The other tread where you posted what I copied below was getting pretty busy, so I felt I would make it a fresh new post/thread. Of course you asked for my opinions, and that means some folks might have thoughts of their own that are different from mine, so you can expect to read the opinions of others who are compelled to post as well.
I am in the latter category, and I am sure the Impact will be an added tool to travel with me to take advantage of the added features and abilities it will provide for versatility, however it will have my FORS CoRe, Relics and Racer 2 as travelling companions on the back seat of my pick-up. For many people, the FORS CoRe is ample detector. Others might use a detector more often and want some additional features, and are willing to spend the time to learn and master a 'more equipped' model.
On the other hand, even those who might own and use one of the other models, such as a Racer 2, have preferred to also own a CoRe. They might have had the CoRe first, or they had/have a Racer 2 but added a CoRe to their arsenal, simply because all the features and performance they want or need is there.
I know someone quite personally who became a millionaire just a year ago who upgraded his personal detector from a White's to the Nokta FORS CoRe just this past spring. He's smart enough to figure things out such as what features a detector has and what his current hunting interests are, but still is very budget conscious. Considering the amount of time he will get out detecting, and knowing what I think of my own CoRe and how much I praise it, that was the model he bought. He can afford a Relic, and regardless of what Nokta prices the Impact at, he can afford it as well, but he won't buy one.
He knows how often he gets out detecting, is learning more about hunting those sites with the CoRe, and has all that he needs to get the results afield that he wants and needs. If anything, should he add one more detector to his arsenal, it would most likely be a Makro Racer 2 to complement the CoRe, but that decision is down the road a ways because he has a detector now that can hunt challenging sites well, balances very well with the 7X11 DD coil for hunting more open areas, but keeps the small 'OOR' coil mounted because most hunting is in very littered sites.
Second, we know you stated you are on a limited budget and that might limit the models you'll consider.
Third, we need to know the types of sites you'll hunt, the amount of trash you typically encounter, and what features you feel you want or need a detector to offer.
Again, I am not sure what features you like to have, but for me and the majority of places I like to hunt where nails and other discarded iron trash is a major challenge, both the Relic and Racer 2 feature the Iron Audio Volume control. I like to hear the presence of iron so I can best deal with it and hunt around it, thus I like to be able to reduce the Iron Volume loudness and keep it softer and easy on my ears.
The FORS Relic and Racer 2 also offer Tone Break adjustment, but they function slightly different than each other. Also, these two models also have a reduced Iron ID range in the Target ID while I like because that enhances the spread of the non-ferrous Target ID display range to help classify many desired targets from some types of non-ferrous trash. The Racer 2 also features a Notch Discriminate adjustment. This is a feature that might appeal mostly to some average urban Coin Hunters who want to be selective and not hear a lot of trash. While I have used it a few times in doing some detector evaluations and side-by-side model comparisons, it is not a function I make use of on a regular basis.
The FORS CoRe lacks Tone Break and Iron Audio Volume, and for those reasons some people look at the Relic and Racer 2 simply because they have those functions, but I also know people who acquire either of these detectors, but they do not like to hear iron, loud or soft, and they run the Discrimination up to reject iron. If you're going to reject all iron, then having these featured settings is almost pointless and the FORS CoRe is then on just about a level playing field.
Since around 1971 I have made it a point to own and keep on-hand two or more detectors, and it's not uncommon for me to have 3 to 7 that I take along with me and keep in my vehicle all the time during favorable detecting weather. It is also not unusual for me to own more than one of the same model, simply because I hunt often and use them a lot, so I have them ready with different size or type search coils, ready to grab-and-go when I get to any site. In my 'regular carry' detector battery are all of my Primary-Use detectors listed in my Signature below.
