's been posted around the 'net so maybe you've seen it. Last updated in 2003, I suspect it's a little out of date with all the new models released since then.

-Ed
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-


Older long-discontinued Bounty Hunter models:
TR550-D
1D-505
Eliminator X3

Older BH models that may still be sold at outlets or found used:

Tracker3= Walmart Pioneer VLF?

Bounty Hunter "Big Bud" series = ~ Radio Shack 630-3004 Discovery 2 Metal Detector

BH Big Bud Pro SED = RS 63-3008 Discovery 3 Metal Detector

Current BH models and their "equivalents". =~ means "basically equal with some differences":

Fast Tracker= RS 63-3011 Discovery 1000 Metal Detector
Tracker 4= Pioneer 101= Prospector

QuickDraw II = Pioneer 202 = JCPenny Lone Star minus depth readout= ~ Radio Shack 63-3007 Discovery 2000 (minus depth indicator)

Sharpshooter II = RS 630-3012 Discovery 3000 Metal Detector (same as Sharpshooter, but has a volume, also compared to the Land Star, it's sort of "in-between")

Pioneer 505 may be a Landstar without ground balance knob or a SS2 with depth readout.

Land Star = RS 630-3015

Bounty hunter 4" coil = RS 630-3014 Discovery 4" Coil System


The Bounty Hunter Challenger is an exclusive model sold by Bass Pro. The Challenger has a large screen display for the

 

[UWLocator]

The Lone Star is a current BH model. It seems to fall between the Quick Silver and the Quick Draw II. I would consider it a step down from the 505.

HH,
Rip

 

[Ed in SoDak]

Thanks for the update, UWL! It seems my list is out of date, I stopped following the progression some time ago, though at one time I was very interested in the history of the several detector companies that are now encompassed by First Texas.

Pacific Northwest Instruments (PNI) and Bounty Hunter were two early manufacturers of detectors in the 1970's. Eventually BH bought out PNI. Much of the underlying technology of the BH lineup stems from several very innovative designs brought forth by George Payne. His last, and probably best design for the original Bounty Hunter company was the Big Bud series. That design would eventually serve as the basis for the QD I, and all that came after. George went on from the early BH company to make more magic at Teknetics. For a time, it was looking good for Tek, and they ended up acquiring the combined patents of PNI/BH. However, times were soon to become tough in the detector industry and First Texas stepped in at the last minute and acquired the remants of Tek, which was in court in a battle over warehouse storage fees for the remains of Tek's inventory. Prior to this, First Texas was marketing several low-cost designs through Fingerhut and other mass-markets. I actually own one of these pre-BH First Texas detectors! As I say, it was a very wise decision and the timing was right for FT to make a giant leap forwards..

Dave Johnson, another legendary detector designer, brings to the table his experience with the Fisher name, as well as some White's machines. Other designers whose manes I'm not aware of also contributed. Some of the basic technology that First Texas holds the patents to date back to 1975 and before. That's a rish heritage of successful and popular designs to draw from!

Though the marketing decisions of First Texas leave us wondering sometimes, it's good to know that over the years, they have made extremely wise choices in acquiring the rescources of underwater or floundering detector manufacturers. They have managed to thus preserve and carry forwards a lot of the pivotal technology of the past sveral decades.

Not much to say, guess I'm just waxing poetic!
-Ed

 

[dixiedigger57]

hey guys! I am a novice md'er and i use another brand i will not mention out of respect, but had a Radio Shack beginner years ago. I have come across a Bounty Hunter 2D/707 in good shape. i am familiar with the Big Buds, from talking to a new friend on another forum, but not these. feels good, light weight, but what is it actually? older or newer, and similiar to what? close to a Bud? help appreciated before a purchase. is $70 bucks, but money is tight.