Your best machine?

[Monte]

I have both older and very new detector models in my Regular-Use Detector Team, and I keep favored search coils mounted and tote along only those that have worked well for me as needed afield. I've spent over fifty-three years avidly detecting a wide-range of sites, and due to the different types of ground conditions dealt with and the density and types of debris I encounter, in both urban environments as well as out in the vast rural locations, there isn't one single detector that I felt would be my 'best' pick.

Thus, I own and use a variety of makes and models that can generally "do-it-all" if needed, but perhaps specialize more in one area of interest over some of the others.

Older, but dependable, personal favorites:
Tesoro Bandido II w/6" Concentric mounted for any place I would want to work a Tesoro.
White's XLT w/6½" Concentric coil mounted, and an 8" Concentric as a sparse-trash area back-up.
White's Classic ID .. modified .. w/5½" Concentric 'Ferret' coil mounted for primary use, and 8" Concentric for the rare times I would use it to cruise more open areas.

Newer, more 'modern,' and also dependable personal favorites:
Nokta FORS CoRe w/'OOR' DD [size=small](4.7X5.2)[/size] mounted, and 5X9½ DD open-frame coil for moderate to sparsely littered sites.
Nokta FORS Relic w/5" DD mounted, and 5X9½ DD open-frame coil for moderate to sparsely littered sites.
Makro Racer 2 w/7" Concentric mounted, and either an 'OOR' or 5" DD coil for dense iron debris areas.
White's MX-7 w/6½" Concentric mounted, and either a 7" DD open-frame for user in water, or 950 Concentric for open-area use.

I've read posts by several others in this thread who I know have one or more additional detectors than the one they specifically pointed out, and that's for very good reason. They provide a different level of performance that complements what they feel is their 'best' or 'favorite' detector/coil combination. Over the past 47 years I have tried to maintain two or more detectors in my personal detector battery in order to be as prepared as I felt possible of being ready to deal with any site I hunt. Each model I listed above is there because they have, and do, provide a very special level of performance for me, and some models I have relied on a lot for a long time.

But that's not to say anyone should necessarily follow my lead and run out and get what I use because they might likely have and use a model that I have had and also admire. For example, the Teknetics T2, Classic/original version or other, with a 5" DD coil, also was a very versatile performer for me in many very iron littered sites. The Minelab Explorer II was maybe the best of any of the FBS models I have owned and used for other types of hunting needs.

I also have fond memories of units like the Teknetics Mark 1 LTD w/7¼" Concentric coil, White's 5900 Di Pro, 6000 Pro XL or XL Pro with a 6½" or 8" Concentric, and other models that might be in my 'Specialty-Use Group' like or a Makro Multi-Kruzer, Nokta Impact, Tesoro Mojave or Vaquero or Bandido II µMAX or Silver Sabre µMAX, and older favorites I have/have-had such as my Compass Coin Hustler TR or the Garrett American S2 TR, White's IDX Pro, and .... Well, there have been many through the years, so I have settled on what I have, all of my Regular-Use models, to handle every site and need that comes my way. For me, they are All 'The Best.'

Monte

 

[KyJoe]

I've owned many detectors but if I had to pick one that is the best for my soil and the sites I hunt...……...Fisher F-19.

 

[JJames1610]

Fantastic stuff everyone. I notice a wide array of different detectors. Thats what i expect, different opinions. I love it, thanks.

 

[Justme]

I've owned many units and have decided (for now) to quit buying and trading. Currently I own a 5900 di SL (cb), a minelab se pro and makro multi kruzer. Currently I'm in love with the makro as my whites needs a road trip to a service center.

 

[oldkoot]

the one detector that I clicked with and still use to this day is the X Terra 705 it is the one detector they will have to pry from my cold dead hands the one I least liked was and still is the AT Pro and I am not saying its a bad detector just that it and I never did click

 

[Hybridcruiser]

My Best detector is a Teknetic Mark 1 LTD ,It may not go in the water or go as deep as some of the new ones but that is ok . then I'm hoping my new used Bandito 2 the second one in the series will serve me well for tot lots and under the bleachers and around burned down buildings infested with nails and iron. not to mention sidewalk repairs.. I guess it comes down to what you want to use the detector for that really makes all the difference.

