Need advice on buying a metal detector

[ozunasawai4]

I want to start getting into metal detecting. Seeing all your awesome finds has inspired me! I have been watching a ton of videos and reading a lot of reviews and it seems like a good consensus is the Fisher Labs F2 or Garrett Ace 250? I live in SW FL and plan on using it mainly in yards and at the beaches. My budget is $300.00 Are these good beginner detectors that I can keep without upgrading for a while? Any that you would suggest in that price range?

all the reviews and comparison charts I have seen have been 3-4 years old. Any new competitors? Thanks!

 

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[vpnavy]

1st - I noticed this was your very first post - so, Welcome Aboard ozunasawai4! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forum: Select Your Area.... for information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country).

2nd - When you have time - browse Brands...

 

[SusanMN]

Either one is a good starting detector. But if you are thinking about using it on the beach, neither one will be able to be used in wet sand and that is probably where you want to hunt. In that case better to wait and save up a few hundred dollars more for a Minelab Equinox 600 which will work great in wet or dry sand.

 

[jmc24]

Two newer models would be better for you in my opinion. The Minelab Vanquish and the Nokta Makro Simplex are both capable of handling wet salt water beach sand. So is the Minelab Equinox 600 for a few more dollars. The basic Simplex and the Vanquish 440 cost less brand new than $300 and would leave you some money leftover for a quality handheld pinpointer and beach scoop. The Fisher F2/F22 and the Garrett Ace series are good detectors but definitely are not appropriate for frequent beach use.

Forget about any of the online sites that begin with Best Metal Detectors............. They are out of date, inaccurate and are not written by detector users for the most part. This forum and other metal detecting forums are much better for up to date results.

Jeff

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

If I was you I'd wait till I could buy a detector that has target ID numbers - (not lights and beeps) - and that also comes with other advanced features - this is a huge plus.
Something like a Garrett AT Pro, Minelab Equinox, etc.

I'd also consider buying a clean - used detector from someone you can trust - look in this forums For Sale section.
Buying a used machine can save you a lot of money - and is often offered as a package deal with Headphones, Pinpointers, Diggers, etc.

And here's another major thing to consider - every detector comes with a learning curve - it takes a time in the field to learn what the machine is "telling you" to dig or not.
If you start out with a entry level - low dollar machine you will have to go through another new learning curve if you decide to upgrade.

Also, do your homework - read others forum posts, ask questions, etc.
I read, asked questions and listened to others in this hobby for a few months before I bought my first good detector - looking back I'm really glad I did !

Good Luck & Good Hunting !

 

[49er12]

If 300.00 bucks is your budget, get a notka makro simplex detector nothing better for that price 250..0 without wireless headphones, if you can afford more and want to learn then, minelab or infibio, but you stated money wise , very simple the answer simplex, thankyou

 

[Diggin' History]

Yup, what jmc, E-Trac, and 49er said.

If you are planning on going to a Nox (Equinox) at some later point in time, I would spend the extra $99.00 and buy the Vanquish 540 but, it has a fairly steep learning curve - it will help prepare you for the Nox series detectors though. Also, the Vanquish 540 only has a waterproof coil and it's only good to 1 meter. The Simplex, on the other hand, is completely waterproof to 3 meters and is in your price range. It has a bit of a learning curve as well but, I find it works great in more mineralized soils - it has a manual Ground Balance feature that allows you to set up your detector in various soil conditions.

Hope this helps.
-DH-

 

[ozunasawai4]

I want to start getting into metal detecting. Seeing all your awesome finds has inspired me! I have been watching a ton of videos and reading a lot of reviews and it seems like a good consensus is the Fisher Labs F2 or Garrett Ace 250? I live in SW FL and plan on using it mainly in yards and at the beaches. My budget is $300.00 Are these good beginner detectors that I can keep without upgrading for a while? Any that you would suggest in that price range?

all the reviews and comparison charts I have seen have been 3-4 years old. Any new competitors? Thanks!

Either one is a good starting detector. But if you are thinking about using it on the beach, neither one will be able to be used in wet sand and that is probably where you want to hunt. In that case better to wait and save up a few hundred dollars more for a Minelab Equinox 600 which will work great in wet or dry sand.