Newbie In Need of Suggestions!

[okiechick]

Hello, all! I have always wanted a metal detector, but have never had one. Fast forward...I now have a very gifted, homeschooling daughter (age 7, but wise beyond her years) who is fascinated with the idea and is asking for a metal detector for Christmas!

I need recommendations on what would be a good detector for her, that actually works well but would still be light enough for her to carry. As far as cost goes, I would say $250 or less, and I would rather it be a little big (but still manageable) and her be able to use it for a long time, rather than be a "kiddie gift" with no real longevity.

Does such a thing exist? I would love to hear your recommendations! I think I am as excited about the possibilities as she is. :-)

 

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[OldJerseyGirl]

I think a Tesoro Compadre would do the trick. At that age anything they dig is a treasure. Well under $200.00.

 

[Mr.T]

Get a pinpointer also, then you can both be part of the hunt. The new detenix x pointer is only round 80 bucks, and I am very impressed with it.Makes retrieval so much easier, Good luck.

 

[richeysd76]

I would say the fisher f2. My son has used one for the last couple of years since he was 8. Its easy to use pretty light and costs around $200

 

[CincinnatiKid]

Children of that age seem to be fascinated w numbers. So I suggest a detector with a VDI, (numbered), display. A Teknetic's EuroTek Pro can be purchased for $219. It's a capable machine and light as a feather. She can use it for many years.
Call Bart @BigBoysHobbies. He will help you.
Mr. T is correct. She will need a pinpointer.
GL
Peace

 

[1320]

The above recommendations are good ones but keep this in mind, you will need a safe digging tool to extract your finds. You may want to budget for this before giving a pin pointer consideration. As mentioned, the Compadre fits the bill perfect, light, easy to use, inexpensive, great machine and has good resale value. Both my pre-teen sons use one.

 

[K1DDO1979]

Agreed on the fisher f2. Now comes with the 11"dd coil as a option. It's the only coil you need on it and makes it a great machine!

 

[okiechick]

Thank you all so much for your recommendations! I appreciate your help so much! :-)

 

[okiechick]

One additional question: if given the choice, at exactly the same price, which package would you buy?

A: Pinpointer Kit: F2 with stock 8” concentric coil plus an accessory 4” sniper coil & the Fisher F Pinpointer

B: In place of the pinpointer, the following instead: Pro-Deluxe Lightweight Hi-Fi Headphones, FiberComp 2 in 1 Combo Digger & Sifter, Pro Orange Dot Gloves One Sided, 2 Pocket Coin Pouch/Apron w/ Thin Pocket for Probes, 6X Pocket Magnifying Combo, Lockback Folding Knife, and several other small odds and ends

Just wondering, since the reviews on that pinpointer don't look great.

Thanks again for all of your help! I am so impressed with all of the knowledge in this forum!

 

[K1DDO1979]

I would probably go with option A but as I said before you can get the 11"dd coil package and that would be all you need. I have every coil and the only one I use on the f2 is the dd coil.

 

[liftloop]

they will have more fun with the pin pointer
that's when it up close and personal

liftloop

 

[liftloop]

they don't want to dig down to china No 11" coil..
make it easy smaller coil less confusion.

 

[K1DDO1979]

I found one large cent with the other coils and when I switched to the 11"dd this is my coin totals not to mention the old buttons and relics. The 11"dd has better target separation and let's you cover more ground. Also less chance your going to miss something. Your choice but research your options before you buy.

~COPPER~
British large half penny-1753
British large half penny-17??
British large half penny-17??
British large half penny-17??
British large half penny-17??
British large half penny-17??
British large half penny-177?
British large half penny-1771
British large half penny-1772
French un decime coin-1795
R H half penny token-1814
Halifax half penny token-1814
Halifax half penny token-1814
Halifax half penny token-1815
Halifax half penny token-1815
Halifax half penny token-1815
Nova scotia half penny token-1815
Nova scotia one penny token-1823
Nova scotia half penny token-1832
Nova scotia half penny token-1832
Nova scotia half penny token-1832
Nova scotia half penny token-1840
Nova scotia half penny token-1843
United states large one cent-1853
New Brunswick penny token-1854
Fish. & agric. one cent token-1855
Canada large cent-1859
Canada large cent-1859
Canada large cent-1859
Nova Scotia large one cent-1861
Nova Scotia large one cent-1861
Nova Scotia large one cent-1861
Nova Scotia large one cent-1861
Nova Scotia large one cent-1861
Nova Scotia large one cent-1861
Nova Scotia large one cent-1861
Nova Scotia large one cent-1861
Nova Scotia large one cent-1861
New Brunswick one cent-1861
New Brunswick one cent-1861
British large half penny-1862
New Brunswick one cent-1861
New Brunswick one cent-1864
Nova Scotia large one cent-1864
Nova Scotia small half cent-1864
United states small one cent-1869
British large penny-1869
Newfoundland large cent-1873
Canada large one cent-1876
United States small one cent-1882
Canada large one cent-1884
Newfoundland large cent-1885
Canada large one cent-1888
Canada large one cent-1888
Canada large one cent-1888
Newfoundland large one cent-1890
British large half penny-1891
Canada large one cent-1893
Canada large one cent-1894
United States small one cent-1895
Canada large one cent-1895
Canada large one cent-1896
Canada large one cent-1897
British large one penny-1897
Canada large one cent-1899
Canada large one cent-1900
Canada large one cent-1900
United States small one cent-1900
Canada large one cent-1901
Canada large one cent-1901
Canada large one cent-1901
Canada large one cent-1902
Newfoundland large one cent-1904
Canada large one cent-1904
Canada large one cent-1905
United States small one cent-1905
Canada large one cent-190?
Canada large one cent-1907
Canada large one cent-1908
United States small one cent-1909
Canada large one cent-1910
Canada large one cent-1911
Canada large one cent-1911
Canada large one cent-1912
Canada large one cent-1912
British large half penny-1912
United States small one cent-1913
Canada large one cent-1913
Canada large one cent-1913
Canada large one cent-1914
Canada large one cent-1914
British large half penny-1914
Canada large one cent-1916
France large five centimes-1917
Canada large one cent-1917
Canada large one cent-1917
Canada large one cent-1917
Canada large one cent-1917
Canada large one cent-1918
Canada large one cent-1918
Canada large one cent-1918
Canada large one cent-1918
Canada large one cent-1918
Canada large one cent-1919
Canada large one cent-1919
United states small one cent-1919
United states small one cent-1920
United states small one cent-1920
Canada small one cent-1920
Canada small one cent-1921
Canada small one cent-1921
Canada small one cent-1921
United states small one cent-1923
United States small one cent-1927
Canada small one cent-1930
United states small one cent-1930
Canada small one cent-1933
Canada small one cent-1935
Canada small one cent-1936
British small three pence-1943
Austrian large 10 schilling-1981

