Hunterhound
Jr. Member
Greetings all,
I would like some advice on selecting a detector. Based on other forum posts I've read and considerations from other sites online, I attempted to list all my requirements below. Please let me know if you need more clarification to make a recommendation.
What I want to hunt: I will be primarily concerned with locating old relics (preferably revolutionary war era), caches, and jewelry. I read that some detectors must be specially tuned to detect gold. I'm in this more for the historical treasures than to get rich so finding gold will not be a priority if the units cost significantly more. If the cost is negligible, who doesn't want gold!
Coinage is also something I would like to find.
Where I plan to hunt: I will primarily hunt on dry ground though I would like to have the flexibility for creek bed (including shallow water if possible), and ocean/beach hunting.
Features: I've read forums suggesting a Garret Ace 250, Fisher F2, etc. for a starter detector. As I will want to get used to a device that will meet my needs and not have to change very often, I'd like one that will provide intermediate level features so I won't have to look at buying a new unit a few years down the road. That being said, I'm willing to start with a basic unit if I can be relatively certain it will find what I'm looking for (i.e. it'll reach the right depth, provide a long search time, work on the terrain i'm looking for, etc.) NOTE: While we're on this subject, what determines whether a device is beginner, intermediate, advanced?
Frequency of detecting: I would like to do this regularly provided I can get enough time outside during the year and the wife is supportive. Also, living in KY, I believe the detecting laws are pretty limiting so I don't know how many areas I'll have available to hunt. Still, I would like to consider doing this at least once or twice a month once I locate some hunt sites.
Portability: I would like the device to be somewhat portable. It doesn't have to fold up to a small profile but we do have a Rav4 we normally take on trips and will need to have room for luggage if I take the detector with me. I drive a Mazda 3 and the back seats fold down if I need trunk space for the unit length but this will be limiting as well.
Accessories: I read that a good set of headphones and possibly a pinpointer device could be handy to have as well as a good digging tool. Can you provide recommendations on these and other useful accessories as well?
Cost: I was planning to spend around $300 max on the detector itself but after reading several forum posts, I'm not sure that will give me enough to get a unit with the features I'm looking for. Please provide your recommendation keeping cost in mind but do this knowing I understand I may need to put more money into this than I originally thought.
Lastly, I believe I saw somewhere that some people use different coils for their unit. Is this advised? Are they easily replacable in the field? What features do you gain by utilizing different coils?
I would like some advice on selecting a detector. Based on other forum posts I've read and considerations from other sites online, I attempted to list all my requirements below. Please let me know if you need more clarification to make a recommendation.
What I want to hunt: I will be primarily concerned with locating old relics (preferably revolutionary war era), caches, and jewelry. I read that some detectors must be specially tuned to detect gold. I'm in this more for the historical treasures than to get rich so finding gold will not be a priority if the units cost significantly more. If the cost is negligible, who doesn't want gold!
Coinage is also something I would like to find.Where I plan to hunt: I will primarily hunt on dry ground though I would like to have the flexibility for creek bed (including shallow water if possible), and ocean/beach hunting.
Features: I've read forums suggesting a Garret Ace 250, Fisher F2, etc. for a starter detector. As I will want to get used to a device that will meet my needs and not have to change very often, I'd like one that will provide intermediate level features so I won't have to look at buying a new unit a few years down the road. That being said, I'm willing to start with a basic unit if I can be relatively certain it will find what I'm looking for (i.e. it'll reach the right depth, provide a long search time, work on the terrain i'm looking for, etc.) NOTE: While we're on this subject, what determines whether a device is beginner, intermediate, advanced?
Frequency of detecting: I would like to do this regularly provided I can get enough time outside during the year and the wife is supportive
. Also, living in KY, I believe the detecting laws are pretty limiting so I don't know how many areas I'll have available to hunt. Still, I would like to consider doing this at least once or twice a month once I locate some hunt sites.Portability: I would like the device to be somewhat portable. It doesn't have to fold up to a small profile but we do have a Rav4 we normally take on trips and will need to have room for luggage if I take the detector with me. I drive a Mazda 3 and the back seats fold down if I need trunk space for the unit length but this will be limiting as well.
Accessories: I read that a good set of headphones and possibly a pinpointer device could be handy to have as well as a good digging tool. Can you provide recommendations on these and other useful accessories as well?
Cost: I was planning to spend around $300 max on the detector itself but after reading several forum posts, I'm not sure that will give me enough to get a unit with the features I'm looking for. Please provide your recommendation keeping cost in mind but do this knowing I understand I may need to put more money into this than I originally thought.
Lastly, I believe I saw somewhere that some people use different coils for their unit. Is this advised? Are they easily replacable in the field? What features do you gain by utilizing different coils?
