How to pick the right detector...???

[cali209]

Hi All,

I've been wanting to do some metal detecting for awhile but havent bought a detector yet. I have more free time now so Im in the market to buy one.

There are many different brands and models so Im getting frustrated a bit.

Mainly I will be looking for gold (nuggets/placer) in or around rivers and streams but also want to find old coins, relics, etc.

Is there an "all around" type detector that is great for everything? Or do you need different detectors for different areas and metals?

Also, are there detectors that are just for gold? Which are said to be best for that if so?

I still have a lot of research to do but any help will save me a lot of time!

Thanks much!

 

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[Sandman]

Unfortunately there aren't any detectors that do it all well. Sure you can bet a good coin/relic detector, but it would not be the best for nuggets. The true gold detectors like the Super Lobo, Gold Bug, GMT, and the Minelabs are best for even the tiny nuggets, but the trash in many other sites where coins are found would drive you crazy.

This is how we get started on owning many different detectors. You have to have the right tool for the job. True there is the Minelab X-70 that does both fairly well, but even it is not up to the skill of the true gold detectors.

 

[thompy]

from what you listed i would research the minelab xt-70 and whites MXT both very capable in the gold and coins

 

[Highwater]

Cali,
Whether or not you can get by with one 'do it all' unit has to do with how chunky the gold is in the area you plan to hunt. If you can only afford one detector and are in chunky gold country then it would be kind of like 'cherry picking' and you could get by very well with either of the units mentioned. They may not be the best for the very small gold, but will excel in the coin/jewelry and relic area.
However, chunky gold and nuggets are not as common as the smaller gold and most people make their bread and butter on the small stuff. This being said, the big money is in finding nuggets and chunky 'jewelry' gold.
You need to determine what kind of hunting you will be doing the most and figure out your budget to get things started. How often will you be searching for gold vs how much time spent searching for coin/jewelry or relic hunting? The 'do it all' unit will cross over to the gold hunting much better than the specialized gold unit will cross over to the other types of hunting.
It may be that a good 'do it all' unit could be your answer and it will give you a chance to find out if you really like the hobby or not without loading up with gear. OR, if affordable, start buying a good unit for each kind of hunting you desire to do. Pretty soon you will have several detectors and in doing this you will usually have a back up in case one of them goes on the blink for some reason and will also have a loner in case a friend or relative wants to go hunting with you. Whatever you do, buy a good name brand detector. Do not start out with Junk or you may get discouraged and give up a great hobby. At this point I will have to quote Sandman who is right on the money. "Time is the only thing you never get back. Why waste it swinging a detector that is not up to the task"
BTW, it is OK to have as many toys as you want. Good Luck and HH. Highwater
PS: Let us know on this thread what you end up with and how it is working out for you.