~NICKEL~
United States five cent-1876
United states five cent-1885
Canada five cent-1922

~SILVER~
Spanish one real-1737
British six pence-1859
Canada ten cent-1871
CanadaTWENTY FIVE Cent-1871H
Canada TWENTY FIVE Cent-1887
Canada five cent-1893
Canada ten cent-1907
newfoundland five cent-1912
newfoundland five cent-1912
Canada five cent-1913
Canada ten cent-1916
Newfoundland five cent-1917
Canada five cent-1917
Canada ten cent-1918
Canada ten cent-1918
Canada ten cent-1929
newfoundland five cent-1929
Canada twenty five cent-1929
Canada twenty five cent-1929
Canada twenty five cent-1936
newfoundland five cent-1938
newfoundland five cent-1938
Canada ten cent-1938
Canada ten cent-1939
Canada ten cent-1940
newfoundland five cent-1940
newfoundland five cent-1941
newfoundland five cent-1941
newfoundland five cent-1941
newfoundland five cent-1941
newfoundland five cent-1941
newfoundland five cent-1941
newfoundland five cent-1941
newfoundland five cent-1941
Canada twenty five cent-1941
newfoundland five cent-1942
Canada ten cent-1943
Canada ten cent-1943
Canada twenty five cent-1943
newfoundland five cent-1943
newfoundland five cent-1943
newfoundland five cent-1943
Canada fifty cent-1944
Canada ten cent-1944
Canada ten cent-1944
newfoundland five cent-1945
newfoundland five cent-1945
newfoundland five cent-1945
Canada ten cent-1946
Canada ten cent-1947
Canada twenty five cent-1948
Canada twenty five cent-1949
Canada ten cent-1951
Canada twenty five cent-1953
Canada ten cent-1954
Canada ten cent-1955
Canada ten cent-1957
Canada ten cent-1959
Canada ten cent-1959
German five mark-1960
Canada twenty five cent-1960
Canada ten cent-1960
Canada ten cent-1960
Canada ten cent-1961
Canada ten cent-1962
Canada twenty five cent-1962
Canada twenty five cent-1962
Canada ten cent-1963
Canada twenty five cent-1964
Canada twenty five cent-1964
Canada ten cent-1965
Canada ten cent-1966
Canada twenty five cent-1965
Canada twenty five cent-1965
Canada twenty five cent-1966

 

[okiechick]

My concern with the 12" coil was the size and weight for a little one to carry. Do you think that would be much of a consideration? Plus the 12" package is $299 versus $214 for the one with the 8" and 4".

 

[K1DDO1979]

You would be fine with the 8" & 4" coils. I was just expressing from personal experience how good the 11" dd is on the F2. It's not to heavy but the price difference may want you to go to the other package. Let me know what you decide in the end!

 

[okiechick]

Oh, oops! Yes, 11". :-) Thanks so much for the direction! Still looking but hope to make a decision very soon. I'll post here when it's final!

 

[K1DDO1979]

If you get a chance look up the difference between a concentric coil and DD coil. May help!

 

[Mr.T]

Get a good deal on an ace 250 and the detenix x pointer. When you both are proficient in the use of both, by taking turns on each machine, You will probably decide to buy an ATPRO, if you decide to stick with the hobby. Then you would have two great machines to take turns on also. You will need 100 hours on any machine to truly start getting the skill of having a good idea of whats in the ground. The ace250 is the worlds best seller for a reason. Just my opinion- good luck with whatever you chose, they are all great fun once you give it a bit of time and practice.

 

[Papalittle]

EUROTEK PRO!!! Super light, programmable (unlike the F2), excellent depth, low cost....on and on I could go...she will love it.