New to detecting. What and where should i buy?

[jbnard625]

I'd like to get into detecting and would like to get a decent beginner machine. Any suggestions on what i should get and who i should get it from?

 

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[markincypress]

There are several supporting vendors on this site. I have personal experience with and highly recommend Metal Detecting Stuff located in Spring Texas. They have a brick and mortar shop and do not package junk with anything they sell (like cheap plastic diggers, nail bag trash aprons, nearly useless pinpointers etc..) Nor do they lure you with "buy one get one free (the free one would make a fair door stop at best).

Both Wayne and Doug not only sell metal detectors, they use them. They are active in the local metal detecting community and will not sell you anything that they would not use themselves. Give them a call and discuss your needs. They will take the time with you to make sure you get what you need and can afford.

I am sure there are other supporting vendors that also do an outstanding job but I can only vouch for Metal Detecting Stuff.

 

[63bkpkr]

What just, What to purchase?

Welcome to Tnet jbnard625! Currently there are several threads going on here that discuss this very subject, a beginner looking for the best "first" machine". And yes there are several supporting vendors on this site, all very helpful and willing to give you a good deal. YOU must first know what type of detecting you want to do? Dry land or wet? Coins only? Coins and Jewelry? Relics? Deep Stuff? Gold Nuggets out in the back country? What?? There are many current up to date models and brands of detectors some with good to life time warranties, some with excellent backup service and most USA models are excellent machines as well as Minelab but I personally would stay away from any made in other countries (yes I know I'm leaving out the Deuce but that sells for $2000 and is not exactly a beginners machine).

So, understand what you want to do with the detector! Then will a VLF unit or a PI unit be best for what you want to do where you want to do it at? I know that sounds confusing so just contact one of the supporting vendors and ask. IF you will be doing Wet detecting, fresh or salt water, then I would advise a waterproof detector. If you will be doing ONLY dry detecting then a plastic bag over the control box in the rain should be fine. Best of luck on your Quest!!................63bkpkr and the rest of Tnet

And, were it me looking to purchase my first detector I would purchase a well known brand and a solid middle of the range unit, not the very bottom nor the very top as too much is left out or too much is added on for a beginner, IMHO.

 

[dholland02]

I bought my safari from tom at millermdz great guy to deal with and awesome prices.

Stay away from kellyco waaaaaaay over prices and some other packages r pretty crappy imo.

 

[Terry Soloman]

I hope this helps you, and always buy from a forum Sponsor!

 

[Lookalot]

Welcome to Tnet jbnard625! Currently there are several threads going on here that discuss this very subject, a beginner looking for the best "first" machine". And yes there are several supporting vendors on this site, all very helpful and willing to give you a good deal. YOU must first know what type of detecting you want to do? Dry land or wet? Coins only? Coins and Jewelry? Relics? Deep Stuff? Gold Nuggets out in the back country? What?? There are many current up to date models and brands of detectors some with good to life time warranties, some with excellent backup service and most USA models are excellent machines as well as Minelab but I personally would stay away from any made in other countries (yes I know I'm leaving out the Deuce but that sells for $2000 and is not exactly a beginners machine).




So, understand what you want to do with the detector! Then will a VLF unit or a PI unit be best for what you want to do where you want to do it at? I know that sounds confusing so just contact one of the supporting vendors and ask. IF you will be doing Wet detecting, fresh or salt water, then I would advise a waterproof detector. If you will be doing ONLY dry detecting then a plastic bag over the control box in the rain should be fine. Best of luck on your Quest!!................63bkpkr and the rest of Tnet

And, were it me looking to purchase my first detector I would purchase a well known brand and a solid middle of the range unit, not the very bottom nor the very top as too much is left out or too much is added on for a beginner, IMHO.

Excellent advice!

No matter which detector you ultimately choose, be aware that it will take some time to get used to it.
The TV commercials make finding great things look so easy but the reality is that hard work and persistence are 2 important keys to detecting success.

 

[TerryC]

First, Welcome to the very best treasure site on the net. Second, BUY LOCAL. Those that sell here are one of us. They are NOT just filling an emplyee spot. They know the machines they sell. And third, they are here to help AFTER the sale. Any machine you buy is capable of filling the needs of a beginner. A "general law" is give it 100 hours (ligitimate hours) before deciding on a different machine. You will also find many experienced "helpers" here to keep you going. TTC

 

[George (MN)]

If you can only spend $200-$300, Teknetics Eurotek Pro seems impressive. It comes with an 8" concentric coil for $219 or an 11" DD coil for $299. Large numerical ID, depth reading to 9" in non-motion pinpoint. Supposed to ID pretty good down to about 8". Also says it has new proprietary circuitry that permits it to do well in bad ground without needing ground balance. The detector picks up coins close to junk. It was designed for very bad iron ground, places where iron has been accumulating for 1,000 years. It's only been on the market a week or two. IIRC, the site for the manual is tekneticst2.com/ There are already many videos about this detector on You Tube. It has control to set iron sounds from full volume to weak, or off with iron flash.

For something just under $600, I like my Garrett AT Pro. It has a manual ground balance & can be used almost anywhere, underwater to 10' with optional underwater headphones (another $85). Shortly after I set the manual ground balance I got a very tilted quarter, then another loud beep indicating dime on every pass, at about 8". Was a dime 7" deep, in heavily searched park, moderately mineralized. Garrett also makes an excellent pinpointer, the Pro Pointer, for $127.45. It's possible to get many other pinpointers for less, the cheapest being Cen-Tech pinpointer from Harbor Freight, about $20 or so.

There are many other detectors to choose from in any price range. Many sites including this one have metal detecting reviews, & there are a huge number of videos. Best wishes, George (MN)

 

[jbnard625]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll be hunting in Florida for coins mostly. Are there many differences between the $200 machines and the $600 ones. Like depth or range or anything like that?

 

[jbnard625]

It seems like most places have the same price just the packages are a little different. Am i missing something here? Thanks

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

Hi Jbnard625, Prices online are similar. Some models manufacturers have better pricing available offline. When you go from a $200 detector up to a $500 detector, you add features such as ground balance capabilities. Ground Balancing allows you to adjust for the minerals in the ground (salt, iron, etc.). This allows you to get maximum depth out of a detector even in difficult soil conditions.

Give me a call if you want to discuss various detectors, we can help you get something that fits your needs within a budget.

Wayne

www.metaldetectingstuff.com