V3i for beginner?

[unemployedpilot]

I have been looking at the new V3i. I have never owned a metal detector before. I have thousands of old ranch homesteads to search that have never been searched with a detector. my question is how hard is the V3i to learn to adjust the programs? Am I getting in over my head? I have read the owners manual and right now I feel like I'm reading Japanese. I know it has the turn on and go programs but I'm interested in learning the adjustments.

thanks

 

[Butch in Colorado]

MXT or an M6. Get used to detecting with one of those first. Find out if you will even like the hobby first. Then make the quantum leap to the V3i.
JMHO.

Back in 2000 I started out with an XLT. That was way too much detector for me as a beginner. A lot to learn and a HUGE learning curve for me. I believe that you will enjoy the hobby more if you don't jump into the deep end at the beginning.

Whatever you choose to do, welcome to the hobby. It is a lot of fun!

 

[RacerX]

I think it's fine as a first detector as long as you use one of the turn on and go programs for a long while before trying to adjust anything.

The only reason I would recommend something else is the fact that it's a $1500+ detector and many (maybe even the majority) new detectorists end up with their detector in the closet collecting dust after a few months.

For that reason I agree, MTX/M6.

 

[Rob (IL)]

I hate to give advise when a person is not sure. All people are different in their patience and learning ability. OK, here is my option. If you start you stay with the factory programs you will not overwhelm yourself. Then practice and read the forum. Learn a little each time you go out and you will be fine. Honestly for some people an MXT would be a better choice. There are a lot less controls to learn and it is a fine detector.[attachment 164908 ani_einstein.gif].........Rob

 

[unemployedpilot]

I have looked at other detectors, but if I'm gonna spent six to eight hundred dollars why not get one that I won't outgrow and I won't be tempted to buy in six months. I have thought about buying a used machine, but with my luck it would quit the day after I bought it and I'd just be out the money. I have chose whites V3 for many reasons. If I get sick of it in six months I can sell it on ebay. the next reason is whites is made in AMERICA!!!!

 

[ferdware]

Hi there. I say "Go For It". I have never owned a metal detector before this year. I had received a Whites Prizm 4 for Christmas. I had picked it out myself and my wife purchased it for me. After only a few times out I was hooked. I also realized that if I was going to have a competeing chance on our beach . I needed somthing better. I did all the research I could and decided to buy the V3i. I figured that I wouldnt have to upgrade for a while.
With the help of everyone on this forum It has been a pleasure to learn this detector. I would not change it for any other. I am glad that I made this choice. It is worth the time to learn.

So again I say "GO FOR IT"

Also ask yourself.
Do you like money?
Do you like history?
Do you like treasure?
If your answer is yes to all. You will probably be a lifetime detectorist.

Hope this Helps....
FERD

 

[Butch in Colorado]

...you decide to buy the V3i. Now, you are not going to just buy the detector. You will buy the detector, the headphones, maybe a second coil, digging tools, and much more after that. You probably now have at this time over 2K invested into one detector. Now fast forward a few months and you find out you don't like it. When you go to sell the V3i you will be out a good chunk of change and, even though you will get a fair price for the V3i on the secondary market, you will take it in the shorts overall.

Buy an MXT or a M6 and many of the same accessories and then you find out you don't care for the hobby, you take much less of a monetary hit overall compared to the V3i package.

If you find out that you like the hobby and you want the V3i, you have a good detector for trade-in or secondary market sale. Then that is money towards the V3i down the road.

 

[Rob in (Ca)]

Also you will need to invest in a good pin-pointer, knee pads, Lesche tool ......I can't imagine digging 100 + Targets for a 4-6 hour hunt, without Those 3 accessory's.

