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Top of the Line, a Decade at a Time?
- Thread starter go-rebels
- Start date
NEBeachcomber
Member
My opinion on the "top of the line" detectors for the given time periods are:
1960 - Fisher / Garrett ???
1970 - Whites Coinmaster & TR series
1980 - Fisher 1266 & CZ6/5
1990 - (toss up between) Fisher CZ & Minelab Sovereign
(with Fisher CZ6a being my preference)
2000 - I'm old school and I still believe the Fisher CZ and Minelab Sovereign rule
(with Minelab Sovereign XS2a/GT being my preference today.)
1960 - Fisher / Garrett ???
1970 - Whites Coinmaster & TR series
1980 - Fisher 1266 & CZ6/5
1990 - (toss up between) Fisher CZ & Minelab Sovereign
(with Fisher CZ6a being my preference)
2000 - I'm old school and I still believe the Fisher CZ and Minelab Sovereign rule
(with Minelab Sovereign XS2a/GT being my preference today.)
Don't forget Neil a leading U.S. detector said last year that if Nautilus were any good he would have heard of them....he also said anyone who had found a coin with an older detector at 10 inches must be the only one in the country.
Anyway top of the line, if that means price, doesn't come into it as in many cases the model just down from the top performed better. As today, you pay for toys that don't really work. Coin depth on the "average" coin whatever that is, probability meters which are really possibility meters. Nautilus is one of the exceptions where paying a little more did in fact give extra performance which is why they continue to win.
Anyway top of the line, if that means price, doesn't come into it as in many cases the model just down from the top performed better. As today, you pay for toys that don't really work. Coin depth on the "average" coin whatever that is, probability meters which are really possibility meters. Nautilus is one of the exceptions where paying a little more did in fact give extra performance which is why they continue to win.
I'm really curious about that 1960 time frame as I can't seem to find anyone that knows about what was commercially available back then, other than hand-me-down mine detectors from the Korean War.
I ran a Minelab Sovereign in the early '90's and really liked that unit. It's somewhat surprising that twenty years later many of us decide to dig/not dig based on the sound of the target alone... the only output from a stock Sovereign!
I ran a Minelab Sovereign in the early '90's and really liked that unit. It's somewhat surprising that twenty years later many of us decide to dig/not dig based on the sound of the target alone... the only output from a stock Sovereign!
go-rebel, it's harder to give specific brands/makes for the decade of the 1960s (especially the earlier part of that decade), because there were so many short-lived brands out there. Unlike nowadays, where's there's really only about 6 or 7 manufacturers, back in the early days of detectors, there were multitudes of them. Most very short-lived. Only a few survived to the current day (Whites and Fisher. Garrett didn't arrive till the mid 1960s).
Whites didn't make metal detectors till 1959 (and then only on a very limited basis). Prior to that, they had been making geigor-counters for uranium, not metal detectors. By the early to mid 1960s, they had some coin-hunter machines that might have gotten a few inches deep on coins. And to the extent that Fisher was around in the 1950s (heck, even back in the 1930s), they predominantly made 2-box units. They had the conventional type too (the T-20 for instance), by the late 1950s perhaps, but were probably doing good to get a coin to 2" deep.
But there were other short-lived brands that actually out-performed Whites and Fishers of this era. Metrotech came out with an effective unit (perhaps 4" on a coin, and fairly versatile) in 1963. Other late 1950s/early '60s units that could find objects as small as coins were: Detectron, Rayscope, Goldak, Geo Finder, Raytron and Gardiner. The drift was probably horrible. There was probably entire states (like in the rocky mountains) that you couldn't even detect in, d/t minerals. There was no form of discrimination, etc... So coin hunting was still pretty much in its infancy, even until the early 1970s in most places.
Whites didn't make metal detectors till 1959 (and then only on a very limited basis). Prior to that, they had been making geigor-counters for uranium, not metal detectors. By the early to mid 1960s, they had some coin-hunter machines that might have gotten a few inches deep on coins. And to the extent that Fisher was around in the 1950s (heck, even back in the 1930s), they predominantly made 2-box units. They had the conventional type too (the T-20 for instance), by the late 1950s perhaps, but were probably doing good to get a coin to 2" deep.
