$350 budget

justinfisch01

Jr. Member
Nov 19, 2012
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So I am just getting into metal detecting and would like to buy my first detector. My budget is $350. I am open to new or used but I get confused with some of the middle of the line detectors. I am mostly looking for coins, jewlery, and relics on land but would occasionally try my luck on the beach after a big storm but that will be the least of my detecting. I know I can get my hands on a Fisher Auquanauts 1280× for $350. Although it appears to be much older than the current model under that name. I need help getting the most bang for my buck. All suggestions are welcome
 

Loco-Digger

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Jun 16, 2014
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If I were planning on detecting land sites mainly, and the least amount of time in the surf, I would not buy a water detector. There are many used and new detectors in your price range that have more options.
 

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OWK

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Apr 26, 2014
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I agree with Loco.

If you're going to hunt mostly on land, don't buy a purpose-built water detector.

Your $350 should buy you into a pretty nice Fisher, Garrett, or Minelab detector used on eBay.

I would advise waiting long enough to save another $50 or $100.

That will significantly improve the class of used machine you can buy (particularly with new machines hitting the market recently)
 

Loco-Digger

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You should also consider the price of a Lesche digging tool or another brand and a good pinpointer. JMO
 

Fletch88

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Mar 7, 2013
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Eurotek Pro, Fisher F22 or F44 and Whites TreasuePro are 4 worth looking at.
 

DeepseekerADS

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Mar 3, 2013
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I know I can get my hands on a Fisher Auquanauts 1280× for $350. Although it appears to be much older than the current model under that name.

I agree with the other response concerning a land machine.

But, your statement about it being a much older model - I still swing my 32 year old Fisher 1260X, and it's quite competitive with the new machines. The moral of the story, older machines rock.
 

Indian Steve

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Oct 23, 2011
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Deepseeker and that Fisher are an impressive couple. I've hunted with him. I would buy a Tesoro Compadre with the 8 inch coil for $160, Lesche digger for $40, and a Garrett Propointer for $110. The compadre is 2.2 pounds, one knob, discrimination is great, and you get a lifetime warranty. The lesche is unbreakable and a great digger in roots, and the pinpointer make recovery so much faster.
 

DeepseekerADS

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That's quite a compliment Steve, thank you!

I think what really matters here is that you get a machine and learn what it is saying - learn whatever machine you decide on before you ever think about something new
 

Loco-Digger

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Jun 16, 2014
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Don't overlook the Bounty Hunter Land Ranger Pro. You will still have plenty of money left over for a good pinpointer and a digging tool.
 

Keppy

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Nov 19, 2006
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Right now Walmart has the Teknetics.Delta4000 on sale other web site for $138.00 brand new with warranty that is sold at other dealers for around $300.00 so that is a good deal at walmart's web site they do not have them in the store only web site and free shipping..TO LATE WALMART RAISED THE PRICE TONIGHT TO $205.00
 

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The Urban Prospector

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Probably not the best forum category for your question. Probably get more eyes on it if the question is located in the "metal detecting" category.
 

GA_Boy

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Jul 30, 2006
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If I were planning on detecting land sites mainly, and the least amount of time in the surf, I would not buy a water detector. There are many used and new detectors in your price range that have more options.
X2-----------------------There are some good OLD VLF detectors that will do OK at the beach. Used of course and in your price range.
 

GA_Boy

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Jul 30, 2006
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Deepseeker and that Fisher are an impressive couple. I've hunted with him. I would buy a Tesoro Compadre with the 8 inch coil for $160, Lesche digger for $40, and a Garrett Propointer for $110. The compadre is 2.2 pounds, one knob, discrimination is great, and you get a lifetime warranty. The lesche is unbreakable and a great digger in roots, and the pinpointer make recovery so much faster.
Another very good choice.
 

Blitzriuriu

Jr. Member
Aug 3, 2015
35
5
Latvia
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I would get an Eurotek Pro with 80$ X-Pointer. The same setup I use now and it seems to fit your budget.



PS. Xpointer is 80$ in USA, in order to get it in Europe I had to pay total 110$. Well worth it though.
 

tman

Greenie
Nov 6, 2015
11
4
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I up graded my garret 150 to the 350 and have been killing the corn fields with it,goes a foot deep,easy and has a built in pin pointer,I paid 297.00...and very happy with it.
 

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