New to forum-Need Metal Detector advice

[Anklebiter]

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum and metal detecting in general . I'm looking to buy my first detector, but I'm not sure what to buy. I'll mostly be detecting for coins in the Mid Atlantic states. Originally, I was looking to buy a new or used Minelab Excaliber II, because I figured I could detect at the beach and in local creeks. I just think the Excaliber is to expensive to start out. I'd like to keep my first detector under $600. Any recommendations and advice would be welcomed.

Brent

 

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[okdiggermark]

Minelab X-Terra 305 or 505

Garrett Ace 250 or AT Pro

Get a Garrett ProPointer to pinpoint.

Get a Lesche Digger to dig.

Most importantly, pay attention to the difference in sounds from one target to another. Learn your machine, whatever you end up buying.

 

[gleaner1]

Pick one that fits your wallet, dont fuss over the make or model, they are all good. Just learn the thing. The tecter dont make the finds, the tectorist does.

 

[okdiggermark]

Pick one that fits your wallet, dont fuss over the make or model, they are all good. Just learn the thing. The tecter dont make the finds, the tectorist does.

Yeah...... Or that. Lol

 

[gleaner1]

Pick one that fits your wallet, dont fuss over the make or model, they are all good. Just learn the thing. The tecter dont make the finds, the tectorist does.

Yeah...... Or that. Lol

Now we're onto it!

 

[Anklebiter]

Thanks for the list of detectors, this will help a lot. I known there are a lot of good detectors out there. My wallet and I just needed to be pointed in the right direction. I definitely plan on putting in the time and effort to learn how to use the machine.

 

[Anklebiter]

Thanks for the advice. Maybe I should seek out some local detectorist to help me get started.

 

[Anklebiter]

agreed

 

[okdiggermark]

Thanks for the list of detectors, this will help a lot. I known there are a lot of good detectors out there. My wallet and I just needed to be pointed in the right direction. I definitely plan on putting in the time and effort to learn how to use the machine.

Where are you located (just out of curiosity)? And yes...seeking out a local detectorist club/group is a great idea. Let us know what you get, and good luck with it.

 

[Anklebiter]

I live just outside of Wilmington, De on the Delaware/Pennsylvania border. We got a lot of history around here and I already have few spot to detect. I priced out the Garrett AT Pro, Propointer & the Lesche digger. What else should I have when starting out. I know some folks on here take grass seed with them detectoring. I think that a great practice, one which I will do.

 

[okdiggermark]

Have a "Finds Pouch." it will have a side for keep items and a side for discard items. ALWAYS FILL YOUR HOLES BACK UP! We all want to give the hobby a good name. You can follow me and probably won't even see the spots I've dug. A towel is good too for dirt that you take out of the hole so it doesn't make a mess on the grass is you're hunting someone's yard or a public park. To see how to properly dig a plug/flap, watch dirtfishing on YouTube: http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=/&gl=US#/watch?v=13rf6e8GmcU

 

[Bum Luck]

I live just outside of Wilmington, De on the Delaware/Pennsylvania border. We got a lot of history around here and I already have few spot to detect. I priced out the Garrett AT Pro, Propointer & the Lesche digger. What else should I have when starting out. I know some folks on here take grass seed with them detectoring. I think that a great practice, one which I will do.

Grass seed?

What for?

 

[okdiggermark]

Yeah, the grass seed....not me. I'm assuming that's for the noobs that just dig and don't try to protect the established grass. I forgot about that.

 

[TerryC]

Just two things from me... my two cents. SOUND is what you must learn. All the other extras are... well.... extra. Learn the sound. A detector in incapable of lying. You just have to learn what it is saying. Also, Taking the trash out. Even if it is not yours. I hunted the Jamestown, VA Natl. Park ( I was a bewbie...I didn't know") and the ranger met me in the parking lot. My md was in hand. He had me dead! I just knew he was taking me to jail! He asked if I did any good. I pulled a bunch of pull tabs from my pocket... and sharp pieces of glass and metal. Right slam in the middle of the whole mess was a great big gold earing! All he said was, "Get outta here". Remember... take out the trash. TTC

 

[Anklebiter]

Yeah, the grass seed....not me. I'm assuming that's for the noobs that just dig and don't try to protect the established grass. I forgot about that.

Grass seed is probably a tip for us noobs. After a while I may find I don't even need it.

 

[Anklebiter]

Just two things from me... my two cents. SOUND is what you must learn. All the other extras are... well.... extra. Learn the sound. A detector in incapable of lying. You just have to learn what it is saying. Also, Taking the trash out. Even if it is not yours. I hunted the Jamestown, VA Natl. Park ( I was a bewbie...I didn't know") and the ranger met me in the parking lot. My md was in hand. He had me dead! I just knew he was taking me to jail! He asked if I did any good. I pulled a bunch of pull tabs from my pocket... and sharp pieces of glass and metal. Right slam in the middle of the whole mess was a great big gold earing! All he said was, "Get outta here". Remember... take out the trash. TTC

Yeah, I've already started taking notes on the "do and don't". Thanks for tips on sounds. I like your quote, "A detector in incapable of lying". Now, I just wish my kids were.

 

[Anklebiter]

First, thanks for all the advice on detectors and other tips. I finally pulled the trigger and bought a Garrett AT Pro w/two coils & Propointer. It came yesterday and I was able to put it together before I went to work. So, this afternoon my son, two of his friends and myself proceeded to dig up my front yard. Actually, we did a really good job of digging plugs, so you wouldn't even know we dug. I used the standard coin mode just to get a feel for the detector. My asked me to look for my daughters garnet earring see lost last year. Unfortunately, we didn't find the earring, but we found 6 pennies and a quarter. We also found what looks like a rock and it's magnetic. Oh, I also found my star tool (Allen wrench) for mounting my ski rack (big score). Then the boys took the detector down the street to a overgrown park where they ride bikes. They found 4 quarters and after I showed up, found 1 more quarter and a cine-kodak camera cover. They would have been happy detecting the rest of the day, but my son had baseball practiced. Needless the say, the best part of the day was seeing how much fun they had. It's a shame how long I put off buying a detector, probably four years. I'm looking forward to get out at least once or twice next week.
Thanks again

 

[okdiggermark]

Congrats! It's an awesome hobby! Enjoy the r&r every chance you get! None of us are getting any younger!

 

[goldentruth]

Well Friend, Check out the youtube site and google any type of metal detector you are interested in.
Pick up a good dig tool and as for grass seed, if I brought some my friend might just eat um up. (Are we suposed to put some in the hole after we dig? Check out the ebay for great sales from some who figure they are going to hit it rich and not have to spend much time but it takes knowlege, tips and luck but you have to think positive and take in nature and the excercise it offers... a big score is the bonus! Good luck to you.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Before you go spreading grass seed - check with the park groundskeeper. He may rather have bald spots that disappear in a year than unmatched grass in tufts all over the place. ;-)