But there were other short-lived brands that actually out-performed Whites and Fishers of this era. Metrotech came out with an effective unit (perhaps 4" on a coin, and fairly versatile) in 1963. Other late 1950s/early '60s units that could find objects as small as coins were: Detectron, Rayscope, Goldak, Geo Finder, Raytron and Gardiner. The drift was probably horrible. There was probably entire states (like in the rocky mountains) that you couldn't even detect in, d/t minerals. There was no form of discrimination, etc... So coin hunting was still pretty much in its infancy, even until the early 1970s in most places.
Now we're talking!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Western-Electric-Goldak-Mineral-Metal-detector-1950s_W0QQitemZ190344334377QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2c51680c29
http://cgi.ebay.com/Metrotech-220-A-Metal-Detector-n-Box-w-H-phones-No-Batt_W0QQitemZ370281444646QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item56367e7526
http://cgi.ebay.com/Western-Electric-Goldak-Mineral-Metal-detector-1950s_W0QQitemZ190344334377QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2c51680c29
http://cgi.ebay.com/Metrotech-220-A-Metal-Detector-n-Box-w-H-phones-No-Batt_W0QQitemZ370281444646QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item56367e7526
In the early to mid 1970's I had a couple of the early Metrotech detectors. They didn't drift that bad, but the ground here is virtually mineral free and consistent. They were the detector of choice for relic hunters in this area as they would go pretty darn deep on half dollar size and larger targets, and would get nickel size CW buttons at 4 inches or better. They were tiresome to use because of the 12 inch coil, arm breaker configuration and weight, but a lot of coins and Civil War relics were found with them.
Here is the list of all Garrett metal detectors and the years they were in production.........John
1964
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1965
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1966
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1967
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1968
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1969
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1970
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1971
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
The Hombre (BFO) 1971
1972
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
*Cache Hunter BFO
*Treasure Hunter BFO
*Nugget Hunter BFO
*Mini Hunter Ghostowner BFO
*Garrett Mini-Hunter BFO
1973
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
*Cache Hunter BFO
*Treasure Hunter BFO
*Nugget Hunter BFO
Master Hunter TR (controls on side, made with push button)
Money Hunter TR
Mini-Hunter TR
Super Mini-Hunter TR
Super Mini-Hunter BFO
1974
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
*Cache Hunter BFO
*Treasure Hunter BFO
*Nugget Hunter BFO
Master Hunter TR (controls on side, made with push button)
Money Hunter TR
Super Mini-Hunter TR
Super Mini-Hunter BFO
Mini-Hunter Ghostowner TR
1975
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
*Cache Hunter BFO
*Treasure Hunter BFO
Master Hunter TR (controls on side, made with push button)
Money Hunter TR
Relic Hunter BFO (no push button or toggle switch)
Money Hunter BFO (no push button or toggle switch)
Coin Hunter TR (TR discriminator on side with push button)
Cache Hunter TR (TR discriminator on side w/push button)
Relic Hunter TR (TR discriminator on side w/push button)
Ghostown Hunter TR (no push button)
1976
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button)
1977
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
Money Hunter TR: (w/push button)
Money Hunter BFO (no push button or toggle switch)
Coin Hunter TR (TR discriminator on side with push button)
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button)
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR featherweight series (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
Master Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button, deepseeker on coil)
Master Hunter VLF/TR featherweight series (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
Fortune Hunter TR (controls on side, push button)
1978
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button)
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR featherweight series (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
Master Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button, deepseeker on coil)
Master Hunter VLF/TR featherweight series (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
Fortune Hunter TR (controls on top, push button)
Money Hunter VLF/TR (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
1979
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker control on side, toggle switch)
Coin Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker-contols on side, toggle switch)
Marksman P.B. (VLF/TR deepseeker-controls on side, push button)
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog controls on top, toggle switch)
Coin Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, toggle switch)
Fortune Hunter P.B.(VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
Money Hunter P.B. (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
International TR S2 (controls on top, push button)
Treasure Hunter BFO (controls on side, no push button)
1980
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker control on side, toggle switch)
Coin Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker-contols on side, toggle switch)
Marksman P.B. (VLF/TR deepseeker-controls on side, push button)
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog controls on top, toggle switch)
Coin Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, toggle switch)
