Are the new $200-$400 detectors really running circles around the older detectors?

[vincevg]

Are the new $200-$400 detectors really running circles around the older higher end detectors?

For instance, how do they compare to a Tesoro Tejon or Vaquero, or a Fisher F70 when relic hunting? I understand beach is a different ballgame, but I'm looking at relic hunting). I also understand the newer ones pretty much all have screens now, but what about unmasking, recovery speed, depth, working in difficult or heavy trash laden soil?

 

[l.cutler]

I have used both of those detectors here in my area of Colorado. I can assure you that they were not deep detectors here.

At least from my experience, the main factors that determine actual depth are the soil/sand mineralization levels and does the detector being used have the tech to maximize depth in various soil/sand mineralization levels or is it strictly a mild soil only detector.

I'm sure it has to do with the soil in different areas but Indian cents at a foot deep were not unusual with these two detectors. I suppose it's possible I just never passed over any that deep with the newer ones, but I never found any at that depth.

 

[Carl-NC]

TX "power" is limited by the physics of hunting in bad ground, not by the FCC. Most detectors have been running at a reasonable max power since the 1980s, anything higher will overload in bad ground and that's what you have to design for. Recently, some detectors have been designed with variable TX power so that they crank up the power in light ground and turn it down in bad ground. The Equinox and Manticore are examples. These detectors will seem to have a little more hots in air testing but maybe nothing more in the ground. Also keep in mind that even the Manticore's claim of "50% more power" yields only about 1/2" more depth.

The better improvements made over the years are in lower noise receivers -- which means the detector can see fainter targets -- and things like reactivity speed which helps in high trash. Every little bit helps. The result is, some of the better old-school detectors (MXT, F75, Tejon) are still good hunters in some places, but the newer detectors are good hunters in a lot more varied places.