Vaquero vs. Tejon - for those of you who have both.

[Wooden Nickel]

I'm new at this thing called metal detecting. I'm nearing paralysis. I have read.....I have studied.....ad paralyticum. Within two weeks I will be buying a new one, either a Vaquero or Tejon. I feel I can learn to use either.

I will be looking for old coins, jewelry and relics - old farms and CW.

This question(s) is for those of you who have BOTH a Vaquero AND a Tejon. Which one do you prefer, and why? IF you had to choose between one or the other, which one would you choose?

Please let me know. I feel my muscles weakening......tighening.........

Thanks a bunch.

Mike.....:coastgaurd:

 

[Canewrap]

Nmsg

 

[Canewrap]

I've had both and still have my Tejon. However, my vote would be strongly for the Vaquero if you've never used a Tesoro before and/or are fairly new to metal detecting. I'm primarily a relic hunter and that is what the Tejon excels at for depth. However, if you're going to be using your detector for such a wide purpose then the Vaquero is a better choice, IMHO. The Vaquero is a little lighter and has a more stable threshold that makes it easier to hunt in all metal than the Tejon.

My first Tesoro was a Cibola, but because it didn't have ground balance I needed the Vaquero, but I foolishly traded it away to get a Tejon, a damaged one at that. That whole mess turned me off and I traded the Tejon off. But, now I'm back to a NEW Tejon a year ago and while its much better than the used one was I'm still getting used to the nuances. The Vaquero was much easier to learn.

 

[WV62]

I can't say a lot because I am new to the Tejon, but I really like the toggle mode switch under the control box. Just seems natural to work it without loosing a lot of grip trying to thumb a button.

 

[Silver Fox]

Either one is good. I was once on the fence so I bought both. As Canewrap said the Vaquero is more stable, and as WV62 said the toggle switch is nice on the Tejon. I have since sold my Tejon and keep my Vaquero. I just really like that little machine. In my soil with both the Vaquero and the Tejon power balanced, I can hit a silver dime at 10" in my coin garden. After using both I just felt more comfortable using the Vaquero. Now to really know which one you prefer and does the best in your soil and what you hunt for, you will have to try both of them. Like I said either one is good, its just mainly what you prefer. Good Luck and H.H.

 

[mike5853]

Hi Mike,
Because you are new to the hobby, welcome by the way, I would recommend the Vaquero. It's a little less complicated / more straight forward then the Tejon. But you are making a good decision in buying a detector that does not have a display. Learning with whats affectionately called a "beep 'n dig" detector will gain you a better understanding of how your md works, and equally important, teach you how to listen. I posted a few videos on You-Tube which might help you get started. I put '53Silver in most of the titles. Feel free to email me if you have any questions before or after you get started. I know you'll get a good deal of support here in the forum as there are so many guy's and gal's who are to notch in using both of these detectors and the advice they give will be spot on.

 

[Wooden Nickel]

Good input folks.

The problem with asking for advice like this is that one gets all kinds, and when you make a choice it goes against what someone advises. I hate that!!! Canewrap, Ron... Silver Fox and Mike.... thanks to all of you. Man, I love this forum.

There has to be more of you with both the Vaquero and the Tejon, so let me have it!!! :coastgaurd:

 

[John (Ma)]

I bought the Tejon first and loved it when I learned the language. I bout the Vaquero shortly after and sold it, as I like the ability to change tones and the dual discriminators. I just really like how the Tejon responded, especially to those deep relics. So I would say the Tejon all the way. Good luck!

 

[BarberBill]

Mike5853 made what I consider to be a very good point. I'm a believer that it's definitely best to first get into this hobby with a beep and dig detector and get to know the audible nuances and learn to thumb the discrimination to get an idea of the target. If or when you add or move to a machine with a screen after this, the understanding of the sounds is good additional information to the indication on the screen when determining to dig and often the only indicator you'll need. JMHO
BB

 

[88junior]

I recommend the Vaquero it's a more versatile machine and it gets pretty good depth according to your soil conditions as far as mineralization the Tejon is a whole different beast it excells on relics and goes maybe a touch deeper! I have had both and would always grab the Vaquero when hunting for coins and jewelry and the Tejon would be selected when I would be hitting the woods for relics! The Tejon also weighs more so your arm will tire out if you swing it long hours I could swing the Vaquero all day long and my arm wouldn't get tired at all! Also the ground balancing of the Tejon is a little more aggravating than the Vaquero the tejon has a little slower recovery time between adjustments to the ground balance! Don't overlook a Cibola their great detectors to and they go deep!

 

[WV62]

This is in favor of either the Vaquero or the Tejon, it would be nice to get the perfect machine on your first crack, but even if you do you will always wonder is there something better. That is why must of us have had several detectors over the years. I had several brands and models before I retired, then when I retired I wanted the very best so I got several high dollar detectors and now I just had to try the Tejon.

Just jump in there, you can sale, trade or buy more. From what I read either one of these 2 machines would be a good choice.

Ron in WV

 

[Hungarian]

Get the Vaquero. The Tejon is a bit harder to use and since this is your first detector, the last thing you need to do is get frustrated and end up quitting the hobby.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Basically for an experienced hunter the Tejon and for the newbie the Vaquero would be my recommendation.

 

[MarkCZ]

Basically for an experienced hunter the Tejon and for the newbie the Vaquero would be my recommendation.

Hi Dan,
Lets say if a person was mostly interested in land hunting for coins and jewelry (gold) which of the two may have the edge?

Mark

 

[Smudge]

If you want coins, you generally go with a lower frequency, around 2 to 10 kHz.

Gold jewelry demands a higher frequency, usually 15 kHz or higher.

Also, the way the detector processes that frequency can have a lot to do with the kind of targets it favors, but I am speaking generally.

The V and Tejon run at similar frequencies (the Tejon is higher), but I still give the edge to the V.

Remember that Tesoro designed the Tejon as a relic hunter. It will certainly find gold and coins, but it was designed specially as a relic hunter.

The Vaquero was designed as an all purposes detector, better suited for coins and jewlery.

I would go with Tesoro's design recommendations on this one.