Does anyone know what the unbranded detector is? Total Beginner.

[dumpsterdiver]

I've been looking for an entry level detector for awhile now. I live in New Jersey near Washington Cross the Delaware area. And on the site of a very old horse track. I would mostly be hunting very locally. I really want the cheapest detector that will allow me to see if I like the hobby or not. I really don't want to spend $300 and not like the hobby. I've ordered stuff from this site before and its about 70% great and 30% junk. Its all made in China but hard not to find somethings made in China.

Here is the link Metal Detector with up to 1.5M (5ft) Detection at MidnightBox

Any input would be appreciated.

 

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[fella]

I can promise you, you WON"T enjoy the hobby if you buy the cheapest piece of crap on the planet! It'll be more frustrating than anything. At least spend $100 on a cheap Bounty Hunter. It's less than $20 more!

 

[finderskeepers]

Total beginner... I'd start with the search button.

OR donate the $100+ to your favorite charity, you'll probably feel better in the end.

Zero knowledge about the hobby or the instruments + seller who has mislead/disappointed 1 of every 3 times + using lowest price as "the biggest" determining factor = recipe for crappy times!!

 

[CladGrabber]

Look for a used brand name detector.
I see used f2's and ace 250's on Craigslist all the time for $100-$150....so much more machine for not that much more money.
The Bounty Hunter line up also has some entry level machines in that price range.

 

[RustyGold]

A used one as CladGrabber suggested! Best of luck!

 

[Lores]

Craigslists. I got my like new Ace 250 for $100.

 

[cudamark]

If you buy a good quality and popular detector, you're not going to take a complete loss if you don't like detecting and have to turn around and sell the machine. You'll lose probably 25% on a new detector. Probably nothing or very little loss on a used machine if you buy right. There again, don't buy some off brand nobody has heard of. Stick with the name brands and popular models. You might also think about borrowing one from another detectorist or renting one from a store. The better the machine, usually the less frustration starting out. Just about any good machine these days has turn-on-and-go programs to get you started.

 

[dumpsterdiver]

Thanks, for the advice. I never thought about renting one. Sometimes that site has items that are identical to branded models just with no brand and poor instructions. Its a crap shoot. I guess I will look on craigslist for a used one.

@finderskeepers I used the search button. There are many different answers/opinions. I just thought someone might recognize this machine. But yes I don't want to start off with no chance of enjoying the hobby.

 

[mlayers]

dumpsterdiver you don't say where you live at. You may try to find someone that have a couple of detectors and they will take you out a couple of times and you could use one of their detector to see if you would like the hobbie. I know if you are close to me I would take you out. That way you could try a couple of detectors to see what they can do.......Matt

 

[masterjedi]

Do not buy this one for sure...

 

[GibH]

You can get a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV from Hobby Lobby for $76 shipped. List price is like $109, but they have a 40% off on one item. The only Chinese made detector I've found that is worth a crap is an MD1023. Build quality isn't very good, but they work surprisingly well.

That said, keep an eye on craigslist, and classifieds on this and other detecting forums. Deals can be had if you are patient.

 

[dumpsterdiver]

Gib, Thanks I will look into that, sounds like a great place to start.

I have no problems with used ones but I guess buying used is a lot easier when you already own one and know what to look for.

mlayers, Thanks for the offer. I am in New Jersey, mentioned it right there in the first post.

You can get a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV from Hobby Lobby for $76 shipped. List price is like $109, but they have a 40% off on one item. The only Chinese made detector I've found that is worth a crap is an MD1023. Build quality isn't very good, but they work surprisingly well.

That said, keep an eye on craigslist, and classifieds on this and other detecting forums. Deals can be had if you are patient.

 

[Boatlode]

If you buy a real cheapo no-name, you are guaranteeing that you will not enjoy metal detecting. I concur with the others here who suggested buying a used name brand.

The Tesoro Compadre is an excellent machine and easy to use. Brand new it sells for $160, so a used one should be in your price range.

 

[mikeraydj]

I would ask myself if I had the patience for this hobby first. There is a lot of kneeling, digging, getting back up again. There is a lot of trash that is dug that can be discouraging before finding something good. There is a lot to learn about the machine you are swinging, What are the right settings for where you hunt? Where do I hunt? How to dig a good plug so no one knows you were there. What are the laws where I live? Sometimes getting up @ 5 am so there is no traffic at site or going out in the early evening.
I spent over a month watching videos of detector reviews and watching experienced detectors before I bought my first machine. All of that research has been paying off so far and has made for less surprises. I had to ask myself, Am I in for a penny or am I in for a pound? I haven't been at this long, but as you can see by my signature, I haven't done too bad for a newbie.

