good detector for coinshooting?

[alchemyst]

Howdy all... in search of wise words prior to the purchase of my first metal detector. I am considering a Fisher F4 (the $400 price tag is high for me right now, but if recommended, it would be easier to take the plunge).

I am interested in starting out with coinshooting in local parks and sandy areas near small freshwater lakes. Our local soil is a mix of sand, organic matter and clay... pretty lovely for gardening... not too heavy (compared to childhood memories of heavy clay soil back in Ohio). Much of this area was marshland before development so I might not find anything TOO old locally, but you gotta start somewhere! Coins from late 1800s are possible.

I don't intend to go into the water (yet) so my first detector need not be waterproof. Saltwater detectors definitely NOT needed; I'm not near an ocean.

Thoughts and advice? As a newbie, I don't yet know what I don't know (and thus haven't thought to ask).

 

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[ThTx]

First, welcome to T'net. Now about your detector - F4 is a good choice. Also one that you will not 'outgrow' very soon. You might also consider the Teknetics Eurotek Pro or Teknetics Delta 4000. In the Garrett line, which is always popular, there is the ACE 350 or for a little more money the AT Pro. Of them all, for a new detectorist, I think I would probably recommend the Eurotek Pro. A little less money, and quite a lot of technology for the price. Plus it swings very easily and feels lighter than it is, so it is easy to use all day long. JMHO

 

[Lynne G. Peck]

Hey alchemist; I started detecting about 44 years ago but it all came to a stop after about a year. I don't remember the reason why. I started again about a year ago with a Bounty Hunter Platinum. Had reasonable finds with it but did a lot of extra digging with it. I then spent $1000 on a White MXT that did a very good job but was to darn heavy to swing very long. I'm 80 years young. Sold these two detectors and bought a Garrett AT Pro. Half the weight of the MXT. You would have a tough time prying this detector out of my hands. My first 6 hours of coin shooting resulted in 152 coins pulled out of "ol Mother earth. Something that neither of the other detectors would even come close to doing. Over the same areas I had hunted before. The Garrett At Pro is priced at around $600 and might be out of reason for a beginner to start with. The Garrett 350 is also an excellent detector for a beginner and is priced in the $300 range. I agree that I have become a Garrett fan but results tell!! What ever you do please read the owners manual over & over & over, then get out there and practice. The more you go the better you will get. If my wife didn't have so many "Honey Do's, I would be out there 8 hours each day. I live just 9 miles from the ocean and haven't even been out there yet. Having to much fun in the parks and play grounds. 'GO DO IT' Lynne

 

[Showtime2385]

I think you will be happy with the Fisher F4, That will be a great machine for coin shooting and very easy to learn and understand. Good Luck!

 

[airscapes]

If you are considering the F4 take a look at Whites Coinmaster GT. The gt has a few extras that may make it a better buy for the same price

 

[Terry Soloman]

I would also look at the Tesoro Cibola, and the Minelab X-Terra 305

 

[fella]

If $400 for an F4 is a bit high for you, consider an F2. For just over two bills you get a great performing little coin shooting detector w/two coils & pin pointer. I picked one up for my 11yo son last summer and I've been quite impressed especially for the money.

 

[treasurecoasteric]

I have to go with the Whites coinmaster line. They are solid and built right here in the USA. For $200 you can get an American made machine that will definitely find coins and probably outlast most others. All the others mentioned are also good choices. You really need to research, research & research. Read online reviews, check out YouTube etc etc. Only YOU can decide what will work best for you, but stick with the main brands no matter what ( Garrett, Whites, Tesoro, Fisher, Minelab, Teknetics ) Good Luck !

 

[RotZorn]

If $400 for an F4 is a bit high for you, consider an F2. For just over two bills you get a great performing little coin shooting detector w/two coils & pin pointer. I picked one up for my 11yo son last summer and I've been quite impressed especially for the money.

What this guy said! Or just get a standard F2 and a Garrett pro pointer- you'll thank me later!

Someone else made a comparison of the F4 and Whites coinmaster-

They have similar features but the whites has a backlit screen where the Fisher doesn't. But...

...the F4 is over a pound lighter, and has a faster recovery speed, comes stock with a double D coil, and has a warranty that's 3 years longer than the whites.

 

[DiggerinVA]

All good advice here.....and welcome to Treasurenet!
First decide if u want a screen if so i would go Fisher (f2 or f4). If you dont care about the screen, i would go Tesoro(Silver umax or Cibola).

 

[YumaMarc]

If $400 for an F4 is a bit high for you, consider an F2. For just over two bills you get a great performing little coin shooting detector w/two coils & pin pointer. I picked one up for my 11yo son last summer and I've been quite impressed especially for the money.

I think, for the money, the little F2 can't be beat. And a great starter or backup! Easy to use and finds coins til the cows come home. The little 4" coil is exceptional in parks.

 

[Kodiak43351]

My first serious detector was the Garrett ace 350 and then I was hooked. It's a coin magnet and works great for relics. I upgraded to the at pro and love it. Haven't used the fishers so I can only give info on the Garrett's. I had a bounty hunter sitting in garage for years I would use to find arrows that missed targets and it worked ok for that. I recommend the ace 350 for a starter machine. Just my opinion.