 

[Phillip_in_NM]

Best urban detector: White's M6 with the 4x6" DD coil

Best ghost town detector: Minelab Etrac w/ 4.5x7" DD coil

Best ski slope detector: Teknetics Omega 8000 w/ 10" concentric

[size=x-large]Loving this thread - reading other people's opinions.... Thanks for starting it![/size]

 

[synthnut]

Sovereign GT......

 

[JJames1610]

I have used a makro racer and a mx sport within the last few months. Was recently swayed into trying a x-terra 705. I haven't had it long enough to fully evaluate it, but so far there is nothing about i don't like. Put that dude in all metal and 99 tones, its a very impressive machine, ( in my opinion). Later on i may find something that i don't like, but not so far. Now i would not recommend that setting around home places, might be a little much, but for open fields and hill sides that setting works for me. It has discrimination modes that work for coin and jewelry to.

 

[oldkoot]

I have used a makro racer and a mx sport within the last few months. Was recently swayed into trying a x-terra 705. I haven't had it long enough to fully evaluate it, but so far there is nothing about i don't like. Put that dude in all metal and 99 tones, its a very impressive machine, ( in my opinion). Later on i may find something that i don't like, but not so far. Now i would not recommend that setting around home places, might be a little much, but for open fields and hill sides that setting works for me. It has discrimination modes that work for coin and jewelry to.

I have tried that 99 tones on my 705 and for me it was way to much for my mind I have played with every setting on the 705 and now I only use the 2 or 4 tone settings on it that 99 tone setting to me is just to much info over load

When in the 99 tone setting i always felt I lost depth while set to 99 tones can not really say that is the fact but just my thoughts,I also hunt primarily in prospecting mode with the tracking activated the 705 does take some time to learn but it is well worth the time it takes I have always felt it is one of the most under rated detectors on the market and still feel it is way under rate to this day

 

[JJames1610]

I agree with you on that, but if your in fields and on hillsides where targets are sometimes far apart. I like 99 tones and all metal. If your in an area where there are numerous targets both good and bad then 99 tones would not be my choice. I would be in a different mode than all metal and anywhere from 2 to 4 tones. Its also operators choice as to which method they prefer. All in all its a very nice detector. Like i said, i do like it.

 

[Mega]

My main 2 everyday use detectors are the T2 in AM mode and Deus

Pasture sites and for deep relic hunting and also high mineral content sites then the TDI pro,Nexus MP and Nexus Standard SE come out too play

Trashy roman/saxon sites then Vaquero,T2,IDX Pro with very small coils are used.

Enjoyment factor and just getting back to basics then i use my Laser B1,B3,Silver Sabre,IDX Pro,Arado120b

 

[LTimedigger]

Yep, some of my best finds when i was a kid with the 6000D. Literally wore it out

 

[dirt doctor]

For what I do now , it's the White's M6.

 

[Mark kus]

Equinox 800 and deus!

 

[Canewrap]

I understand why you like the 705. My best machine is an X-terra 70 that must have been made on a good day. I haven't found a digital machine (in that price range)
that can compare. The HF 6" coil is superb in trash.

 

[Welgund]

Deep old silver in old parks and lawns - CTX 3030, prior wad my SE Pro.

Deep old nickel hunting- Tom Tuned CZ 6a, CZ5. Nothing else close for years, mason jars full of buffalo and V nickels because of them two detectors.

Trashy ghost towns, homesteads, railroad stops- makro multi kruzer 7in concentric, VGG super 6, Tesoro Vaquero or Mojave with small concentrics.

All around use XP Deus with X35 coil.

 

[Southwind]

n/t

 

[Southwind]

For me I love my Equinox 800 but I really liked my AT Pro and my CTX 3030. Can't really label one "the best" because each had good and bad other than, so far, my 800.

 

[BH505Man]

My Teknetics T2 Classic is #1 followed by my Bounty Hunter Pioneer 505 at #2. and my Bounty Hunter Legacy 3500 is close behind the 505 at #3.