I use a Whites XLT which is much more machine than you are talking of here. Probably about $700 or $800 with tax and or shipping, when you are done. However, while I may not need to say this, as it has already been displayed here, the ACE 250 seems to be a favorite machine of many. I read more and more recommendations for it then any other machine and at only $200 it seems like a lot of value for the money.
I have had my machine for about 5 years. I got it while anticipating a month long trip to FLA and left it down there anticipating another trip during that winter. Figured it wouldn't do me any good in Chicago when temps were -10 and the ground was like concrete.... Anyways, due to health issues with my parents, i didn't get back to FLA for a couple years and the detector sat. I finally got back down and shipped it home. But then, I had a new girlfriend who was occupying more of my time and I still didn't get out with it like I would have liked. Untill this last April when she had to work more evenings and I would go down to the beaches or parks for a few hours.
We have been trying to think of things to do together and I have thought that going to the beach together might be fun. I enjoy the detecting and certainly would enjoy it more if it were something we could do together. We both need more exercise and all. I think Metal Detecting is fun and interesting and as has been mentioned elsewhere on these groups, you don't notice the exercise as much when your mind is focused on some other activity. I thought about this tonight with the swinging of the detector back and forth, walking on the soft shifting sand, bending to pick stuff up, and just the walking back and forth. I covered an area of about 75 yards by about 150 yards. I am not good at judging distances but that would be my guess. Going back and forth, up and down the beach, criss crossing here and there, trying to zero in on a target rich site, I figure I did some good walking. I went out there at 7 and left at just after 9 when it got too dark to see what I was retreiving. I was thinking, pack a picnic dinner, go down to the park or beach and eat, detect a little and sit till it gets dark. But then, I am a guy. Who knows how she would take to the idea on one of her, too few, nights off. She is also a bit on the shy type and might not feel comfortable doing such a geeky guy thing on a crowded beach.
![:-\](https://www.treasurenet.com/smilies/undecided.gif "Undecided :-\")
On to the reason I am contibuting this post. My GF has an interest in collecting coins. She has also taken a little interest in some of the things I have found. Especially the 14K gold/diamond ring that I found last May. I am thinking if I can interest her in it, I might need to get a second detector. I have a feeling that once she finds something good, I may never see my XLT again. Unless I bought her, or myself
a second machine to use. IF I couldn't afford another XLT or a DFX, I would certainly consider the ACE 250 as a second machine. Would seem very practical. Especially for someone who might start out without a certainty of having a long term interest. All in all, I would have to say, while I am not experienced with the ACE 250, based on the testamonials that I have read, and the number of people contibuting here who use this machine so successfully, I would feel confident on spending the money for one.
Later . HH
