New and looking for detector.

[jrs200]

Just want to say hi to everyone. I am excited about getting into the hobby. I used a detector years ago. Remember digging a few coins and lots of pull tabs.
Anyway I read a lot of post figuring I would find the right detector for me. The more I read the more confused I got.
I am looking to spend around $300. I would like to find coins. But mostly nuggets. Maybe a few civil war items would be nice.
I live in SC. Close to Charlotte, NC.
I hope I gave you enough info.
Thanks for your help, and this great site!!

 

[bakergeol]

There are only a handfull of detectors that can do all three- nuggets, coin and relic. For nuggets you need high frequency for small nuggets. Generally pure nugget detectors (GMT GoldBug 2) are superior than combo units for gold hunting. Some combo units would be MXT(14.7kHz), Terra X-70(18.75KHz with DD coil)Tesoro Lobo SuperTraQ(17.5Khz). These are all expensive but I see the above used units on E-Bay all the time. You will probably have to spend a couple of hundred dollars more than $300 for a used MXT or Tesoro Lobo SuperTraq..



George

 

[jrs200]

Thanks George. Maybe I'll just look for something to find coins and maybe some jewelry. And probably later on getting one of your suggestions. I just need something to get me out of the house for now. I am like part of the furniture.
I was thinking of a FISHER 1236-X2, Tesoro Silver U Max or a Garrett ACE 250. Any feedback on any of these would be very much appreciated.
Jeff

 

[Sandman]

Jeff, of only the three choices you gave I have to say they all fit the bill. Of the three, the Fisher has the others beat in performance. But there is a lot to be said for enjoying looking at the Ace 250 screen and it runs near $200.00 also. Check out the manufactures web sites for the field tests to make your choice on facts.

Sandman

 

[Night Stalker]

ACE 250 is the way to go, I'm considering adding this machine as a good back-up detector. I've never read any harsh remarks about it. Seems like it was built with quality in mine.

 

[neilo]

The teasure ace is no good in highly in mineralised ground, most gold areas are highly mineralised and you need machines specifically for the job. Fisher gold bug, whites Gmt or Goldmasters , tesoro super traq or minelab Eureka gold.are all good nugget machines, all of these machines can be used for coin hunting but generally lack the accurate discrimination of true coin hunting machines. good hunting seeya Neilo

 

[jrs200]

Wow you all are good. Thanks for the help!!! I think I will check ebay for some of these detectors. Maybe I can get one of each. (gold and coins)
I already bid on a fisher, but for $80 more I could of got a new one with extras. So I let it slide. Seems like the good detectors really hold their value. Most of them I watch goes for a little less than a new one. I ebay quite a bit and have learned you have to have patience. Hopefully that will be the case this time.
Well hopefully I'll be out there digging with you all soon. In the mean time good luck, and thanks again.
Jeff

 

[jrs200]

Hey guys I did it!! I got a White's Prizm 4 metal detector NEW for $331.02 And a used White's Goldmaster II for $179.50. I hope I did ok??

 

[279785]

I have the Ace 250 and love it. Great for the price.

ML

 

[neilo]

I used to use a Whites Goldmaster 2 all the time as my main gold hunting machine, this machine was excellent at finding tiny nuggets. It served me well, I remember trying it on the beach and found it was too noisy in the wet sand but was able to use it dry sand and one day picked up a an excellent heavy $1000 plus 18ct gold Egyptian bracelet with it. The main thing about gold hunting with this machine was to check your ground balance regularly, see if you can get a tiny nugget about 0.1 grms and set your machine up using this as a test peice, play with your ground balance until it picks this nugget up at its clearest and loudest. Do this regularly because the mineralisation in the ground can change often and you could miss out on a small nugget. Good luck I think you will be happy with your machines seeya Neilo

 

[jrs200]

Thanks Neilo, I haven't been able to find much feedback on the GM2. I was wondering if I had made a mistake or not. You just made my day! I was reading about it not being to good in mineral rich areas. But I guess you figured out the way around that, by checking the ground balance regularly till it picks up the nugget, They probably only did it once and without the nugget.
I guess I'll have to do a little panning 1st, seeing as how I don't have any gold as of yet. I'm guessing a 0.1g piece would be smaller than a pin head?
I could just imagine finding that bracelet. I would probably have to go home and change my undies
I really appreciate the tips. I still got a lot of learning to do.