:shrug:Help me decide whether to snatch this deal up...

[Pyledriver]

I've found a Tejon in the price range that I can afford! It's missing it's lower shaft and coil, but it doesn't look horribly expensive to replace those parts. Anyway, that part of the equation isn't what concerns me! I'm a noob really and my only experience with detectors is with a Silver uMax and a Garrett Scorpion. In my experiments with the Scorpion I've just gotten to where I can GB the thing, but it's not exactly necessary in the areas I normally hunt (n. Texas). I use the 'auto' mode because it's easier! The silver uMax speaks for itself of course-turn on, go dig when it beeps. I've only just begun to understand the tones from it as to what is good/not. So the question.. IS THIS TEJON GONNA KICK MY ARSE? I hear that they can be quirky and are somewhat complicated for noobs! I had in mind to work up to either a Cibola that I would add GB to, or the Vaquero. Hadn't much considered going beyond that 'level' till I found this Tejon..

 

[Pyledriver]

Thought I would add:

Current detecting is parks and old farmhouses/sites-both coins and looking for caches, soon to include freshwater beaches near here.

Future detecting will include saltwater beaches and prospecting.

 

[Malox]

If it were me, I would jump on it. Thats mainly because Ive been lusting for one myself! If its a good deal you should be able to sell it without getting hurt to bad if you don't like it.(lemme know)
Just my 2 cents,
Jim

 

[tvr]

I don't think the Tejon is really scary. If it gets too chatty, put a smaller coil and it. Read the manual and set it up per the manual and play with it. Probably better choices for prospecting and salt beach hunting but hey, I took mine to the Outer Banks and turned up a nice 10k ring this past weekend with it.

What doesn't strike me as good about the deal you describe is that with no coil you can not see if the detector works at all. Unless you get a promise in writing that you can return it for refund if it turns out to be dead on arrival, I'd be a little leary.
Just me 2 cents.
tvr

 

[Pyledriver]

Kinda what I was thinking-I'm sure I could learn it but I'm trying to take my time and really understand everything and just stay simple awhile. I hadn't planned on going to hog-wild on detectors till later but then this popped up! The guy does have another Tejon that he's selling, for a pretty good deal too, it's complete and I wondered about putting the coil on the other one just to test everything out. I guess I'm just worried about getting too much machine and ending up unhappy, but reselling is always an option!

 

[fowlercharles]

I agree with tvr and think that your deal is no deal at all, and will be more trouble than it is worth. Shoot, put your money on a C or a V and get yourself a whole detector that is in working order, instead of a half a detector that needs a coil. Something tells me that it not all being together that it was not taken care of.. Coils ain't cheap and and you don't even know if it will work until you put one on it. Charlie.

 

[JHM]

My question is why does it not have a lower shaft and coil. Someone is not using it for a reason. When they are working properly the easy to operate. But if they need a tuneup they can be a pain. In that case your looking at at least a 2 week wait after you get a coil. I would want to try it out first.

 

[VaRelics]

I second JHM's statement, sounds a little fishy and you can find a Tejon in very good working condition for $350 or so.

 

[jhettel]

a good deal for a Tejon without a coil? That sounds like a bad deal to me. You don't even say how much you would have to pay for the machine, so why ask us if it a good deal? Does it work? Don't tell me it does if it doesn't have a searchcoil and lower coil. If your seller says it does work then how can he be sure without the searchcoil?

Get rid of the machines you currently have and buy a good Tejon. They are easy to use and easy to learn.

 

[Pyledriver]

The lower shaft and coil were not present when the guy opened up his luggage after a flight. This is what he tells me anyway... He told me he'd sell it to me for 250. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me assuming everything works..however, I do wonder. He told me today that we could swap the rod/coil of the other Tejon he's selling for 450 to make sure it works. Mix/match, whatever, but he's not buying another coil just to sell the unit. Just a deal I ran across-truthfully I'm not hot on it at all but wondered. More likely bet is that I'll be picking up a dreaded green machine because of the two-box option! I have a pretty good coin machine and really want to expand my cache hunting capabilities!

 

[amcjavelin]

KA KA KA you don't want those green machines, i'd take my chances first with the half tejon get a coil and if your having problems call tesoro and if you can't get the trouble straighted out over the phone, send it to them and they will make it like new and probably would cost less than you think then you know what you you would have!

 

[Pyledriver]

I hear ya, but it's either that or I have to spring for a two-box anyway.. The two I have in mind both have mucho flexibility including the two box option. Pretty tempting even though I love the compactness and lightness of Tesoros!

 

[Pyledriver]

After going camping the last couple days and having time to consider things...I think I'm gonna buy that Tejon! This of course depends on whether everything seems to work well! Having owned a sliver umax, I can't get over the Tesoro 'bug'! Guess I'll buy a dedicated two-box at a later date to enhance the cache hunting prowess!