Is my choice of detector reasonable?

[Clint in KY]

Getting back into detecting after many years. I still have my first detector, a borrowed BH TK4, that my friend told me to keep when I tried to return it. I moved “up” to a Fisher F2 which I have since sold.

Now to the point of this post. Looking at a new machine, and while the newer offerings boast some impressive features and specs, I find myself drawn to an Ace 300. When I started most of my detecting buddies had a Garrett. I admired them then, and after reading all the comments, reviews and features lists, I decided that the Ace 300 will do everything I want and it fits nicely in my budget. I switched between the Simplex Ultra and the Ace , and finally settled on the Garrett. The Garrett is $30 less. I like the “real” buttons on the Ace and the larger screen.
Are my considerations reason enough to forgo the more modern technology?
Thanks for any input.

 

[Prairie Gazingfox]

Getting back into detecting after many years. I still have my first detector, a borrowed BH TK4, that my friend told me to keep when I tried to return it. I moved “up” to a Fisher F2 which I have since sold.

Now to the point of this post. Looking at a new machine, and while the newer offerings boast some impressive features and specs, I find myself drawn to an Ace 300. When I started most of my detecting buddies had a Garrett. I admired them then, and after reading all the comments, reviews and features lists, I decided that the Ace 300 will do everything I want and it fits nicely in my budget. I switched between the Simplex Ultra and the Ace , and finally settled on the Garrett. The Garrett is $30 less. I like the “real” buttons on the Ace and the larger screen.
Are my considerations reason enough to forgo the more modern technology?
Thanks for any input.

I know there is depth difference between ACE 300 and ACE 400
Not much between 350 and ACE 400 though.

Don't waste your money on the 300, go with AT LEAST 400 !

It may give you 2 or 3 inches advantage, in some settings. Still 2 inches are significant!

 

[Clint in KY]

<SNIP>

Don't waste your money on the 300, go with AT LEAST 400 !

<SNIP>

I agree that the 400 is superior to the 300, but out of my price range.

 

[Prairie Gazingfox]

I agree that the 400 is superior to the 300, but out of my price range.

Then you have to try use it where there is no soil with a lot of stones, I think

 

[Terry Soloman]

Getting back into detecting after many years. I still have my first detector, a borrowed BH TK4, that my friend told me to keep when I tried to return it. I moved “up” to a Fisher F2 which I have since sold.

Now to the point of this post. Looking at a new machine, and while the newer offerings boast some impressive features and specs, I find myself drawn to an Ace 300. When I started most of my detecting buddies had a Garrett. I admired them then, and after reading all the comments, reviews and features lists, I decided that the Ace 300 will do everything I want and it fits nicely in my budget. I switched between the Simplex Ultra and the Ace , and finally settled on the Garrett. The Garrett is $30 less. I like the “real” buttons on the Ace and the larger screen.
Are my considerations reason enough to forgo the more modern technology?
Thanks for any input.

Take a hard look at the new Minelab Vanquish machines before pulling the trigger!

 

[Clint in KY]

Then you have to try use it where there is no soil with a lot of stones, I think

I’m not sure I understand your statement. Are you saying that the 300 won’t find metal in soil? Here in western Kentucky we have a lot of clay, and of course, stones. I will be using it in forested areas looking for old homesteads.

 

[Clint in KY]

Take a hard look at the new Minelab Vanquish machines before pulling the trigger!

I just looked at the 440, and definitely checks all the boxes. Thanks!

 

[Prairie Gazingfox]

I’m not sure I understand your statement. Are you saying that the 300 won’t find metal in soil? Here in western Kentucky we have a lot of clay, and of course, stones. I will be using it in forested areas looking for old homesteads.

I use Pendulum. But I used to have ACE 400.
I watched back then some videos and 400 has advantages over ACE 300

 

[UnderMiner]

I would go with a Minelab 600, wish I had bought that instead of the 800 as it's functionally the same for less money, unless you're planning to go gold prospecting. It's dirt cheap for what it can do. Use a small coil for parks to get around all the junk.

 

[Prairie Gazingfox]

I’m not sure I understand your statement. Are you saying that the 300 won’t find metal in soil? Here in western Kentucky we have a lot of clay, and of course, stones. I will be using it in forested areas looking for old homesteads.

I think more powerful detector is best for more cluttered soil, especially if some of the clutter is old domestic waste, color glass, bakelite, maybe even some old plastic stuff. But you said you are going into old forested area, so no.plastic, I assume.

 

[Clint in KY]

I would go with a Minelab 600, wish I had bought that instead of the 800 as it's functionally the same for less money, unless you're planning to go gold prospecting. It's dirt cheap for what it can do. Use a small coil for parks to get around all the junk.

The Equinox 600 is not available from any dealers, and I am not buying someone else’s problem off EBay.
My choice is now between the Ace 300 and the Vanquish 440 leaning heavily towards the Vanquish.
I appreciate all the input.

 

[AstralDruid]

Although they are in a similar price bracket and also looks, the Minelab machine is way more modern, the Ace series is really pretty basic, I still have an Ace250i in the garage, it will find stuff, but the complete package with the Minelab is far superior, in my opinion.