 

[Scortch]

I too purchased the V3 as my first detector for mostly the same reasons you did. I run with the factory setting and seem to do just fine. I think once you get used to it your going to have a blast! The only suggestion I have is if you are going to search old homesteads you might buy a smaller coil. I have looked in some old sites as well and have been discouraged with all of the old junk. Tin cans, shell casings ect, are hard to detect around with the standard v3 DD coil.
Start off with making a test garden it really helps to figure out your readings and factory settings. Then graduate to a couple of parks or schools, it is worth doing to get the hang of it. I am by far no expert but practice for me is the key.
You are going to love this machine, have fun with the sport!

Nathan

 

[moose]

I purchased the V-3i a week ago after running the M-6 for about 1 1/2 years and I'm begining to think I bit off a bit too much. I've currently been hunting an old park from mid 1800's in deep silver mode as top soil was added 15-20 years ago and am getting frustrated.Still need to learn alot and haven't given up as I am hooked. Question: what is up with the horrible thresh on deep silver:veryangry:

 

[nw1886]

What your listening to is not really a true threshold,but more of an open "ground read" and disc. audio is piled on top of all metal audio. This can be disconcerting to the most seasoned of us and it just takes some time to not let it seem strange. I'd stay away from Deep Silver (as a main use program) and just go into it occasionally for awhile. Plus....learn it in clean ground as there is a lot going on with that program! If I was just learning the V3....a maxed out Coin/Jewelry is hard to beat. High Pro would be another.

Don't get drug into "Deep Silver" just by the suggestive name. (It's not the only way to get deep silver!)

 

[ak_1234]

Deep silver has the sensitivity cranked up to be able to spot the deep targets. But that is going to affect your threshold. 1) Might want to pick a different program to start with to allow you to get used to what the machine is saying before jumping into that program or 2) Back all metal sens off to below 60 which will quiet the threshold down, but will also not pick up those deep targets as well.

 

[Larry (IL)]

I'm sure you know this, but if not, Deep Silver is using Mixed Mode which is using Discrimination and All Metal modes at the same time.............. a very advanced program and I don't recommend it for beginners. There is a lot going on at the same time and complete understanding is needed to get the best from Deep Silver. I would suggest staying with the Coin and Jewelry or Hi Pro programs until you feel very comfortable with the V.

 

[gamehunter]

I too just purchased the V3I. I am not new to detecting but it was an old hobby being made new again. I was using a White's Amphibian that I have while I made the decision as to which machine I was going to purchase and while using the machine I made the choice based on hours of use. If I use the machine for an average of 10 hours a week for 52 weeks then it works out to 520 hours a year. If you calculate that over the course of 3 seasons then you are at about 1500 hours or about $1 an hour. The machine itself will hold a value over the next few years as you suggested and would hold a residual value of around %50 or $800-$900 or $.50 an hour. so in the end I am hunting with a machine that cost me $.50 an hour to use which is very easily made up just going to the tot lots for each hour. The big advantage here is that you are buying a machine that is upgradeable as we have seen from the V3 to the V3I and the V3 will still hold a commanding value as the machine that is not upgradeable will loose value as new models are introduced. I have not found the V3 to be overwhelming and each person here will tell you that whatever machine you buy you will have to take time to learn. Now if you are expecting to just turn on a machine and go then there are other machines out there that will certainly do that but you may find that you will be putting these hours into your new hobby and you are not getting the best out of a machine that you could. As I was hunting with the Amphibian I was able to get down around 5" with that machine and all I could think about is the what if there was a target 4" deeper that I am missing. Out og the box I am hitting targets at 6-7" on c&j, but I am still learning the machine and expect a learning curve of about 100 hours on this machine until I am comfortable enough just to start messing with new programs but when I get there they will be there waiting for me to use. I know it sounds like a lot of rambling but when making this type of investment you need to know the costs and the largest cost to this hobby is you time not the machine.

 

[Rob (IL)]

It's a great hobby and cheap when compared to golf. I used to golf 5 times a week. Let's see, 5 x $$$$ a round = BIG BUCKS. And I never found any gold either. Rob