Reasons for Getting a Newer Tesoro

[tink]

I just got the Golden Plus about a month ago. Its my first Tesoro and I am enjoying the heck out of detecting again. I don't miss those days listening to a lot of chirping, jumping VDIs, 6-299 tones, threshold humming in my ears all day long and coming away sore and exhausted. I got the Golden set up to reject iron and foil, low tones on Nickles and PTs and high tone on coins and silver. I swear I have cut down my time pulling good targets instead of standing there figuring out that the machine is trying to say. I have dug coins right next to nails and foil my other machines would null out.

Now my question is, what can I gain by adding another newer Tesoro model. I really want two machines in case something goes wrong with the other or company comes over. The Golden will surely fill my need for a machine anyone could use. I would like to have 3-4 tones, pretty much the same notch and disc ability of the Golden to set where the different tones beep and good iron reject. Coils selection is important also.

I am not all that familiar with the differences in the newer machines over the Golden so some help would be appreciated. Maybe some pros and cons on the different machines. Like to stay in the $500-600 price range and not sure I want a ID screen machine.

Thanks for any help you have.

 

[BarberBill]

Considering how well you seem to like the Golden, why not pickup another? If you pick a machine NOT in the umax line, you'll lose coil compatibility. You might consider watching for a good deal on an Eldorado umax or a Bandito II umax. They are single tone, but dohave the manual ground balance which can be a real plus in some locations and use the same coils as the Golden. My two bits.
HH
BB

 

[tink]

Thanks Bill, that is something to consider that I hadn't thought about. I really do like the multi tones thou, but a manual GB would be a plus also. I would also like to a bit better depth too. Right now, 5-6" seems to be the max for me. Like to get down around 8+ if possible on a newer one.

 

[silversmith]

See if you can find a used Big Bud select 220-D. You may retire the Tesoro! Triple tone, Digital ID. Lots of bells and whistles. I just got a Lobo, and it's great for hunting for gold. But, for coin shooting the old Big Bud, comes out!

 

[Monte]

I just got the Golden Plus about a month ago. Its my first Tesoro and I am enjoying the heck out of detecting again.

Yes, indeed. There will comes times when I have also just gone with something "new and different" when I felt things were getting a little Ho-Hum. I found it interesting that you bought the Golden Sabre Plus and have wondered how it would work out for you.

I don't miss those days listening to a lot of chirping, jumping VDIs, 6-299 tones, threshold humming in my ears all day long and coming away sore and exhausted. I got the Golden set up to reject iron and foil, low tones on Nickles and PTs and high tone on coins and silver. I swear I have cut down my time pulling good targets instead of standing there figuring out that the machine is trying to say. I have dug coins right next to nails and foil my other machines would null out.

There will come a time when you WILL miss the VDI and Tone ID info. Personally, I like to have BOTH types of performance in my arsenal .... a gutsy, simple, "Beep-[size=large]DIG![/size]" type unit and a more featured, versatile unit.

For years I maintained a good Tesoro notch discriminator in my arsenal and enjoyed it a lot, but that was also when I was hunting more places that had the older, ring-pull type tabs that read between the 5

 

[slingshot]

Monte, I always look for your posts 'cause I know it's gonna be a good read-thanks. It would be so simple to just add a tone split ID-I love that feature on my Royal. It's fast and gives a general and fairly accurate target info and isn't bothered as much by the target masking on the notch systems. Even a Compadre with such would be a welcome sight to me!

 

[tvr]

I keep a file where I save many of Monte's thoughts and re-read it frequently.

I was out of town last weekend through Tuesday and just missed bidding on an Eldorado

 

[Monte]

n/t

 

[tink]

Thanks for all the responses.

Monte, it is always fun trying a new machines. I just haven't tried the Tesoro line before and am amazed at how well this old Golden Plus is for being 15+ years old. Seems to lock on very solid and tone in the right ranges. Getting to the point I can almost tell whats a nickle and a PT. Also seems to like those dimes pretty well, even at 5". Like I told you before, after about 5" it really starts to get weak on the tone.

Might very well be nothing more then it not having manual GB. I know when the coils is lifting or a lay the machine down I start getting the whining like on the X30. Actually thinking about installing a GB knob as I doubt I will ever get rid of this machine. Might make huge difference and give me that extra 2" I am looking for.

On the other hand, maybe its time to just try out the old XL Pro and keep the golden for what is is, a good park coin/jewelry machine.

 

[tink]

A clean, as new speciment is always on my wish list.

