Metal detectors seem to be over priced

[Smudge]

Of course, if anyone can think of another hobby where the equipment has even a possibility of paying for itself, I'd love to hear of it, 'cause I'm drawing a blank.

 

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[Iron Patch]

Of course, if anyone can think of another hobby where the equipment has even a possibility of paying for itself, I'd love to hear of it, 'cause I'm drawing a blank.

Actually there is because many people consider going to garage sale, auctions etc., and flipping things, their hobby. For that you only have to cover your gas.

 

[Silver Searcher]

I don't mind paying a little more if their made in america,it's those ones that are made overseas I don't like spending the extra $$ on.

Trouble is...there better

SS

 

[diggummup]

Actually there is because many people consider going to garage sale, auctions etc., and flipping things, their hobby. For that you only have to cover your gas.

If this were only true. Time is money, and alot of time is involved in researching what to buy and at what price to buy it where you can actually make a profit. If you don't know what your looking at then how do you know what price to buy it at or what price it may bring in a retail or online setting? Not to mention the actual cost of the items, money and time spent packaging and mailing. It aint all that cut and dry.

 

[Iron Patch]

Actually there is because many people consider going to garage sale, auctions etc., and flipping things, their hobby. For that you only have to cover your gas.

If this were only true. Time is money, and alot of time is involved in researching what to buy and at what price to buy it where you can actually make a profit. If you don't know what your looking at then how do you know what price to buy it at or what price it may bring in a retail or online setting? Not to mention the actual cost of the items, money and time spent packaging and mailing. It aint all that cut and dry.

I didn't say everyone can do it, but like detecting many do.

 

[diggummup]

Actually there is because many people consider going to garage sale, auctions etc., and flipping things, their hobby. For that you only have to cover your gas.

If this were only true. Time is money, and alot of time is involved in researching what to buy and at what price to buy it where you can actually make a profit. If you don't know what your looking at then how do you know what price to buy it at or what price it may bring in a retail or online setting? Not to mention the actual cost of the items, money and time spent packaging and mailing. It aint all that cut and dry.

I didn't say everyone can do it, but like detecting many do.

I think many could do it if they were willing to put forth the effort. I do it, although lately i'll admit it's becoming more of a job than a hobby, so i'm letting it rest for a while. It's a lot like detecting in that it involves hours of research and the time spent doing it. I'd still rather be detecting though, it's more for fun than profit. Didn't mean to

 

[Smudge]

Of course, if anyone can think of another hobby where the equipment has even a possibility of paying for itself, I'd love to hear of it, 'cause I'm drawing a blank.

Actually there is because many people consider going to garage sale, auctions etc., and flipping things, their hobby. For that you only have to cover your gas.

Oo! Good answer!

 

[dogpound]

i feel that metal detecting is a well rounded hobby...not only do ya get a good workout from walking and digging its also a good mental workout doing research and trying to figure out where goodies could have been lost, not to mention the potential of paying for itself.

 

[Seamuss]

Ya, what dogpound said. It's more exercise then bowling and more rewarding($$$$$) in the long run. Not to mention that there is no compitition from the people that are house bound with "Oh the cost of it"

 

[BuckleBoy]

I've spent Lots more on gasoline, batteries, meals on the road, coffee, clothing, boots, a vest, and digging tools than I ever have on a detector.

Totaled my first car as a new driver while out on a detecting trip.

Lost a second car to a digging trip when a tree fell on it in a wind storm--with me inside!

And the third one I lost to MDing died on a digging trip due to transmission failure.

Should I start trying to put a price tag on the fact that I'm deathly allergic to bee stings now, after digging into an underground yellow jacket nest (20+ stings) while CW relic hunting in Virginia in 1993?



If you are interested in a top-of-the-line anything, you are going to fork over some cash.


Or, you could enjoy this hobby with a $250 Tesoro uMax, which is probably over-priced too...but so is an iPhone.



-Buck

 

[Silver Searcher]

Another thing....who has found out more about there History since starting Metal Detecting, I know I have for one

SS

 

[Joe Hoo?]

Of course, if anyone can think of another hobby where the equipment has even a possibility of paying for itself, I'd love to hear of it, 'cause I'm drawing a blank.



i can attest to the fact that i have made huge amounts of money on another hobby of mines and the equipment paid for itself in 2 months i spent over $1200.00 on glass and all accesories needed to move forward with my stain glass hobby and the first 2 months i sold about $4000.00 in stained glass work i did.. i am reaping nothing but rewards as we speak.. HH

 

[bigscoop]

There are a lot of hobbies out there where people are turning a good buck, but just about all of them required an investment to get started and continued investment to keep them going. If I was going to pick a "risk" hobby with the notion of seeing a return on my time and investment Metal Detecting wouldn't be my first choice, probably wouldn't even make the top twenty on my list. But if I was going to pick a fascinating and enjoyable hobby that I could pursue in a whole host of wonderful environments with a lot of friendly and interesting people, well................."metal detecting".

