First Timer going to Florida

[justinduke]

Well, basically, title says all.

Me and the family are going to Florida in a couple of weeks for a vacation. I think my six year old and (mostly) me will love to do some MDing. I have the metal detector and he has the shovel. Hes a free pinpointer!

Anyways, I dont have a MD at the moment, hence where you guys come in. Looking for one on the less expensive side so my wife won't notice it on the credit card, but at the same time allow us to be successful. So obivously a white's is out, as well as a sandshark. Looking for one less expesive than that, maybe up to $300 range...

I'm sure we'll be looking in dry sand, but I think I'd also like to look into the wet sand areas as well. Not necessarily in the water though, just on like low tide stuff.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as well as any tips on how to be more successful, ie places to look or just any hints in general.

Thanks!

 

[DaChief]

Tesoro Silver Umax or the Garrett Ace 250 would be my picks. Both under 250 and both have great reviews. Tesoro and Garrett both have good customer service departments. Tesoro has a lifetime warranty on their detectors (not if it gets dunked in salt water though). They will produce on both wet and dry. You may need to turn down your sensitivity a little on the wet sand to knock down the noise but they will find the stuff.

Do a search for reviews on both to make up your mind.

Ace 250 has visual target I.D. and digital adjustments.

Silver Umax gets lots of good reviews for being a producer.

I believe you can't go wrong with either.

DaChief

 

[rdi]

I second DaChief's picks....rdi

 

[justinduke]

Through reading the forums here, Ive heard alot about the Garrett Ace 250. How does it stand up next to the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV? I have a friend willing to lend me one. Im a little leary using someone elses equipment, but it is free But if its not going to come up with good results, then Id rather purchase one and be successful.

The 6 year old wont care what we find, but I'd like to obviouslyt find stuff worth while. I like the idea of the readout on the ACE versus the BHIV.

Opinions?

And thanks by the way

 

[Larsmed]

If you plan to go water hunting and beach hunting..you may want to try the HeadHunter pirate wader..only $300.00

You can sink the entire rod and coil..the electronics is in the headphones

Larry

 

[justinduke]

Well that one would be in the price range, is it very newbie friendly?
And once I get back home, can I use it on dry land?

 

[SC_hunter]

Check out this guys finds using the ace....Geeeeezzzzzz..mine works great in dry sand...good in wet..but you do have to turn the sens down on it..But crackbadger is good...to say the least.
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,127227.0.html

 

[DaChief]

I have not used a Detector Pro Product so I can't talk good or bad about them. I would just say to read the reviews of all detectors you are considering and also go to the Thread Just above Beach and Shallow Water here on TNet and click on the various Detector Makes to see what users are saying. You will find Garrett and Tesoro listed and I believe Detector Pro under others.

When reading reviews, you will see many things about each detector straight from the mouths of the users. Look for mentions of features that you are looking for, reliability, service, etc.

The finds shown by a fellow named Crackbadger were found in Korea mainly. He is good at what he does but you can't expect those kinds of finds in the U.S. on well hunted beaches with any detector.

Good luck and read, read, and read some more before you buy. That will make things easier for you.

P.S. I can't speak to the Bounty Hunter either. I would be cautious about using someones machine near salt water. You can't hunt for years with one at the beach and be fine but one good salt water dunking by accident and you have bought a machine that you may not have wanted. I am not sure of how the Bounty Hunter does on salt sand.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

When and what beaches are you going to be hunting?

 

[justinduke]

I'll be in Florida from July 20-26 in Destin. Its just something thats fun that my 6 year old and I can do when he wakes up at the crack of dawn. lol

I used the one from my friend last night in the back yard. I'd throw a quarter into the grass and we'd go find it. He was pointing at stuff in the backyard for me to point it at so it'd beep
So if I decide to get a new one, should I be like knee deep inthe water searching or out on the line of prior day's sunbathers?

 

[Larsmed]

The fact is that most of the truly valuable treasures will be taken out of the water...unless you have all night to comb the beach...So a good machine with a long cord or atleast waterproof should work..Yes it will work on dry land as well...

The pirate wader will allow you to get in the surf almost over your head...then make sure you buy a good sand scoop.....or you can get an

Ace 250 and wrap in up in plastic, so you dont get the box wet.

try...

www.kellycodetectors.com

Larry