Vaquero or X-terra 50 - Those who use both please respond

[Bryan Schwarz]

Hi!
Not trying to cause a controversy. I have never owned a detector and have narrowed it down to the Minelab X-terra 50 and the Tesoro Vaquero. I'm looking for info from those of you who have used both or presently use both. I believe they are both good machines just trying to get all the pros and cons before I spend the money.

I live in Indianapolis and my son and I plan to do some old coin and relic hunting as well as searching for change at local parks. Again neither of us have ever used a metal detector or gone detecting and I have not been able to find a treasure hunting group in the area.

Thanks!
Bryan

 

[saika]

http://www.garysdetecting.co.uk/field_testsnew.htm

 

[jbow]

n/t

 

[BarnacleBill]

n/t

 

[candigger]

n/t

 

[Pirate John]

Both are very fine detectors and will serve there purpose well. Although I would have to give the edge to the Vaquero. Depth to the Vaquero, lifetime warranty to the Vaquero, assortment of coils to the Vaquero. Versatility in frequency change in coils to the X-terra 50, VDI to the X-terra 50 and ability to knockout iron would go to both. Hope this helps.

 

[tsb]

Hi Bryan,
I know you are looking for replies from people who have used both machines, but unfortunately I only have experience with the Vaquero but would like to make a comment. You said that neither you or your son had any experience with a metal detector and so I think the most important thing right now is to try and get one that you will have fun with. It sounds like your primary use will be coin hunting and the Vaquero will definitely do a fine job for that purpose as well as relic hunting. I love my Vaquero and can't think of one bad thing to say about it, however, it will take some time and patience to learn how to tell what the machine is telling you. I have also used some of the target ID machines (but not the x-terra) and can tell you that they are not 100 percent fool proof, and especially on the deeper targets. If you completely depend on the meter you are probably leaving some good targets in the ground. Your best bet would be to find a dealer or detectorist that have the machines you are interested in and get them to show you first hand what the difference is. I am definitely sold on Tesoro, but there are lots of other fine detectors out there. I just want you to end up with a machine that you will have fun and enjoyment using......it is a great relaxing hobby.
Best Wishes and best of luck,
Scott B

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

Bryan, I agree totally with Scott above. I have an X-Terra and it's a great machine. The id is pretty accurate, as accurate as any. But of course the machine is just guessing based on what it's been programmed to do. The depth of the 50 absolutely will NOT compare to the Vaquero. If you're just coin hunting the 50 would be a good choice. But if relics and old home sites are your main interest, the Vaquero would be the better choice. I'd bet TR and others with a great deal of experience with Tesoros can make a better guess as to what's in the ground than the circuitry of any machine can. Just takes practice. I've had lots of detectors. Tesoros are by far the best value on the market. Good luck with your choice.......John

 

[willy]

.. got a few detectors for her to field test. ..Willy.

 

[captainflintlock]

I've been hunting for over twelve years now and I've been using the Vaquero for a year and a half and hands down it's the best machine I've used. It's lite as a feather so you can swing it all day. The depth is great. And it's a killer machine in competition hunting. Nothing has ever interfered with it during an open hunt. I own three Tesoro's right now and my dead last back-up machine is a Whites XLT. It won't break the bank to buy it and with a lifetime warranty you can't go wrong. Best of luck to ya.

Keep Diggin,

Jerry

 

[JHM]

For a first machine I would go with the V. But before you choose, post the same question on the x terra forum. Keep in mind that Minelabs have a stiffer learning curve. I have a quattro and there have been days I wanted to sling it against a tree. But since I learned how it operates, I like both machines

 

[ldk1959]

Have not used the X-terra... except I drive one. I have recently gone through the same dilemma as you, and chose the Vaquero. Here is why
1. Price
2. Generally good internet reviews
3. Local Metal Detector shop recommended it as the best all round
4. Lifetime warantee

Here is why I am happy with my choice of Vaquero.
1. Service from local dealer after sale. (I thought I needed a smaller coil for trashy places, dealer gave me a lesson and sold me a bullseye pinpointer instead. It was the right choice. the pinpointer was some $40 cheaper than the smaller coil and works well.)
2. 4 axe heads, 1927 aluminum laundry token, a hand full of coins, a few older coins, old ammo brass, really interesting metallic junk.
3. I find more pulltabs and bottle caps than I want, but nickels and pulltabs are pretty derned close in conductivity.

Reasons you might not like Vaquero.
1. ground balance takes a couple of trips and fiddling to master
2. it takes a few outings to learn what tones are junk and which are solid hits, double tones, cracking tones, etc have always been trash, but I had to dig a bunch to convince myself.
3. Sometimes Vaquero is too deep! Dig 1/2 way to china to find a piece of wadded up copper wire. Course any detector will false signal on that, Vaquero just seems to do it deeper.

The Vaquero is a serious detector and gives you serious control over the coil dynamics, this requires serious practice to retrieve cool stuff. This was what I wanted and what I got.

If your kid doesnt want to fiddle and tune, the Xterra or Whites might be the way to go. If you and kid likes to tune and tweak I would suggest Vaquero.
Good luck
ldk1959

 

[hrsetrder]

I have used both , and in my opinion , I would get the Vaquero (if relic hunting) . If you are new to the hobby (and are searching parks), I would also suggest the Silver U max. Not many , if any is better in its price range , and I still prefer it over many of the expensive units (any brand).
HH with whatever you choose , David