Will a Bounty Hunter IV practically pay for itself?

[Toasterz1201]

I'm on a low budget because I don't have any thoughts of doing anything big (just local parks and beaches). Originally I thought "Well, if I find $5 everywhere I go and I'm buying my metal detector with a coupon for $65 that's only like 13 trips!" Anyways my friends think otherwise. I live in a medium size city with a few beaches and I was wondering does anyone who has a little experience have anything to say on weather or not a $65 dollar metal detector will pay for itself.

 

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[Keppy]

Well if you put the time in hunting it should . but do not expect to find $5.00 every time you go out .. But then if you go out and find a nice gold ring it should pay for its self with some cash left over ..

 

[Argentium]

Well , sure you'll gain the amount spent over time - but I really wonder if you are very excited to get into this ? I'm not implying
that you should get an expensive detector - I just think that most of us are way more into the thrill of the hunt than concerned about
when or whether we will pay for our detector with cash value found .

 

[BosnMate]

I've got over $2,000 invested in three detectors and accoutrements that go with them, and I've been doing this for about 40 years, admittedly mostly for artifacts, and so far I haven't come close to paying for them. I don't sell any of the good stuff I find, if I did I don't think it would pay for the the three detectors anyhow. If you are buying expecting to pay for even an inexpensive machine, I think you are going to be disappointed. Granted, you could luck out, and find a gold coin or a large diamond ring, but there is a reason that type of stuff makes in on the banner. It don't happen that often. I have found stuff important to me, but nothing of mine has ever been on the banner.

 

[locater]

I'm on a low budget because I don't have any thoughts of doing anything big (just local parks and beaches). Originally I thought "Well, if I find $5 everywhere I go and I'm buying my metal detector with a coupon for $65 that's only like 13 trips!" Anyways my friends think otherwise. I live in a medium size city with a few beaches and I was wondering does anyone who has a little experience have anything to say on weather or not a $65 dollar metal detector will pay for itself.

Hello Toasterz1201, welcome.

First of all, I like your optimism! It should be tempered with a bit of realism and patience. At $65.00 w/coupon, the detector would probably find shallow coins/jewelry but, most likely lacks some of the important items on a detector such the ability to discriminate (block out unwanted metals, iron etc.) and adjustable ground balance, which lets the machine adjust to heavy mineralization of soils, for better performance. Even with more sophisticated detectors, a $5.00 avg. per trip is a lofty goal. Enjoyment of the hunt, and patience are important factors to be considered! GOOD LUCK!

 

[Frankn]

It could be a yes or a no. Depends on your luck and progressive ability.
I have been at it over 40 years and have paid for my equipment many times over.
two summers ago, I was searching a 200 year old back yard and found a ring that paid for all my equipment once again.
You never know when your number is coming up! Frank

 

[dusty1530]

I've got over $2,000 invested in three detectors and accoutrements that go with them, and I've been doing this for about 40 years, admittedly mostly for artifacts, and so far I haven't come close to paying for them. I don't sell any of the good stuff I find, if I did I don't think it would pay for the the three detectors anyhow. If you are buying expecting to pay for even an inexpensive machine, I think you are going to be disappointed. Granted, you could luck out, and find a gold coin or a large diamond ring, but there is a reason that type of stuff makes in on the banner. It don't happen that often. I have found stuff important to me, but nothing of mine has ever been on the banner.

I hhave over $1,000.00 in one dector and I know I will never pay for it but I do enjoy the hunt also I don't always come home with a lot of clad . I usaly come home home with about a $1 to $2 in clad

 

[Keppy]

I hhave over $1,000.00 in one dector and I know I will never pay for it but I do enjoy the hunt also I don't always come home with a lot of clad . I usaly come home home with about a $1 to $2 in clad

You paid a $1000.00 for your AT Pro .. ?

 

[dusty1530]

You paid a $1000.00 for your AT Pro .. ?

No with all the extra equpment like for example pro pointer greay ghost headphones etc

 

[Keppy]

No with all the extra equpment like for example pro pointer greay ghost headphones etc

OK i get it now .. I thought you might have some other detector besides the AT ..

 

[Papalittle]

So far I have found enough clad to pay for 1 detector and 1 of my PP's since march. I get out maybe 8 hours a week. Most clad I have found has been in parks (the grassy areas) and ball Fields (grassy areas around stands and concessions ). got 2 more detectors and PP's yet to go.

 

[SusanMN]

If you hunt parks, playgrounds and school grounds, you will likely pick up a couple of dollars in clad each trip. So, if you regularly detect you should get your detector money back family quickly.

 

[Toasterz1201]

Its Toasterz1201 again! Thank you all for all of your input. From reading all your replies I have come to the conclusion that if I put the time and effort into it I will probably pay for my detector, but if not the hunt is worth it! Thank you again!

 

[tigerbeetle]

When people ask me "Has your metal detector paid for itself?" I unfailingly answer, "It doesn't have to ... I already paid for it."

 

[texasred777]

Toaster, I began with a little $29.99 detector from Radio Shack. I found enough in my yard, a place that we rented, to pay for the detector in just a few months. I counted wheat cents as 3 cents and silver coins at 10 times the face value. After I decided that I had paid for the detector, I spent $209.99 for a Bounty Hunter 840 'automatic'. I believe that I have paid for it at least once; probably twice. I have bought several other detectors since then. I now have 2 Bounty Hunter 840s, a Bounty Tracker II, a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV, and a Bounty Lone Star. I haven't been out with these detectors much due to health problems.
Finally, if you buy an inexpensive detector and use it 'wisely', you'll probably pay for it in a year or two. As earlier said, a lot depends on your location and how much knowledge you have of the area; and then especially the amount of time you spend using the detector.

 

[ItsSawGood]

I agree with Texasred above, as Sheryl Crow says in her lyrics, "its not having what you want, It's wanting what you got.." BH T IV can't be beat for the money, imo. It's all in what you do with it and how you plan. Learn the settings as others have provided on here and the tones given and you'll know what to dig and what to ignore. Its up to you to take it (location, location, location) so you can help it help you.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I have a Minelab Musketeer Pro the I paid $250 used for (two coils) and that had paid for itself in about four years. I used to hunt my lunchbreaks at a local park and fairground that was beside my place of work.

My F-75 is still paying itself off and may take another six or seven years . . . unless I hit something good.

But I enjoy it and it is a much better investment than cigarettes or lottery tickets.

 

[cammobunker]

My pioneer 101 has paid for itself several times over. Of course I did only pay $5 for it at a yard sale...leads had pulled out of one of the battery terminals. Ten minutes soldering it back together and it was good to go.

 

[XL-PRO PRO]

This reminds me of the blonde who received a call from the company that had installed her new vinyl windows a year earlier and was demanding payment."Duh!" She told the collector,"your salesman said they would pay for themselves in a year."