Which Brand? ... That is the question

Orvin

Jr. Member
Jun 5, 2013
24
11
Charlottesville, VA
Detector(s) used
Bounty Hunter 505
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Been reading a lot of the different brands of detectors, I have a Bounty Hunter 505 seems to me if you are just out to enjoy the hobby then the detector you pick should (fill your needs) now if you are using metal detecting as a first or second source of income then you should be a little more picky and read the reviews about each brand that is of interest. My Bounty Hunter fills my needs and has all the bells and whistles that are right to just enjoy the hobby and maybe make a little pocket money from my outings. So I would say it all boils down to which detector (turns your crank) :icon_scratch:
 

Upvote 0

mercury1

Bronze Member
Mar 9, 2012
1,649
533
New York
Detector(s) used
Garrett Ace 250, AT Pro
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Sounds like you've got it all figured out. HH
 

OP
OP
Orvin

Orvin

Jr. Member
Jun 5, 2013
24
11
Charlottesville, VA
Detector(s) used
Bounty Hunter 505
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Don't know if I do or not but you read a lot of hype about one detector VS another, it seems they all have pros and cons so guess in the long run it is all up to each individuals needs and pocket book.
 

SusanMN

Silver Member
Jun 1, 2007
4,534
4,098
Minnesota
Detector(s) used
Tiger Shark, Xterra 705, Makro Legend
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I don't think detecting is a regular source of income for 95% of the hunter out there. a little spending money here and there, but finds that be sold for decent dollars are few and far between. So yes, get a detector that is comfortable for you to use and that you enjoy hunting with.
 

christo000

Silver Member
Mar 17, 2013
3,765
812
mass North Attleboro
Detector(s) used
Xp Deus,m-6 pinpointer, technetics t2ltd (had, whites v3i,minelab xterra 705,atpro,prism 4,sunray probe minlabe profind,garret propointer, f75ltd and many more)
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
as long as ur comfortable with ur choice nothing matters its just a fun hobby ya not sure it would pay the bills but we can all hope it will good luck
 

RotZorn

Sr. Member
Feb 12, 2013
371
124
Munford, TN
Detector(s) used
F5,F2,MPX,1T-Pilot
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
as long as ur comfortable with ur choice nothing matters its just a fun hobby ya not sure it would pay the bills but we can all hope it will good luck

THE TRUTH!!!!

Yeah if people would just find something that makes them happy, and not try to tell others how crumby their MDs are, things would be a lot more peaceful :)
 

christo000

Silver Member
Mar 17, 2013
3,765
812
mass North Attleboro
Detector(s) used
Xp Deus,m-6 pinpointer, technetics t2ltd (had, whites v3i,minelab xterra 705,atpro,prism 4,sunray probe minlabe profind,garret propointer, f75ltd and many more)
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
THE TRUTH!!!!

Yeah if people would just find something that makes them happy, and not try to tell others how crumby their MDs are, things would be a lot more peaceful :)

Agreed
 

Terry Soloman

Gold Member
May 28, 2010
19,422
30,105
White Plains, New York
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
Nokta Makro Legend// Pulsedive// Minelab GPZ 7000// Vanquish 540// Minelab Pro Find 35// Dune Kraken Sandscoop// Grave Digger Tools Tombstone shovel & Sidekick digger// Bunk's Hermit Pick
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I know a fella that has found Spanish Silver with his Fisher F2, and another guy just found a Roman gold coin hoard with a Garrett Ace 150. I've never dug either and I have owned some of the most expensive detectors on the market, including a Minelab GPX 5000. Karma baby! Just remember, the "Boot of Cortez" gold nugget was dug with a Bounty Hunter machine made for Radio Shack!
 

damiani1

Sr. Member
Jun 2, 2013
285
60
Windsor Ontario
Detector(s) used
Current: Tesoro silver umax, Whites Spectrum XLT
Past: Garrett ace 250
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Doesn't really matter on "which brand" or "the cost" I believe it matters on location, location, location.
 

OP
OP
Orvin

Orvin

Jr. Member
Jun 5, 2013
24
11
Charlottesville, VA
Detector(s) used
Bounty Hunter 505
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Ya'll had some good input so far I have enjoyed poking around a few places no really hot "finds" to brag about... but getting some exercise I am content with the 505 maybe in the future with some more experience under my belt may up-grade just depends on the old purse strings...
 

Last edited:

Normsel

Bronze Member
Sep 10, 2012
1,191
813
D'Iberville MS
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
E-Trac
Equinox 800
Equinox 600
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I like all the posts on here. It's each persons decision to which detector they prefer. I have read countless posts about all the different brands and as has been stated they have their pluses and minuses. There are so many variables when it comes to detecting it all goes back to how well you know your detector and how much you like it.

One older man a few months ago had several detectors for sale and I asked how old they were and he said 1989 to 1993. he told me he had detected for over 40 years. I told him about my ATP and he said you can't find anything I can't. He said you may have a better idea what there because of the VDI signal but mine will still signal and I can usually tell by the tone what it is as well. I said case closed.

For the most part we all like to recommend the brand and model we use because we like what we have but it sure as heck don't mean what we have is better or worse than a comparable detector.

I have learned so much about the art of detecting from this site I check it daily. This site is the best detecting site on the net.
 

