Looking for best detector with 450$ limit

Bitdrop

Full Member
Nov 23, 2013
178
399
Vermont
Detector(s) used
XP Deus,
Minelab Equinox 800,
Blisstool LTC64X v3,
Garrett Pro Pointer AT
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Hey,

I'm looking for the best detector I can get for 450$ or under. I was looking at the Garret AT Pro, the MineLab Explorer SE Pro and Explorer 2, and the Nokta Fors Core - but I'm open to new suggestions. I would like to able to find objects fairly deep in all types of terrain. Coins are definitely a point of interest for me. Also, where I live there is MASSIVE amounts of iron in the ground, so something with good discrimination would be wonderful.

Thanks!
 

digger460

Silver Member
Sep 19, 2015
2,972
3,295
Southeast Grundy, Illinois
Detector(s) used
EQ600, EQ800 and a Carrot
Primary Interest:
Other
ATPro is perfect for discriminating iron. The iron audio feature will let you know if you actually have something other then iron. I know you have the budget, but if you can get the 5 x 8 coil, it works wonders in trashy area's when you looking for coins. I've never used the stock coil. It's a great machine that will keep up with some of the more expensive models. Good Luck with your decision:occasion14:.
 

Patriot 1776

Supporting Vendor
Supporting Vendor
Dec 9, 2014
442
474
MA
Detector(s) used
Whites DFX and V3i, Garrett AT Pro , ACE 350, Minelab CTX
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Hey,

I'm looking for the best detector I can get for 450$ or under. I was looking at the Garret AT Pro, the MineLab Explorer SE Pro and Explorer 2, and the Nokta Fors Core - but I'm open to new suggestions. I would like to able to find objects fairly deep in all types of terrain. Coins are definitely a point of interest for me. Also, where I live there is MASSIVE amounts of iron in the ground, so something with good discrimination would be wonderful.

Thanks!

I agree with digger 460, the AT-Pro would be perfect for you
I you need any additional help
give me a call dennis
 

Loco-Digger

Gold Member
Jun 16, 2014
11,825
17,742
Northern O-H-I-O
🥇 Banner finds
1
Detector(s) used
F75 LTD, 1280X Aquanaut, & a Patriot (back-up/loaner)
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Seems like you narrowed it down to a few good detectors. You are on the right track.
 

Treasure_Hunter

Administrator
Staff member
Jul 27, 2006
48,305
54,467
Florida
Detector(s) used
Minelab_Equinox_ 800 Minelab_CTX-3030 Minelab_Excal_1000 Minelab_Sovereign_GT Minelab_Safari Minelab_ETrac Whites_Beach_Hunter_ID Fisher_1235_X
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Hey,

I'm looking for the best detector I can get for 450$ or under. I was looking at the Garret AT Pro, the MineLab Explorer SE Pro and Explorer 2, and the Nokta Fors Core - but I'm open to new suggestions. I would like to able to find objects fairly deep in all types of terrain. Coins are definitely a point of interest for me. Also, where I live there is MASSIVE amounts of iron in the ground, so something with good discrimination would be wonderful.

Thanks!

Check your pm..
 

xr7ator

Gold Member
Sep 2, 2011
5,168
7,141
Denver, Colorado
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT Pro, AT Gold, ATX, MH7 (oldie!) Minelab Explorer SE Pro, EQ800
Based on what I've read on this site your Tesoro should be doing the job.

On the AT Pro, it is 10' water proof, a very nice feature.

Also, whatever you buy be sure to at least try the coil it came with! I am the opposite of the above poster who has never even tried the larger coil. I have both the at pro and at gold and the 5x8 coil that came on the gold is in a box and larger coils are used. (depth!)
I also own a Minelab SE Pro and just don't like it at all. I'm not sold on FBS tech, especailly in iron patches.
 

Fletch88

Silver Member
Mar 7, 2013
4,841
2,367
Valdosta, GA
Detector(s) used
Garrett ATPro- 8.5x11, 5x8, CORS Fotune 5.5x9.5
Tesoro Silver microMax- 8 donut, 8x11 RSD, 3x18 Cleansweep
Minelab Excalibur ll- 10" Tornado
Minelab CTX 3030
Minelab Xterra 305
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
The T2 Classic in 2+ tone is very good in heavy iron. It has the best ergonomics of any machine built and a very proven track record.
 

mtsheron

Sr. Member
Jun 6, 2014
330
154
NC
Detector(s) used
Nokta Simplex+; and Lesche digging tools! Tesoro Compadre (daughter's machine)
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Remaining quiet myself......curious to see what you end up with. Good luck and the only thing I would suggest for the money limit is maybe look used as well for whichever unit and get a great deal with maybe some spare cash!
 

