$300 to spend

[crossfire]

What detector do you buy if you only have $300 or less budget

 

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[DeepseekerADS]

I've been tempted to pick up one of the Bounty Hunters lately. What I'm seeing here is that they're actually pretty darned good. I tried the Ace 250. Was so disappointed I just gave it away. With $300 you would be able to get a better BH than what inexpensive detectors from other manufacturers offer.

 

[crossfire]

I'm mainly asking for a friend I picked up a good detector. Used would be find just wondering what the best set up would be for 300 or less

 

[Tahts-a-dats-ago]

It all depends upon the purpose intended.

Assuming it is mostly for coins and jewelry, I'd look at the following models/brands


New..

Teknetics Euro pro – light, really easy to swing and a fast processor. I think this machine is a fantastic value and it punches above its class.

Tesro Compadre – light, really easy to swing and a very fast processor. This is almost a must-have machine. It loves coins and jewelry.

Tesoro silver umax – I've not used one. The machine is very popular though.

Fisher F2 – I've not used one. It is likely to be one of the more popular entry level machines though and it seems as though its users love them.

Whites Treasure Master – I have not used one. It seems to be a fairly popular machine and its users seem to like the machine quite a lot.


Used..

Fisher F4 – light and easy to swing. It is a very capable machine

Tesoro Cibola – I haven't used one, but they're very popular machines. Richard (Backwoodsmetaldetectors) has one (new in box) at the price point you're looking at. Give him a call (or email) to see if he still has it.

I'm sure that I missed mentioning other capable machines, but these were the machines that I first thought of with your given criteria.

 

[GA_Boy]

Me being a Fisher lover would by F2 w/DD coil, $299.00, or F2 w/8" coil, $199.99 plus $100.00 pin pointer or F22 weatherproof,$229.00. Only problem is none of these have a manual ground balance. Fisher F44 is $349.00 and has manual GB.
Marvin
PS, Research all suggestions and make your decision based on what and where you will be detecting.

 

[ChampFerguson/TN]

Highly recommend you budget for a decent pinpointer, then figure out which machine to get.

 

[McKinney_5900]

Highly recommend you budget for a decent pinpointer, then figure out which machine to get.

I 100% agree. Budget in an extra hundred to start.

 

[dirtscratcher]

My explorer 11 was $275.

 

[bigtruck68]

My explorer 11 was $275.

i would really look at an older whites like an eagle spectrum or xlt or a tesoro deleon or vaquero, i have owned and still use these quite often,both are great machines and usually can be found in the under $300 range

 

[joee5]

I love my XLT. She paid for herself in no time at all

 

[BARKER]

Hi; You can buy a Whites DFX used for $350. If you get one you will never need another detector for as long as you live. It has everyv feature you can think of. It has excellent automatic Ground Balance that is easy to use. You can use it for land or beaches. You will find dimes at 9" easy and quarters at 12" - 14" no problem. It has a full VDI scale and Depth Reading that is very accurate. You also can't beat the Warranty either. Save up another $50 and get one. You won't be sorry ok. PEACE:RONB

 

[fyrffytr1]

I second the DFX. I have been using one for several years. Whatever detector your friend gets tell him to stick with it and learn the machine. Mine teaches me something new on a regular basis.

 

[crossfire]

Tuff to get a dfx for 350

 

[cache finder]

Check out this Garrett, its under your budget and with everything to get you started! https://www.amazon.com/Garrett-Metal-Detectors-1139020-Discovery/dp/B00SV2GEBI/?tag=treasurenet01-20

 

[cache finder]

Highly recommend you budget for a decent pinpointer, then figure out which machine to get.

I disagree, I think a pinpointer can be bought after you make some money from the detector. The detector finds it and has a pin point, just grab a scoop of dirt and run it past the detector to see if its in your hand or the hole.

 

[GA_Boy]

I disagree, I think a pinpointer can be bought after you make some money from the detector. The detector finds it and has a pin point, just grab a scoop of dirt and run it past the detector to see if its in your hand or the hole.

I agree, that is what I've done for over 40 years. Actual need for a pin pointer is over rated IMO.
I use a large plastic spoon and run it over my coil.
I know that some say it's quicker with a PP but I'm never in a big hurry plus I'm not convinced that is is that much quicker.
Pin Pointing is the secret to quick recovery of target IMO.
Marvin

 

[against the wind]

I disagree, I think a pinpointer can be bought after you make some money from the detector. The detector finds it and has a pin point, just grab a scoop of dirt and run it past the detector to see if its in your hand or the hole.

Yep, Old School,, that's how we did it back in the day.

 

[Showtime2385]

Fisher F2 with a NEL sharpshooter coil

 

[Scrappy]

I would buy a used machine and double the leverage of your $$$

 

[ChampFerguson/TN]

I disagree, I think a pinpointer can be bought after you make some money from the detector. The detector finds it and has a pin point, just grab a scoop of dirt and run it past the detector to see if its in your hand or the hole.

Certainly to each his own opinion, but I dig hinged plugs and that doesn't work for me. Pinpointers greatly reduce the time to recover for me and I suspect it is even more so for less experienced detectorists.