Need help deciding on a detector. Have Roughly $600

[saltfisher]

Hey guys. I'm back! Last time I was here was 2010. Lol. I had a Ace 250, and it treated me well. Sold it years ago because I needed money. I'm now looking for a better replacement. I have roughly $600 but not limited on funds. I was doing some research the past 2 weeks, and kept reading about the ATpro. I decided this would be the one... then seem the MX sport coming out, and liked that too... then was told to look for a used etrac.... or safari.... the list goes on....

Anyways, say I have a max of $750 to spend. What would you get? I live in PA and hunt mostly parks, older sites if possable. Junky areas possable. Also beach hunting a few times per year. Maybe some local creeks. After those coins/jewlery. All advice greatly appreciated

 

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[DannyB1954]

They are all good machines. They just have different features and operating frequencies. In a way it is like asking what car should I buy.
I buy used on Ebay and not had problems. If it don't work when you get it, Ebay backs the purchase. If it does work, it will most likely keep working for a very long time. The advantage of buying used is if you resell it, you can recoup your money for the most part.
Your name Salt Fisher leads me to now think a machine that handles salt water beaches may be a plus. Dual frequency machines like White's DFX may work for you. I bought one on Ebay for around $400.

 

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[saltfisher]

They are all good machines. They just have different features and operating frequencies. In a way it is like asking what car should I buy.
I buy used on Ebay and not had problems. If it don't work when you get it, Ebay backs the purchase. If it does work, it will most likely keep working for a very long time. The advantage of buying used is if you resell it, you can recoup your money for the most part.
Your name Salt Fisher leads me to now think a machine that handles salt water beaches may be a plus. Dual frequency machines like White's DFX may work for you. I bought one on Ebay for around $400.

I live in PA, so i do hunt the beaches of DE/MD a few times a year. Ill mainly be around my home area though hunting parks, yards/old home properties, maybe some local freshwater beaches of my local lakes, mainly looking for a good coin/jewlery machine that will do ok on the beach.

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

The MX Sport is more MXT than Treasure Pro. It might be a great fit for your needs since your main hunt sites are land or freshwater. It will work in salt, but may not go as deep in black sand.

Give me a shout if I can help you compare detectors. We are doing some preorder specials on the MX Sport. I also have a few of the AT Pro Diggers packages left.

Wayne
(832) 928-9135

Www.metaldetectingstuff.com

 

[s.c.shooter]

AT pro and the 5x8 coil. Pro zero mode!

 

[flgliderpilot]

Yeah, the hard part is deciding what to go with. Everyone was talking up the ATpro, and it seems like a good unit for the price, but the screen seemed like it could be a lot better then it is, and heard the pinpointer is not very accurate. Then seen the MX sport, and love the backlit screen for night hunting, which is cool, nice option, but i guess not really a huge deal breaker for me. I can get a sun shield and add a LED light if I need to on the ATpro. MX sport screen looks easier to use also.

Regarding the pinpointer, it is probably going to be the same on the MX Sport. It's more of a behavior of the DD coil. But, you will rarely use pinpoint when you learn to use the AT Pro or any DD coil machine. You will quickly make an X with the coil and dig the center of it.

The MX pro is definitely not the Treasure Pro, it has more discrimination notches it seems. Battery life is about the same as the Pro at 20 hours but the MX takes eight batteries instead of 4 for the Pro.

If I had the cash to buy either the MX Sport or the AT Pro, I'd probably go with the MX Sport. If I was on a budget I'd go with the AT Pro.

There is one problem with the backlight... at night it will draw attention to you and ruin your night vision.

When I hunt at night I want to be invisible and retain my night vision. You could put a red filter over the screen, but again it's still going to attract attention (maybe there is an option to disable the backlight?)

 

[Detector Wars]

It's never a popular opinion on these types of forums but if you want the truth, get second hand and save $$. Second hand Minelab would be the best idea. The CTX is out of your budget range.

 

[flgliderpilot]

I agree with that.. but only for certain brands. Garrett would be one of them, but not Fisher (repairs are too expensive if it's not under warranty).

 

[prospexican]

well i will try to find a good deal on a Whites TDI, or i have a Whites GMT in mint condition for sale with 2 coils, u can see the videos for GMT at youtube.

 

[LawrencetheMDer]

I just checked-out the Cabela's website about the ATPro and it is listed at $599.95, also says that it ships to the store thus probably no in-store pricing and no ATPro in the store. I'm on my way if true...at $400.

 

[rwd mo]

I have a cabelas 45 mins away from me.

The Garrett only has 3 tones I believe so if u do not like tones then look at a mx sport coming out in a week. or a mxt used it also has notch on it. Never cared for the Garretts for some reason.

 

[saltfisher]

Was also checking out the mxt pro. How do they compare to the ATpro? So many too choose from around this price range.