Help me pick a new machine

[SilverStrike82]

Hello all! I am in need of some helpful advice regarding the purchase of a new metal detector. I have been using both a Minelab X-Terra70 & a Tesoro Supertraq for about a year now. My biggest concerns, finding a machine with a better depth capabilities in heavy mineralized ground and/or heavy trash....seeing how that's the ground I'm working with most.

I'm beginning to think I am looking for a machine that doesn't exist. I have been doing a lot of research on the Omega 8000 - but my biggest fear is the machine won't be getting the depth that I'm looking for in the bad ground we have here in the San Joaquin Valley. Price isn't really the issue a or concern....it's finding a machine I'm going to be happy with. If anyone has any suggestions, pros/cons of machines.....seeing how I can't test machines out prior to purchase, I hope I can get some help from fellow MDer's on their success and frustrations. I am a turf hunter primarily, but do occasionally hit the beach.

The machines I have been researching are:

Teknetics Omega 8000
Minelab Safari
Minelab Explorer SE Pro
Whites V3i

I understand that last two are more expensive, but I really want a machine that will handle the bad ground conditions here in the Valley, and still be able to pull coins from 7" deep. I would like to stay away from the excessively chattery machines like the Fisher F75 and Tesoro Tejon. I would be grateful for any information or insight that you guys might have. Any users of the aforementioned machines please chime in with your opinions.

 

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[bigscoop]

You might take a serious look at the Minelab Sov. GT, this is a super machine that's capable of handling most any situation you can throw at it. You might also consider a second smaller search coil, say a quality 4 or 5 inch coil. With this setup I can't think of any situation you won't be able to handle while still hunting deep, even with the smaller coil.

 

[Smudge]

I'll have to second the Sovereign GT. We don't have mineralzed ground in too many places here in Florida. But the GT is supposed to handle it well.

I just got the GT and I'm very impressed by the depth so far.

You can also add a WOT coil for a little extra depth when you have the funds.

Check out some of the posts on the Sovereign for a better idea. I have only found one person who didn't like it because of the tones. Everone else refuses to part with theirs.

 

[mfdunlevy]

Hi Silver -

Try and get some feedback from someone who uses a Whites TDI.
Mineralized soil is not a problem for the TDI.

Mike

 

[keverett]

She should also mention that her boyfriend uses a Minelab E-trac....and that she is tired of him getting all of the goodies .

 

[Iron Patch]

My first detector was a GTI 1500 and I did ok, but thought there might be something better, so bought an Explorer in about 2000. Used that and thought, I wonder how other detectors and brands would stack up... so I went through a bunch only to realize none would compare to what the explorer could do for me at the old sites I hunt. So the SE would definitely be my choice.