 

[Iron Patch]

There are a lot of hobbies out there where people are turning a good buck, but just about all of them required an investment to get started and continued investment to keep them going. If I was going to pick a "risk" hobby with the notion of seeing a return on my time and investment Metal Detecting wouldn't be my first choice, probably wouldn't even make the top twenty on my list. But if I was going to pick a fascinating and enjoyable hobby that I could pursue in a whole host of wonderful environments with a lot of friendly and interesting people, well................."metal detecting".

I've had years that made me think metal detecting could have made my top 10 or 20 list, but this year was definitely not one of them. If I were to sell every last piece of metal I dug the total would be a $1,000 at the most. But heck a grand is a grand.

 

[Ray S ECenFL]

Yes, equipment can be expensive for the top of the line models. This is true for any thing, cars, boats, electronics, golf equipment, fishing equipment etc...

My take on all of this is that detecting is one of the few hobbies that (can) pay for itself. Not everyone will pay for a new detector the first year but over time every find shaves a little off the cost.

Many hobbies can generate money in some way. For instance some of the forum members are wood workers or wood carvers. They can sell their work to pay for their tools and materials. Some forum members are into art and can sell their drawings and paintings. Same with various crafts. The list goes on and on. If you enjoy something then the cost of your enjoyment should not be a factor. If it is, then your are not truly enjoying your hobby.

Ray S ECenFL

 

[LM]

Seriously- you can get an entry level machine for peanuts today. I lucked into some treasure magazine back issues from the late 60's-early 1980's via craigslist. Adjusted for inflation, you can get a decent MD today for waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper than the prices I'm seeing listed in those old ads considering how much buying power $XXX had in 1978, or whatever.

Go get an Ace 250 or a Tesoro Compadre and you're swinging a decent machine for extremely little cost. I don't figure how you think this is 'overpriced'. Like anything else, if you want to remain on the cutting edge of technology with the latest, utmost and best, then yes, there's cost associated with that, but if you just want to participate in the hobby, it's one of the cheaper ones out there.

 

[Jimmy(PA)]

It's actually one of the cheaper hobbies. I paintball and use to race bicycles too. A good paintball gun is about 1300 add in the loader and tank and its about a 1700 dollar investment. A good mountain bicycle is about 5-6k and a good road bicycle is about 8-9k now. I play hockey also by the time you factor in 500 dollar skates, 200 dollar sticks, helmets, pads, all the other gear and rink fee's is several grand. None of those other hobbies make me any money, they make me lose it.

 

[Tin Nugget]

In 1978 I paid 250.00 for my first detector. 32 years later you can buy a nice detector that's 10X better than my first for 250.00

 

[Iron Patch]

It's actually one of the cheaper hobbies. I paintball and use to race bicycles too. A good paintball gun is about 1300 add in the loader and tank and its about a 1700 dollar investment. A good mountain bicycle is about 5-6k and a good road bicycle is about 8-9k now. I play hockey also by the time you factor in 500 dollar skates, 200 dollar sticks, helmets, pads, all the other gear and rink fee's is several grand. None of those other hobbies make me any money, they make me lose it.

For real. I had no idea that stuff went into that range. I guess it is true, if you want the best, or what is looked at as the top end, you're going to have to pay.

 

[Jimmy(PA)]

It's actually one of the cheaper hobbies. I paintball and use to race bicycles too. A good paintball gun is about 1300 add in the loader and tank and its about a 1700 dollar investment. A good mountain bicycle is about 5-6k and a good road bicycle is about 8-9k now. I play hockey also by the time you factor in 500 dollar skates, 200 dollar sticks, helmets, pads, all the other gear and rink fee's is several grand. None of those other hobbies make me any money, they make me lose it.

For real. I had no idea that stuff went into that range. I guess it is true, if you want the best, or what is looked at as the top end, you're going to have to pay.

In detecting if you want the very best you're looking at 1200 on average maybe some more for an E-trac or V3i which is really low compared to most other hobbies if you compare it to their top end stuff. I use to snowboard, the board was 800, bindings where 350, boots 250 then you pay for lift tickets to use it each and every time so tag on $50 a day. In detecting its a one time investment and I make my money back, thats why I love it. If you detect regularly you can pretty much pay off any detector in a few years and sell it for a profit if you wanted.