Ace 250: Good intro machine for my soon to be 8 year old

[mikebourgeois]

Hey all. I have a 7 year old soon to be 8 year old daughter. She has shown interest in coming out detecting with me. I'm looking for a decent machine to start her out with and I've narrowed my choice down to the Garrett Ace 250. It seems to be a simple, straightforward machine with enough functions to keep her interested in the hobby for a while.

I'd like others opinions on the Ace 250... is it a good intro machine, is it a good intro machine for a child or is there other machines that might be a better fit. She's about 4'4" so the shaft is a bit long for comfortable swinging on the Ace's part... I've contacted Garrett to see if they have shorter shafts to sub in for a starter. If you have any opinions to share than please don't be shy... her birthday is over 3 weeks away and I've got the cash set aside for a purchase so I have a little bit before I have to send an order in.

thanks for all those who share... your thoughts are appreciated.

 

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[smokeythecat]

It is a good solid machine for a beginner.

 

[IDXMonster]

I would also say yes. I think the Compadre is actually a better and more accurate discriminator but no display. She would dig more with the Compadre but kids need things to look at I guess....either would be great.

 

[smokeythecat]

Tesoro, who makes the Compadre is out of business, and it is a very good machine, but I'd go with the Garrett.

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Yes, set her up in coin mode, shorten the shaft as much as possible, and make sure there are lots of good fun targets to make her experience a blast. The 250 has a great pinpointing mode with the stock coil, almost dead on in the small center groove with a coin target. Keep the hunts short and successful at such a young age. I tried the same with my young daughters and they lost interest after 15 minutes unless there were good easy targets. Have fun!

 

[Megalodon]

Nothing wrong with an Ace 250 provided you can shorten up the shaft. I started my son at about that age over 20 years ago with a (since discontinued model from an out-of-business company) Tesoro Amigo. I think the key at that age is easy digging. We hunted beaches.

 

[mikebourgeois]

Garrett replied when I queried them about a shortened shaft for the detector and apparently they have a junior shaft kit available for $19.99 or something of the like. I also looked at the Tesoro Compadre and it was a surprisingly nice machine. Very simple and while it does lack a view screen it is very easy to work with according to the video I watched and I can't disagree. However the company being defunct makes it a bit of an iffy thing if I want repair work done. Right now the Ace 250 does look like the best bet.. the only other one that popped into view was the Makro Simplex but it hasn't been released quite yet and waiting a few months for a birthday present would be hard.

thanks all.