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Why Bandido ll ?
- Thread starter WV62
- Start date
Rick N. MI
Member
If you are doing well with the Tejon there's no reason for the Bandido 2. The Bandido 2 would be quieter than the Tejon in iron and have a smoother sound on a good targets. It won't beat the Tejon on depth. I say the Tejon is the best ever Tesoro. It's my favorite detector and 8" concentric coil is my favorite coil.
Detectors I have,
Tejon
T2se
1236x2
SurfMaster II vlf
Detectors I have,
Tejon
T2se
1236x2
SurfMaster II vlf
Ron,WV62 said:
Tesoro made four (4) Bandido series models. They were the:
Bandido, the 'original' in the series made from March '90 to June '93.
Bandido II, made from January '93 to September '97. The same configuration, with a toggle to select Normal/Manual Retune or Auto-Tune for the All Metal mode.
µMAX [size=small](microMAX)[/size] Bandido, from March '96 to March '98, which was their first model in the 'micro' housing, but it lacked an external Threshold.
Bandido II µMAX, made from October of '97 to January '01. It was replaced by the micro-sized Eldorado.
Of them all I never cared for the µMAX Bandido because it lacked a manual Threshold control, plus it was generally a wimpier performer compared with the Bandido and Bandido II. That was a serious oversight in the design and it was soon replaced by the Bandido II µMAX which had the front panel Threshold control, and even better it had the new Low-Noise/High-gain circuitry for much better depth and audio responsiveness.
So, as you can see, there were actually two Bandido II models so it is necessary to clarify which one you are referring to. They do have some differences, such as:
I happen to like the 'original' Bandido, Bandido II and Bandido II µMAX the best of the four models. Of those, I like my Bandido II because it has the Auto retune option for searching in the All Metal mode, and I like the 10-turn manual Ground Balance control. I currently have an extra very choice condition Bandido II I am going to sell as I thin out some of my duplications. I do own and use some duplicate detector models, but all I need are my favorite Tesoro models with the thin-profile 6" Concentric coil and they have my Tesoro needs/wants covered.
The Bandido II [size=small]micro[/size]MAX is my personal favorite of the Bandido series primarily due to the smaller, lighter weight it provides for my falling apart mobility issues. That said, the Bandido II isn't what you consider heavy, either. I also like the Low-Noise/High-Gain and audio performance of tis Bandido model, although in some of the nastiest iron challenged sites the original and Bandido II models do have a slightly better iron-handling performance. I know I can tell, but these are the types I locations I hunt the most, ferrous debris in abundance, and I like to find the tough targets that are partially masked by the iron junk.
Does the Bandido II µMAX do okay? Yes, it does. But the Bandido II has a slight edge in some of the more challenging iron masking encounters I have had. That said, I am not always is severe iron and highly trashy places, and I liked the Bandido II µMAX for a lot of the quick work I do in urban Coin Hunting applications. Again, both the Bandido II models I will grab for this type of hunting also, it's just the compactness of the µMAX model with the 6" coil mounted lets it fit in the back seat area of my pick-up with all the other detectors I regularly take along.
You asked about why some of us fe4el the Bandido II [size=small](take your pick)[/size] is the 'best ever' Tesoro, and I would have to say it is because they are highly reliable; they are simple and straight forward in their adjustments features; they all have the ED-120 Discrimination [size=small](introduced with the original Bandido in '90)[/size]; and they all have Tesoro's great performance of quick-response and fast-recovery.
Because the [size=small]micro[/size]MAX version was the last one made and had the Low-Noise/High-Gain circuitry, I believe it is the specific Bandido II model that most folks are excited to get in their hand and never let them go.
Monte
its dependant on what and where you are hunting 
from what I can see there is no stock answer to best detector or there would only be one detector and we would all use it.
nothing wrong with any Tesoro for shallow coin and jewellery hunting and by shallow I mean 1st 6" but a detector that does well for one application doesn't do so well at another.
for me working out what does what where and how good is the challenge of metal detecting.
we do not run Golden Sipper horses in the Melbourne Cup, well we can but running a long last all the time can become a bit boring
just because there's a run on B2 threads doesn't mean its the best just means its a B2 5 pin Tesoro its not a magic wand none of them are they don't make things appear that are not there now that would be a impressive detector
nothing wrong with the T if you are hunting modern parks you have a pretty good detector.
