New metal detector advice

jnicholes · Mar 9, 2026

Hi everyone,

My metal detector finally failed. It was a cheap $70 detector from Hobby lobby, but it found me a lot of items in my yard. It even found me a sterling silver ring. It was a bounty hunter IV tracker metal detector.

Anyway, since it failed, I’m thinking about upgrading to a better metal detector, but I have no idea what to look for, so I need advice.

What would you guys recommend for a beginner metal detector like me? Is there anything I should look out for?

Regards,

Jared

DizzyDigger · Mar 9, 2026

jnicholes said:
What would you guys recommend for a beginner metal detector like me? Is there anything I should look out for?

What kind of budget do you have? $400? $800?

There's a bunch of good entry level+ machines out there that are quite
affordable.

Centsless Detecting · Mar 9, 2026

I also started with a $70 metal detector. Used an Ace 250 for a while then moved on to an Equinox 800. Now I have a Manticore. I love this hobby. Its been worth every dollar I've spent over the years. If you wish to continue I'd buy within your budget. Im particular to the Minelab brand. High quality and relatively easy to use. You can also look into a second hand machine for a fraction of the cost.

pepperj · Mar 9, 2026

State the budget, what type of detecting you prefer. Then we have the basis on what you might be able to fit into.

jnicholes · Mar 9, 2026

pepperj said:
State the budget, what type of detecting you prefer. Then we have the basis on what you might be able to fit into.

I haven’t figured out my budget yet, it will take some time. I got a lot of things I’m juggling.

I prefer looking for coins and jewelry.

Ed144 · Mar 9, 2026

Maybe look for one of the more modern detectors on CraigsList like a Garrett Ace 400. You find some good deals on used detectors.

pa plateau hiker · Mar 10, 2026

If you ask 10 people, you're going to to get 10 different answers on which detector to buy.

pepperj · Mar 10, 2026

pa plateau hiker said:
If you ask 10 people, you're going to to get 10 different answers on which detector to buy.

It's band loyalty it seems and that goes for tools, autos, toys.
We're all a funny lot when it comes to what works for us.
Though when a budget has to be considered then one should be open to the used market place for buying anything.

Treasure_Hunter · Mar 10, 2026

Ed144 said:
Maybe look for one of the more modern detectors on CraigsList like a Garrett Ace 400. You find some good deals on used detectors.

Keep eye on our classifieds, members sell their old detectors here when the upgrade..

pa plateau hiker · Mar 10, 2026

pepperj said:
It's band loyalty it seems and that goes for tools, autos, toys.
We're all a funny lot when it comes to what works for us.
Though when a budget has to be considered then one should be open to the used market place for buying anything.

Yeah, I've been loyal to Garrett since the mid '70's. Ever since my first detector was a piece of crap. My first detector was a Jetco Searchmaster 550. I still have the catalog I bought it from, $69.95.

pepperj · Mar 10, 2026

pa plateau hiker said:
Yeah, I've been loyal to Garrett since the mid '70's. Ever since my first detector was a piece of crap. My first detector was a Jetco Searchmaster 550. I still have the catalog I bought it from, $69.95.

White's, Minelab, Deus

DizzyDigger · Mar 10, 2026

pa plateau hiker said:
Yeah, I've been loyal to Garrett since the mid '70's. Ever since my first detector was a piece of crap. My first detector was a Jetco Searchmaster 550. I still have the catalog I bought it from, $69.95.

Seems they've gone up in value!

Vintage Jetco GTO Searchmaster Metal Detector 1960s 1970s Works Rare | eBay

This model introduced many hobbyists to the thrill of treasure hunting and is now a desirable collectible for both display and use. • Model: Jetco GTO Searchmaster. The Jetco GTO Searchmaster was an entry-level detector that introduced many to the hobby in the late ’60s and ’70s.

www.ebay.com

jnicholes · Mar 10, 2026

pa plateau hiker said:
If you ask 10 people, you're going to to get 10 different answers on which detector to buy.

pepperj said:
It's band loyalty it seems and that goes for tools, autos, toys.
We're all a funny lot when it comes to what works for us.
Though when a budget has to be considered then one should be open to the used market place for buying anything.

If this is the case, and it’s brand loyalty, maybe I should just do my own research and find something that will fit my needs.

Regardless, thank you all for getting back. This gives me a starting place to do research.