Help a noob choose a detector.

deathhare · Dec 29, 2008

Ive been using an old metal detector for a few months that was on loan from a friend. Its a real POS $50 deal but has been fun and Ive found some good stuff. Most of all its gotten me hooked on this and now Im ready to buy my own detector.
Ive been researching and looking at detectors in my price range. (around 180-250 bucks)

Right now Im looking at the Garrett Ace 250 and the Whites Prizm 2 and 3.
Are these bad ways to go and are there others in my price range that I have overlooked that could be better?
Mostly Im into CW relic hunting, looking in parks and home sites for coins and anything interesting.

Thanks a lot for your help.

twistidd · Dec 29, 2008

I began with a Bounty Hunter years ago but personally, I'd recommend a Garrett Ace 250. I'd tell you about it but there is more than enough info floating around about it for you!

I have heard that the Tesoro Silver Umax is a great, inexpensive, deep-seeking detector for a very low price. A lot of people here have that one and love it! I for one wouldn't pass one up if I saw one for sale, used somewhere.

The White's detectors are very good also. I use a White's M6 almost exclusively and I LOVE it!

In reality, all detectors are good, it really depends on where you hunt and what you'll be hunting for. Good luck buddy!

Joe

deathhare · Dec 29, 2008

twistidd said:
I began with a Bounty Hunter years ago but personally, I'd recommend a Garrett Ace 250. I'd tell you about it but there is more than enough info floating around about it for you!

I have heard that the Tesoro Silver Umax is a great, inexpensive, deep-seeking detector for a very low price. A lot of people here have that one and love it! I for one wouldn't pass one up if I saw one for sale, used somewhere.

The White's detectors are very good also. I use a White's M6 almost exclusively and I LOVE it!

In reality, all detectors are good, it really depends on where you hunt and what you'll be hunting for. Good luck buddy!

Joe

I just read a lot of great reviews on the Tesoro Silver Umax. It seems like a good value detector from all Ive read.
The only thing I dont like is the lack of info it gives since it doesnt have a screen at all. That's the only thing that's got me a little against it but I may go for it anyway.
Thanks for the information Joe.

twistidd · Dec 29, 2008

Deathhare,

You'll come to find later, once you've been detecting for awhile, that it isn't what you can see but what you can hear, that determines your actions or lack of. The Ace 250 is great in regards to its visual display capabilities. It will show you what you want to know. However, it has minimal tones and so it lacks in that department. Even though I like the Ace 250, I'd probably get a Umax if I were to start over again. It goes deeper than the Ace and is probably more accurate. Sometimes simpler is better.

But I totally understand what you mean about wanting to "see" what the detector is telling you. That's precisely why I chose the Ace in the first place. It is a great machine and I doubt you will be disappointed. Find out from Tesoro users about the Umax, build a basis for your decision, and remember, no matter what detector you choose, you'll probably buy another one later down the road, as I'm sure you've already got the bug! Like me. Yeah, it's bad.

Good luck...

Joe

deathhare · Dec 29, 2008

Thanks again.
Ill do some looking for any threads on the Tesoro. :icon_study:

Sandman · Dec 30, 2008

A lot depends on what you want from your detector. If you want to only dig what the screen shows is a dime for example, you'll enjoy the hobby. However the screens only tell you what it thinks is down there so you'll also pass up many targets that could be worth more.

The Silver Umax, Cibola, and Vaquero are all great detectors that offer more depth, versitility, and fun in my book. Plus they are very light weight and have the Lifetime Warrany in case you ever need it.

sniffer · Dec 30, 2008

go with what you feel fits you. if an ace feels good go for it, or a whites or tesoro.
in the end it still comes down to learning what your MD is telling you.
and like Sandman said, it only tells you what it thinks it is. Dig everything until you feel that whats on the screen is under your coil, or do like most of us do, DIG EVERYTHING

JMO Sniffer

deathhare · Dec 30, 2008

Thanks for all the input guys. I really appreciate it.
I made the decision to buy the Tesoro. :thumbsup:

Im really glad I found this forum as before I was feeling weird about the other detectors I was considering.
At this point I feel like I made the right choice. Hopefully I'll still think so after I hunt for awhile with it.

rmptr · Dec 30, 2008

Death,

The Tesoro Compadre is their least expensive offering.
It is a very capable machine, of high quality, and enjoys the same lifetime warranty.

It is limited in that it does not have an interchangeable coil, which is not necessarily a problem.

They are very hot on small gold!

Best
rmptr

thompy · Dec 30, 2008

deathhare the mentioned machines should work but i would check with some one in your area, i understand Georgia has some tuff soil conditions, and you may need a machine with ground balance like a xt-50 or f-5 or even a used idx that can be manually adjusted, under the stickers

sniffer · Dec 30, 2008

good luck and keep us informed

Sniffer

rsc · Dec 31, 2008

Garrett 250......NUFF SAID

RELICDUDE07 · Jan 2, 2009

You know that took alot of time to paint all that so well :wink:

Minelab is good,but finding treasure is all about location .If your in the right spot,you may not even need a detector ........

sniffer · Jan 2, 2009

is it lunch time yet?? LOL

deathhare · Jan 6, 2009

My Tesoro Silver uMax came today! Woot!...

Everything looks good and I can't wait to get it out and start digging. Ive been doing a lot of research while waiting on this thing so I have some (hopefully) great sites to hit in the next few weeks. Also its supposed to be around 60 degrees all week. (sorry northern guys

)
Looking forward to posting some finds soon.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. :icon_sunny:

twistidd · Jan 6, 2009

deathhare,

Congratulations! Isn't it cool to have a new detector? Use it for awhile and post your review. I'm telling you, I wouldn't mind owning one of those Umax's if I found one floating around somewhere, used.

Be patient and don't get discouraged if you don't find anything worthwhile at first. Some people find silver coins their first time out. It took me a few years!

Good hunting!

Joe

deathhare · Jan 7, 2009

Took it out for awhile today.
Unfortunately the detector is having issues.
Not sure what's wrong with it but it definitely can't be ok.
It's on constant chatter no matter what I do with it or what the sensitivity or discrim knobs are set to. If i shut it off for a minute and turn it back on that fixes it sometimes but always returns to chatter after a few minutes.
If its anywhere near the earth on disc it is almost constantly calling a target or chattering even with the discrim all the way up and the sensitivity all the way down.
On all metal it seems to shut up and only call out metal.

Trying to get someone at Tesoro to call me back.

ParkHunter61 · Jan 7, 2009

Do you have power lines where you tried it?
Did you air test it first?
Try and put a new battery in it.
Make sure the coil cable is connected good.
Maybe you had toggle in all metal..
Hope this helps....
Bill

deathhare · Jan 7, 2009

Bill...funny you say that.
I put a different battery in and that seems to have fixed it. It makes no sense to me as both batteries are new. One is a Duracell that fixed it and the "bad" battery was a Panasonic. I dont understand why that happened but whatever the case I am happy to be on my way.
I went a few blocks down to an old apartment bldg theyre about the tear down and came across a little pocket spill in its front yard. All clad...4 pennies, 1 quarter and a one dime. Nothing special but a great feeling on the first time out to get some coins, re-check the hole and continue to get hits till all coins were up. Pretty cool for the short 15 minutes of sweeping around.
Will definitely hit that place again as its a 1930s building. :wink:

ParkHunter61 · Jan 7, 2009

Its funny also - that in the paper work with your new detector
it says not to use cheap batteries and they (Tesoro) give you
a cheap battery...
Use good batteries....
Bill