Should I switch?

[Kapok]

I know a lot of you guys have more than one brand of detector and I read and respect a lot of the opinions I read here.

I'll admit that I’m not an expert at all, but I love the hobby a lot. I’ve been doing this off and on since 1978 and have had a Compass, White's, D-Tex (remember them?), and Garrett. I've been a loyal Tesoro user over the past 10 years and have had an Outlaw for about 2 and before that a Vaq, Bandido, Silver Sabre, etc. However, I’ve never tried a TID unit and am wondering if I'm just being blindly loyal to a brand that time forgot. With the advent of new technologies, is it time to try something else? I have 3 kids in college, so my budget won’t allow for more than one detector unfortunately...

I guess what I’m asking is if, like me, you could have only one detector, is Tesoro the one you'd hang on to?

Thanks, guys.

 

[kaolinwasher]

if I could have only one ,I think i would side with the blisstool V 5 .but if all i could hunt was sports fields all i would have is the silver micromax with the 8x11DD and the clean sweep. i have to say i would like to try the new whites treasure pro looks like a good machine for the bucks

 

[oneguy]

it really depends on how "into" the hobbie you are and more important is what kind of hunting you do and also "where" you like to hunt? If shallow clad stabbing and the occasional jewelry find does it for you then it's hard to beat the Tesoro.... If you like to chase the older coins on PUBLIC ground where most the older stuff that still remains is deeper then you'll probably want a machine that gives you good information on deeper targets? It gets real old digging 7-8" holes all day long unless you can increase your odds with some extra info and not waste the effort digging crap down deeper. If you like the relics and need depth and pretty much dig everything then that Tejon should work good for you. If you chase older coins on PRIVATE property that has had no fill work done then depth isn't near as important as on PUBLIC ground so you may not need the extra expense of a machine that gives more info (more $$$) because it' isn't too hard to dig shallower targets one after the other????? After 22yrs using Tesoro I made a switch and never looked back....... the switch fits my style of hunting in the present where the Tesoro served me VERY well in the past.. jmo

I'd like to think that me and my old Tesoro helped make the older targets remaining in some local public parks a little deeper and harder to find......lol

 

[Kapok]

it really depends on how "into" the hobbie you are and more important is what kind of hunting you do and also "where" you like to hunt?

Thanks, oneguy. 177 views of my post and only 2 replies--maybe it was a dumb question or too controversial for the forum or something. I didn't mean it to be.

To your question--I do a wide range of detecting, but always focused on finding old things--coins and relics at old parks and gathering areas, homesites (both inhabited and abandoned), even the woods around old cellar holes. So I need something as flexible as possible. Depth is important. But so is target separation in trashy areas and solid discrimination when I hunt old public areas. I live on the shores of Lake Michigan where the soil is fairly neutral; I don't hunt the beaches since there's really nothing old there. I know one detector can't do it all, especially in my budget range. But I need to do make the wisest detector choice as possible.

 

[ToneTime]

I see you have tried some different detectors and tend to do a lot of the same style hunting as I do. As far as brand loyalty, I don't think that is the question to ask. TID some like it some don't, there can be useful information that comes from it but it also can trick you. I went this route and bought a couple TID's for a while thinking I was missing out. I spent some time in the field and try to process what is going on with the signals. Then the way my mind works I have to try and figure out signals and sounds by testing at home as well. I am really amazed by what I find. For instance place an old horseshoe on the ground with a coin next to it and watch how it will pull the coin signal off center. Place some coins together or add in a shotgun she'll close by and see what happens. These are things you have to figure out on your own. As for me in the end I am happy without the TID. I like doing the processing by sound and concentrate on it to learn it well. I think it is an art of its own, kinda like traditional archery and instinctive shooting with a shotgun, you become one with the simplicity of the equipment. This is enjoyable for me but it's not for everyone. There are some TID units that have great sound quality but be careful and research this well if you go that route so you do not lose this quality. For me I like the Tesoro for they are light, have good sound qualities and fast recovery time, there are others that are good as well but I can't complain.

 

[digginLa]

Started way back in the 70's with a Garret that my mother bought. Really hated digging all those small pieces of foil and other trash. First detector I bought for myself was the DeLeon. I really liked the tid on it but it got to the point I wanted more options, so it got traded for an Omega 8000. I really liked having the tones and ability to notch on it but just couldn't get past the EMI issues it had, plus I'm not a fan of the stock elliptical coil, so bought the X terra 705. Love the 705 and when i feel like it I can change the stock programs if I want them to perform a bit differently. Just got the CTX so at this point I've only got a couple hours of hunting in with it and it seems to be a keeper also. I have the Cibola also but for now its only use is in tot lots around the playground equipment with the 5.75 coil. Now that I have the CTX and a 6' coil for it I don't see the Cibola getting much more use and will probably end up selling/trading it and the Omega.

