I want to get a metal detector which one is best for a newbie

Sandman

Gold Member
Aug 6, 2005
13,398
3,992
In Michigan now.
Detector(s) used
Excal 1000, Excal II, Sovereign GT, CZ-20, Tiger Shark, Tejon, GTI 1500, Surfmaster Pulse, CZ6a, DFX, AT PRO, Fisher 1235, Surf PI Pro, 1280-X, many more because I enjoy learning them. New Garrett Ca
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
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scoy

Full Member
Aug 25, 2014
108
83
Orange County, CA
Detector(s) used
Bounty Hunter
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
Yes nuggets would be the target. I see the a gold bug 2 and a gold bug. What is the difference between the 2?
 

cudamark

Gold Member
Top Banner Poster
Mar 16, 2011
13,197
14,506
San Diego
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
3
Detector(s) used
XP Deus 2, Equinox 800/900, Fisher Impulse AQ, E-Trac, 3 Excal 1000's, White's TM808, VibraProbe, 15" NEL Attack, Mi6, Steath 920ix and 720i scoops, TRX, etc....
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I'm sure you can get a new Gold Bug 1 anymore. The Gold Bug 2 is the latest version of a great little nugget machine. The Gold Bug Pro is more of an all around machine and not quite as good for nuggets, but, better for finding other targets. You didn't mention what your budget is, or where you'll be hunting, but, a GPX5000 is the standard for most gold hunting areas that have bigger than rice size nuggets. The GB2 would be better for the tiny stuff.
 

Oddjob

Silver Member
Aug 23, 2012
4,348
9,067
Detector(s) used
RD1000, GSSI Profiler EMP-400. GPZ 14 & 19
Primary Interest:
Other
Yes nuggets would be the target. I see the a gold bug 2 and a gold bug. What is the difference between the 2?

I think telling us your actual ready to invest budget would be of help too.
 

Terry Soloman

Gold Member
May 28, 2010
19,419
30,081
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
There are several VLF nuggetshooters to consider. Minelab Eureka; Minelab 705 w/18.75kHz 6" DD coil; Whites GMT; Fisher Goldbug Pro; Tesoro Lobo Super Traq; Garrett AT Gold. Good luck to you!
 

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scoy

Full Member
Aug 25, 2014
108
83
Orange County, CA
Detector(s) used
Bounty Hunter
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
I can go $600-$700 I want something that's not to hard to learn to operate properly. Something that will be good for a beginner and take me up to the intermediate skill area. I Go to Lytle Creek and out to the Mojave when we go prospecting.
 

cudamark

Gold Member
Top Banner Poster
Mar 16, 2011
13,197
14,506
San Diego
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
3
Detector(s) used
XP Deus 2, Equinox 800/900, Fisher Impulse AQ, E-Trac, 3 Excal 1000's, White's TM808, VibraProbe, 15" NEL Attack, Mi6, Steath 920ix and 720i scoops, TRX, etc....
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I can go $600-$700 I want something that's not to hard to learn to operate properly. Something that will be good for a beginner and take me up to the intermediate skill area. I Go to Lytle Creek and out to the Mojave when we go prospecting.
In that price range, you might have to settle for a used Gold Bug 2. You'll still need to get a pick, shovel, pin pointer, and any other desert gear too.
 

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Patriot 1776

Supporting Vendor
Supporting Vendor
Dec 9, 2014
442
474
MA
Detector(s) used
Whites DFX and V3i, Garrett AT Pro , ACE 350, Minelab CTX
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting

Fletch88

Silver Member
Mar 7, 2013
4,841
2,367
Valdosta, GA
Detector(s) used
Garrett ATPro- 8.5x11, 5x8, CORS Fotune 5.5x9.5
Tesoro Silver microMax- 8 donut, 8x11 RSD, 3x18 Cleansweep
Minelab Excalibur ll- 10" Tornado
Minelab CTX 3030
Minelab Xterra 305
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
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tomhighland

Bronze Member
Sep 26, 2015
1,419
1,511
In MI woods
Detector(s) used
AT PRO
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Do not forget the gold at the beach. It can help pay for the prospecting trips.
 

eyemustdigtreasure

Silver Member
Mar 2, 2013
3,601
5,581
California
Detector(s) used
Fisher Gold Bug Pro
Tesoro Cibola
Nokta Pointer; Phillips SHS5200 phones
Nokta Macro SIMPLEX +
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Well, if all you are going to do is nugget-shoot, then get any gold machine out there, as most will do what they say they'll do.
I have the Fisher Gold Bug Pro, and it has a thirst for metal, small metal...!....and is versatile enough to find coins (if you know the ID numbers range),
but isn't water-proof, if you are thinking about finding placer in creeks or sniffing-out jewelry at swimming holes....!
 

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