Frankn

Gold Member
Mar 21, 2010
8,711
2,989
Maryland
Detector(s) used
XLT , surfmaster PI , HAYS 2Box , VIBRA-TECTOR
They are all good if they work for what you are content with. If you set aside all the bells and whistles, The big difference is depth. And the depth varies within each manufacturers line of detectors. The more expensive ones usually go deeper. But you have to look at it this way. Most finds are in the first 6" in most areas so that would keep most people happy. The thing is the longer you hunt the more you want those rarer finds that are deeper. Then there are the exceptions in TH like beaches where a PI detector is a definite advantage because of the problem of salt and magnetic black sand. Another exception is in the cache hunting field where depth is a real necessity. Here you will be better off with a 2 Box detector because it goes deep and doesn't pick up small junk. Just my opinion, Frank... hand print-2_edited-5.jpg
 

signal_line

Silver Member
Nov 14, 2011
3,601
1,835
Detector(s) used
XP Deus
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Beware used metal detector salesmen. Yes, some people put out propaganda then try to sell the old crap. There are those frugal types who think they will save a dollar. Modern detectors are better in every aspect. One good find in the lifetime of your detector and you make up for any price difference. Of course Garrett makes the number one selling detector, the AT Pro, but the word is out on the AT Gold.
 

Frankn

Gold Member
Mar 21, 2010
8,711
2,989
Maryland
Detector(s) used
XLT , surfmaster PI , HAYS 2Box , VIBRA-TECTOR
Beware used metal detector salesmen. Yes, some people put out propaganda then try to sell the old crap. There are those frugal types who think they will save a dollar. Modern detectors are better in every aspect. One good find in the lifetime of your detector and you make up for any price difference. Of course Garrett makes the number one selling detector, the AT Pro, but the word is out on the AT Gold.

Well, of course it's just my opinion, but I am using 12 year old detectors and I think they will find anything the pro or gold will find. And my 12 year old Surfmaster PI will go deeper. My Hays 2 Box is probably 15 years old. I bought it used. It has found targets at over 6'. Quality counts more than age. Frank...

111-1 profile.jpg
 

WVPapaw

Sr. Member
Feb 22, 2013
348
100
Hills of WV
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT Gold, pro pointer, and two dowsing rods.
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Well, of course it's just my opinion, but I am using 12 year old detectors and I think they will find anything the pro or gold will find. And my 12 year old Surfmaster PI will go deeper. My Hays 2 Box is probably 15 years old. I bought it used. It has found targets at over 6'. Quality counts more than age. Frank...

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=815384"/>

Frank, I am curious what you found at 6 ft with the 2 box.
 

kenley

Hero Member
Nov 2, 2008
547
6
Seminole County, Ok.
Detector(s) used
GTI 2500
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Which is the best detector? Best car, breed of dog, brand of gasoline, church, remedy for poison ivy....Get the idea?
 

scotty544

Hero Member
Mar 11, 2013
622
203
Arkansas
Detector(s) used
Minelab CTX 3030 XP Deus Whites V3i
Tesoro Silver Saber
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
That's kinda like saying the original I phone is just as good as the I-5, sure they both make calls and do text messages, but that's about where the comparisons end. I took a 20 year old detector and pounded my yard several times before I got my V3i. When I got the V3i, I went over just about a quarter of my yard, and found twice as much in two hours as I found in 6 hours with the other detector, This was also the first time I had ever used a Whites machine. I do know that the detector does make a difference. Buy the best you can afford, you will get what u pay for. imo 8-)
 

gleaner1

Silver Member
Feb 1, 2009
4,495
1,038
Gateway to the 1000 Islands
Detector(s) used
Sometime(s)
Primary Interest:
Other
Frank, I am curious what you found at 6 ft with the 2 box.

WV, Frankn cant and wont say what he found at six feet because if it was an old iron stove he would be too embarrased to admit it and if it was a box of gold bars, well then certainly Frankn would clam up big time. I bet it was a bunch of gold or silver.
 

fishguy

Full Member
Jun 20, 2013
174
49
Little River, SC
Detector(s) used
Nokta Simplex+
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
*** WARNING HORRIBLE AT PUNCUATION,TYPING AND SPELLING pause as needed you may pass out if you rely on my grammar*** Nobody likes to be wrong, it is the first thing you learn as a salesman. You don't put down what people have, to get them to buy what you have. You are saying that they where wrong to begin with. (pull up to car lot, salesman:"Look at that piece of crap you drove up in, lemme show you what we got.") Same with detectors I bought a fisher so I am a life long fisher man untill I decide to buy a garret Then I will stand behind my choice and will be a life long garret guy lol. People defend there choices right or wrong but if they are happy who cares. I know the F2 isn't the biggest baddest machine out there but I find pennies and pennies make me happy I even found a jar almost passed out, so I am very happy. The people on here give great advise though as long as you fish threw some trolls and brand sticklers, they helped me decide what to buy along with the great people at kellyco. When I decide to upgrade I will be back on here reading and asking questions again.
 

Last edited:

RotZorn

Sr. Member
Feb 12, 2013
371
124
Munford, TN
Detector(s) used
F5,F2,MPX,1T-Pilot
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
*** WARNING HORRIBLE AT PUNCUATION,TYPING AND SPELLING pause as needed you may pass out if you rely on my grammar*** Nobody likes to be wrong, it is the first thing you learn as a salesman. You don't put down what people have, to get them to buy what you have. You are saying that they where wrong to begin with. (pull up to car lot, salesman:"Look at that piece of crap you drove up in, lemme show you what we got.") Same with detectors I bought a fisher so I am a life long fisher man untill I decide to buy a garret Then I will stand behind my choice and will be a life long garret guy lol. People defend there choices right or wrong but if they are happy who cares. I know the F2 isn't the biggest baddest machine out there but I find pennies and pennies make me happy I even found a jar almost passed out, so I am very happy. The people on here give great advise though as long as you fish threw some trolls and brand sticklers, they helped me decide what to buy along with the great people at kellyco. When I decide to upgrade I will be back on here reading and asking questions again.

Well said.
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Top