What do you guys and gals suggest?

[Royal]

I have a buddy that wants to get into metal detecting and he is asking me for advice. I have been at it for years but really don't know much about the new detectors and he knows nothing at all.

I own a XLT, Fisher 1280X, a Fisher CZ20 and a Shadow myself. What he needs is a simple machine, not some machine that it takes a lot of messing with to use, like what I hear about the Minelabs. He wants to turn it on and use it. His main quest at this point will be coins but who knows what the future We all know how that goes.

What do you guys suggest I point him to?

Thanks, Royal

 

[bula]

I have not used anything but the MXT & love it. The MXT is a great MD & is very simple to use, there are a lot of coils for it & it is a good coin & relic machine.

 

[Larry (IL)]

It sounds like the M6, MXT or MXT Pro would be ideal choices for him. Serious detectors and easy to use.

 

[John (Ma)]

M6 is an excellent choice, but if he wants to relic hunt, I like the MXT. M6 is an excellent coin / jewlery detector.

 

[Nancy-IL]

I couldn't agree more with Bula. HH, Nancy

 

[widebody]

[size=large]i've seen both the new whites mxt pro and the new garrett at pro. to me it gets down to balance of the machine and cost can play a factor as well.
if he is going to really expand in the hobby then the most versitile is the mxt. both machines are deep seeking and made for relic hunting. he needs to get his hands on one of each just to get the feel of the swing. whites are very well balanced. the other brands are not but are darn good machines.jmho

HH[/size]

 

[Lodihunter]

My suggestion is for him to try out some of your detectors giving them a test drive. He will see what he likes and dislikes. But as others have said, you really can't go wrong with an MXT.

Lodihunter

 

[nyrelichunter101]

It's best if he can find a Multi Line dealer and try out some detectors. He may want to go with an entry level detector at first. A lot of people buy an expensive machine, use it once or twice, and lose interest. I bought my MXT Pro from a guy who bought it as a first detector and lost interest. Plus while the MXT is a great machine, it is noisy compared to a lot of others, and may not be well suited for a beginner. Just my humble opinion.

 

[littfam]

I have to agree about the noise factor with the MXT. A beginner could get lost or frustrated in all the noise the MXT makes because of it's sensitivity. I think a newbie would be better served by a 'silent' search (no threshold) single tone machine. I say this because it forces you to dig every "good tone" and is the basis for getting a feel for detectors. I would suggest one of White's Classic XL series. You can find them on ebay for under 150 dollars and they come with a blue max 950 coil that has a conical field (also part of the learning curve) and is a deep seeker. Just my opinion.

Moderator edit:

I allow Ebay links for reference but not active selling items that will compete with our sponsors.

 

[Hunt4Fun]

If I was just starting in this hobby today with no detecting experience, I hope someone would strongly encourage me to buy an MXT Pro. When White

 

[starvin]

The comments from Hunt For Fun and others about the MXT Pro for beginners to use. I have to say as a beginner myself with all of the books and information I have received on the MXT PRO that it does require a steep learning curve. As I live not far from the factory, this summer I will go there for some more Hints! Monte has been a real help and I would advise those that can to take his class. Marv

 

[Larry (IL)]

Very well said Bob.....

 

[Hunt4Fun]

Hi Marv,

My first detector was a silent search machine which I used for about 10 years. My second detector was an MXT. The MXT was obviously different having a threshold but I do not recall having any problems learning to use the machine. I started finding good stuff with it right away and it has not stopped.

For the last 2 years I have conducted the beginners class for my club. It sounds like you are having trouble with your MXT Pro. Maybe I can help. If you would like me to try, send me a PM.

By the way, I have only a fraction of Monte

 

[nyrelichunter101]

Metal detecting is a great hobby, but often someone buys an $800 detector and loses interest. Better to buy something like the Classic SL, Garrett Ace 250, Fisher F2, etc. Then if you decide you like the hobby you can always upgrade. I have over 20 years experience in the hobby and have owned machines from every major manufacturer and I was ready to put my MXT Pro on eBay until I got used to the noise factor. I don't think it is a good machine for a beginner.

 

[Monte]

I would suggest you read them all, but better still, have your buddy read them, too.

I have a buddy that wants to get into metal detecting and he is asking me for advice. I have been at it for years but really don't know much about the new detectors and he knows nothing at all.

I've been at this a while myself, and I can attest to the fact that there are some older models that are still excellent! Some which will easily 'hold-their-own' against a lot of the newer offerings over the last few years. I have good hunting buddies who still aren't interested in an 'upgrade' to some of the latest manufacturer's offerings. Any manufacturer, and that's because what they have .. works. We could discuss the merits of some of the newer models on the market and there are some definite benefits to owning one or more of them, but they just are not for everyone.

I own a XLT, Fisher 1280X, a Fisher CZ20 and a Shadow myself.

You own one of my all-time favorite metal detectors, and that's the XLT. I waited too long for a dealer to get back in town to order a brand new XLT, and when he did they were all out. I missed the last one which they pulled from shipping to display at the factory display room as one of their best-selling, most popular detectors, ever.

I was maybe two weeks late and now I have to try and find a White's Dealer who might have ordered on of the final XLT's at the close-out price who still has it around, but wants to wheel-and-deal. Yes, there is newer stuff out there, and some very good detectors for sure, but I want/need another XLT, new or in pristine condition, to last me forever. I like what they do, especially with the 6