 

[pepperj]

I think more powerful detector is best for more cluttered soil, especially if some of the clutter is old domestic waste, color glass, bakelite, maybe even some old plastic stuff. But you said you are going into old forested area, so no.plastic, I assume.

What has plastic, color glass got to do with the operation of a detector?

 

[pepperj]

The Equinox 600 is not available from any dealers, and I am not buying someone else’s problem off EBay.
My choice is now between the Ace 300 and the Vanquish 440 leaning heavily towards the Vanquish.
I appreciate all the input.

Have you considered buying used?
There's been lots of really good machines go up in the for sale forum that are basically new.
Folks buy then sell, for many reasons.

 

[UnderMiner]

Have you considered buying used?
There's been lots of really good machines go up in the for sale forum that are basically new.
Folks buy then sell, for many reasons.

My used detector cost a fraction of what it would have new, and as a result paid for itself in half the time. I never had a detector pay for itself faster than the Minelab 800, had a bought the cheaper 600 series, also used, it would have paid for itself even faster.

I realise some people prioritize having the best of the best because they are very dedicated to the hobby and want 100% of what's under that coil. But if your life isn't wholly and entirely, and truly defined by treasure hunting, and you don't have an unlimited budget, it means you're likely better off buying an older, used, but still high end detector like the 600 and getting the 95% of what a top of the line $1,500 new detector can show you.

Also remember it's not always about the detector, but where, when, and how you use it. An experienced person will use maps and reserch, go out when conditions are optimal, when the soil is primed by moisture. You have to see the past superimposed on the present, a house where only a foundation exists, a waggon rolling by where only a dirt path remains now. The detector is the tool, but the hunter determines how to successfully apply it.

Also remember, the human eye is a detector too, so don't rely 100% on the sound from a machine - which is an extension of your body. You must use all of your senses. An overgrown depression in the ground may seem inconvenient to enter, but chances are others have thought the same, leaving ignored until you thought to put in the effort - and low and behold that depression was a cellar hole full of colonial artifacts. The detector, no matter how advanced or cheap, wouldn't have ever beeped if you hadn't enter that area.

 

[Prairie Gazingfox]

What has plastic, color glass got to do with the operation of a detector?

I learned to dowse in quite a cluttered place. Not knowing it was the wrong place to dowse.
In my dowsing method, small bits of plastic or even say the remaining metal threaded portion of an old Automobile light bulb can pull Gold, Copper, Ag and Molybdenum and/or Tin signals from up to 8 feet away ( from the Earth crust so to speak ) and Streamline them towards the surface SEVERAL feet from where the Plastic fragments or bulb are!
Why there? Because right under the Point of Manifestation of the signal through the Surface, several tiny glossy mineralized stones happen to be.
Thus, if you have a Coin or Relic Somewhere Underneath ( near the garbage) but deeper, you might miss it. By 2-3 feet.
Very good chance to miss it.

I am a Perfectionist by Zodiac sign. I was forced to learn to pay attention to any Conglomeration of factors.

Same like with you metal detectorists are often deceived by the pull tabs...or an old rifle bullet casing.

 

[pepperj]

My used detector cost a fraction of what it would have new, and as a result paid for itself in half the time. I never had a detector pay for itself faster than the Minelab 800, had a bought the cheaper 600 series, also used, it would have paid for itself even faster.

I realise some people prioritize having the best of the best because they are very dedicated to the hobby and want 100% of what's under that coil. But if your life isn't wholly and entirely, and truly defined by treasure hunting, and you don't have an unlimited budget, it means you're likely better off buying an older, used, but still high end detector like the 600 and getting the 95% of what a top of the line $1,500 new detector can show you.

Also remember it's not always about the detector, but where, when, and how you use it. An experienced person will use maps and reserch, go out when conditions are optimal, when the soil is primed by moisture. You have to see the past superimposed on the present, a house where only a foundation exists, a waggon rolling by where only a dirt path remains now. The detector is the tool, but the hunter determines how to successfully apply it.

Also remember, the human eye is a detector too, so don't rely 100% on the sound from a machine - which is an extension of your body. You must use all of your senses. An overgrown depression in the ground may seem inconvenient to enter, but chances are others have thought the same, leaving ignored until you thought to put in the effort - and low and behold that depression was a cellar hole full of colonial artifacts. The detector, no matter how advanced or cheap, wouldn't have ever beeped if you hadn't enter that area.

I've always bought the best, and probably will till I can't detect any longer.
Been doing since 1970 and like my brother said awhile back it was a disappointment that we didn't get a dozen silver each every time we went out.
Now it's a good day if we get one silver.

I figure it's probably the cheapest addition I ever had in my whole life.
It just costs time after the initial investment and some gas.
95% of all my cellar holes are just cropped farmland now.
Lost count at 25K of land I can wonder anytime I can spare the time.
So buying a low end miss a target type machine doesn't nor has it fit my style of hunting.
But even with the best machine it's still hard to get everything.