New member need help choosing 1st detector!!!

[ENTHUSIAST]

My budget is under $500 I will be looking for coins and jewelry on the beach, local parks and maybe antique items out in some historical areas of town.

I heard good things about the Tesoro Vaquero and the Garret AT Pro are these the Ford vs. Chevy for the under $500 option ??

What is the BEST detector in my price range is there something else I should consider...?

Or do certain people like certain functions/brand features for specific detecting?

Thanks for helping the NEWBIE!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Diving for Pleasure and Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[H-2 CHARLIE]

I got a new machine last mo. and scored a 1.1 gram nugget out the first trip out . i scored a 1971 1 peso coin in my front lawn that has ben hunted over . you wont want to upgrade later so get a good one . im biting at the bit to hunt the beach with this bad aaaaaa$$ machine .

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Minelab PRO-FIND 35 Waterproof Pinpointer Metal Detector for Experts with Tone ID & Adjustable Sensitivity - Grab it through Amazon!

[CoinandRelicMan]

Dear Enthusiast, if you are serious about detecting $500 is not much, remember the purchasing power of the dollar has severely declined over the last decade. If you are just wanting to get your feet wet then a cheap detector may be the route to follow, but you will need , yes crave or want an upgrade very soon if you are serious. So I would suggest saving up for a while to get a decent detector or looking for a used one from someone you trust . Also on the "Best detector" thing this is a "Grand illusion" so don't be fooled by any hype, the detector operators decisions are crucial for any hunt to be successful.
Hope this helps.

Sincerly ,
CARM

 

[christo000]

Kellyco can beat any deal big boy can give you, Call me 888.535.5926 ext 172

I got admit they do have a great deal right now for fathers day buy a Atpro or f75 or a e-trac & get a bh pilot cant beat that

 

[Fletch88]

AT Pro probably best bet all around detector. If you change your mind in a few weeks or months as I did, you can sell it in less than 2 hours on EBay for almost what you paid for it, if they're still having back order issues at Garrett. Thanks to TV shows like diggers!

Sent from my iPhone using TreasureNet

 

[kshollywood]

WHITES,MINELAB,FISHER!!! Don't even bother looking anywhere else............ SERIOUSLY don't bother!!

 

[Thommy]

Fisher F2, with extras Kellyco. I just ordered one for my stepson. Includes two search coils, a pinpointer, and headphones. Great deal: $229.00 no shipping charges.

 

[christo000]

Fisher F2, with extras Kellyco. I just ordered one for my stepson. Includes two search coils, a pinpointer, and headphones. Great deal: $229.00 no shipping charges.

Doesnt sound like u can beat a deal like that

 

[BadM0nkey]

Fisher F2, with extras Kellyco. I just ordered one for my stepson. Includes two search coils, a pinpointer, and headphones. Great deal: $229.00 no shipping charges.

That is a great choice and what I would recommend to anyone starting out on a similar budget.

 

[Treasure finder]

Welcome Enthusiast,
All the detectors mentioned will bring you lots of fun. However, if you live in San Diego I can see lots of time spent detecting the
beaches. Get a WATERPROOF detector. Salt spray can get inside the electronics someday and ruin a detector if not waterproof.
That leaves the Garrett AT PRO as your choice of the above mentioned machines. Do NOT get the AT Gold. It will not balance out
the salt water, even Garrett will tell you that. Though I prefer the Gold in many instances, I prefer the Pro at the beach. All the
other machines will work for parks, ghost towns etc in your price range.
Have fun,
Rich

 

[Daryn]

I'd like to point out that at BigBoysHobbies, a sponsor of this site, an AT Pro is $594 including free shipping and Lesche digger.

And you will actually receive it from Bart when you order unlike other dealers left unmentioned with constant back orders.

 

[Daryn]

Kellyco can beat any deal big boy can give you, Call me 888.535.5926 ext 172

Really cause I called you guys after Bart gave me a price and Raul had no interest in even matching the price let alone beating it. Just my experience with Kellyco and from reading the posts not out of the norm. I know you guys are supposed to be one of the best but you need to work on the customer service end a little. If you want to private message me I can give you all the details of my experience.

 

[marh415]

And you will actually receive it from Bart when you order unlike other dealers left unmentioned with constant back orders.

I couldn't agree more, Bart is great to deal with as is Tom at Miller MDZ! I had great experiences with both these dealers!

FYI... both have great F2 packages for $215!!

 

[dutchtoga]

If it is your first detector think about going with the Garrett Ace 350. Get yourself Garrett Pro Pointer and a good digger. I would think you'd be way under the $500.

 

[Ejmrods]

You may also go to your local MD shop and see if there is any used units for sale. There is the Internet sites like eBay, Craig's list etc. Most important read, read, and read.

 

[Fletch88]

Really cause I called you guys after Bart gave me a price and Raul had no interest in even matching the price let alone beating it. Just my experience with Kellyco and from reading the posts not out of the norm. I know you guys are supposed to be one of the best but you need to work on the customer service end a little. If you want to private message me I can give you all the details of my experience.

I second that part about customer service! Terribly rude in my experience with KELLYCO which made it my last. Price is just one small part of equation

Sent from my iPhone using TreasureNet

 

[Daryn]

If it is your first detector think about going with the Garrett Ace 350. Get yourself Garrett Pro Pointer and a good digger. I would think you'd be way under the $500.

Thanks. Already have the Ace 350 and just not happy with the lack of a quality discrimination and no ground balance. Really want a VDI machine. Love the Garrett Pro Pointer; couldn't live without it.

 

[Daryn]

I second that part about customer service! Terribly rude in my experience with KELLYCO which made it my last. Price is just one small part of equation

Sent from my iPhone using TreasureNet

Right? Bart will meet or beat any price as well as any quality dealer. What good is a beat price if you can't get your equipment for months!!!

 

[christo000]

I just dealt with kellyco last Night & thats where I bought my new 10x12 sef coil for my v3i & Robert over there was helpful to work with set everything up perfect shipped out today no rudeness have me a better deal cuz im a tnet subscriber no issues at all & I wouldnt have an.issue goin back to do more buisness with them & thats my opinion

 

[Daryn]

I just dealt with kellyco last Night & thats where I bought my new 10x12 sef coil for my v3i & Robert over there was helpful to work with set everything up perfect shipped out today no rudeness have me a better deal cuz im a tnet subscriber no issues at all & I wouldnt have an.issue goin back to do more buisness with them & thats my opinion

Hope it works out for you; others here have been told it shipped and did not receive their product. Maybe all the negative remarks about their customer service are finally sinking in. I gave them a weeks worth of chances and that is it. Will only deal with Bart at BigBoys. Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

 

[christo000]

Ill keep all posted for the outcome