AJ
from what I can see there is no stock answer to best detector or there would only be one detector and we would all use it.nothing wrong with any Tesoro for shallow coin and jewellery hunting and by shallow I mean 1st 6" but a detector that does well for one application doesn't do so well at another.
for me working out what does what where and how good is the challenge of metal detecting.
we do not run Golden Sipper horses in the Melbourne Cup, well we can but running a long last all the time can become a bit boring
just because there's a run on B2 threads doesn't mean its the best just means its a B2 5 pin Tesoro its not a magic wand none of them are they don't make things appear that are not there now that would be a impressive detector
nothing wrong with the T if you are hunting modern parks you have a pretty good detector.
AJ
Basically, YES, the Silver Sabre [size=small]micro[/size]MAX was designed with the Bandido II µMAX and had the internally preset GB. It had the same outside Threshold control, which is very good, and it has the added Pinpoint button, which is the handier feature in my opinion. They both started in production in October 1997.berryman said:
It doesn't have the Normal [size=small](manually re-tuned)[/size] and Auto-Tune selector because it doesn't have a selectable All Metal mode. However, in the Pinpoint function, there is an Auto-Tune circuitry that works with a little more delay or hesitation than the selected 'Auto' retuning on the Bandido II [size=small]micro[/size]MAX, and I find it an almost ideal retune speed for most hunting needs.
In March of 2001 Tesoro started making both the Eldorado, in the [size=small]micro[/size]MAX housing, and the current Silver µMAX, with the Eldorado taking the place of a small-sized manual GB model the Bandido II µMAX had held, as it was last produced in January of '01. The Silver Sabre µMAX stayed in production a month longer than the Bandido II µMAX, being last produced in February 2001, just before the Eldorado and Silver µMAX began.
If you have a lot of sites you like to hunt, and you don't plan to frequently change search coils, then the Silver Sabre µMAX can be a very good pick instead of the Bandido II µMAX.
Personally, I like them both so much that I have, and will maintain, BOTH of these excellent [size=small]micro[/size]MAX models in my working detector battery. They are each equipped with the thin-profile 6" Concentric coil and ... as expected ... performance is excellent!
Monte
WV62
Well-known member
I haven't done any homework on the Bandido's but when I read that thread Which One To Keep it got me wondering if there was some magic with this detector over the other model Tesoro's.
Sounds like a pretty good machine, but this is my second Tejon and it seems to be a pretty good machine.
I am more of coil changer than a machine changer, my Tejon came with the 9x8 concentric and I bought a new NEL snake coil for it. I haven't hunted with it yet, I have only air tested it, but it should do real good on target separation.
I am finally down to two machines, the Tejon and a Fisher F75.
Ron in WV
Sounds like a pretty good machine, but this is my second Tejon and it seems to be a pretty good machine.
I am more of coil changer than a machine changer, my Tejon came with the 9x8 concentric and I bought a new NEL snake coil for it. I haven't hunted with it yet, I have only air tested it, but it should do real good on target separation.
I am finally down to two machines, the Tejon and a Fisher F75.
Ron in WV
At the present time I own an original Bandido but in the past have also owned the Bandido II and Bandido Micro-max. My earlier Tesoro detectors gave me a choice between auto/normal/retune tuning and while teaching myself to detect I always chose auto mode for some reason. Of the three I have owned I will say the Bandido Micro-max was the least liked by me because of the threshold issue...especially when changing coils. Although once adjusted with a smaller coil it really didn't make a bad little "trashy area hunter" when your primary concern was about discrimination with a fast recovery speed. The Bandidos are still good today at what they were designed for years ago!
thumperjones
Member
WV62 said:
I'm the guy that started that thread!
