Best first time metal detector for a 7 year old

Loco-Digger

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Jun 16, 2014
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If you want the latest and greatest, I'd look into the Fisher F22. A nice entry level detector. You ought to take weight into consideration when buying a detector for such a youngster no matter what make and model. If he is a beep and digger you could go with a Tesoro Compadre, lifetime warranty.

Technetics has a nice detector for designed for today's youth, the Teknetics Digitek Metal Detector.
 

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kingskid1611

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Feb 23, 2015
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I agree with the weight consideration. I also say as long as you metal detect and are excited about your finds he will be hooked for life anyway.
 

kyskinner

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Oct 9, 2012
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Dont matter what metal detector that you buy if you see him getting bored plant him a silver quater in the ground that should keep him interested in the hunt ,but Loco digger does have some good choices
 

PaDirtDigger

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Feb 2, 2015
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I bought my son a Garrett Ace 250. Simple, adjustable, nice tones and not expensive for what you get i think... Whatever you get though, id suggest a coil cover, as it has been in my experience dragged and pushed on the ground more than swinging!! Haha... But i did tell him to keep it close to the ground!! :laughing7: I Love my Son!!
 

Indian Steve

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Oct 23, 2011
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I say Tesoro Compadre $160 , Great discrimination, 2.2 pounds, easy to use, Lifetime Warranty, and he will probably outhunt you. I let my 27 year old daughter use my Compadre while I used my Lobo and she dug less and found more keepers than me on her first time out. When she moved, it went with her. I plan on getting another.
 

dirtscratcher

Bronze Member
Mar 18, 2009
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I would get something he will not get bored with soon. The thought that he won't be able to figure out a slightly advanced detector is imo crazy after watching my grandkids with new tech.
 

Loco-Digger

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When I was looking to buy a detector, I went to the Kellyco site since you can see multiple detector's specs, side by side, and compare the details/features.
 

Welgund

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Aug 27, 2014
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I agree with Indian Steve, I would get him the Tesoro Compadre. One knob symplicity, you can turn that knob all the way up and pretty much all he will find is copper pennies, dimes and quarters. It will also be something good to have in your personal detector arsenal cause the machine in my opinion is the best tot lot machine made. I own two of them
and several other mid and high end machines and will never be without my compadres they are that good.
 

Phantasman

Gold Member
Nov 24, 2006
15,829
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The Teknetics Digitek has it all. The lower rod made for kids and a face plate that is "cool" like the the choices they make for phones, etc. Not too complicated nor easy to outgrow. LocoDigger had the right idea when he mentioned it. Under $200.

digitek-faceplate.jpg

Don't know about the Compadre for kids. Kids don't listen, but they do love screens. Just watch one with an iPhone/iPod in their hands.
 

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MrMikeJackie

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That's it, I'm done.
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The new Minelab GoFind series are great beginner machines.
 

Fletch88

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Mar 7, 2013
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Compadre all the way! It will be a welcomed break from screen(s) and I bet if he tried various machines over several months/years the Compadre would be the favorite! The Eurotek Pro would be another machine to look at if you want a machine with a VDI.
 

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RobRieman

Silver Member
Nov 12, 2012
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Cincinnati Ohio
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If he's really interested buy him the best you can afford. 7 year olds these days can grasp any electronic concept and run with it like its second nature. He will be showing you how to hunt in no time. ;)
 

toasted

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My seven year old quickly realized that his detector wasn't as deep as mine so I suggest getting the same one you have or get yourself a new one and give them your current one
 

Papakhan

Jr. Member
Apr 14, 2015
20
30
Boone, NC
Detector(s) used
Garrett ACE 250, Garrett AT Pro, Garrett AT Pro-Pointer
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Not only is weight a consideration but my 7 year old daughter has short arms and finds the ace 250 I gave her a little difficult to use because of where the arm cuff hits above her elbow. Her other problem is she isn't heavy enough to get a digger in the ground ( I end up digging most of her holes). Any suggestions on good digging tools that a small light 50lb girl could break ground with would be welcome.
 

OP
OP
stickyfingers427

stickyfingers427

Jr. Member
Jan 23, 2013
82
14
My seven year old quickly realized that his detector wasn't as deep as mine so I suggest getting the same one you have or get yourself a new one and give them your current one

I have a VX3 and it was definitely to big and heavy for him
 

Escape

Bronze Member
Apr 4, 2009
1,643
1,881
Im looking. at getting a detector for a 9 year old. Leaning towards the minelab go find 20. Will be used primarily in dry sand beach. I like that its comapct, light and adjustable to the height of a child. Its also easy to use and has a cool futuristic design.
 

tabman

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Jul 5, 2011
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Presently: CTX 3030, Tesoro Modded Cibola, F75LTD-2, XP Deus, Tesoro Mojave, MXT Pro, Tesoro Eldorado, Whites MXT All Pro, Minelab Equinox, Fisher CZ5 & CZ3D
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I agree with Indian Steve, I would get him the Tesoro Compadre. One knob symplicity, you can turn that knob all the way up and pretty much all he will find is copper pennies, dimes and quarters. It will also be something good to have in your personal detector arsenal cause the machine in my opinion is the best tot lot machine made. I own two of them
and several other mid and high end machines and will never be without my compadres they are that good.

I couldn't of have said better.:icon_thumleft: Not only is the Compadre a great beginner detector. It's also a great detector for those who have experience detecting. It's a great investment, because you kid won't out grow it and it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Set the discrimination just high enough to discriminate out most pull tabs and turn the kid loose.



tabman
 

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Mr.T

Hero Member
Sep 10, 2010
661
292
France
Detector(s) used
ACE 250,
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Not only is weight a consideration but my 7 year old daughter has short arms and finds the ace 250 I gave her a little difficult to use because of where the arm cuff hits above her elbow. Her other problem is she isn't heavy enough to get a digger in the ground ( I end up digging most of her holes). Any suggestions on good digging tools that a small light 50lb girl could break ground with would be welcome.

Hi- unscrew the armcuff and you will see another pre drilled hole which enables you to move the cuff down further- should help!
 

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