Fortune Hunter P.B.(VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
Money Hunter P.B. (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
International TR S2 (controls on top, push button)
Master Hunter BFO (controls on side, no push button)
Garrett BFO (controls on side, no push button)
1981
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker control on side, toggle switch)
Marksman P.B. (VLF/TR deepseeker-controls on side, push button)
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog controls on top, toggle switch)
Fortune Hunter P.B.(VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
Money Hunter P.B. (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
American TR S2 (controls on top, push button)
Sea Hunter
1982
Master Hunter BFO (controls on side, no push button)
Sea Hunter
Master Hunter ADS III (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS II (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS I (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS I (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, toggle switch)
Gold Hunter A2B (groundhog on coil, controls on top, toggle switch)
American S4 ADS (groundhog on coil, controls on top, toggle switch)
American S3 (VLF/TR, groundhog on coil, controls on top, push button)
American TR S1 (deep scan on coil, controls on top, push button)
Pocket Scanner
1983
Sea Hunter
Master Hunter ADS III (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS II (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS I (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS I (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, toggle switch)
American S4 ADS (groundhog on coil, controls on top, toggle switch)
American S3 (VLF/TR, groundhog on coil, controls on top, push button)
American TR S1 (deep scan on coil, controls on top, push button)
Pocket Scanner
1984
Sea Hunter
Master Hunter ADS 7 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 6 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 4 (controls on side, toggle switch)
American AM-2 (controls on top, toggle switch)
American AM-1 (controls on top, push button)
Freedom 1 Coin Commander
Freedom 2 Coin Commander
1985
Sea Hunter
Master Hunter ADS 7 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 6 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 4 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Freedom 1 Coin Commander
Freedom 2 Coin Commander
Freedom Ace Coin Commander
Gold Hunter (controls on top, toggle switch)
1986
Master Hunter ADS 7 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
American AM-2 (controls on top, toggle switch)
Freedom 1 Coin Commander
Freedom 2 Coin Commander
Freedom Ace Coin Commander
Gold Hunter (controls on top, toggle switch)
Beach Hunter AT3
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Sea Hunter XL 200 Pulse
1988
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter
Freedom 3 CDC
Freedom 1 CDC
Beach Hunter AT4
Gold Hunter A3B
1989
Master Hunter ADS 7 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Freedom 3 CDC
Beach Hunter AT4
Gold Hunter A3B
Grand Master Hunter II
Freedom 3
Freedom 1
1990
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Beach Hunter AT4
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Master Hunter 7X
Freedom 3 Plus
Freedom 2 Plus
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
1991
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Beach Hunter AT4
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Master Hunter 7X
Freedom 2 Plus
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Pocket Probe
1992
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Freedom 2 Plus
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Master Hunter CX III
1993
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Freedom 2 Plus
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Master Hunter CX III
1994
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Ultra GTA 350
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Master Hunter CX III
1995
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Ultra GTA 350
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Master Hunter CX III
1996
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Freedom 2 Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 1000
GTAX 500
GTAX 400
1997
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Freedom 2 Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 1000
GTAX 500
GTAX 400
GTI 2000
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
1998
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Master Hunter CX
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 1000
GTAX 500
GTAX 400
GTI 2000
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
Pocket Probe
1999
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
Pocket Probe
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2000
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
Pocket Probe
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2001
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2002
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2003
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2004
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
Sea Hunter Mark II
Infinium LS
GTP 1350
2005
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
Sea Hunter Mark II
Infinium LS
GTP 1350
Ace 150
Ace 250
2006
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
Sea Hunter Mark II
Infinium LS
GTP 1350
Ace 150
Ace 250
1964
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1965
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1966
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1967
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1968
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1969
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1970