I could have added the letter 's' at the end of the word Relic as it better describes my current regular-carry detector battery. I can only help you select a detector by explaining what I use and prefer, and why. To do so, let me break down the order of detectors and coils that I select to use in my order or preference of most-used to least-used. Here is my most-used to least-used order as I select them, and remember I hunt very dense iron debris sites the most where all sorts of trash abounds in very close positioning:
Relic w/5½" DD coil
CoRe w/'OOR' DD coil
Racer 2 w/'OOR' or 5½" DD coil
Relic w/5½X10 Concentric coil
Relic or CoRe w/5½X10 DD coil
Racer 2 w/5½X10 DD coil
And on outer fringe areas with very few trash targets, Relic or CoRe w/their 7X11 DD coil
If I am mainly Coin & Jewelry Hunting at parks, schools, private yards, picnic areas and such in urban towns to larger cities where I am dealing with a lot of non-ferrous trash, then this is the order I usually employ my detectors:
Racer 2 w/'OOR' or 5½" DD coil
Relic w/5½" DD coil
CoRe w/'OOR' DD coil
Relic w/5½X10 Concentric coil
Racer 2 w/5½X10 DD coil
For hunting very open areas that have a limited amount of junk and it is usually well-spaced apart, such as a plowed field, open desert, ranchland or farmland or a larger, open grassy park to open woodsy areas, then I make ues of the larger 'standard' size search coils in the following order of selection:
CoRe w/7X11 DD
Relic w/7X11 DD
If I am hunting those types of areas, and I am looking for an assortment of desired targets that might run from a lower-conductivity to high-conductive silver targets, such as coins, medals, buttons, uniform insignia, clothing fasteners and other such objects, or bullets, cartridges or cartridge cases, jewelry, tableware, and all sorts of artifacts, my detector/coil selection is as follows:
CoRe w/7X11 DD
Relic w/7X11 DD
You say that you will "always use the 7X11 DD dish" which I take to refer to the standard 7X11 DD search coil [size=small](sometimes called a 'loop' or 'disk' by a few manufacturers)[/size]. These models all work very well with their standard size search coil, and the 7X11 on each of these models does a splendid job of isolating a good target in trash when compared with competitive models using their own similar-size search coil. However, I would never limit myself to owning only one search coil for a detector that is supposed to provide any level of versatility. I feel a smaller-size search coil is a 'must-have' in order to be able to handle trashier conditions very well and not lose a lot of desired items due to target-masking.
Monte
First, until the Impact is released to consumers and they have time get work it afield and learn and master it, then it will be difficult to know whether the Impact if 'better' for you than the FORS CoRe. The CoRe is a very well proven performance detector that has gained the respect of many 'average' Hobbyists who are typically Coin Hunters, as well as more active enthusiasts to the more Avid Detectorists.David_lvdc said:
I am in the latter category, and I am sure the Impact will be an added tool to travel with me to take advantage of the added features and abilities it will provide for versatility, however it will have my FORS CoRe, Relics and Racer 2 as travelling companions on the back seat of my pick-up. For many people, the FORS CoRe is ample detector. Others might use a detector more often and want some additional features, and are willing to spend the time to learn and master a 'more equipped' model.
On the other hand, even those who might own and use one of the other models, such as a Racer 2, have preferred to also own a CoRe. They might have had the CoRe first, or they had/have a Racer 2 but added a CoRe to their arsenal, simply because all the features and performance they want or need is there.
I know someone quite personally who became a millionaire just a year ago who upgraded his personal detector from a White's to the Nokta FORS CoRe just this past spring. He's smart enough to figure things out such as what features a detector has and what his current hunting interests are, but still is very budget conscious. Considering the amount of time he will get out detecting, and knowing what I think of my own CoRe and how much I praise it, that was the model he bought. He can afford a Relic, and regardless of what Nokta prices the Impact at, he can afford it as well, but he won't buy one.
He knows how often he gets out detecting, is learning more about hunting those sites with the CoRe, and has all that he needs to get the results afield that he wants and needs. If anything, should he add one more detector to his arsenal, it would most likely be a Makro Racer 2 to complement the CoRe, but that decision is down the road a ways because he has a detector now that can hunt challenging sites well, balances very well with the 7X11 DD coil for hunting more open areas, but keeps the small 'OOR' coil mounted because most hunting is in very littered sites.
Second, we know you stated you are on a limited budget and that might limit the models you'll consider.
Third, we need to know the types of sites you'll hunt, the amount of trash you typically encounter, and what features you feel you want or need a detector to offer.
'Doubting?' I hope you mean you are just 'wondering' or 'questioning' some things I say that are based on my decades of detecting to better understand what I say.David_lvdc said:
It appears now that you've eliminated the Impact due to the pricing being higher than the FORS CoRe, and also shifted from the CoRe to the Relic and the Makro Racer 2. I understand the change due to the price point you are limiting yourself to, but my gut feeling says you should not drop the CoRe from the list, but instead consider all three.David_lvdc said:
Again, I am not sure what features you like to have, but for me and the majority of places I like to hunt where nails and other discarded iron trash is a major challenge, both the Relic and Racer 2 feature the Iron Audio Volume control. I like to hear the presence of iron so I can best deal with it and hunt around it, thus I like to be able to reduce the Iron Volume loudness and keep it softer and easy on my ears.
The FORS Relic and Racer 2 also offer Tone Break adjustment, but they function slightly different than each other. Also, these two models also have a reduced Iron ID range in the Target ID while I like because that enhances the spread of the non-ferrous Target ID display range to help classify many desired targets from some types of non-ferrous trash. The Racer 2 also features a Notch Discriminate adjustment. This is a feature that might appeal mostly to some average urban Coin Hunters who want to be selective and not hear a lot of trash. While I have used it a few times in doing some detector evaluations and side-by-side model comparisons, it is not a function I make use of on a regular basis.