Funny story, I actually traded my Tejon for this Bandido II uMax. I think the biggest difference between the two (other than more power on the Tejon) is how much smoother and well behaved the Bandido does in iron. The Bandido can really sift through the nails and junk with an amazing degree of confidence. The Tejon can too, but it will have more "extra noises" to decipher through while you are doing it.
As the owner of a Bandido II uMax, I believe it's highly regarded just because it's one of the few times that Tesoro put all the right stuff on a detector without leaving anything off. But really, at the end of the day, I think the only major thing the Bandido II has over other Tesoros is the REAL No Motion All Metal mode. Very few other Tesoros have that, and it's a nice feature once you get used to it.
But overall performance wise, it's not much better (if any) than other Tesoros. It's not "hotter" than other 5 pin Tesoros, and the Disc is the same ED120 used on others. The features are what set it apart in my opinion.
After reading that thread, and doing some thinking, I'm considering selling my Bandido II. And the only reason being because the tone has always been so high that it's hard on my ears. I love the detector, but it wears me out. So if you are considering one, keep in mind that it has a very high pitch tone to it. You can set your Tejon tone up real high and hunt with it for a while to see how it would affect you.
WV62
Well-known member
thumperjones said:WV62 said:
I'm the guy that started that thread!
Funny story, I actually traded my Tejon for this Bandido II uMax. I think the biggest difference between the two (other than more power on the Tejon) is how much smoother and well behaved the Bandido does in iron. The Bandido can really sift through the nails and junk with an amazing degree of confidence. The Tejon can too, but it will have more "extra noises" to decipher through while you are doing it.
As the owner of a Bandido II uMax, I believe it's highly regarded just because it's one of the few times that Tesoro put all the right stuff on a detector without leaving anything off. But really, at the end of the day, I think the only major thing the Bandido II has over other Tesoros is the REAL No Motion All Metal mode. Very few other Tesoros have that, and it's a nice feature once you get used to it.
But overall performance wise, it's not much better (if any) than other Tesoros. It's not "hotter" than other 5 pin Tesoros, and the Disc is the same ED120 used on others. The features are what set it apart in my opinion.
After reading that thread, and doing some thinking, I'm considering selling my Bandido II. And the only reason being because the tone has always been so high that it's hard on my ears. I love the detector, but it wears me out. So if you are considering one, keep in mind that it has a very high pitch tone to it. You can set your Tejon tone up real high and hunt with it for a while to see how it would affect you.
I started to just post my question on your thread, but didn't want to hijack it and change the direction of your thread. I got some pretty interesting answers.
I am like a lot of guys here on the forum I like metal detectors and would like to have one each.
I have had as many as 5 at one time, then think that man I got to get rid of some of these, so I sale a couple sure enough I see a good deal and buy another. I am down to 2 the F75 and the Tejon, and actually this second Tejon I just bought it used a little over a month ago.I really like the target separation I get with the 9x8 coil, with a little wiggle I can put the target right inside that small hole in the center of the coil. Now I got the little NEL snake coil, I should be able to count BB's in a hole with that little guy.
Now if it would just cool off a little so I can get back out there.
Ron in WV
Stoof-tabsallday
Well-known member
I will say that my Bandido II Micromax is up there as my favorite. The only thing that sets it apart from, say, my outlaw, is the higher audio frequency which I much prefer, and the switches instead of the button for retune.
However, once I got the hang of that button on the outlaw I have to say it's a cool feature. Being able to go into true no motion all metal with a half push then being able to either retune and go back or just go into fast retune all metal by pushing it all the way is pretty cool. Then when done letting go back into disc.
Takes some getting used to.
But I'd have to say that the outlaw is a very respectable remake of the Bandido II Micromax, or at least the best to be expected.
If you can't find a Bandido II Micromax, the outlaw would be a good comparable model.
But I don't think I'll ever give up my Bandido II Micromax.
Truly a great machine.
Its all Monte's fault I went searching for one anyway... Lol. And I'm happier than a pig in mud with mine
However, once I got the hang of that button on the outlaw I have to say it's a cool feature. Being able to go into true no motion all metal with a half push then being able to either retune and go back or just go into fast retune all metal by pushing it all the way is pretty cool. Then when done letting go back into disc.
