Hi Everyone. I would like to purchase a Metal Detector for my husband and am looking for your recommendation. We are brand new to this hobby.....we live on a lake and have lost fillet knives, bracelets and earrings that we'd wished we had a MD to find them. Can you recommend a "starter" metal detector in the $300 range that would be a good beginners tool for this kind of thing? Thank you so much. I look forward to your responses!
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Recommendation for MD - new to hobby
- Thread starter Barb M
- Start date
If you find a 6000 Di pro, those are good all around general purpose machines. You can't dunk the box itself into the water, but the coil can get wet. Make sure it's the "Di pro" version, and not the earlier 6000 incarnations. The swing speed while-in-discriminate will take some learning. But once learned, that's a tried and true machine. Even though 25-ish years old, there are still guys that don't part with theirs ! 
WaterWalker
Well-known member
Garrett ACE 200, 250, 300, 350 or Whites Coinshooters (some versions) will be in your price range - new ... $200-350.
Get to and talk with a local dealer, if possible. A wealth of knowledge for your local area. The detector that might be best in my area may not be the best in your area. Headphones are a must.
The 6000DI is a great machine for 25 years ago, I had one until 3 years ago. Newer detectors have improved electronics, lighter in weight and smaller in volume. I sold mine for $100.
All these units are OK in fresh water to knee deep water. The control boxes are NOT waterproof and must not be submerged.
Keep in mind after the purchase of the detector a digging tool, perhaps a trowel you already have, a scoop, treasure pouch, books etc can also add to the total.
Both the Garrett and Whites web sites have on-line catalogs you can browse through.
I am sure no matter which detector your husband ends up with he will enjoy finding your lost items as starters and then going on to other treasures, but none will outshine the one he has - you.
Get to and talk with a local dealer, if possible. A wealth of knowledge for your local area. The detector that might be best in my area may not be the best in your area. Headphones are a must.
The 6000DI is a great machine for 25 years ago, I had one until 3 years ago. Newer detectors have improved electronics, lighter in weight and smaller in volume. I sold mine for $100.
All these units are OK in fresh water to knee deep water. The control boxes are NOT waterproof and must not be submerged.
Keep in mind after the purchase of the detector a digging tool, perhaps a trowel you already have, a scoop, treasure pouch, books etc can also add to the total.
Both the Garrett and Whites web sites have on-line catalogs you can browse through.
I am sure no matter which detector your husband ends up with he will enjoy finding your lost items as starters and then going on to other treasures, but none will outshine the one he has - you.
6000 Di Pro has so many knobs and switches I don't feel it's a good detector for a first. Sounds like you're interested in a waterproof detector. The Tesoro Tiger Shark is waterproof to 200 feet so no worry about getting it wet. A good used Tiger Shark can be found for about $400.
Doc Holliday
Active member
LOL @ waterproof machines...unless you have a scuba setup and can stay down there for a long time, what are you going to do? Hold your breath, dive down and try to blindly dig at 10' underwater? Come on...
Doc Holliday
Active member
dan b said:
I didn't mention anything about an ATPRO.
I'm new to metal detecting and my first machine was the Garrett ace 350. I am very happy with my machine but I'm ready for an upgrade. I am a beach Hunter but unfortunately the ace 350 doesn't have much depth especially on the wet if anyone has any advice on what my upgrade should be. I found three machines that might be what I'm looking for the Garrett AT Pro the Omega 8000 or the t2. Unless anyone has a better option for me like I said I'm a beach hunter and I'm looking for. more depth on the wet sand as well as the dry, thank you in advance
joe dirt_1
Active member
For someone new to the hobby, something simple and easy to learn like a Tesoro Compadre with an 8 inch coil or a Tesoro Silver µmax......both fun detectors to hunt with.
See if they even like the hobby first. Then after they have gotten experienced detecting maybe step up to a detector with more features. Whatever you choose enjoy this great hobby !
Roger
See if they even like the hobby first. Then after they have gotten experienced detecting maybe step up to a detector with more features. Whatever you choose enjoy this great hobby !
Roger
I would grab this http://www.backwoodsmetaldetectors.com/product/fisher-cz-5-tuned-by-tom-dankowski/ it works on wet salt sand at pro doesn't seriously want this detector myself and no idea how its still there , but I just cant justify it as I have wet salt detectors already.
single frequency metal detectors don't work on wet salt sand doesn't matter what hocus-pocus you see on youtube its a lie...
sorry but cant feed the new guy crap..
good luck !!
AJ
single frequency metal detectors don't work on wet salt sand doesn't matter what hocus-pocus you see on youtube its a lie...
sorry but cant feed the new guy crap..
good luck !!
AJ