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1971
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
The Hombre (BFO) 1971
1972
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
*Cache Hunter BFO
*Treasure Hunter BFO
*Nugget Hunter BFO
*Mini Hunter Ghostowner BFO
*Garrett Mini-Hunter BFO
1973
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
*Cache Hunter BFO
*Treasure Hunter BFO
*Nugget Hunter BFO
Master Hunter TR (controls on side, made with push button)
Money Hunter TR
Mini-Hunter TR
Super Mini-Hunter TR
Super Mini-Hunter BFO
1974
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
*Cache Hunter BFO
*Treasure Hunter BFO
*Nugget Hunter BFO
Master Hunter TR (controls on side, made with push button)
Money Hunter TR
Super Mini-Hunter TR
Super Mini-Hunter BFO
Mini-Hunter Ghostowner TR
1975
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
*Cache Hunter BFO
*Treasure Hunter BFO
Master Hunter TR (controls on side, made with push button)
Money Hunter TR
Relic Hunter BFO (no push button or toggle switch)
Money Hunter BFO (no push button or toggle switch)
Coin Hunter TR (TR discriminator on side with push button)
Cache Hunter TR (TR discriminator on side w/push button)
Relic Hunter TR (TR discriminator on side w/push button)
Ghostown Hunter TR (no push button)
1976
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button)
1977
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
Money Hunter TR: (w/push button)
Money Hunter BFO (no push button or toggle switch)
Coin Hunter TR (TR discriminator on side with push button)
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button)
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR featherweight series (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
Master Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button, deepseeker on coil)
Master Hunter VLF/TR featherweight series (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
Fortune Hunter TR (controls on side, push button)
1978
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button)
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR featherweight series (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
Master Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button, deepseeker on coil)
Master Hunter VLF/TR featherweight series (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
Fortune Hunter TR (controls on top, push button)
Money Hunter VLF/TR (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
1979
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker control on side, toggle switch)
Coin Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker-contols on side, toggle switch)
Marksman P.B. (VLF/TR deepseeker-controls on side, push button)
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog controls on top, toggle switch)
Coin Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, toggle switch)
Fortune Hunter P.B.(VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
Money Hunter P.B. (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
International TR S2 (controls on top, push button)
Treasure Hunter BFO (controls on side, no push button)
1980
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker control on side, toggle switch)
Coin Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker-contols on side, toggle switch)
Marksman P.B. (VLF/TR deepseeker-controls on side, push button)
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog controls on top, toggle switch)
Coin Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, toggle switch)
Fortune Hunter P.B.(VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
Money Hunter P.B. (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
International TR S2 (controls on top, push button)
Master Hunter BFO (controls on side, no push button)
Garrett BFO (controls on side, no push button)
1981
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker control on side, toggle switch)
Marksman P.B. (VLF/TR deepseeker-controls on side, push button)
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog controls on top, toggle switch)
Fortune Hunter P.B.(VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
Money Hunter P.B. (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
American TR S2 (controls on top, push button)
Sea Hunter
1982
Master Hunter BFO (controls on side, no push button)
Sea Hunter
Master Hunter ADS III (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS II (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS I (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS I (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, toggle switch)
Gold Hunter A2B (groundhog on coil, controls on top, toggle switch)
American S4 ADS (groundhog on coil, controls on top, toggle switch)
American S3 (VLF/TR, groundhog on coil, controls on top, push button)
American TR S1 (deep scan on coil, controls on top, push button)
Pocket Scanner
1983
Sea Hunter
Master Hunter ADS III (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS II (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS I (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS I (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, toggle switch)
American S4 ADS (groundhog on coil, controls on top, toggle switch)
American S3 (VLF/TR, groundhog on coil, controls on top, push button)
American TR S1 (deep scan on coil, controls on top, push button)
Pocket Scanner
1984
Sea Hunter
Master Hunter ADS 7 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 6 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 4 (controls on side, toggle switch)
American AM-2 (controls on top, toggle switch)
American AM-1 (controls on top, push button)
Freedom 1 Coin Commander
Freedom 2 Coin Commander
1985
Sea Hunter