Takes some getting used to.
But I'd have to say that the outlaw is a very respectable remake of the Bandido II Micromax, or at least the best to be expected.
If you can't find a Bandido II Micromax, the outlaw would be a good comparable model.
But I don't think I'll ever give up my Bandido II Micromax.
Truly a great machine.
Its all Monte's fault I went searching for one anyway... Lol. And I'm happier than a pig in mud with mine
Diggerinva
New member
pinenut said:
To many people see "depth" as everything and therefore chose the Vaquero over the Outlaw....or so I believe. I really like my Bandido 2 micromax, also liked the Vaquero, Outlaw, Eldorado and Silver Micromax.....but the Tejon is by far my favorite machine for my style of detecting. The Bandido 2 is a shade smoother in the thick trash, so I consider the two of them the perfect combo for me.
88junior
Well-known member
I have a original big box Bandido II it was my first metal detector it took me a while to learn but once mastered it's a good machine. I just wish I had used a coil cover from the get go cause I just about wore a hole in the bottom of it so I coated the bottom with epoxy and now have a coil cover on it. I like the Bandido II more than the Tejon due to its mild nature and disc abilities the Tejon was just to sensitive to small non ferrous targets like bits of aluminum foil the size of a bb.
I have a UK version of the Bandido which is in as new condition,this came with the 8'' Polo coil which did work well,but then sourced a 7'' Concentric which made it better suited for some of my trashy roman sites,but the coil that i always wanted and are rare too find especially in good condition is the 10.5'' White Concentric coil,these are as rare as 'rocking horse manure' and when they do come onto the market they are usually seen better days condition wise,but today my luck was in and snagged a as new one for price way below a beat up 8'' coil.
This has made this into a very desirable outfit especially on open farmland sites as the bigger coil will give better depth and still provide the legendary Tesoro discrimination,as the condition is superb on the whole outfit if i was too sell it then it would command top dollar,but this wont be till they carry me out in a wooden overcoat lol.
Not sure if the 10.5'' Concentric coil is a desirable coil across the pond but in the UK they are highly desirable
This has made this into a very desirable outfit especially on open farmland sites as the bigger coil will give better depth and still provide the legendary Tesoro discrimination,as the condition is superb on the whole outfit if i was too sell it then it would command top dollar,but this wont be till they carry me out in a wooden overcoat lol.
Not sure if the 10.5'' Concentric coil is a desirable coil across the pond but in the UK they are highly desirable
Mega said:...Not sure if the 10.5'' Concentric coil is a desirable coil across the pond but in the UK they are highly desirable
I think that most people on this side aren't familliar with the old 10.5" donut. I was fortunate enough to get an "as new" one with a recent Outlaw purchase. Still haven't even tried it yet. Been hunting trashy areas with the 5.75" and 8" donut. Maybe I'll try the 10.5" next week, in a cleaner section of the old park I've been doing. ^_^
pinenut said:Mega said:...Not sure if the 10.5'' Concentric coil is a desirable coil across the pond but in the UK they are highly desirable
I think that most people on this side aren't familliar with the old 10.5" donut. I was fortunate enough to get an "as new" one with a recent Outlaw purchase. Still haven't even tried it yet. Been hunting trashy areas with the 5.75" and 8" donut. Maybe I'll try the 10.5" next week, in a cleaner section of the old park I've been doing. ^_^
Thats most surprising that folks across the pond dont use them as much,of course they are more for open cleaner ground conditions,but they do give you a little extra depth for sure,even if it gives you just say 1-2'' extra depth this can make the difference of a few hundred years of finds and of course better ground coverage.I would think the 9x8 Concentric coil may have killed off the sales of the 10.5'' coil.
Its certainly made me a very nice detecting combination,a real pleasure to use,basically switch it on and off again at the end of he day but with a steady flow of finds into your pouch without all the vast amount of knob twiddling on modern machines.