Vaquero or Cibola??

[ronayne]

Hello, I've been reading past posts, but I'm still unsure which machine to go with. I had detected for years with a cheap bounty hunter. I'm just getting back into the hobby and would like a detector that's a step up but not too advanced.

I like finding relics such as bullets, buttons, jewelry, old coins, and anything old of interest. I live in North Dakota and hunt mainly old homesteads, and occasionally an indian war fort. The Cibola sounds good because of the depth and sounds like it's one where you can just turn it on and go. But, the Vaquero sounds just as good, but I'm afraid might be a little too advanced for me. I've never had to adjust for ground balance before...I've never had that option I guess. Anywho, if the Cibalo is $340, is it worth the extra $100 for the Vaquero or should I just go with the Cibalo and get everything I need out of it?

Thank you for any help,
Ryan

 

[frank c]

Greetings, I've used the Vaquero, its a very simple ground balance on it. Doe'snt take much getting used to.
However I think if you don't especially want to deal with the extra effort involved with it you would be best off with the Cibola.
They're both excellent machines and worth owning.

 

[Wirechief]

I will second that !

John Tomlinson, CET

 

[Monte]

Vaquero is the best way to go. In-the-field performance between the two will be quite close, IF they are both set with a similar GB.

But I also suggest you give some serious thought to a smaller coil to compliment a new detector, and the 5

 

[christian_99]

Ryan, get both. Keep a small coil on one, and take the other and do a primary sweep. They are both light enough to carry on your shoulders into the field. When you get to the site, use one and pay attention to the sounds in a SMALL area...and then switch over to the other. You will be AMAZED out how much you can find doing this. The price of both machines will equal one machine of brand X. If the soil is way too difficult, obviously use the Vaquero and if you are into fire pits, use the cibola with the 5" coil and clean house. You can tell the differences in audio and will do very well.

 

[Chuck@TreasureHut]

Hello Ryan......I have hunted for over 30 years, with just about every brand and type of detector available. My greatest success for relics has been with the original Tesoro ElDorado. However, that machine was discontinued a while ago. Much to my delight the Vaquero is even better, and much-much lighter. This machine ROCKS for relics! It is not difficult to set-up, goes very deep, and most important of all, it is so-o-o-o fast, and quick reacting! I am a multi-line detector dealer, in Colorado, and have no axe to grind with most detectors. I am including some pics of the success we've had with the Tesoro "relic busters", and most of them are from Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming and South Dakota Indian Wars sites, with a few Kentucky and Virginia civil war sites too. You will be very pleased with your new Vaquero, and if you have any questions or need any tips on it's use....please get a hold of me.......Good Hunting!
Chuck
Treasure Hut

 

[Mike(NC)]

n/t

 

[Chuck@TreasureHut]

Thank you Mike.....tha's part of the way I spend the long cold winters here.

 

[ronayne]

Thank you all for the input...and I agree, very beautiful displays.

Well, my impatience got the better of me and I went ahead with the Cibola before I received most of the posts : ( I guess I liked that one because of the easy get up and go. I bought a fancy ($1200) digital camera a few months ago with plans on really reading up on it's goodies and haven't done that yet so I was afraid I'd be the same with the Vaquero.

From what I hear the Cibola still seems to be a good buy. I hope. Anyway, thank you all for your help. I really appreciate it.

Ryan

 

[Chuck@TreasureHut]

Hello Ryan.....it's hard to go wrong with any model of Tesoro. Thank you for you kind comments, and good luck with the Cibola. Happy Hunting......

Chuck.....Treasure Hut

 

[froggy38383]

I don't think you wil regret the Cibola. It has become my main detector.

 

[christian_99]

The clincher is that you can own both machines for the starting price of some of the other machines out there. Both are light enough for taking them into the field and you can LITERALLY have a good combination to clean up with...IMHO...(And from actual use!!!)

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

I can assure the Cibola won't let you down. You may lose a little depth with the preset ground balance, but not much. It's a baaaad machine.

 

[ronayne]

I've gone out with my new cibola to a fur trade site about 5 times now, I have to say, I'm very pleased with this machine. So far roughly 15 musket balls, 15 trade buttons, some eagle buttons, 2 c.1800 trade gun serpent side plates, a dozen shell casings, and piles of lead to be used for musket balls. I also found my first metal arrowhead, I actually saw that on the surface, I'm pretty proud of that one.

Ryan

 

[froggy38383]

I own the Cibola and have made many good fnds with it in the short time I have had it. It is the first Tesoro I ever used. I have since purchased a Tiger Shark and DeLeon.

I think the Vaquero might be a bit more sensitive to gold. As well it has manual ground balance which can be a plus. If I buy another Tesoro it would either be a Vaquero or Lobo ST.