Help a new member choose a detector

[Dog Who Dug Your Plugs]

Years ago I bought a cheap bounty hunter at a yard sale, dug a bunch of trash and gave it up. Last summer I had lost some tools in the field and borrowed a newer one from a coworker and ended up finding a couple of wheat cents. I've been looking at detectors under $1000 but I can't seem to narrow it down.

Under $1000
Will be used on a trashy farm with several old demolished cabins/barns in sandy IND. soil.
Will also be used in shallow creeks (1-4ft) So the coil needs to be waterproof
Property was owned by poor farmers, as far as I know. Expecting a lot of pennies and maybe some silvers, but gold? eh you never know.
No civil war relics around here, lots of rusty nails and trash.
No I'm not going to list the detectors I've been looking at, I want fresh opinions.

Thanks

 

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[Peyton Manning]

Indiana? go colts!!

I only have had one detector, a whites mxt pro. It was like $800

If I was starting over I would probably start with a garrett at pro, most seem to like it and I think it is waterproof

 

[Peyton Manning]

I like mine, but I wish it was waterproof

 

[kingskid1611]

To start with I would go with the AT Pro. It is a good middle end beginner detector. It will be fun to hunt the area you have. welcome to the forum. Good Luck and Happy Hunting

 

[MrMikeJackie]

For your conditions, a Garret AT pro. Without a doubt.

 

[Dog Who Dug Your Plugs]

Does the AT pro require headphones? It gets quite hot and humid here during the summer, and I like to be able to hear my surroundings. The other detector I was looking at was a Tesoro Tejon or Tiger shark.

The AT pro kit on amazon with the at pro pointer ii and other accessories looks like a good deal, but the headphones aren't waterproof.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Always use Headphones!

 

[Dannycoco]

You have to buy the waterproof headphones separate . You do not have to use headphones with the at pro. It's water submersible up to 10ft. I think it the best bang for your buck. Good luck.

 

[Loco-Digger]

People post this same question here about once or twice a week. FOBO does exist, but grab the bull by the horn and research the models that interest you by searching previous threads to see what you find. Watch videos of the models online and make your decision. We all have opinions on what "we think" is a great starter, mid level or flagship detector. I have bought most of my detectors used and have not had any problems. I was brought up with the motto "Why buy new when used will do". I use the Kellyco site which allows you to compare specs of multiple detectors side-by-side. If you have a slow swing speed you might want to get the Minelab Safari. If you swing faster then you go with many higher end detectors form many other manufacturers like Fisher, Teknetics, Whites, Makro, Nokta, Garrett, XP Deus and Tesoro. All higher end detectors have multiple coil options. You should have at least 3 coils in your arsenal. A large coil to hunt target sparse areas, and a small coil for trashy areas (target dense), The stock coil that comes with the detectors is the best to use when you start to hunt a site. Which ones looks appeal to you? What info do you want to see on the screen to assist you in making the decision to dig or not. What tones are appealing and which ones turn you off. These are all personal preferences that YOU need to research.

GL & HH

 

[mlutz]

I am a new guy and I love my AT Pro! It comes with a head set, but as stated above you have to buy the water proof ones. I am sure there are several others out there that are just as good if not better. I can only speak to what I have. The learning curve was fairly easy. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Tom Slick]

I had an AT Pro and wasn't impressed. If you need a submersible detector, great otherwise, really small screen, heavy, harder to change batteries, Big, hot expensive headphones, or you have to buy an adapter, etc. Very good warranty and decent performance but we just didn't click. For Iron littered farm and old home sites I'd choose the Makro Racer 2. (Ok AT Pro users, let the bashing begin)

 

[captbo]

Loco-Digger has a lot in his answer. I followed his advice and bout used.. its was hardly used the owners Manual and accompanying CD was still factory wrapped,, when I upgraded I could not find a reasonably price machine so with help from great members here bought fro Kelly Co. you will need time to practice with your new machine I have an AT Pro and enjoy it,, all the best !

 

[Tpmetal]

like my whites mx sport, fits right into your category with under 1000, check it out

 

[drenalin11]

Sounds like we are in the same boat as far as hunting locations. I needed waterproof for all the body's of water I planned on hunting. I went with the AT Pro and so far I'm extremely happy and it would be a good upgrade for you with good coil options and lots of features.


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[Honest Samuel]

I like mine, but I wish it was waterproof

I have a cat who goes out in the rain and gets dirty and smelly. I wish that she is water proof.

 

[beerguy]

Lots of options, keep in mind that there are quite a few pieces of equipment that you will need.

Pinpointer, good headphones, quality digger, decent pouch. That right there can run you $300 easy.

Although I did not follow this advice, I like the idea of learning sounds of a machine as you learn.

Sound yields very important clues about the target, and a lot of beginners trust their screen too much.

For this reason, I am suggesting that you buy the aforementioned gear and you will have about $650 to spend on your detector.

How about a Vaquero or Cibola? No screen, plenty deep, and you will be forced to listen with your ears.

Nobody can bash their quality or warranty, they are top notch.

 

[gunsil]

I agree with Loco, all my modern machines were bought used at a great savings over new, and two of them still had warranty left on them. There are many people these days who buy a machine then discover they don't have the patience for digging all the trash we all find and sell their lightly or seldom used machines at reasonable rates. Ebay has hundreds for sale every day, so does craigslist. I use a site called Ad Huntr which allows you to search all of craigslist rather than just one small area. Found great deals on my ATP and Excalibur using Ad Huntr. If you are one of those folks that has to have new equipment be sure to phone T-net sponsoring vendors like Fort Bedford Detectors and others for best prices. They can give you better deals over the phone than they can in print.

 

[Peyton Manning]

Loco-Digger has a lot in his answer. I followed his advice and bout used.. its was hardly used the owners Manual and accompanying CD was still factory wrapped,, when I upgraded I could not find a reasonably price machine so with help from great members here bought fro Kelly Co. you will need time to practice with your new machine I have an AT Pro and enjoy it,, all the best !

captbo
sir, your avatar scares me

 

[Virginia Digger]

AT Pro...Hands down!

 

[Molewacker]

I have a cat who goes out in the rain and gets dirty and smelly. I wish that she is water proof.

You can get matching boots too -