Looking for a detector for under $400

[tnfishdaddy]

Can get a good detector for this amount? I have 2 little boys at home and this is about all I can safely spend at this time. What would you all recommend? Thanks.

 

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[jeff of pa]

GARRETT 250.

Great First Detector, You Can pick a new one up for $200

In Fact you could get them each one for your $400.00

I'll Let The actual Users of it say on Weight, Tho I THINK their Light Enough for Kids.

 

[Sandman]

Yes the Garrett Ace 250 is a fine starter detector. I would also check out the Tesoro brand. They make good light weight machines that work very well and you get a life time warrantee to boot.

HH,
Sandman

 

[hollowpointred]

read the reviews section for a review on the ace 250. its the most machine for $200 out there right now. and yes........it is very lightweight and is advanced enough to keep a kid occupied with it for years. like jeff said at $200 you could get one for each kid!! good luck no matter which machine you choose!

 

[nevrdundetecting]

I'd go for a Prizm III or IV, I have a Prizm III and I love it!! Pinpointing is easy and accurate, target ID is accurate, and depth readout is accurate plus you get White's peace of mind. I can really appreciate these things coming from a detector with no pinpoint mode, only 4 target categories, and no depth readout. Now hurry up and get that detector so you can start swingin'!!

HH

 

[Kentucky Kache]

If I wanted the detector for myself, I would go with the better class machine, but used. There are some pretty good deals out there If you look hard enough. White's Classic ID, or IDX, etc.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Go for the Garrett 250 for about $200. This is an inexpensive machine that has features like and performs like machines costing three times as much.

Bill(OR)

 

[Wetgreenie]

Granted I have 10 hrs or so into the hobby however.

I like the ACE 250 but find it a little confusing as the ID jumps around a lot.
The Tesoro Silver max costs a bit more but weighs sooo much less and is very smiple to operate.
Plus it picks up smaller Gold at greater depth and has a lifetime warranty!

http://www.tesoro.com/SilverMicroMaxDataSheet.html

 

[JakePhelps]

If you want lightweight and easy to use, the Bounty Hunter tracker4 is really simple turn on and go. I have been using it for a few years now and i like it.

 

[Wanderer]

Check out the Tesoro Compadre and Silver uMax. Both are very light weight and you could buy two of them for under $400. Good luck. Wanderer

 

[Crutch]

I would by used but you may not want to with your first detector. My first and last were both top end detectors when I bought them. The first was 400.00 in 92 and is still a great machine. The second cost me 500 and it is a top end detector still. For 400 you can get an excellent machine if you wait and look hard.

Go with any of the leader names but get the best you can afford. Watch the sale price on EBAY and find out what they are going for and you know you can always get your money back once you find a trend.

Fisher,Garretts,Minelab,Tesero,Whites.

 

[nevrdundetecting]

Don't forget, the Prizm line of detectors has classic ID technology that cost $450.00 just a couple years ago.

HH

 

[wmas1960]

I don't have first hand experience with them but if I were looking for the answer to your question, and I was thinking similarly a few months ago, ?I would consider ?The ACE 250 by Garretts and the Prizm IV III or II... by Whites. ?The Prizm IV should cost you around $350. The Prizm V lists for $499 and while even better, even with rebate, will bust your budget. ?The Prizm IV though, ?lists at $399 but Whites has extended their $50 rebate (discount) till January 10th, if I read their web page right. ? I looked at a Prizm IV at a local dealer, while in to pick up some headphones and a pinpointer. ?At that time, I was quoted $360 for it. I am unclear on whether that is with or without that rebate. ? ? I was very impressed with it. ?Seems to have most of the primary functions and features that I currently use on my Whites XLT ($800). ? However, it is lighter weight, easier to use and more simple in understanding. ?The XLT has a lot of room to grow into and a lot more power but for a basic starter detector is, perhaps, overkill. ? The Prizm IV might be just right for your situation as it offers all the basic functions (Pinpointing/all metal mode, Depth readings, Tone ID, Sensitivity adjustment and Discrimination...) ?for a much more affordable price. ?You don't spend a lot more for stuff that you might not use. ? As you get more into detecting, and your resources are, hopefully, more plentiful, you can certainly move up but keep the other detector as a backup, or a simple second machine so you and one of your boys can go out together.

As I said, I have the XLT but when I began thinking of a second machine, I didn't think spending $800 for a second machine was very practical. ?Especially considering that my XLT is still doing very well. ? ?However, from what I have read and learned from my research, ?The Ace 250 ($199) and the Prizm IV ($399 before rebate) are atop my list as good complements to what I already have. ? If you want to look into the Prizm series of detectors, ?Look at www.whiteselectronics.com

 

[nevrdundetecting]

here's a quote from the www.jimmysierra.com website, makers of the bigfoot coil

"In July of 2004, White?s caught the Industry by surprise and by taking their tried and true Classic

ID technology @ $450.00, and completely re-designed and added features in the All New Prizm

Series starting at $250.00 for the Prizm II, $350.00 for the Prizm III, $450.00 for the Prizm IV

and $550.00 for the newly released Prizm V."

It has also been mentioned a few other times on the Whites forum and on this forum too I think.

HH

 

[FiveFoote]

I picked up a very lightly used White IDX Pro off e-bay for under $300. My 5 year old son and I have already found a lot of coins at the playground. In fact, on his very first try he found an old hot wheels bus in our front yard about three inches down. It couldn't have been more appropriate if I had planted it there myself. Usually though I swing and he digs through the mulch at the school playground. Then we take what we find a get him an ice cream. It is turning out to be a great time for just the two of us and the White's has done us pretty good so far. Though I wouldn't recommend it, it even lived through being in the trunk of our car last week when I was hit while stopped in traffic. My car was totalled and the trunk took a crowbar to get it opened but my white's still works fine though a bit scratched. I guess I don't have to worry so much about it getting dropped and knocked about as I originally thought.

No matter what you choose, I'm sure you and the boys will have a great time together.

FiveFoote

 

[Michigan Badger]

The 250 is a bargin but if you can swing it go with Tesoro.

 

[birdman]

You can also find great deals on higher end detectors that are used .Some people buy a detector ,don't like it and sell it taking a loss. I bought a CZ5 off this fourm that had only 6 hours on it and I swore it was bran new when I opened the box.I only paid 360.00 shiped. Lots of good deals floating around here.I also just got an ID Excel on the way at a bargin. I have also heard the Minelabe musketeer advantage is a great detector that you can find between 300.00 and 400.00 $ new.Just a thought.HH

 

[dano91]

Two Ace 250's will find more loot than you can sort, clean, and spend!!!
Don't forget it's not just in the machine it's in your mind. Learn all you can, because it does pay off. Goodluck
Dano.

 

[cillosis]

I just bought an Ace 250 last week and it is a very light machine and very ergonomic...plus it just looks cool! I have only been out detecting once (its raining a lot right now) with it and I don't think I was used to it yet. I had some trouble pinpointing, and it would say the target was a quarter and I dug a rusty nail...but I did manage to find a single 1968-D Lincoln penny so I guess its a start. I bought mine brand new off EBay with a "buy it now" for $170 with the brand new headphones.