Master Hunter ADS 7 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 6 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 4 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Freedom 1 Coin Commander
Freedom 2 Coin Commander
Freedom Ace Coin Commander
Gold Hunter (controls on top, toggle switch)
1986
Master Hunter ADS 7 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
American AM-2 (controls on top, toggle switch)
Freedom 1 Coin Commander
Freedom 2 Coin Commander
Freedom Ace Coin Commander
Gold Hunter (controls on top, toggle switch)
Beach Hunter AT3
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Sea Hunter XL 200 Pulse
1988
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter
Freedom 3 CDC
Freedom 1 CDC
Beach Hunter AT4
Gold Hunter A3B
1989
Master Hunter ADS 7 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Freedom 3 CDC
Beach Hunter AT4
Gold Hunter A3B
Grand Master Hunter II
Freedom 3
Freedom 1
1990
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Beach Hunter AT4
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Master Hunter 7X
Freedom 3 Plus
Freedom 2 Plus
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
1991
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Beach Hunter AT4
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Master Hunter 7X
Freedom 2 Plus
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Pocket Probe
1992
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Freedom 2 Plus
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Master Hunter CX III
1993
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Freedom 2 Plus
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Master Hunter CX III
1994
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Ultra GTA 350
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Master Hunter CX III
1995
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Ultra GTA 350
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Master Hunter CX III
1996
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Freedom 2 Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 1000
GTAX 500
GTAX 400
1997
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Freedom 2 Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 1000
GTAX 500
GTAX 400
GTI 2000
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
1998
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Master Hunter CX
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 1000
GTAX 500
GTAX 400
GTI 2000
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
Pocket Probe
1999
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
Pocket Probe
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2000
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
Pocket Probe
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2001
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2002
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2003
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2004
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
Sea Hunter Mark II
Infinium LS
GTP 1350
2005
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
Sea Hunter Mark II
Infinium LS
GTP 1350
Ace 150
Ace 250
2006
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
Sea Hunter Mark II
Infinium LS
GTP 1350
Ace 150
Ace 250
There was also "Underground Explorations"
Art Howes machines
Relco
Green's
I think Karl von Mueller had the "Exanimo" that his metal detecting newspaper was named after.
Anyone know the date of I.G.W.T. detectors (In God We Trust) ? Possibly much later.
Things were not quit as bad as you paint because you had little competition so you had enough good ground to go round and no ring pulls on the beaches. Drift was no different than with many of the later machines where you had to take the detector out of your car and accept bad drift for 30 minutes until it stabilized.
I also can't agree with your comment on the number of detector manufacturers today. When I did a check a few years back there was around sixty. Even though Bounty Hunter/Fisher /Teknetics should now be counted as one company the expansion in the industry means there's more manufactures than at any time before.
Art Howes machines
Relco
Green's
I think Karl von Mueller had the "Exanimo" that his metal detecting newspaper was named after.
Anyone know the date of I.G.W.T. detectors (In God We Trust) ? Possibly much later.
Things were not quit as bad as you paint because you had little competition so you had enough good ground to go round and no ring pulls on the beaches. Drift was no different than with many of the later machines where you had to take the detector out of your car and accept bad drift for 30 minutes until it stabilized.
I also can't agree with your comment on the number of detector manufacturers today. When I did a check a few years back there was around sixty. Even though Bounty Hunter/Fisher /Teknetics should now be counted as one company the expansion in the industry means there's more manufactures than at any time before.
Sven
Well-known member
do you have pictures to go with it of all of them? That surely would make a nice webpage, .pdf file etc. for those of us who like looking back in time.
One I don't see from around 1980's the XL500 VLF/TR short shaft underwater machine. I had one, think it was a short lived model. My first u/w machine, found 48 gold rings with it in the first week (virgin beach) as well as a ton of coins and a 5 gal. pail of junk. It didn't go deep, had rechargeable 9 volt batteries I swapped out for alkalines.
One I don't see from around 1980's the XL500 VLF/TR short shaft underwater machine. I had one, think it was a short lived model. My first u/w machine, found 48 gold rings with it in the first week (virgin beach) as well as a ton of coins and a 5 gal. pail of junk. It didn't go deep, had rechargeable 9 volt batteries I swapped out for alkalines.