Monte, this Golden has got me thinking that also. Maybe since I like trying out new machines I should be looking towards some of the older more tried machines. Been looking for a really clean XL Pro to trade the XLT E series on for some time now. Maybe it time to just post it and try one of your favorites out.

 

[Monte]

To name a few, from White's I like the XLT, MXT, M6, XL Pro, Classic III SL & ID & IDX Pro (with Mr.s Bill's mods), and from Tesoro I like the Vaquero, Eldorado (original &

 

[Monte]

So, it's more than 15 years old.

Adding a GB control won't likely get you another 2". Maybe a half inch or a touch better, if it is way out of whack, but not two inches.

Those older Tesoro's were not known for their depth, but they were known for rugged reliability, and a good 'bark' on targets within typical ranges.

Happy Hunting and enjoy a good Tesoro.

Monte

 

[David]

Monte wrote, "My personal favorites from Tesoro include the Bandido (original), Bandido II

 

[tvr]

Yes the XL Pro from Monte looked absolutely new upon arrival! I am learning to dig more foil and trash with it looking for it's first gold in my hands. It kicks butt on dimes!!! It's beep modulation is different than the Tesoro's but it does definitely talk. I have more time on the Tejon and so far it still pops a dis-proportionately high ratio of nickles for me in the areas I've been hunting. Different tools, different strengths ... or could be my hunting style.
Cheers,
tvr

 

[David]

I also did hear that the Whites XL Pro is one of the very fastest units for rapid speed hunting--the fastest swinging, I was told by from Randy(Digger). The Musketeer Advantage is also the same.

 

[Monte]

[/b] I also thought the (original) Lobo(with Manual GB in both Discrimination and All-Metal) was one of your favorite Tesoros which has the best of all the features you liked??

I know Monte does not use a Tiger Shark so he may not know, BUT if anyone else knows if the Tiger Shark has the the (original) Bandido circuitry inside it or not?? (If so it would be a favorite to get and a unit that operated very good at rejecting iron [both, plain unoxidized and rusted iron] while at the same time finding small gold, as I have heard.)

http://www.tesoro.com/product/detectors/tigershark/
"In Normal Mode, the Tiger Shark works like any other Tesoro detector. It uses the same great ground balance and discrimination features that made the Bandido series so successful. On land, the Tiger Shark can be used for coin and relic hunting and even gold prospecting."

Yes, I liked the original Lobo and the reason I didn't include it in my favorites list is due to the weight and balance. Like the Pantera, the larger control housings and battery weight can be felt compared with the Bandido or the

 

[Hombre]

Hello Monte

I allways enjoy your views on differenr detectors, but the control placement issue's you have with the Tiger Shark are a non issue with me. I have had the Tiger Shark now for 9 yrs. and no problems with it period, it just works good for me. Basically just set it up the first time, and forget about it. I have not messed with my settings since I have bought it, I just use the GB contol on the outside of the unit and set the Disc. control for the conditions of the hunt area. It is a perfect detector for fresh water JMO ................Hombre

 

[Monte]

The audio. The audio frequency was too low for me. Just not that pleasant or as easy to hear some differences, but then I have hearing loss. The Tiger Sharks audio frequency is lower, similar to the Vaquero or Cibola that don't have the High Tone fix.

I'm sure it's a good-performing detector as it is a Tesoro. Other than their two terrible (my opinion) TID models I think Tesoro's are generally good units. I'm not a water hunter so I didn't need a Tiger Shark. I wish they would make it with a variable Tone control like the Tej

 

[Hombre]

Hi Monte

The audio on the TS is different than any Tesro model I have (got ten now), I collect older models! The piezo electric headphones produce a high pitched 'duck quack' type of signal for surface to mid depth targets. Once a person gets used to the sounds that the TS produces on good targets, it gets your attention. The slow sweep Motion Disc. mode is so good that I use it to pinpoint with, and that is helpful when you are neck deep in water. The slow and fast allmetal modes are just useless for pinpointing, so I just pinpoint in Motion Disc. mode. I use the Fast allmetal mode to ground balance the Tiger Shark. As far I can determine it is an ED 180 disc. circuit, because you have to run the disc at about 2 to 3 on the disc knob to knock out nails with a clicking sound. I wonder if the rumors about new Tiger Shark production is true? If so I hope they can find a vendor for the waterproof coil connector to the control box. It is just too good of a machine to halt production on.......Hombre

 

[Mike Hillis]

A Golden and F5 make a great combo.

HH

Mike