Has technology made older detectors out dated like other electronics

[chuckinnc]

I have found alot of detectors on the used market at fair prices but not sure if I should by one. I know laptops, PCs, cell phones and other electronic items are quickly out dated these days so I am trying to decide if I want to spend the money for state of the art machine or save alot by buying a older detector?

 

[Ammoman]

I am trying to decide if I want to spend the money for state of the art machine or save alot by buying a older detector?

If you have the money, spend the money. Why start behind the 8 ball when you can be in front of it?

 

[RobRieman]

Yes!

 

[MrMikeJackie]

Depends on what you are describing as old.

 

[civil_war22]

Depends on what you are describing as old.

+1 to that.
I have had several older models that have pulled just as many relics out of the ground as some of the new models have. My buddy had a brand new at the time Garrett GTI 2500 and I was using an old 1266 and as far as relics go I was pulling just as many or more than he was because his machine was trying to read and do everything else these new computerized machines do and mine was simply screaming at me that something good was down there

 

[Terry Soloman]

Simple rule of thumb: Always buy the best you can afford. Not the coolest, not the one with the most lipstick, buy the best. There has been no real change in single frequency VLF metal detectors or their ability to discriminate since 1985. Machines have gotten lighter, coils have become better.

 

[bill from lachine]

For what it's worth the high end modern machines have a lot of bells and whistles to learn so it takes a lot of time to get up to speed.

My boring Tesoro DeLeon which is basically a beep and dig machine has found all the rings in my avatar and lots of other goodies.

Regards + HH

Bill

 

[chuckinnc]

Ok, I guess the problem for me is, if buying a used detector there are no list or chart of year they were made, so I don't really know how old a detector is. I have not seen and list or reviews on older detectors either. List I have found for top 10 or top 5 are all for new models, this makes me think the list are created by the manufactures not actual people using them.

 

[boogeyman]

What can your pocketbook handle? How long have you been detecting? If you're a newbie (no offence intended) it might be easier to learn on an older machine without all the do it all bells & whistles until you understand what the machine is telling you.

If you buy a good older machine for a good price, and you change your mind you can always put it up for sale and make your money back, maybe even a small profit! If you check the ads, you'll see most of the machines in the higher end are being sold because the owner got overwhelmed by all the controls and meter readings. And they're selling at a loss.

Remember the manufacturers HAVE to add a new whiz bang thingie for the next new model, whether they're useful or not I don't know. I know an old boy that is still swinging a Coinmaster 6000DI factory hipmounted and I'll bet dinner he can hunt circles around most all of us! I've offered him other detectors over the years and he could care less. He knows his machine inside & out.

In my opinion for what it's worth, until they come up with a detector that'll dig the find for me I'll hang on to the pile of detectors I've got.

 

[civil_war22]

What can your pocketbook handle? How long have you been detecting? If you're a newbie (no offence intended) it might be easier to learn on an older machine without all the do it all bells & whistles until you understand what the machine is telling you.

If you buy a good older machine for a good price, and you change your mind you can always put it up for sale and make your money back, maybe even a small profit! If you check the ads, you'll see most of the machines in the higher end are being sold because the owner got overwhelmed by all the controls and meter readings. And they're selling at a loss.

Remember the manufacturers HAVE to add a new whiz bang thingie for the next new model, whether they're useful or not I don't know. I know an old boy that is still swinging a Coinmaster 6000DI factory hipmounted and I'll bet dinner he can hunt circles around most all of us! I've offered him other detectors over the years and he could care less. He knows his machine inside & out.

In my opinion for what it's worth, until they come up with a detector that'll dig the find for me I'll hang on to the pile of detectors I've got.

My dad was the same way back in the day with that old HUGE Coinmaster. I couldn't make him switch machines. Finally after about 4-5 years of going out 8-10 hrs detecting every weekend he decided to upgrade to a whites classic IDX but still has his original mint state Coinmaster and honestly could walk circles around several people with that old machine

 

[chuckinnc]

Well I guess I am a newbie, 30 yrs bought a Fisher motherload 660 metal only and Garrett deepseeker (not ADS) the one that came out same time as the groundhog, neither was used much and don't work very well any more. Thing's are different now, I retired last month so I have time and ready to start the hobby again and trying to decide if I want to buy a new car or good used one, well detector.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

I still occasionally use my Fisher 1260X - I've had it over 30 years. Yes, I have the CTX, and that's one hot machine (and expensive). In addition, there's a whole lot of cyphering going on using that! Comparatively, the Fisher is a beep and dig machine. But it's also a very accurate machine and handles nasty soil a lot better than the CTX. Dug a whole lot of dimes at 10" with that elderly technology!

Don't underestimate these elderly machines!

