Beginner Detector

[HavokSouls]

What's a good detector for a beginner that's around $80 that's good for finding coins

 

[coketab]

I'm using an old whites coinmaster 5000/D you can find them on Ebay. Also check on craigslist I see them all the time people buy them to find their lost jewelry and sale them cheap later on.

 

[Twinkletoes]

What's a good detector for a beginner that's around $80 that's good for finding coins

Hi HacokSouls,
When it comes to detectors most will find coins or other valuable items. What you pay for is the ability for the detector to discriminate trash from treasure. Save your money and buy the best you can. It will save endless hours on digging worthless trash. The reason detectors end up gathering dust is because the owner was forever digging trash. My first and only detector was a Whites XLT. It is programable, and that alone brought endless hours of fun trying to get the "best settings". I can tell a quarter before I dig better than 3 out of 4 times. That is fun! My detecting friend had a mid priced unit from Radio Shack and he was forever digging holes and finding trash. Good luck finding a detector, but remember, the more you pay the less trash you will dig.

 

[woof!]

Don't let comments like Twinkle's get to ya, Havoc. If you look at other "I'm a beginner, what should I get?" threads you'll see the same sort of thing.

You can probably pick up a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV on sale brand new for less than $100. It's been the staple beginner machine for well over a decade. Simple and easy to use, with a good "2-filter continuous-time" discriminator. Plenty of posts about it in the BH forum.

A few years ago I was doing some work for White's and they sent me a Spectrum XLT to familiarize myself with. I played around with it for a couple hours and reported back to White's "may God have mercy on my soul if I ever inflict a thing like this on a customer!" And I haven't.

Some people do like the XLT. But neither its price tag nor its user interface put it in "beginner machine" territory.

The best beginner machines are in the $200-350 category, from several manufacturers including the trademarks I represent (BH, Fisher, Tek), but if you ain't got that kind of money and can afford a TK4, I'd say get the TK4 and start having fun.

--Dave J.

 

[gleaner1]

Johnston, you are a study in eloquence, and elegance. OP,

 

[dholland02]

Hi HacokSouls,
When it comes to detectors most will find coins or other valuable items. What you pay for is the ability for the detector to discriminate trash from treasure. Save your money and buy the best you can. It will save endless hours on digging worthless trash. The reason detectors end up gathering dust is because the owner was forever digging trash. My first and only detector was a Whites XLT. It is programable, and that alone brought endless hours of fun trying to get the "best settings". I can tell a quarter before I dig better than 3 out of 4 times. That is fun! My detecting friend had a mid priced unit from Radio Shack and he was forever digging holes and finding trash. Good luck finding a detector, but remember, the more you pay the less trash you will dig.

Id have to agree. I started with a cheapo radio shack one and got sick of digging trash and gave it up. Then I finally got my ace250. Its like anything you get what u pay for.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Start with something that will keep you interested. At least look for an Ace 150 or 250 to start with. Asking for good $80 detector for coins is like asking what is a good fishing rod and reel for under $10.00...

 

[HavokSouls]

Don't let comments like Twinkle's get to ya, Havoc. If you look at other "I'm a beginner, what should I get?" threads you'll see the same sort of thing.

You can probably pick up a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV on sale brand new for less than $100. It's been the staple beginner machine for well over a decade. Simple and easy to use, with a good "2-filter continuous-time" discriminator. Plenty of posts about it in the BH forum.

A few years ago I was doing some work for White's and they sent me a Spectrum XLT to familiarize myself with. I played around with it for a couple hours and reported back to White's "may God have mercy on my soul if I ever inflict a thing like this on a customer!" And I haven't.

Some people do like the XLT. But neither its price tag nor its user interface put it in "beginner machine" territory.

The best beginner machines are in the $200-350 category, from several manufacturers including the trademarks I represent (BH, Fisher, Tek), but if you ain't got that kind of money and can afford a TK4, I'd say get the TK4 and start having fun.

--Dave J.

Well right now all I have is around $100 and I'm just ready to start digging no matter what I find.. I have detected in the past as a kid but never found much because I had no idea what I was doing.. unfortunately I sold my detector not knowing that I would want to start again but thanks for the advice I may try out the bounty hunter.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Tesoro Compadre $170.00 Tesoro Metal Detectors - Official company web site with metal detector models for treasure hunting land or water.

 

[Normsel]

I have a radio shack detector, an Ace 250 and an AT PRO. I can tell you this my Radio shack is about 10 yrs old and the other two are less tha a year. if read enough you will find out that learning your detctor no matter what the price is the key to any detector. I agree the more money the better the discrimination but the old Radio Shack does a pretty good job keeping up with my Ace 250. Actually at times it does better and that seems to be in parks. As the one man said if you can find a decent detector on ebay or a new starter detector you can get started but I can assure you if you get into no matter what you will upgrade to a mid range detector in the $500 -$750 range. If you spend more your rate of return isn't great enough to justify it and if you spend in the $500 to $750 range you will more than double your finds over a beginner model. You will also dig only about 10% of the trash you dig with a beginner. I am by far an expert but I have learned it takes more than 100 hours to learn any detector.

 

[Indian Steve]

I second Terry on the Compadre. I had a bounty hunter and moved up to Compadre. BIG DIFFERANCE! Best part is the LIFETIME WARRANTY and excellant customer service. No other company offers lifetime warranty.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Save more money till you have enough for a compadre or ace. The advantage is tremendous.

Something to keep in mind is a better detector holds its value and can be resold and you will recover most of your money.

 

[Twinkletoes]

You have gotten some good advise on this thread. Be patient and save a little money. You won't regret it!

 

[bbells]

Go on craigslist and find a used Garrett Ace 250. People will be asking about $130. Offer them what you are willing to pay. It is a good enough detector where it won't hinder your ability to know if you like the hobby.

 

[chenty]

What's a good detector for a beginner that's around $80 that's good for finding coins

I got a Bounty Hunter BT IV went out for the 1st. time on Sat. and came home with this

BUT, it all depends on what your looking for,were you are at,how much money your looking to spend...etc...etc.
take your time and look around.....that's my 2 cents

 

[DirtAngler]

Also, you will want to get at least a cheap pinpointer. Harbor freight has them for less than 20.00.

 

[gotzskillz]

Do some research, check and see which detectors fit in you price range and have good reviews. Also, be sure to check craigslist, pawn shops, and even flea markets. You may get lucky like I did. Got a gold mountain king cobra with 8" and 12" coil with bags for $100.

 

[marjam]

The best advice is buy what you can afford. All detectors will find things, some like others have said just do it a little better. You can always get a more expensive detector later when you can afford it. In the 100 dollar range I would recommend the bounty hunters, if you can go a little more the garretts are solid starter machines and some seasoned folks use them as well.