Which is better ????????? having one detector and learning it well in all aspects you use it...OR.........

[Elton]

Having several detectors and switching back and forth on hunts and sites. This is a spin off of a Teknetics forum conversation about T2, Omega's and even the F75 Series. SO this is First Texas referenced machines post.....It could be just about any detector company machines though..so don't read to much in the models.

In the past it has been highly suggested..."KNOW" your detector. Does this still apply mostly ??. Or, can you use each detector and really learn what it is telling you. Which in your opinion is better ??. Learn all of what one does in the field, or have different detectors and maybe always be learning.

I myself haven't really decided yet............. but I do know this..Using a T2, and an F75 Series is different..up to and including the ID numbers. Add the F5,F4,F70, F75, F75 LTD, & T2LTD and now the Omega.????????????????????????????????????

Give me your thoughts, and thank you !!

 

[zeekeys]

Good question Elton. I am now in that boat, one detector. I have always had 2 or more detectors. Had one for this hunting and another for another kind of hunting. One light one and one big boat to cover the deeper stuff. One fun detector and one for serious detecting.
Some of the newer detectors cover all that and are light, very versatile with super battery live. There is a wide range coils and the adjustments available in the detectors and they are good at more than just one type of hunting. I am more in favor of just one detector and learning that detector. And at my age every summer I have to read the manual because I forgot what the buttons are for??? Its like having a new detector every summer.
Thanks for reading and Happy Trails...Z/Jerry

 

[Elton]

n/t

 

[dave5710]

Every ones answer will be different because of alot of factors. Lately because of work and weather and other responsibilities, getting out to hunt more than once every couple weeks has been hard, so one will do the job. If I was retired and had more free time, I might think differently. A variety of coils also makes a single detector more versatile. I'm not much for travel so most of my hunting involves good black dirt. If I detected beaches or clay soil, that might change my answer as well. Todays machines also allow alot of changes in settings, for different types of conditions. Another factor would be the age of a machine. Surely there must be some loss of performance after many years of use. So I guess my answer would be to buy one and learn it well. And when the time comes, replace it. My question is...Why do I own four?

 

[Elton]

Thank you Dave.........thats what I am wondering too !!...........and should I get another ( Omega) since I have a T2????

 

[Topo]

that's a nice question.

There is a lot of people who thinks that the most detectors you use, the better detectorist you become. I don't thinks that's true, but I don't say is wrong to do that either. It's all about what you want from metal detecting, having fun trying new gadgets? or sticking with one detector to produce more finds?

 

[Elton]

n/t

 

[Neil]

That is a great question!

I used to hunt with just one and then added another and another and I never went back to just one. There are variations on performance, no way to deny that, no matter how well you know an explorer or sov, you will never get it to hit the smallest gold like a Tesoro will. I give myself reasons like that to have a bunch of them and lately, like zeekeys said, I just dont have the time to do it like I used to. I probably should give this a try, keep one waterproof detector and one for the land and still they wouldnt get used much.

I hope this thread takes off, would like to see different takes on this.

Neil

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Elton,unless you are trying to sell metal detectors one detector and know it well is the best strategy.Usually switching back and fourth confuses the operator.As you stated different ID reading,manual setting and sweep speeds must be relearned and cuts into your hunting ability and time.

 

[crazyman]

I sold all my other detectors after learning the Sovereign GT. It loves my mineralized ground and nasty beaches.

 

[goodmore]

One detector with a variety of coils. I currently have three. But the Excal is for the water so I get a pass right? The HHPI I picked up to learn about Pulse detectors. Since I'm using it to educate myself I get a pass on that one too. Seriously I think a person who knows their detector is a much better hunter than the guy who sort of knows three.

 

[Elton]

n/t

 

[Elton]

n/t

 

[Elton]

n/t

 

[Elton]

n/t

 

[Topo]

You are welcome Elton

Elton,unless you are trying to sell metal detectors one detector and know it well is the best strategy.Usually switching back and fourth confuses the operator.As you stated different ID reading,manual setting and sweep speeds must be relearned and cuts into your hunting ability and time.

important point Ron!

I think what makes someone a good hunter is the ability to use their machine as second nature, internalizing the behavior of it and acting almost unconsciously, I know it sounds a little weird but is the way I see it

 

[jim tn]

I am an advocate of one and learning it well. Although I do want a backup if for nothing else then something different to play around with. Good question! HH jim tn

 

[Elton]

n/t

 

[dirt doctor]

I guess the ideal thing would be to really learn one detector really well and have an identical one as a spare but it is too late for me I've sampled too many to just be happy with one .I feel different ones are good in different situations .I usually switch off between using an Explorer SE , White's M6 or Troy X2 . Funny thing is I've been married to the same woman for 40 years .

 

[UK Brian]

You have to have several detectors. There still isn't a do it all machine. One will be excellent on plough/light fluffy soil. Another will be poor in comparison but excel on pasture where the soil matrix has been undisturbed for years.

At the minimum I would say you need 3, a wet beach machine, a pasture machine and one for plough soil. Either or both of the latter should cover the dry sand needs for the top of beaches.
Then for best results add a detector for high iron contamination or in Europe Roman spoil heaps and if gold hunting is your bag then a specialized gold machine (or two) because some areas will allow the use of a Gold Bug/Lobo etc and others will need depth and the ability to cope with extreme mineralisation where a P.I. would be the way to go.

Then to finish off, add a few pairs of headphones because what suits one machine won't be best on the next.