 

[civil_war22]

I still occasionally use my Fisher 1260X - I've had it over 30 years. Yes, I have the CTX, and that's one hot machine (and expensive). In addition, there's a whole lot of cyphering going on using that! Comparatively, the Fisher is a beep and dig machine. But it's also a very accurate machine and handles nasty soil a lot better than the CTX. Dug a whole lot of dimes at 10" with that elderly technology!

Don't underestimate these elderly machines!

Very true. Beep and dig machines are generally a little easier on negative soil. My 1266 was such a easy machine to use and honestly if I really wanted to I'm sure I could pull some things out of the ground I would probably walk by with the etrac

 

[DeepseekerADS]

use and honestly if I really wanted to I'm sure I could pull some things out of the ground I would probably walk by with the etrac

You're certainly correct about that. With the CTX I do by-pass quite a few solid signals because of the FE-CO readings and my general feeling at the time of the signal. Certainly digging in someone's yard, I don't want to leave turf damage behind. I don't dig zincolns in private permission yards. Analyzing myself, I need to start digging more trash.

I'm taking my Fisher to Michigan, and not the CTX - getting back to the basics there with a machine I know well.

Modern high end machines are extremely complex, and I've only just over 50 hours on the CTX. One generally tends to overthink too much!

 

[civil_war22]

You're certainly correct about that. With the CTX I do by-pass quite a few solid signals because of the FE-CO readings and my general feeling at the time of the signal. Certainly digging in someone's yard, I don't want to leave turf damage behind. I don't dig zincolns in private permission yards. Analyzing myself, I need to start digging more trash.

I'm taking my Fisher to Michigan, and not the CTX - getting back to the basics there with a machine I know well.

Modern high end machines are extremely complex, and I've only just over 50 hours on the CTX. One generally tends to overthink too much!

I keep telling myself that as well. As much as new technology is great I do pass over things that the fe-co numbers are either too high or too low for my liking. I'm gonna kick myself in the butt because I looked up what a silver dollar numbers are and I passed over two signals that matched them + or - a few numbers the other day where I found the Indian head cent and the Chinese coin. Getting back to the basics is what it's all about. Them old timers didn't amass a huge collection by using up to date new equipment. They learned the machine and trusted their gut instincts instead of what a needle or a meter was saying to them. I think from now on as long as I get a solid repeatable signal all the way around I'm digging it. Where I dig is open fields or woods and there is no reason to skip over those it's not like I'm in someone's front yard and having to be careful at screwing up the sod

 

[Minesuxess]

What can your pocketbook handle? How long have you been detecting? If you're a newbie (no offence intended) it might be easier to learn on an older machine without all the do it all bells & whistles until you understand what the machine is telling you.

If you buy a good older machine for a good price, and you change your mind you can always put it up for sale and make your money back, maybe even a small profit! If you check the ads, you'll see most of the machines in the higher end are being sold because the owner got overwhelmed by all the controls and meter readings. And they're selling at a loss.

Remember the manufacturers HAVE to add a new whiz bang thingie for the next new model, whether they're useful or not I don't know. I know an old boy that is still swinging a Coinmaster 6000DI factory hipmounted and I'll bet dinner he can hunt circles around most all of us! I've offered him other detectors over the years and he could care less. He knows his machine inside & out.

In my opinion for what it's worth, until they come up with a detector that'll dig the find for me I'll hang on to the pile of detectors I've got.

Woe such a great insight. Pls am just about getting a metal detector, namely the teknetics t2 and am totally new to gold prospecting. Pls could enlighten me about the t2 or any other one I should buy as a starter dats not expensive. Thank you

 

[civil_war22]

Woe such a great insight. Pls am just about getting a metal detector, namely the teknetics t2 and am totally new to gold prospecting. Pls could enlighten me about the t2 or any other one I should buy as a starter dats not expensive. Thank you

What are you planning on using it for and what area are you from? That may help on the choice of detector you get

 

[MrMikeJackie]

I would put a 15 year old Whites DFX up against ANY new machine.

 

[civil_war22]

I would put a 15 year old Whites DFX up against ANY new machine.

I'm the same way. My brother and I was just talking about this today. I'd put my 1266 or my old Classic ID against them. It's not that they are deeper machines I just knew exactly what it was telling me. I'm a tones type of guy and don't rely on the numbers and a lot of new machines will trick you into thinking it's something it's not by the tones and the numbers. My old 1266 and Classic ID would churp on small pieces of nails. Sometimes my etrac will sound off really good on a nail. Occasionally if it's a newer nail or one that isn't completely rusted over

 

[RobRieman]

My 5000/D sucked compared to any newer technology detector I own. Ground balance was a nightmare and depth was so-so at best. I bought it new and still have it. I've let a couple people try it that thought they wanted to get into detecting. That was pretty much the end of that dream. Buy the best you can afford that fits your hunting style and learn it to its fullest. Good luck on whatever you decide. [emoji106]