Update on my search for a detector

[Justin E]

I got a chance to meet Richard at Backwoods Metal Detectors yesterday, and he showed me a Minelab 705, E-Trac(his), a G2, GTI 2500 and an AT PRO. I was fairly impressed with their performance on the air test, keeping in mind that doesn't really tell you about in ground performance. I didn't handle the E-Trac, since it was his personally. This is what I noticed: the GTI 2500 was noticeably heavier than the rest, but didn't seem too bad due to the incredible job at balancing out the machine that Garrett did. I got the same feeling with the Teknetics G2. The 705 and AT PRO seemed to be a little coil heavy to me in balance. I did notice that the G2 and AT PRO did a little better finding finer gold targets than the others, while the G2 and 2500 were a bit chatty in the higher sensitivity ranges.

Probably what impressed me the most was the level of customer service. I've talked to a few dealers through email and on the phone but never quite got the feeling I did talking to him. While I may still be confused as to what detector I want, I think I've found the dealer I'm wanting to go through. Question still remains, what to get? With the pros and cons, I'm still at a loss. Also, I didn't check out a T2 but hear it is quite the beast as well.

Well, I'm off to try and do a little more research as to what would work best for me! Happy hunting!

 

[Elton]

Let him guide you as to what works best for you, and what you will be hunting.

 

[slingshot]

Yeah, he gave me fast, efficient service.

 

[joe dirt_1]

I got a new Tesoro Vaquero from Richard recently. At first I bought an X-terra 305 and didn't like it and Richard took it back and let me get the Tesoro. I love the Vaquero and Richard will be the first place I call when I need something. Top notch service !!!!

Roger

 

[Justin E]

He's a really nice guy, not to say that the majority of the people I talked to weren't nice. What sold me the most was, he's from East Tennessee, where I live, and, from what I can tell, does most of his hunting here and has even come down to my neck of the woods for some hunts. In other words, he's got more experience in the region that I live than some of the places I emailed/called in other parts of the country and knows what works best for him around here. I guess the moral to this story is, buy local if you've got the chance and the dealer will treat you right. I'm not knocking the larger internet companies, just saying you can get some words of wisdom from people closer to you than some people who probably have no clue where you are or what type of conditions you'll primarily be hunting.

Hopefully I haven't droned on or was too redundant. I just didn't want anybody else I'd talked to to feel like I was running them down. The only issue I had was one guy refused to believe me when I told him that all I got from a White's MXT was headaches and had better luck in the same area with a Bounty Hunter from like the 80's or something. He got a bit upset. I won't say the company's name so I don't have to worry about complaints of slander or causing anybody to lose their job over what could have been only a miscommunication by email.

 

[D&P-OR]

Justin----It sounds like you are being very methodical & thorough in your search for the best metal detector for you.---Just continue to take your time & gather as much info that you possibly can on the various detectors that may be of interest and work best for you.----A very wise man once said, "buy a detector to suit your personality".------As for Richard, I have never met him personally but I have talked to him different times over the phone, thru p.m.'s & emails.----I have done MANY deals with Richard and I can tell you---he's top notch & exceptional!---He will take care of you before, during & after the sale.----We have other very good dealer/sponsors here on Findmall also. --------------Del

 

[jmaryt]

don't forget "black bart" at big boys hobbies!
he may be able to beat richard's deal! he's a real winner !..that guy!

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[Justin E]

Thanks! I'd like to think I'll find something I can use for some time to come. Of course, if you'd listen to my mom, you'd think I'd need about a dozen different detectors to fit my personality! Don't know if that's a good thing or not!

I've talked to the folks at Big Boy's Hobbies on a different forum. They seem pretty nice and gave me some good advice. The only thing I didn't like about them is, if I have a question, it wouldn't be very convenient to throw the detector in the car and drive up there to have them explain it in person. I was actually leaning toward going with them until I came across Richard and realized he was a reasonable drive's distance away from where I am. For some reason, that just adds a little feeling of comfort to know.

 

[jmaryt]

keep in mind,ya got a "big dog" as a forum sponsor too,
and last i heard,the "big brown trucks" are still in business!
if ya like to save some green,give it some thought!..just sayin'

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[Dave J.]

I don't have any axe to grind on which specific dealer. However there are a couple general principles I recommend:

1. Support your forum sponsors.

2. If you've got a good local dealer, that's who to buy from, forum sponsor or not.

Thanks to the Internet, dealers know they have competition. Therefore most dealers can give you just about as good a price as you could get from any other dealer. So, it makes most sense to shop the dealer rather than to shop the absolute bottom price.

--Dave J.

 

[Woodchuck]

I have used Richard so many times I know his Tenn. address by heart ,i have bought new and used from him ,and he's alwas gone above and beyond..... I would love to meet him in person. You can't go wrong with Richard

 

[jmaryt]

no comment! some things are better left unsaid!
thanks for contributing! dave!..just sayin'

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[Justin E]

I think Richard is a sponsor too. There's a link to his site in the sponsor section at the top of the page while writing this. Actually, I think I might have followed the link from here when I first discovered him.

 

[jim tn]

n/t