Need help with new MD

[Loukas]

Hello everyone,

I am new to your forum and I need some help with choosing my next md. I currently own an ACE250, but its time for an upgrade. To be honest I have looked at other companies, besides Garrett, such as Whites and Fisher but I think I am leaning towards Garrett (more user friendly?). I have narrowed down my choises between ACE400i and AT pro. From other brands I liked Whites MX5, Fisher F5 and Minelab Xterra 305, 505 & 705. I hunt exclusively on land so the waterproof capabilities of AT pro are not going to be useful to me. Also I often hunt at trashy areas with a lot of iron foils etc. Likewise I want a machine with beyond average depth capabilities. Finally, if someone can clarify to me how important is the frequency of a machine (eg ACE400i 10khz vs At pro 15khz), and the ability to automatically/manually adjust ground balance vs machines with fixed ground balance. Will adjusting for ground balance make a noticable difference? If not I am leaning towards ACE400 over AT pro.

Many thanks in advance,
Loukas

 

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[Loco-Digger]

Sounds like you have put time into selecting your next detector. Since you are into the hobby I recommend you get a Flagship detector from any of the big manufacturers. Many of us have started out with a low end detector and got hooked. Then upgrade to a mid level detector and eventually to a top of the line detector. I am a fan of the DD coil over the concentric coils. I swing the F75LTD2 and have 4 coils for it. You can probably get away with 3 coils, the stock coil, a small sniper coil and a large 15" coil. Each coil shines in their own way. I normally start hunting a site with the stock coil. If targets are sparse I switch to the 15" coil, if the site is trashy I use the sniper coil.

When it comes to frequencies (my understanding is) the higher the frequency the smaller the target it can detect at depth.

I have bought most of my detector used. Many people get one for Christmas or a birthday and decide the hobby is not for them and you can get a slightly used machine for a great price.

 

[Loukas]

Sounds like you have put time into selecting your next detector. Since you are into the hobby I recommend you get a Flagship detector from any of the big manufacturers. Many of us have started out with a low end detector and got hooked. Then upgrade to a mid level detector and eventually to a top of the line detector. I am a fan of the DD coil over the concentric coils. I swing the F75LTD2 and have 4 coils for it. You can probably get away with 3 coils, the stock coil, a small sniper coil and a large 15" coil. Each coil shines in their own way. I normally start hunting a site with the stock coil. If targets are sparse I switch to the 15" coil, if the site is trashy I use the sniper coil.

When it comes to frequencies (my understanding is) the higher the frequency the smaller the target it can detect at depth.

I have bought most of my detector used. Many people get one for Christmas or a birthday and decide the hobby is not for them and you can get a slightly used machine for a great price.

Hi and thanks for your answer. For now I cannot afford more than one coil for my machine. My logic for now, is that I am not sure if spending more money on an expensive detector is worth it. Dont get me wrong, I fell in love with the hobby instantly. I have been detecting for a couple of weeks now, and so far I have found an old medieval copper ring and 5 hammered coins, one of which a silver. But from all the stories I have been reading and hearing, great discoveries are mostly due to luck and not a strong detector. So I just want to increase my chances of finding more valuable items, but without spending more money than I have to. The AT pro costs 747 euro if I order from UK, which is a lot of money. In contrast, the ACE400 is 400 euro which leaves money for perhaps a second coil. What is your opinion? Is it worth to spend the extra money for a more expensive detector, with all its fancy extras (ground balancing, higher frequency etc) or in the end I will be better of with the cheapest detector? Also take into consideration that the places I hunt are filled with history, and stories of people finding insane amounts of treasure.