I'd suggest at least looking at a machine that has multiple tones even if it doesn't have a screen since you can find a good target thats right next to a piece of trash by the sound of the machine. I prefer to have both but everyone has a different style and desire of metal detecting. If you can find someone or a dealer thats close to you and try some different detectors out so you'll have a better idea of what you might like or dislike.

Jimmie

 

[MI-AuAg]

Hello Kapok,
One thing I decided early on in choosing metal detecting equipment, DON'T get caught up in ONE brand! Research them all.

I currently have three detectors, ALL different brands. All were purchased with a specific budget/purpose in mind, not a brand. All were heavily researched, that's the key.

If you use only one brand (any brand), you tend not to see, or seek knowledge of what other brands/models can offer.

In my opinion, VLF technology has pretty much hit it's limit in terms of depth, years ago. The advances have come in terms of discrimination abilities, recovery speed, better audio/visual target ID, better ground balancing and EMI reduction, and comfort of use.

Knowing your personal detecting preferences, and using those preferences in making a choice is the way to go! Maybe you'll decide that what you have fits your needs. In doing thorough research of what's out there, maybe you will go a different direction. You will never know until you see what's out there. Don't ask anyone else "should I switch", that's like asking someone to pick your detector for you (based on THEIR preferences). Make your choice based on your needs.

 

[REVIER]

Why totally switch?
I have an F70 that is my prime unit but I also have a Compadre and a Vaquero that I still take out occasionally.
I made my bones starting out with a Vaq early on, hundreds of hours on that and the Compadre plus even more hours using an F2 for 3 years and now an F70 for almost two years and I couldn't dream of staying with just one type...too boring.
This hobby is all about fun for me and learning and using the Fishers and the Tesoros are both a joy and major fun although in different ways and being able to switch back and forth on a whim is a huge part if that joy.
A bonus is learning one type helps me get even better at using the other and that moves both ways.
Just yesterday I bought a new battery, threw it in my Vaq and for the first time in months took it out to one of my well scoured local sites and the enjoyment I had just picking up clad coins I missed before is hard to explain.
Finding great treasure is not a major issue with me, that fun thing is, but they all have found me more and better treasure than I could ever have have hoped or dreamed when I started.
Coins, relics, silver and gold.

Pick just one type and go with it?
Not for me, and even though I use the TID unit more not having that option to pull out a Tesoro for me at any time I feel like it would be unthinkable.

Go to the new type and learn it because that is so much fun, but keep at least one of the familiar old types on standby at all times.

 

[Kapok]

Pick just one type and go with it?
Not for me, and even though I use the TID unit more not having that option to pull out a Tesoro for me at any time I feel like it would be unthinkable.

Go to the new type and learn it because that is so much fun, but keep at least one of the familiar old types on standby at all times.

Would love to do that, REVIER! If I had my druthers I'd have a closet full of detectors. Maybe in a few years after I get my kids through college and become an empty nester I can find the $$ to pick up more than one.

 

[Mega]

No one brand or detector/coil combination can do it all,would i choose just one brand or model,No i certainly would not,would i choose just a Tesoro if i could only have one machine the answer is definatly not,nothing against the brand as i do own 3 machines made by Tesor,do i still use them once again the answer is No not really.

I do own and use 12 detector but mainly just 4 and non of these are Tesoro i am afraid,the 4 that i use cover most of my detecting needs which are mainly deep pasture and ploughed and rolled farmland,its the deeper older targets that i am mainly after and the current 4 are the Deus,T2,DFX and a Fisher TW-5 and on occasions 2 Pulse machines,why would i limit myself to just one machine ??? of course the machines and coil setups that i use are a personal choice for me only,what other folks use is once again personal choice for that person.Some of my machines are years old and i am not a person who goes chasing rainbows for the latest must have detector/s,i use what works best for me and not what the detector makers brainwash us into using.

These are of course my personal opinions and not aimed at any specific brand or person.

 

[slingshot]

If you just have one and finances prohibit, you have all you need-just have to set a tolerance point-like discing out foil and below and digging. If you have any from the past like I do-here's how I handle the money thing-being on a fixed income. I use a simple Tracker IV with it's tone ID to fly over likely new areas and cherrypick the good targets without having to stop and check a meter and fool with the slaw/trash/tiny stuff. (It's preset at iron bottlecap reject). It's only a $100 and finds stuff like crazy the first 4" with ease. My Ace 250 is reserved for pulltab city and I have special settings for finding gold in these impossible places. Elsewise, I try to use my simple Compadre most of the time-it's like finding a new place to hunt when I go over areas I've already hunted-hard to explain. I do as Revier does- listen for the solid signals. And I always remind myself:
Pulltab=14k ring
Foil=10k ring
Screwcap=class ring

 

[Kapok]

-- moved topic --

 

[oneguy]

I'd suggest at least looking at a machine that has multiple tones even if it doesn't have a screen since you can find a good target thats right next to a piece of trash by the sound of the machine.