 

[WhiteTornado]

I concur with cudamark's suggestion on renting. I was able to rent one and it was a nice way to have a test drive. The store I went to had daily rentals, but since I rented on a Saturday and they were closed Sunday, I was allowed to keep it until Monday morning. This gave me all weekend to try it. Look for any store that rents tools or construction type equipment. Give them a call and have fun.

 

[dumpsterdiver]

Glad its working out. I read the forums and watch a lot of youtube video. Even that terrible show on tv diggers where I learned to yell at the top of my lungs everytime I find something. I am just a natural cheap person. But I didn't want something so cheap it was useless. And wasn't sure about used when I've never owned one.

I did find a weird ad on craigslist that reads "
WE HAD A PRETTY GOOD YEAR METAL DETECTING... WE RETURNED SOME LOST ITEMS TO SOME OWNERS--WE FOUND A NICE LARGE CENT THAT WENT TO THE LAND OWNER, SOME MUSKET BALLS, WHEATY PENNY'S ETC... SO, WE ARE LOOKING AGAIN FOR MORE PLACES TO METAL DETECT, WE CARRY AN EXTRA METAL DETECTOR SET AND CAN (TEACH YOU) HOW TO OPERATE IT AND KEEP WHAT YOU FIND---REMEMBER WE USE VERY SMALL HAND HELD DIGGING TOOLS AND WILL COVER UP WELL ANY SMALL HOLES MADE--WE RESPECT YOUR LAND!- GIVE US AN EMAIL AND LETS GET STARTED!-- USUALLY THE AVERAGE YARD TAKES ABOUT 1 -1/2 HOURS TO COVER-- ALL HISTORICAL ITEMS TO YOUR HOMESTEAD ARE YOURS, ANY LOST ITEMS THAT ARE YOURS OR FAMILY WE WILL FIND AT NO CHARGE FOR YOU ----HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON-- THANKS"

Is this legit??

I would ask myself if I had the patience for this hobby first. There is a lot of kneeling, digging, getting back up again. There is a lot of trash that is dug that can be discouraging before finding something good. There is a lot to learn about the machine you are swinging, What are the right settings for where you hunt? Where do I hunt? How to dig a good plug so no one knows you were there. What are the laws where I live? Sometimes getting up @ 5 am so there is no traffic at site or going out in the early evening.
I spent over a month watching videos of detector reviews and watching experienced detectors before I bought my first machine. All of that research has been paying off so far and has made for less surprises. I had to ask myself, Am I in for a penny or am I in for a pound? I haven't been at this long, but as you can see by my signature, I haven't done too bad for a newbie.

 

[Fletch88]

The Eurotek Pro for $219 has the best price/ performance ratio I've seen in this hobby. I like the Xterra 305 also and see those for very good prices quite often and its 3 year warranty is transferrable where the Teknetics ETP is not.

 

[crazy4coins]

Look for a used brand name detector.
I see used f2's and ace 250's on Craigslist all the time for $100-$150....so much more machine for not that much more money.
The Bounty Hunter line up also has some entry level machines in that price range.

Right on!

 

[WhiteTornado]

Glad its working out. I read the forums and watch a lot of youtube video. Even that terrible show on tv diggers where I learned to yell at the top of my lungs everytime I find something. I am just a natural cheap person. But I didn't want something so cheap it was useless. And wasn't sure about used when I've never owned one.

I did find a weird ad on craigslist that reads "
WE HAD A PRETTY GOOD YEAR METAL DETECTING... WE RETURNED SOME LOST ITEMS TO SOME OWNERS--WE FOUND A NICE LARGE CENT THAT WENT TO THE LAND OWNER, SOME MUSKET BALLS, WHEATY PENNY'S ETC... SO, WE ARE LOOKING AGAIN FOR MORE PLACES TO METAL DETECT, WE CARRY AN EXTRA METAL DETECTOR SET AND CAN (TEACH YOU) HOW TO OPERATE IT AND KEEP WHAT YOU FIND---REMEMBER WE USE VERY SMALL HAND HELD DIGGING TOOLS AND WILL COVER UP WELL ANY SMALL HOLES MADE--WE RESPECT YOUR LAND!- GIVE US AN EMAIL AND LETS GET STARTED!-- USUALLY THE AVERAGE YARD TAKES ABOUT 1 -1/2 HOURS TO COVER-- ALL HISTORICAL ITEMS TO YOUR HOMESTEAD ARE YOURS, ANY LOST ITEMS THAT ARE YOURS OR FAMILY WE WILL FIND AT NO CHARGE FOR YOU ----HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON-- THANKS"

Is this legit??

That ad seems legit, sounds like seasoned detectorists (aka, hunters) who would like to hunt on private lands. Presenting it the way they do perhaps gives a private property owner incentive to contact them. I could see that especially being the case if the property owner is looking for someone to recover a lost item (ring, jewelry, etc). The hunters probably figure that by offering to give up anything historical or known to have been lost by the family, they may be able to keep any generic items like silver coins, for example.