ELECTRA
Greenie
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2005
- Messages
- 15
- Reaction score
- 0
- Golden Thread
- 0
- Location
- Western Canada (unfortunately)
- #1
Thread Owner
So I finally got out with the ACE!
I should say that this review focuses only on the BEACH. White caribbean sand. I took the ACE on holidays and used it on the beach almost every day. The ACE worked very well picking up all manner of metal. I mostly used the "all metal" setting with the sensitivity down by 1 notch. Some times I would pop it into the "Jewelry" setting. This latter setting will knock out bottle caps and pull tabs (and perhaps other items that you want to find!!).
The depth icon worked well and was usually spot on when pulling up change. Pennies, dimes, nickles, quarters etc could not hide. I even found Israelie change.
I had to stay away from wet sand however as it would beep randomly as I passed it over wet sand. Underlying wet sand also confused the ACE and would give me "Ghost" targets....Example: I get a beep, 4" deep, start digging, nothing, test again, new reading 4" deeper, dig deeper, nothing, test again, new reading go 4" deeper etc.
I learned to stay away from wet sand. I also learned to go barefoot! (Conditions permitting). This allows you to feel the sand with your feet and dig somewhat. My searches went so much faster when I discovered this.
Battery life:
I used earbuds with volume control the whole 2 weeks and only on the last days did the battery life go down 1 notch.
I swung the ACE as fast as I could with out tiring my arm. After a while I had to alternate. My total time on any given day was about 3 hours. After that I was exhaused, hot, thirsty, and hungry. After a while, my arms did develop "pins and needles" sensation especially in the hand.
PinPointing I cannot imaging the ACE without it. This feature shaves of hours of your time finding items. Get a hit? Narrow in on it and then use the pinpointing feature, dig again if required and pinpoint again untill you find the cause of the beep.
Finds:
What ever there was to find on that huge beach, I can rest assured that I found it. Mostly change. I came back every day with a fist full especially in areas frequented by a daily invasion of beach goers. Toe rings, found about 5 cheap tin, metal toe rings.....why can't these be made of gold? Silver chain and medallion. The fine silver chain is silver but the religious medallion is tin?
It was "just" below the surface of the sand and actually I saw part of it exposed as soon as the ACE beeped. 1 fake diamond earring. The diamond is big but it is fake! 1 gold and 1/2 carot diamond ring. Yep thats right, I found this about 6" down.
Packing the ACE 250
I took it apart and put it in my suitcase that I checked through customs. i made sure it was wrapped and protected in clothes. I had the owners manual with me in case some customs officer questioned me about it. With the manual you can show him what it is used for if need be.
Conclusions
The ACE 250 will be part of my beach holidays from this day forth. It is light and eazy to pack and use. If nothing else it will force you to get up early an out on that beach before the heat and the crowds, get you exercising and enjoying the fresh air!
Hope this is of some use to you.
I should say that this review focuses only on the BEACH. White caribbean sand. I took the ACE on holidays and used it on the beach almost every day. The ACE worked very well picking up all manner of metal. I mostly used the "all metal" setting with the sensitivity down by 1 notch. Some times I would pop it into the "Jewelry" setting. This latter setting will knock out bottle caps and pull tabs (and perhaps other items that you want to find!!).
The depth icon worked well and was usually spot on when pulling up change. Pennies, dimes, nickles, quarters etc could not hide. I even found Israelie change.
I had to stay away from wet sand however as it would beep randomly as I passed it over wet sand. Underlying wet sand also confused the ACE and would give me "Ghost" targets....Example: I get a beep, 4" deep, start digging, nothing, test again, new reading 4" deeper, dig deeper, nothing, test again, new reading go 4" deeper etc.
I learned to stay away from wet sand. I also learned to go barefoot! (Conditions permitting). This allows you to feel the sand with your feet and dig somewhat. My searches went so much faster when I discovered this.
Battery life:
I used earbuds with volume control the whole 2 weeks and only on the last days did the battery life go down 1 notch.
I swung the ACE as fast as I could with out tiring my arm. After a while I had to alternate. My total time on any given day was about 3 hours. After that I was exhaused, hot, thirsty, and hungry. After a while, my arms did develop "pins and needles" sensation especially in the hand.
PinPointing I cannot imaging the ACE without it. This feature shaves of hours of your time finding items. Get a hit? Narrow in on it and then use the pinpointing feature, dig again if required and pinpoint again untill you find the cause of the beep.
Finds:
What ever there was to find on that huge beach, I can rest assured that I found it. Mostly change. I came back every day with a fist full especially in areas frequented by a daily invasion of beach goers. Toe rings, found about 5 cheap tin, metal toe rings.....why can't these be made of gold? Silver chain and medallion. The fine silver chain is silver but the religious medallion is tin?
It was "just" below the surface of the sand and actually I saw part of it exposed as soon as the ACE beeped. 1 fake diamond earring. The diamond is big but it is fake! 1 gold and 1/2 carot diamond ring. Yep thats right, I found this about 6" down.
Packing the ACE 250
I took it apart and put it in my suitcase that I checked through customs. i made sure it was wrapped and protected in clothes. I had the owners manual with me in case some customs officer questioned me about it. With the manual you can show him what it is used for if need be.
Conclusions
The ACE 250 will be part of my beach holidays from this day forth. It is light and eazy to pack and use. If nothing else it will force you to get up early an out on that beach before the heat and the crowds, get you exercising and enjoying the fresh air!
Hope this is of some use to you.
Thank you. 
