Need a user friendly detector for a beginner.

[TREETOPPER]

Just looking for a simple to use all around MD. Nothing complicated in the 700$ range.Ihave been looking at the MXT but seems a little complicated and the lobo st. I have absolutely no experience with a Md.Today i decided that i would buy one so where do i start.Please help

[Diggincoinz]

That all depends on your price range. I'm using a Garrett GTXa 550
http://www.kellycodetectors.com/detectors.htm

I think that link should work. It's easy to use and to understand. Not complicated like the white's are especially if it's your 1st one. Go simple, then progress from there.

Chris

[cryptodave]

Garrett ACE 250 or a Whites Prizm 2 or 3. Those seem to be the best for beginners, and don't blow your wallet. Oh, and some people have good luck with the Bounty Hunter 3300 for the first machine.

Hope this helps, and good luck to you!

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

Tree,

For your price range, which is not shabby,
your have very many detectors available.

I would highly reccommend the Garrett line.

Purchased a new Garretts last year, and one
of the points I was looking for was "User Friendly"

It is.

Have a good un...............

[TREETOPPER]

OK, So i narrowed it down to a 1350,1500 and a 550.So which one of these will i get the most for my money and not have to up grade any time soon? Thank you for the replies.

[TREETOPPER]

The other thing i would like to mention is that when i was looking at the MXT i noticed that it had a prospecting mode. Do any of these Md's that i have mentioned have the capability to find small pieces of gold in the dried up stream bottoms out west without to much practice?

[jeff@middlesex]

Not like the MXT can. But if that is a small part of your hunting then get it. If your a coin/relic only guy/girl the garretts will do the job as well.

[cryptodave]

I totally misread your post and thought you were looking for a new beginner model... With $700, I would go with the 1350, or spend a little extra and get the 1500.

[johny mc.]

Treetop- the MXT is an easy machine to use. Turn it on, use one of the three pre-set programs, watch the VDI numbers and dig....it's deadly as far as accuracy is concerned...great for coins and relics. the gold program may be as useful to you as the other two....the machine will go deep enough...the lock in ground balancing is nice on the beach.Wise choice
aloha johny mc.

[gollum]

I know this is the White's Forum, but have you thought about Minelab? New XTerra very user friendly! A little more will get you a Quattro. I use one for my General Use Detector!

Mike

[Born2Dtect]

For $700 you can get a lot more than a starter. If you want an excellent detector in that price range try this link; http://www.kellycodetectors.com/fish...eries-cz3D.htm , a Fisher CZ-3D from Kelly Co for $759.59. If you truly want a good beginners model, get the Garrette Ace250 or 250 Pro package , see the same link. Be sure you get headphones, a digger (small shovel), knee pads, and a sand scoop if needed,.

Ed Donovan

[TREETOPPER]

For $700 you can get a lot more than a starter. If you want an excellent detector in that price range try this link; http://www.kellycodetectors.com/fish...eries-cz3D.htm , a Fisher CZ-3D from Kelly Co for $759.59. If you truly want a good beginners model, get the Garrette Ace250 or 250 Pro package , see the same link. Be sure you get headphones, a digger (small shovel), knee pads, and a sand scoop if needed,.

Ed Donovan

Hey ecdonovan,
What is it that you like about the CZ-3d.

[Born2Dtect]

Easy to use, has some adjustments, good all around detector, good depth. Finally, it just flat out works. I don,t own one but see the results of this detector all the time from a few friends (3). For them it works, period.

Ed Donovan

[TREETOPPER]

Hey Ed Donovan,
Just curious what you would say about CZ-3d compared to let's say the MXT. By going with a dual purpose Md like the MXT, would i be giving up something like depth sensitivity,etc,etc...

[Born2Dtect]

No. The MXT and CZ-3D are different. The CZ-3D is knob controlled, THE MXT has a screen interface and more settings. Either is OK. Neither is really a beginners unit, but you should be OK with either. I know both can make good finds. Other members of my club have them.

Ed Donovan

[TREETOPPER]

Ed Donovan,
would i be giving up something by going to a multi purpose Md like the MXT opposed to just using a coin shooter like the CZ-3d. I hear that a multi unit will never do one thing as well as a specialty type unit.
For instance would i be giving up sensitivity or depth while coin shooting using the MXT opposed to using the coin shooter CZ-3d because the CZ-3d is a unit made specifically for coins.
Comparing a MXT to a CZ-3d in those regards. What do you think?

[allanw23]

The MXT for $689 is one of the best machines on the market. Very easy to use and very good in all three modes of operations. You cant go wrong. Not to mention the $150 shopper dollars through Whites.

[Wheezy]

MXT All the way!!! Jump in and get wet! You'll be sorry once you've learned a little and then realize what you're missing. I know I was. Knowing what I do now I wish I would have started with the MXT a long time ago.
Good luck and Happy New Year!!!

[sparkymaster]

This is just my opinion, take it how you want.

If you already have $700 saved, your not too far off from buying a high end detector that you'll never have to upgrade. It is winter so you should have time to save a little more $. My advice is to save another $300 and go with the Whites DFX. The DFX has several programs right out of the box that are turn on and go, any beginner should be able to use these factory pre set programs. Just don't try to much to soon or you'll get very confused. The DFX has a huge learning curve, you can explore all of it's features later. As you get used to detecting and learn the things the DFX is telling you can start messing with the machine for better results. I bought a "beginners" detector in the $500 to $600 range when I started out and it wasn't even a year later when I was ready to upgrade. Now my first detector just sits. I guess the decision you have to make is do you spend $700 now and then $1000 later or just $1000 now. If you take my advice and do this I think you'll be glad you did later on.

Happy new year to all

Sparkymaster

[RonNewbie]

Sparkymaster is exactly correct and I did exactly what he recommended to you... I'm a full-fledged newbie who bought the DFX as my first detector and couldn't be happier with my purchase. It has so VERY much to offer in capabilities that will take me a while to learn but the great part is it also has several programs already stored which did allow me to begin using it right out of the box. I watched the video they sent with it, took it out, and in less than 15 minutes found my first find -- a clad quarter at 5 1/2 inches. I didn't want to make the mistake of purchasing a metal detector that would leave me wanting more after learning to use it so I decided to go the extra amount and get the DFX. I couldn't be happier with my decision.

If you haven't purchased one yet, think long and hard about going with White's top of the line model. Good luck and let us know what you decide to get. You'll love this hobby.