I have a Grand to spend and need advice on model and coil....

[Thebig21]

Brand spanking new to this hobby... I live in Mississippi and will hunt locations such as old farm sites, homesteads, hills, bottomlands, woods, city parks, river mud and sand...just basically country land. Our soil is has a lot of clay and some sand in most areas. I am looking at the Fisher F70 but not sure if this is right for me. I have been researching different models, coils, frequency's, etc... but this is all new to me. If you were me and had a $1,000 OR LESS to spend on a good unit for a hobby, what would be your best 3 choices. One more question, what is the difference in coils such as DD, Elliptical, etc...

Any help before I purchase would be well accepted!!!

 

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[Charlie P. (NY)]

DD coils are two loops side-by side that create a narrow field between the two coils. The field can also be thought of as a "D" with the flat along the axis of the coil and the rounded bottom down into the soil. If you are centered over a coin 8" deep with a 10" DD coil the field will be strongest in a narrow area about 2" wide and 8" long with the coin in the center.

Concentric is a coil within a coil and they create a cone shaped field. If you are centered over a coin 8" deep with a 10" Concentric coil it will be in the middle of a 6" field. These are, of course, just approximations to help you visualize what the detector is "seeing".

Elliptical is a concentric coil that is not round but oval.

How you pinpoint the target depends on whic coil. The DD you make narrower and narrower sweeps and back off and where it just hits at the tip is the target. Another method is to sweep and look at the ground where the sound appears loudest, then turn the coil 90° and repeat. You can center the target pretty well with this method.

Concentric you center it over the strongest signal.

For $1,000 - you haven't told us what you will be hunting - relics or coins - so for my soil and coins (in order):

Fisher F75 or Teknetics T2 (about the same)
Minelab Safari
Tesoro Cortez

 

[Shunkaha]

Xterra 705 and add another coil possibly even a waterproof one. That's my suggestion. Charlie covered your questions pretty well.

 

[Thebig21]

Thanks guys, I think I'm going with the F70 to save a few bucks and with the 2 coil package I can get a second MD (much cheaper unit) for around $150. I should have it in my hands in 4-5 days. I am looking for a MD to search for coins and relics such as Civil War items as there are many spots that I have access to where the troops should have come thru and possibly camped at times...

 

[Pointman]

Thanks guys, I think I'm going with the F70 to save a few bucks and with the 2 coil package I can get a second MD (much cheaper unit) for around $150. I should have it in my hands in 4-5 days. I am looking for a MD to search for coins and relics such as Civil War items as there are many spots that I have access to where the troops should have come thru and possibly camped at times...

Be sure to save some money for a pinpointer and a good shovel. I have been using a Makro PP for a few weeks and I really like it. In the mud I find the nearest puddle and do the "dip and shake" to get the mud off. Shovel wise, I would get something you can easily pick up and handle with one hand. I use a Sampson ball end in the fields and muddy sites. You will also want to get a good hand hand digger.

This is about everything that you will initially need to start.

 

[ATProAdam]

Kellyco detectors have the best deals and they throw in a bunch of extras. I haven't seen anyone beat their prices. I've bought both of mine through them.

 

[Thebig21]

I went today with a friend of mine to a couple soccer fields and an old city park and used his 12 yr. old backup. Found several coins no older than 1975 plus alot of trash. It was a good learning experience to learn to tune out the trash with sounds. Can't wait for the F70 to land at my door....

 

[Slowtaknow]

I was going to suggest the garrett at pro package plus other goodies you need, but i see you went fisher, love my f2.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Eliptical coils are usually Double D coils, not concentric.

 

[bigfoot1]

Eliptical coils are usually Double D coils, not concentric.

my gtax 1250 has an eliptical concentric,they are out there terry,but yes many eliptical are dd