which detector to buy?

[ilsaarin]

Hello

I am purchasing my first detector and I am struggling between Garrett GTI 2500 Pro package with two coils, etc. and Teknetics T2. Is here someone who have tested or owned both and could give me some tips. I know that T2 is much lighter than Garrett, but that's about it. Can I use them in shallow water, let's say 30-40cm deep?

Thanks for your opinions.

Ilkka from Finland

 

[Paul(NWO)]

you just have to make sure water doesn't get into the control housing. If you're asking about salt water with the waves you are probably going to ruin your machine being that deep with waves. Fresh water lakes don't usually have much wave action to get water into the control module. There are machines specifically made for water metal detecting and some are for salt and some are for fresh water. If you could afford the expense that would be the way to go.
HH

 

[Eu_citzen]

Hello from Sweden! I have had the GTI and can fill you in a bit about the GTI in Northern Europe.

Good:
1. Many coils for all kinds of conditions
2. Can handle the mineralization I've encountered fairly well
3. easy to use and not to advanced (personal opinion)
4 good all round (farm land, private property, beach dry sand has problems with salt according to my experience even if it is rather limited on the beach)
5. Accurate pinpoint to approx 8" (and ID to)

Bad:
A. The disc does not work to well
B. Quite heavy if your new
C. Over priced

There might be more I can't think of right now.

 

[dahut]

Ive used both, haven't owned them. The Fisher is lighter and a bit flimsy, IMHO. Since Fisher went to new ownership, I have to knock them for construction
The Garrett on the other hand is built like a tank - and weighs about as much. All right not really, but it is heavier than the Fisher.

The Fisher is a very busy detector. There is a lot going on in the way of noises and cursors and adjustments and so on. I found this ditracting and the audio was actually kind of weak compared to the Garrett's "Bong!" over targets.

When you are detecting there is only one thing to see - the searchcoil. The Fisher coil is absolute bollox. It is a DD type with the typical 'hotstrip' down the middle. That alone will take some getting used to. It also swings like a Sasquatch's big foot. I did not like it at all. The Garrett has that large round coil, which I also am not a fan of, but I like it better than the Fisher bigfoot.

The Garrett is set up better with its keypad interface, and unless Fisher has moved the volume knob from the side of the arm cuff you will find that volume will increase or decrease each time the knob brushes your waistband. If the Garrett had a pinpoint trigger and I'd be happier, but overall the Garrett is a more user friendly instrument.

But there is really only one way to know what works for YOU. You must try each and decide.

 

[Uncle Willy]

If this is your first detector and you have never used one before I wouldn't start out with the 2500. It has quite a learning curve, Only the coils can be submerged in water.

Bill

 

[John-Edmonton]

What kind of hunting are you going to be doing? Land, water, beach, woods.......

What kind of targets are you going to be hunting? relics, modern coins, old coins, jewelry.....

The reason I am asking is that no machine does it all. However, some machines excel in certain areas over another. Buying the top end machine is not always the way to go, as they usually have a greater learning curve. Garrett detectors have been around for many years, and have a nice variety of machines to suit your needs, and a good variety of dependable coils too. Garrett detectors are made in the USA.....it even says so on the box. Below is a link to Garrett to see what other detectors are available.

http://www.garrett.com/hobby/products.htm

And below is a short slide show of what my Garretts found last year in my area: (allow a minute or two to download)

http://www.photoshow.com/watch/bH2kn7WY