Best Detector for Gold under $300

[Panman]

Getting my first MD and I only want to spend about $300. I'm looking for a MD that will work well in highly mineralized soil. As a beginner I just want to be able to learn and see if I like it before spending a lot on a better MD. I think I'm interested primarily in MD for gold. Not really interested in working parks or beaches for coins or jewelry.

 

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[Aufisher]

I love my Goldmaster VSAT used for $300 nice condition got it on Craigslist.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Good luck Panman. Where do you live and prospect? You'll be looking at used, manual ground balance machines, that operate at 14khz-19khz for gold prospecting in your price range. New, they start at $500.00 (Fisher Goldbug) and just go up from there.

 

[Panman]

I'm in Bakersfield.

 

[Terry Soloman]

I'm in Bakersfield.

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[IDdesertman]

A used nugget shooter with a good reputation is what you want... Gold Bug 2 or Pro, Whites GMT, Tesoro Lobo ST, etc. Realistically you will probably be looking at spending a few hundred more for these, but maybe you'll find a deal. If you pick up a cheap multi-purpose detectors it will probably drive you nuts in the goldfields, and you'll lose interest real quick. I would recommend one of the proven gold detectors that might cost a little bit more. You can always resell it if you want to and probably get back about what you paid. Just a thought.

 

[63bkpkr]

Panman,
Welcome to Tnet.

Detecting for gold is one of the hardest methods of detecting to master. One can be at it for years without finding any.

The best thing to do FIRST is to practice all the time at home before going back out into the hills. I mean weekly if not more often especially at first. This is the one thing a detector owner can do to improve their odds of finding gold. The second best thing is to go where gold has been found before.
The best of success in your quest's - first the machine and then the gold....................63bkpkr

 

[Hard Prospector]

The Whites GMZ is a newer gold machine that never really caught on with novice and experienced shooters (it operates on a "silent" thresh hold) it was just too different for those used to the constant background hum. But it is a good machine, simple to use, very sensitive, and handles bad ground very well for a VLF. I've seen them used for around $250-350, I enjoy taking mine out from time to time.

 

[H-2 CHARLIE]

i got a gold bug pro with 4.0 software so it could be the newest tech out in this range $600 otd

 

[2cmorau]

best detector for under $300 thats going to be a tough one to find, this may be a start, the GM2 is a great detector for gold

White's Goldmaster II Long Scan Metal Detector Coil Cover 2 Manuals 2 Gold Books | eBay

 

[Kingclean]

I also have a whites vsat I got off craigslist for 300$. It's a great detector and has a much higher frequency than most Vlf machines. Most detectors will find big gold, the real test is how small can you find with it. Here's one my vsat found and this sucker zipped and had a good clear signal even on this tiny one.

 

[63bkpkr]

Kingclean, if you happen to recall how deep was that sweetheart? Also, what version of vsat do you own?..........................63bkpkr

 

[Kingclean]

63, hey that fella wasn't too deep, an inch down, two at the most. My detector just says gold master vsat on it. So I just thought it was called the vsat. It will find them even smaller no problem but the depth is an issue. If I'm in a spot I know has detectable gold. I bring a garden rake. Detect the surface on a area, rake a few inches off and detect again. With this method you can get all the depth you need . If there's a few specks in that spot then I bring the drywasher and hit the piles I've raked up.

 

[Hoser John]

One must first learn to walk before you can run and you want to skip the absolute most important aspect of the detecting learning curve. Not 1 in a 1,000 sticks with nuggetshooting as the most expensive,costly,dangerous and least productive mode of mining there is. You must learn AND LIKE detecting before you jump into shark infested waters...gotta pay them newbie dues and play the blues first-John

 

[Kingclean]

Johns right, first thing I did when I got mine was spend a week digging trash out of my back yard. You have to learn the language of the detector or you will be so frustrated in about five minutes you might throw it on the ground and stomp it. I am still terrible at it, but count on digging lots and lots of trash before you ever see any gold.

 

[Aufisher]

The Vsat will find metal so small I can't see the pieces so I pan them out.

 

[roadrunner]

I just picked up a Goldmaster V/Sat 3 weeks ago from Ebay. Only used a few times,came in the original box, with a coiul cover.
Looks as if the coil never touched the ground,and the glass on the gauge is crystal clear,looks brand new.
$300 shipped.
The V/sats are 95 to 98. I think it went, GmII,GmIII,V/sat,Then GmIV.
Check Ebay and craigslist.
About the only place your going to get one that low. I looked for 3 months before I found mine.