The FORS CoRe lacks Tone Break and Iron Audio Volume, and for those reasons some people look at the Relic and Racer 2 simply because they have those functions, but I also know people who acquire either of these detectors, but they do not like to hear iron, loud or soft, and they run the Discrimination up to reject iron. If you're going to reject all iron, then having these featured settings is almost pointless and the FORS CoRe is then on just about a level playing field.
Since around 1971 I have made it a point to own and keep on-hand two or more detectors, and it's not uncommon for me to have 3 to 7 that I take along with me and keep in my vehicle all the time during favorable detecting weather. It is also not unusual for me to own more than one of the same model, simply because I hunt often and use them a lot, so I have them ready with different size or type search coils, ready to grab-and-go when I get to any site. In my 'regular carry' detector battery are all of my Primary-Use detectors listed in my Signature below.
I could have added the letter 's' at the end of the word Relic as it better describes my current regular-carry detector battery. I can only help you select a detector by explaining what I use and prefer, and why. To do so, let me break down the order of detectors and coils that I select to use in my order or preference of most-used to least-used. Here is my most-used to least-used order as I select them, and remember I hunt very dense iron debris sites the most where all sorts of trash abounds in very close positioning:
Relic w/5½" DD coil
CoRe w/'OOR' DD coil
Racer 2 w/'OOR' or 5½" DD coil
Relic w/5½X10 Concentric coil
Relic or CoRe w/5½X10 DD coil
Racer 2 w/5½X10 DD coil
And on outer fringe areas with very few trash targets, Relic or CoRe w/their 7X11 DD coil
If I am mainly Coin & Jewelry Hunting at parks, schools, private yards, picnic areas and such in urban towns to larger cities where I am dealing with a lot of non-ferrous trash, then this is the order I usually employ my detectors:
Racer 2 w/'OOR' or 5½" DD coil
Relic w/5½" DD coil
CoRe w/'OOR' DD coil
Relic w/5½X10 Concentric coil
Racer 2 w/5½X10 DD coil
For hunting very open areas that have a limited amount of junk and it is usually well-spaced apart, such as a plowed field, open desert, ranchland or farmland or a larger, open grassy park to open woodsy areas, then I make ues of the larger 'standard' size search coils in the following order of selection:
CoRe w/7X11 DD
Relic w/7X11 DD
Not knowing where you are located or the nature of the places you'll be hunting, I can only imagine that by saying "field" you are referring to hunting wide-open plowed fields and other open areas. This would be similar to hunting a very open "beach" area, be it a freshwater or saltwater beach.David_lvdc said:
If I am hunting those types of areas, and I am looking for an assortment of desired targets that might run from a lower-conductivity to high-conductive silver targets, such as coins, medals, buttons, uniform insignia, clothing fasteners and other such objects, or bullets, cartridges or cartridge cases, jewelry, tableware, and all sorts of artifacts, my detector/coil selection is as follows:
CoRe w/7X11 DD
Relic w/7X11 DD
All three of the detectors mentioned can provide very reliable Target ID based upon the target's size, shape and orientation in the ground. They can all do a very good job of separating trash from "important things" ... but in dense trash these detectors will be at-their-best if you are searching with a smaller-size search coil and using a lower Discriminate setting to best help you unmask desired targets that are very close to trash.David_lvdc said:
You say that you will "always use the 7X11 DD dish" which I take to refer to the standard 7X11 DD search coil [size=small](sometimes called a 'loop' or 'disk' by a few manufacturers)[/size]. These models all work very well with their standard size search coil, and the 7X11 on each of these models does a splendid job of isolating a good target in trash when compared with competitive models using their own similar-size search coil. However, I would never limit myself to owning only one search coil for a detector that is supposed to provide any level of versatility. I feel a smaller-size search coil is a 'must-have' in order to be able to handle trashier conditions very well and not lose a lot of desired items due to target-masking.
That's some of he best help I can give you, but I will add one more thing in closing. The Racer 2 is my main-use urban Coin Hunting detector, most often employed with the smaller-size search coils and in modest trash or generally open areas the 5½X10 DD coil. I have hunted with the Racer 2 and stock 7X11 DD coil, but I found that the durations were shorter in time, and not on sloped terrain because I find the Racer 2 to not balance nearly as well with that size search coil, leaving it more nose-heavy and fatiguing. The Nokta FORS series design has a much better balance with the standard search coil, by far. That's why I prefer to use either the CoRe or Relic when hunting with the larger-size 7X11 DD coil.David_lvdc said:
Monte
