ACE250 upgrade to...

[Peteybob35]

I thought I was set on trying to get a used AT Pro as an upgrade to my ACE250 but a Minelab Xterra 705 just popped up locally for $300.00. I'm planning a trip to Hawaii in July and thought the AT Pro would be nice to have at the beach, but the used ones that pop up are usually quite a bit more than the 705. I live in Utah and so the beach is not going to be a usual thing. Thoughts?

 

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[Loco-Digger]

That's a great price for the 705. If you decide you don't like it you could get your money back plus some. There are plenty of aftermarket and Minelab coils for that machine.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Here's some reviews of the 705 - including two negative ones.

I don't think those two actually tried to learn how to use it.

Minelab Xterra 705 Metal detector Reviews

 

[cudamark]

I thought I was set on trying to get a used AT Pro as an upgrade to my ACE250 but a Minelab Xterra 705 just popped up locally for $300.00. I'm planning a trip to Hawaii in July and thought the AT Pro would be nice to have at the beach, but the used ones that pop up are usually quite a bit more than the 705. I live in Utah and so the beach is not going to be a usual thing. Thoughts?

Neither machine is a good wet sand/salt water machine. You need a multifrequency type detector for that environment. Good deal on the 705. I'd buy it and sell the Ace250 for money to put toward a water machine.

 

[Peteybob35]

Neither machine is a good wet sand/salt water machine. You need a multifrequency type detector for that environment. Good deal on the 705. I'd buy it and sell the Ace250 for money to put toward a water machine.

I'm not so worried about having a good salt water machine as the trip to Hawaii will not be focussed on detecting. I just thought that the AT Pro might be nice since it's waterproof. Saving money on the 705 would be nice because then I could also look for a coil and pinpointer.

 

[Peteybob35]

Looks like it comes with the 6" DD coil, what coil would compliment that?

 

[cudamark]

I'm not so worried about having a good salt water machine as the trip to Hawaii will not be focussed on detecting. I just thought that the AT Pro might be nice since it's waterproof. Saving money on the 705 would be nice because then I could also look for a coil and pinpointer.

You mentioned beach hunting in your first post, so, that's why I criticized them for their salt water abilities. Coil choices will depend on where you're hunting and what you're looking for. For wide open spaces with few junk targets, a big coil will help you cover a lot more ground and find deeper targets. For trashy areas, a tiny sniper coil will help separate targets so you can cherry pick without digging everything. The typical 9 to 11 inch coils are a compromise between the two. Some of the elliptical and butterfly coils are attempts to combine coverage with separation, and depth with sensitivity to small items. Some do better than others. Check out the brand forums for comparisons and recommendations of a specific one.

 

[Peteybob35]

So I didn't end up getting the 705, never could coordinate with the seller and then somebody else grabbed it, I've been researching a ton but still can't decide which detector to go for. I doubt I can step up to an e-trac or higher unless a great deal pops up. What's the short list that I should be looking at?

 

[Sandancer]

You will be disappointed with the AT Pro in the wet salt.

 

[cudamark]

So I didn't end up getting the 705, never could coordinate with the seller and then somebody else grabbed it, I've been researching a ton but still can't decide which detector to go for. I doubt I can step up to an e-trac or higher unless a great deal pops up. What's the short list that I should be looking at?

A used Explorer or Sovereign would be a good choice if you can't find an E-trac in your price range.

 

[chub]

Garret sea hunter or Whites surf or tesoro sand shark? All good at the beach. waterproof, submersible and deep! Get out deep where the rings are.

Chub

 

[chub]

Can you rent something there? or do you live near a beach?

chub

 

[Peteybob35]

Just a family trip to Hawaii, I'm from Utah so most of my hunting will be there

 

[wygold]

That was a good price for the 705, I would have jumped on it in a heart beat. Although I'm not to familiar with the AT Pro's so I couldn't tell you if it's worth using in the wet sand environment, but I've seen some people do really good in parks than at the beach. I have the 705 dual pack, the one that comes with two coils. I do real good in the dry sand than the wet sand but I do find coins and have found a couple of rings in wet sand. It just can't handle the wet very well unless I turn the sensitivity way down, which I end up passing up good targets.. I'm thinking of selling mine so I can upgrade to either the safari or the e-trac. I would prefer the CTX 3030 instead but I just don't have the kind of cash laying around for what I'm seeing them go for.