Seabees

Full Member
Jan 3, 2014
237
307
The Golden State
Detector(s) used
-Whites & Minelab-
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I know you did not mention this machine, But If I were you I would get a used Whites "mxt" /pro and you might even be able to get a after market coil. (SEF 6x8 or 10x12). It's ez to use and has good dis.
 

dbsmokey

Sr. Member
Jan 12, 2004
363
53
Oregon
Detector(s) used
CZ-21, Nox 800
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I would consider the mx5 with a 6x10 coil or the 6x8 SEF coil. It's a sleeper.
 

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clv

Hero Member
Dec 23, 2012
714
1,101
santee, ca
Detector(s) used
Current Detectors; Minelab Safari, Equinox 600
TRX Pin Pointer, Fisher 1235x
Have owned; Minelab Eureka gold,
Tesoro Compadre, White's MX5, GMT, MXT Pro,
fisher cz7a pro, go fine 20, Garret Ma
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I would consider the mx5 with a 6x10 coil or the 6x8 SEF coil. It's a sleeper.
good bang, great combo. I have an MX5 with a 5x10sef coil you would not believe the difference going from the standard coil to the sef coil.
 

Fletch88

Silver Member
Mar 7, 2013
4,841
2,367
Valdosta, GA
Detector(s) used
Garrett ATPro- 8.5x11, 5x8, CORS Fotune 5.5x9.5
Tesoro Silver microMax- 8 donut, 8x11 RSD, 3x18 Cleansweep
Minelab Excalibur ll- 10" Tornado
Minelab CTX 3030
Minelab Xterra 305
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I too wanted to recommend the mx-5 but most are turned off by how it looks like a Coinmaster. Definitely a sleeper machine. I have seen several for sale with all kinds of extras for 300-450.
 

Last edited:

PostalTwo

Full Member
Dec 25, 2012
224
64
edmonton
Detector(s) used
whites v3. past detectors bh disc 2200/3300, garrett at gold
The at pro is a good machine no question just not the best discrimination. Actually terrible imo. If i was starting over I think the whites treasure pro would be my choice for your price range
 

Last edited:

Phantasman

Gold Member
Nov 24, 2006
15,689
23,669
NE Tennessee
Detector(s) used
Nokta Simplex, Land Ranger Pro, Quick Draw Pro, Deteknix XPointer
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
It's hard to beat the Omega 8000 for new (reduced price) $400 if you can find one.
 

Sandman

Gold Member
Aug 6, 2005
13,398
3,992
In Michigan now.
Detector(s) used
Excal 1000, Excal II, Sovereign GT, CZ-20, Tiger Shark, Tejon, GTI 1500, Surfmaster Pulse, CZ6a, DFX, AT PRO, Fisher 1235, Surf PI Pro, 1280-X, many more because I enjoy learning them. New Garrett Ca
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
OP
OP
Bitdrop

Bitdrop

Full Member
Nov 23, 2013
178
399
Vermont
Detector(s) used
XP Deus,
Minelab Equinox 800,
Blisstool LTC64X v3,
Garrett Pro Pointer AT
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Things took a weird turn and I ended up with a Blisstool ltc64x v3 if anyone was wondering
 

PostalTwo

Full Member
Dec 25, 2012
224
64
edmonton
Detector(s) used
whites v3. past detectors bh disc 2200/3300, garrett at gold
Haha thanks for the update and Gl with your new machine HH
 

Fletch88

Silver Member
Mar 7, 2013
4,841
2,367
Valdosta, GA
Detector(s) used
Garrett ATPro- 8.5x11, 5x8, CORS Fotune 5.5x9.5
Tesoro Silver microMax- 8 donut, 8x11 RSD, 3x18 Cleansweep
Minelab Excalibur ll- 10" Tornado
Minelab CTX 3030
Minelab Xterra 305
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Yes that's definitely weird. Not a turn on and go machine by any means
 

clv

Hero Member
Dec 23, 2012
714
1,101
santee, ca
Detector(s) used
Current Detectors; Minelab Safari, Equinox 600
TRX Pin Pointer, Fisher 1235x
Have owned; Minelab Eureka gold,
Tesoro Compadre, White's MX5, GMT, MXT Pro,
fisher cz7a pro, go fine 20, Garret Ma
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Had to go and look that one up, It would not be my first choice, as I need a readout to help me know what is sounding off and how deep it is if it's a coin. And of course it's is much higher cost than your stated budget.
Let us know how deep you can find that quarter (that seem what most people here use to gauge depth).
 

mtsheron

Sr. Member
Jun 6, 2014
330
154
NC
Detector(s) used
Nokta Simplex+; and Lesche digging tools! Tesoro Compadre (daughter's machine)
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Wow! Not what I expected to see but good luck and report back how this system operates and your experience for sure. In that price range if bought new I would have thought maybe you went with a Minelab Safari that uses FBS. But hey, I learned a long time ago to never count on a jury trial coming out right nor predicting human nature! Let us know how this machines does!
 

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