'Thank You' for the kind words. According to my doctor I had for 24+ years, I was
encouraged to consider giving up metal detecting back in '91 along with other recreational activities like bowling, golf, and things that called for
"repetitive twisting, bending and stooping." I gave her a look and she asked 'What?' I said ... "Well, I will almost." I used to go bowl 2-3 games for fun maybe twice every three or four years. I never golfed, so that was no problem. In '93 when they gave me a cane to help me deal with the back pain, poor balance and trying to get along, I also got a medical profile write-up that said I was not to use a rake, broom, shovel, weed eater, leaf blower, lawn mower, a vacuum cleaner or other devices that called for bending and twisting and using my bad back and shoulder. I again gave her the look and she said, "I guess you'll still go metal detecting?" Yep! was my simple reply.
This is a quarter century later and I have more health issues this past seven years than back then, and I am definitely not as mobile as I once was, and can't hunt as long as I used to without a few breaks to recoup so I can continue. I love this great outdoor sport and plan to hang in there as long as I possibly can ... but I am facing the facts that it might not be a whole lot longer as I continue to fall apart. So do what you can to enjoy every moment you can that involves metal detecting.
Herb Jones said:
Would you please give me two recommendations for machines I
should keep my eyes out for? I prefer the simplicity of the Tesoro's
As with all things technical I have found less is more, and that there is no gadget
Made that trumps real life fundamental know how.
Now for one of the toughest questions anyone could ask an avid detectorist like me, and that is suggestions for a detector or two that might complement the detector(s) they already have. It is especially difficult on an open discussion Forum like this one because we all have our personal opinions, and while I can accept those of others most of the time who are experienced, there are folks out there who might have less experience and/or might be too close minded to understand other peoples opinions. So, I'll answer but I might have a few shots at me by those who either don't like me or don't like my detector choices and opinions. So be it.
I don't know your shopping budget, nor how involved you have been or might get to be with detectors, but after over five decades of avidly enjoying them, I still base all my detector decision on the three basic terms I have always used. I like a detector that is:
'Simple' and by that I mean a detector that doesn't require a lot of adjustments to get it to work reasonably well. Now, that doesn't mean a detector has to be free of a lot of search modes and settings, just that once a mode is selected it is relatively 'Simple' to get it up and running for decent performance at a site you've chosen.
'Functional' which to means it doesn't have a lot of limitations or shortcomings. It has to provide the settings you need and the performance desired, but without a lot of excessive tweaking here or counter-adjusting there. Also, a 'Functional' unit to me is one that provides the operator good design and packaging, easy to access controls, balances well and is comfortable to use for a prolonged search. Naturally, it must handle the types of trash or bad ground and other things you find as challenging.
'Performance' is naturally a necessary 3rd ingredient I consider when selecting any detector I might want in my personal arsenal. If it looks nice, balances well, adjusts easily, but lacks the end performance to deal with the trash conditions I encounter, then it just doesn't make the cut to be considered. You have to know the types of sites you'll hunt and the detecting you plan of doing, then consider what it is going to require for a detector to provide the 'Performance' you want and need for those conditions.
Naturally, one excellent example of a detector that is a 'fit' for me is a Tesoro Bandido II [size=small]micro[/size]MAX which is 'Simple' to operate with an uncluttered control display and easy to get into action. It is 'Functional' as well with its light weight and comfortable balance with my coils of choice, and the circuitry design provides very good 'Performance' in a wide range of hunting environments I usually seek. And naturally, it wouldn't be one of my favorite Tesoro models if it didn't provide the 'Performance' I except from it when hunting the trashy sites, dealing with iron, working in and around building rubble and dealing with a wide-range of ground mineralization.
Every detector in my personal arsenal fits the category of being 'Simple', 'Functional' and providing the 'Performance' I would expect of it based upon the type of detector it is, the features and functions it has, and for the types of sites I prefer to use it for. My units-of-choice are listed below, and that even includes the very basic, straight TR Compass Coin Hustler. I don't use it that often, and mainly for demonstrations in my seminars to help show what we had, where we have come, and kind of what we left behind along the way. But there are a few times I put it to good use now and then. Seldom, but when it can provide the Simple, Functional Performance I choose it for, it most often works.
