Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

[Larsmed]

Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

Mine hasn't just yet....

Have you been keeping track of your finds to see if it paid off?

This all I want to know...If this question bothers you, then you dont have to answer.


Larry

Dont give up the Hunt!

 

[wildrider]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

2 x over 16 years and they were the XLT and the Tejon

 

[rmptr]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

It is important to me that my tools pay for themselves.
No free ride around here.
Some have taken longer than others, and I've never seen a return I could rely upon, but that's my fault.

On a daily basis, I can't make the fuel expense.
Some amount has to be counted for R & R, though.

HH
rmptr

 

[DFX-SE Gregg]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

My two latest detectors....

The dfx has paid for itself easily in 1 1/2 years. Counting clad and jewelry sold. Still have several gold items also that I found with it that I will be selling to add extra equipment.

This year the explorer is well on the way...over $300 in clad alone, not counting jewelry gold/silver. The dfx and Se have become very close friends in my trunk and could both use a bath!

 

[Digginman]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

I dug a $5.00 Gold Piece last year, so my TreasureAce 250 has been paid for. Now, I'm working to pay off my Tesoro Cibola.

DM

 

[BuckleBoy]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

When we buy a car, or an ATV--we don't think of it "paying for itself." We get Use and Enjoyment out of what we do with what we buy. With that in mind, I've never really thought about my detector paying for itself--or worried about it...

My Fisher 1266-X was purchased in 1992 for a little under $500. I figure I've paid for it between 8 and 10 times over by now.


BUT in terms of gasoline, batteries, gear, etc... I will NEVER be ahead. I refuse to look at the hobby on a monetary basis, because I might start to think about how those OTHER dollars besides the detector's cost might've been better spent.

When I drive to see a movie, and buy a ticket for Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull--I don't worry about making my money back.

When I go to the gun range to squeeze off some DAMNED expensive rounds , I don't worry about making my money back.

When I buy a book to read...

and the list goes on...and on...


I'm in this hobby for the history. I'm in it for the camaraderie. I'm in it for the moments of Glory.


(And all of those are impossible to put a dollar value on.)


Regards,


Buckleboy

 

[Sandman]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

I have many detectors and I know they have paid for themselves a few times, but I don't count that anymore. When I started I worried if I could find enough to pay for batteries, but soon I didn't worry about that. I never bothered to add up the money I spent on Bass boats and tackle for chasing a fish I wasn't going to eat either. Placed in the money only a few times but never high enough to pay for my motel rooms or food. But it was fun.

I think it is just because we are digging up money that people think we need to count it.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

I think it is just because we are digging up money that people think we need to count it.

I agree with you, Sandman. Those who don't count it are indeed rich.



Regards,


Buckles

 

[cntrydncr1]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

I've invested in an ACE 250 for myself and my DH as well as 2 vibra probes and a sniper coil. If I sold the jewelry I found then I probably would be about even right now, after only a year and a few months. Of course, I'm a woman...I like the jewelry so I probably won't sell much until I get a bunch of stuff I don't like. Now I'm saving my clad to buy a water machine.

 

[bass99]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

Quite a few times, probably took less than two years. But it only takes one nice ring or coin too take care of the price. Learn your machine and she'll sing to you. When I got back into the hobby after a 5 year hiatus I bought a bounty hunter IV and within two months found a 14K wedding band that easily paid it off. Just keep hunting and it will happen.
bass

 

[Pepper2004]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

I really don't count the money, clad. For me, my machines pay me back in joy of the hunt.

 

[BIG61AL]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

no ....

 

[Casull]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

No, but neither have my golf clubs, fishing rods or deer rifles and handguns.

 

[Iron Patch]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

Paid off my $1,050 GTI with a find 2-3 weeks after purchase. Can you say.. Hooked!

 

[treasurefiend]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

Yes, on my 2nd hunt I found a 18kt mens wedding band. and then I have my clad count below.

 

[midas888gold]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

Yep, pays for itself. Paid for my DFX with finds in 1 season. My Minelab paid for itself in 2 1/2 months. I detect for fun, but also as a way of making EXTRA money. Been at it since 1964. Bought my first 2 New cars with stuff I found. Saving up for a new van. Should have enough finds in another 2 years.

 

[Larsmed]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

I just do it for a source of xtra income and I like the historical aspect..

If I want to just get outdoors, I can go running or walking.

Larry

 

[Iskuli]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

Yep! Many times over. But that's not why I hunt. I feel like a real treasure hunter when I go hunting! It's so exciting to find a new place to detect, test it out, and find......whatever! Clad (love it....turned in over $240.00 last year), rings (over 149 to date gold and silver), old coins...my favorites are an 1876 half dollar & a 3 cent piece, I found a "boyd's battery" that blew my mind (google it). So, all this to say, for me, I think my success in based on the passion I have for the hobby. Somone once said, "Do something you love, and you'll never work a day in your life!" That's how I feel about md'ing.

 

[kierdan]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

Paid for themselves and my house/car/motorhome etc

Teach me, Master LOL

Truth is I may never pay for my machines. But never stopped to look at it that way. And this is comming from someone who really cant afford much of a hobby right now :/ Kinda hitting hard times right now, along with alot of other people. But I must say its nice to have SOMETHING that helps me clear the old noggin ya know. Good to have something I can do that keeps me from being a big stress ball all the time

 

[Coin Digger]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

I just cashed in $132 from two years hunting to pay for a traffic ticket.

 

[AZ-Mtnman]

Re: Has your detector Finds literally "paid for itself?"

I'm just getting into the hobby side of this with a coin and relic machine, but did make a living at it in the goldfields for several years. If you're swinging for a living (not something I'd recommend for most folks), you better find more than that just to keep you in beans and beer. It's nice if a hobby can help pay for itself, but I'd have to say it isn't important.