Best coin shooter for under $300

Xraywolf

Silver Member
Feb 28, 2005
3,576
4,360
MI USA
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Ace 400, AT Pro, equinox 800, Simplex,Vanquish 540
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Metal Detecting
Never thought I'd be asking "whats the best" but here I am - Just don't include the Garret Ace series. I love them, have a 400, not going to get rid of it, more like a companion/spare.
I like LCD display so I imagine Teseros would be out, from what little I have heard. If it could consistently nail quarters at 6-7" I'd be very happy.
 

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Terry Soloman

Gold Member
May 28, 2010
19,410
30,023
White Plains, New York
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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
Tesoro Mojave
Tesoro Silver uMax
:occasion14:
 

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Xraywolf

Xraywolf

Silver Member
Feb 28, 2005
3,576
4,360
MI USA
Detector(s) used
Ace 400, AT Pro, equinox 800, Simplex,Vanquish 540
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I'd need some talking into to get a sound only machine, plus they don't exactly seem to be widely available.

edit: Nevermind talking me into it, just impulse bought it - Still interested in opinions though.
 

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pinenut

Bronze Member
Mar 15, 2016
1,024
1,363
where bigfoot roams
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Various Tesoro - mostly Bandido II μMAX
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Metal Detecting
watcha get ?...

I'd need some talking into to get a sound only machine, plus they don't exactly seem to be widely available.

edit: Nevermind talking me into it, just impulse bought it - Still interested in opinions though.

OK - so, what did you buy? A Mojave I hope (for your sake). It's becoming one of my favorite Tesoros.
 

Eleven Cents

Full Member
Nov 30, 2016
169
309
Tucson, AZ
Detector(s) used
Tesoro Vaquero
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I have a Bounty Hunter Prospector, and my mom has a similarly low-end Teknetics Alpha. We traded machines for a while last time she visited. I found that I strongly prefer the analog dials on the BH, which is one of the major reasons I think my next machine will be a Tesoro. I never just use one setting. I play with the disc/notch dial to help identify targets, and sometimes compare how they sound in disc vs. all metal mode. It's not as easy on a digital pushbutton machine. Digital VDI is cool, but I don't think there would ever be good-sounding target that I would not dig because of the VDI number.
 

Welgund

Sr. Member
Aug 27, 2014
355
478
Colorado
Detector(s) used
XP Deus, CTX 3030, CZ-6a, CZ 5, Tesoro Vaquero, Mojave, Fisher F75 Ltd2, MXT Pro, Makro Multi Kruzer, Deeptech VGG
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Mojave for under 300 is by far the best coin and jewelry hunter. When I go hunting the Mojave goes with me all the time now. It's my scout detector. Only time I break out my other Tesoro's is when I have my all Tesoro days which is once a week.lol
 

AlienLifeForm

Bronze Member
Jan 31, 2010
1,589
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DFW Texas
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Even though it has no readout, id throw my cash at a Mojave from what I have read.
 

scotter1

Full Member
Mar 16, 2014
182
155
upstate ny
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whites dfx,xlt,idx,prism,tm 808,fisher gold bug,1280x,xp deuse
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whites coinmaster
 

Vern2

Hero Member
Jan 26, 2017
621
477
Leesburg Ga
Detector(s) used
Tesoro DeLeon;
Red Racer
Garrett carrot, Makro PP
Lesche shovel and knife
Killer B's head phones
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Here you go!!
Check out: tekneticsdirect.com.
Teknetics Gamma 6000 with 8" concentric, $239.00, free shipping.
Regis price around $500.
From what I have read, it's a great coin shooter. And for the money.��. ........Whooa here.

.
 

Loco-Digger

Gold Member
Jun 16, 2014
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Northern O-H-I-O
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Primary Interest:
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I am a huge fan of the DD coil so any First Texas Family (BH, Fisher, or Teknetics) detector that comes with the DD and is priced under $300 is my pick. I hear great things about the Mohave, but I am used to reviewing a Target ID number (like you) and also like to hear tones and not nuances of a tone. Good Luck
 

George (MN)

Hero Member
May 16, 2005
829
98
Agree with Vern2, the Teknetics Gamma 6000 that was $499 list now on sale for $239 shipped. I used to have one briefly. Took it to a nearby 1974 park. Got numerous coins down to about 5" with very accurate & consistent IDs. Of course it would go deeper than that, at least in many soils. It has ground grab for quick adjustment to different mineralization & target ID # is huge. Also the detector is very light. It comes with an 8" concentric coil for easy rejection of rusty bottle caps, and easy non-motion pinpointing.
 

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Xraywolf

Xraywolf

Silver Member
Feb 28, 2005
3,576
4,360
MI USA
Detector(s) used
Ace 400, AT Pro, equinox 800, Simplex,Vanquish 540
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I got the Mojave.
Have heard great reviews a month ago, when I googled it I saw it had no LCD so I never thought about it any more.
Looked at more reviews after Terrys post and I decided maybe going outside the box with a pure audio machine is what I need, and went right to bigboyshobbies within minutes before I changed my mind [said its in stock, hope so]. I'll keep the other recommendation in mind, can't have too many detectors.

One question, is this thing mono tone or multi ?
 

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Xraywolf

Xraywolf

Silver Member
Feb 28, 2005
3,576
4,360
MI USA
Detector(s) used
Ace 400, AT Pro, equinox 800, Simplex,Vanquish 540
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Well, so much for that - Said it was in stock, just got a message from bigboys that it was not, unknown when it will be and refund already sent.

Seems to be a slew of these "in stock ! Ooops, no !" deals going around lately.
 

Terry Soloman

Gold Member
May 28, 2010
19,410
30,023
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
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Xraywolf

Xraywolf

Silver Member
Feb 28, 2005
3,576
4,360
MI USA
Detector(s) used
Ace 400, AT Pro, equinox 800, Simplex,Vanquish 540
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
huh ?
 

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Xraywolf

Xraywolf

Silver Member
Feb 28, 2005
3,576
4,360
MI USA
Detector(s) used
Ace 400, AT Pro, equinox 800, Simplex,Vanquish 540
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Take the control box off your Deus. Just saved you $300.00. :wink:

Fair point - Guess there is a difference between contemplating going pure audio, and being forced to.
 

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Xraywolf

Xraywolf

Silver Member
Feb 28, 2005
3,576
4,360
MI USA
Detector(s) used
Ace 400, AT Pro, equinox 800, Simplex,Vanquish 540
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Found one on ebay, supposedly shipped already and arriving some time next week.
 

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