So, here we go. My suggestions, based upon my personal experience owning and using many current detectors from several brands, and wanting a multi-purpose detector that can work well for the novice to very active Coin Hunter as well as a dedicated and serious Relic Hunter include the following:
If your budget is limited, but you want a detector in the under $500 MSRP category that can provide you some worthwhile benefits over what you now own, such as visual Target ID and some form of audio Tone ID, I would suggest the original Makro Racer or the Teknetics T2 'Classic.'
If you are considering an investment in an over-$500 to $800 detector, your choices will be greater when you consider all manufacturers. My bias is going to show here because I have owned and used models like the Fisher F19 and Garrett AT Pro and more that fall in this price range, but none of them satisfied my wants and needs, nor provided the adjustment features that these models provide. In order of my personal preference are the Nokta FORS Relic, then the FORS CoRe and then the Makro Racer 2.
In all the above cases I also strongly urge you to get at least their smaller-size search coil for working trashier locations. It is a must-have in my opinion in order to have a truly versatile detector 'package.'
Now for the Over-$800 category. Models like the White's MXT All-Pro, way over-priced for what has been offered the past 2-3 years, is out. The Nokta FORS CoRe outclassed it and eliminated it from my personal arsenal in January of 2015. I have owned and used most of the Minelab FBS series models, and the White's VX3 and V3i, but their poor weight and balance, and either complexity or lack of versatile performance for my Relic Hunting and Jewelry Hunting needs, had me part with all of them. Matter of fact, they were all out of my detector battery by the time I had the FORS CoRe in action. The Nokta FORS Relic easily gave me the excellent weight, balance, functional features and easy-to-use performance to take the #1 spot in my arsenal, basically tied are the FORS Relic and FORS CoRe.
There hasn't been a detector I liked, and could talk about, that had an MSRP over $800 that really appealed to me and provided exceptional all-around performance until now when I can openly include the Nokta Impact. Where is it in my personal detector battery you might ask? I am going to be totally honest and tell you it is right there, at the top, and shares that spot with my Relic and CoRe. Keep in mind the Impact has just been announced for pre-orders through Nokta Dealers. Release will be coming soon as the Impact is in the final stages of software adjustment and updates for the final product run.
What that means is that, like any new detector on the market, we all need to learn it well to know the strengths and weaknesses to make a final decision. I really like the fact that it is a very full-featured detector providing the choice of three operating frequencies and several very useful [size=small]
(aka 'Functional')[/size] adjustment features, and so far I have been impressed by the overall 'Performance' it has provided. As weather improves, and with the week-long detecting vacation I am taking the first of March to warmer and drier environments, I will be able to better appreciate what the Impact offers.
The Impact is a multi-purpose detector that is actually several detectors in one you could say. In many ways it is a combination and enhancement of the CoRe and Relic and Racer 2, but with some new, and very unique, search modes and functions. I can tell you it is 'Simple' enough that a more Avid Detectorist should be able to take to it and learn it easily and enjoy what it provides. In the same breath I'll tell you that it just might be more detector than many newcomers or novice detector users, or just the casual Coin Hunter might want to try and figure out. For some it will be overwhelming.
I am sure my oldest son won't be in a rush to grab one to replace his FORS CoRe as he's not quite up to my level of enthusiasm, even though he enjoys his CoRe and is still learning it. Another hunting buddy, upon now seeing the Impact, seems to be content with his FORS CoRe and Racer 2, and feels the Impact might be more than he cares to learn, or it might just have too many search modes and programs for him to be comfortable with. Matter-of-fact, he now is considering just adding a FORS Relic because it is in a familiar package, works well and has the few additional features he would use.
There is no 'perfect' detector or I would have only one. But there are quite a few detectors on the market that can provide more features and versatile performance that can
complement the features and performance you get out of your current Tesoro models. Not to replace them, but a detector to
complement them and give you more all-around versatility.
Just some personal opinions to consider, but remember to get a smaller-size coil with whatever detector you end up buying. Then, put in ample time to use it, learn it, and know how to benefit from the strengths it offers.
Monte
Any further detector model consideration to complement what you have would need you to look at other brands and models for significant features that are functional and useful for your types of hunting.