Jimmie

You've asked yourself the question about switching so I assume your gut is telling you that there may be more than a single tone way to go about it. You've been at it a lot longer than I have and if you are anything like me then you're getting tired of digging....lol It's all about information and tilting the odds in your favor because time is valuable? It all starts with tones in the first place, that tone is what stops you in your tracks to investigate so why not have a machine that gives a lot more tones (info) than just subtle differences in a mono tone? Imo the advice Jimmie gave may be your answer......? Unfortunately good accurate info at depth (key word...at depth) usually costs more $$$. Try/buy used....????

good luck whatever route you decide on........

 

[Fish N Chips]

I just picked a Teknetics T2 'Classic' to compliment my Tesoros. I say compliment as it is not made to replace anything I have, but to all a slightly different tool to the arsenal. I now have a Tesoro Silver Umax, Tesoro Eldorado Umax and the T2. I wanted to try the TID out and especially have different tones to hunt iron debris, and pick targets from the trash. What I am finding is I use the T2 just like my Tesoros! Discriminate out the iron, and dig everything else that sounds good and is repeatable. Where the TID will be nice is if I want a selective hunt (short hunt time), searching for specific items (coins, rings), and when I need to keep my digging to a minimum at manicured sites. The T2 is deeper, but most my sites are so full of trash I find this is not as big of an advantage as I first thought. I use the TID just like my Tesoro discrimination knob, to play around and try and guess targets before digging. I use the pin point or all metal a lot for this to trace small items, as that seems to give me the best idea of what an object could be. The TID is faster at giving me the conductivity as I have a number in front of me, but I still hunt by tones first and foremost. This may be an advantage of starting with Tesoros, you have to learn the tones as that is all you have.

I love all my detectors, it is fun to try new things and different styles to continue learning and improving my own performance. Are you missing something not having TID? No, most detectors are very good quality with very good performance. The finds I made with the Tesoros would have been made with the T2, and vice versa. If I get a spot where I can pull some real deep silver coins my opinion may change somewhat, but my Tesoros are here to stay, and I am really liking my TID detector too. It is nice to have options to play around with, and try new things. Do not feel like you are missing anything, but if you want to try something different there are a lot of good options out there. They all find metal!

 

[Kapok]

Thanks for the input, 'Chips!

 

[jackintexas]

Been detecting 39 years. Been through about forty detectors. Have several now. If I could only have one detector, It would be the Garrett AT Pro. A very good an all around detector. Good for coin hunting. Good for relic hunting and if you want to water hunt, it is submersible...Jack

 

[Hightone]

I can't afford to be in the multi-detector club. If I can't enjoy the hobby with what I have, I'll get another hobby.

But in 12 years I have tried/owned a couple of Garretts, a Whites, 3 Tesoro's and 2 Fishers. And I enjoy what I have over all of them.

I agree with Mi-AuAg's statement as well:

In my opinion, VLF technology has pretty much hit it's limit in terms of depth, years ago. The advances have come in terms of discrimination abilities, recovery speed, better audio/visual target ID, better ground balancing and EMI reduction, and comfort of use.

Mine do all those just fine.

 

[REVIER]

If one is all you ever want to swing at a time then good for you.
I guess I am just different.
An F2 cost me $200, a used Compadre cost me $130.
Between the two of them they found me over $3000 in clad, silver and gold.
That pretty much paid for themselves and all other detectors and all accessories I own more than twice over.
Owning multiple detectors can be done easily without breaking the bank if you realize the high end units aren't the only kind out there that work.
Add in my F70 and I have $730 in them total for 3 great detectors, $1200 if you throw in the Vaquero, too.
People spend that or way more for just one detector sometimes.
I am not planning on leaving the hobby anytime soon.

 

[Sven]

Life is short, you owe it to yourself to try a Target ID machine. Keep your Tesoro as your faithful beep and dig and get a simple target ID machine with at least two tones.
You don't have to spend big bucks either. Then on days you don't have the urge to dig all, you can cherry pick digging only ID numbers you want and still investigate those
lower numbers at will.

Lots of guys do well with a Fisher F4 or a Bounty Hunter 3030, basically the same machine.
I settled on a GoldBug Pro with the 5 and 5x10" coil, may not be the deepest but, its fun to use and gets the job done.
You can usually get some good deals on used machines..........

 

[Kapok]

Thanks for all the input, folks. I will mull it over.