What metal detector do you use?

[Blaze]

What metal detector do you use? I use a Bounty Hunter Pioneer 505, but plan on buying a Whites DFX.

 

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[rjb]

My machines are a Whites Eagle Spectrum with a Big Foot coil and a Tesoro Toltec II. I am partial to the Tesoros I have used however, I like the Big Foot coil, only available for the Whites the last time I looked. There are new, probably better machines. I do find more nickles with the Tesoro, for what ever reason it seems better at eliminating pull tabs and still giving an okay for nickles. I have had newer Tesoro models but like the meter on the Toltec II. The led meter on the Whites is sometimes handicapped if used in the hot sun over a period of time.

 

[Cal G.]

I use a Fisher 1236-2X with 8" and 5" coil for most of my hunting. I also use a BH Land Star with 8" and 4'' coil for back up and some types of hunting. HH CG

 

[MDnoob]

I use a Minelab Explorer II, but I just got it. There has been too much snow to use it much so far this year.

Previously I used a BH Landstar.

 

[Dbeard77]

I recently bought a Fisher CZ-70 Pro but have not been able to use it that much due to the weather. Before my Fisher I used a Tesoro Silver Sabre II.

 

[scotty]

Lets see, started out with a D-Tex Tiny Tex, then a A.H. Pro, then a Bounty Hunter Red Baron, then a Garretts Groundhog Deepseeker, then a Whites Classic II, then gave that to wife and I got a Garretts 550, then a Garretts 1250, then back to a Whites Spectrum XLT, which I am still using. I like the XLT the best out of all those detectors. I have checked out the newer BHs, Tesoros, Minelabs, Fishers, but still like the XLT overall. Sorry Eddie, what kind did you say you used? LOL HH Scotty

 

[Ron Brown]

Whites 6000 pro xl, Tesoro Stingray and Stingray II

 

[jedihepner]

The Wihtes DFX keeps me busy digging the good stuff! I just can't keep up!

 

[dbsmokey]

Eldorado

Does anyone use the Eldorado? I just bought one, but am waiting for the weather to break to use it. Any advice?

 

[scotty]

Eddie...having hard time finding one that can keep up with me. I been at this game since 1962. Just never found a detector that could do it all, especially cook. lol , its been fun lookin tho. Scotty

 

[aetius]

Well I am newer than a newbie, but I will be using the Garrett GTAx 550. I chose this one after extensive reading and recommendations from other Garrett users. It was within my budget that I set for myself as well ease of use for a beginer. I also wanted the LCD readout (eventhough pros say you don't really need it) I plan on using this one for coin and relic hunting here in Germany. I will post any interesting things I find on this site.

 

[scotty]

Eddie...I have done some hunting here in Missouri, there is a fella in Eldorado Springs that has been at it here longer than me, everytime I think I have found a new spot, he has been there. lol Frustrating at times. He uses a Fisher 1266X I believe it is. He is the one that got me started in this hobby. We also used to go arrowhead hunting too, he has a great collection of them too. I do get own to Stockton every once in awhile, to do some bass fishing or crappie or walleye fishing. I notice you are retired, so am I. Drop me a line. my e-mail address is [email protected] HH. Scotty

 

[scotty]

Aetius I think you will be happy with the Garrett 550. I used one for about a year and liked it very well. It has good depth, and easy to change modes, easy to notch out certain targets, and easy to reset to factory settings. Battery pack can be removed and clipped on your belt to lighten detector weight. Lots of good points for the 550. Has pushbutton pinpointing. Just wish Garrett would improve the pushbutton features. If the buttons would have the slight click like the Whites machines, it would help. It is a neat machine, good luck with it.

 

[trgams]

I've got an older Radio-Shack metal detector...made by bounty hunter with two search coils(8" and 4") I also own the Tesoro Silver Umax....The Tesoro is by far the better machine...It discriminates better, and Lately I have noticed that even without discriminating out pull-tabs, I can "hear" when I'm about to pull one up out of the ground.I feel that mostly any metal detector is going to work pretty good against one annother(unless you have the absolutely cheapest thing available) The operator is really the key.Good-Luck to you all. Ps. I wish I had enough money for one of those top of the line models, That's what I'm saving up for !!!!

 

[WampusCat]

I have used a Garret GTAX 1000 for four years with good success. It is a good coin and jewelry finder, however, does not do well on beaches and some heavy clay areas (old football fields).

Just purchased a White MXT. Only have about 5 hours of searching with it, so I have a lot to learn. Truthfully, I am not that happy with it, but a year from now, I may love it.

I always wanted a Fisher CZ machine, but bought the MXT. May have to trade it in.

 

[rooter101]

I have a Garrett GTAX 1000 and a Compass Coin Scanner ProII, Garrett is great but the Compass is fantastic.

 

[bulltab]

i have owned a garrett gta for 14 yrs! and love it.however i'm ready to move on. i'm buying a tesoro tej'on,i have talked to a guy who uses it and told me that it is a great machine.btw---i'm thinking of trading my gta 350 for a water unit. mark

 

[bakergeol]

Eddie
You are right-after 40 years one is entitled to spurge on one's hobby. After taking care of life's obligations why not. Everybody has hobbies or special interests.
Look at the amount of money fishermen spend on their hobby- fishing gear,boats, trailers.ect
They proudly show off their catches just as we show off our coins or nuggets.
It's just different strokes for different folks.

George

 

[scotty]

Wish I did have the money that Eddie credits me having, but alas it isn't that way. Only income I have now is social security, and everyone knows how meager that is. Every detector I have owned paid for itself. I was a construction worker most of those 40 years, and it took moving from state to state every 3 to 4 years to keep working. I helped build Electric power generating plants. Coal fired and Nucleur fueled ones. We raised 3 children and we managed to have our own home now here in Missouri, and it is paid for. So far the hobby has paid its own way, so I am happy with it, and enjoy doing it. Hopefully my knees and back will hold up for a few more years. Hopefully this snow and ice will be gone in a couple weeks and the ground thaws, I have a new site to hunt that has never been hunted and its been seeded for the past 10 years or so with fresh coins and stuff every year. I have the permission and can't wait to get to swinging. HH. Scotty

 

[bulltab]

very cool good luck scotty!!!