New to MD and Cool Find already

[jay28]

So I am very new to metal detecting and was playing with my brothers Ace 150 and found these in my back yard, you may have seen it in my other post at Today's Finds thread.
Since my birthday is in about a month I am looking to get a MD. Question, is there a big difference from the Ace 150 to the ACE 250. Or should i go with something entirely different. My budget range is in the $200s

 

[Indian Steve]

You can get a Tesoro Compadre for around $160. I love mine, find lots of stuff and it is made in USA with a LIFETIME warrenty.

 

[woof!]

Budget in $200's, the Teknetics Delta offers a lot of bang for the buck. Even if you eventually get a high end machine you'll probably still keep the Delta.

--Dave J.

 

[Terry Soloman]

You can get a Tesoro Compadre for around $160. I love mine, find lots of stuff and it is made in USA with a LIFETIME warrenty.

X2 for sure!

 

[atomicscott]

Have to echo steve on this one! Compadre is a great machine for $160. Fairly deep and at 12khz excels at small gold jewelry!

 

[norbyx]

Question is ... do you care to have a screen or not?
If you don't than the compadre is for you , if you want a screen than the Ace 250 or Fisher F2 are good options.

 

[jay28]

Since I am pretty new I was thinking that a screen would be easier to use

 

[norbyx]

Well I don't think it gets any easier than with the compadre. But if you want a screen I already posted 2 options that are very good and will make you quite happy.

Sent from my iPhone using TreasureNet

 

[Indian Steve]

Screens sound like they make things easier but are really just the opposite for me. I had a garrett and it drove me crazy! You can discriminate with the Compadre if you want but digging everything ensures that you get the great stuff. My first gold ring was found with the Compadre in a park where it was obvious that someone had detected before me and discriminated out nickles, poptops. I found 10 nickles, 1 dime, 1 quarter, lots of pop tops, and a GOLD ring. Get a Compadre, set discrimination just above iron and dig everything else. You will love it and NOBODY has as good of a warrenty.

 

[Indian Steve]

Jay, Where are you located? I'm near Martinsville VA and would be glad to let you try out my Compadre if you are close. If you are not, post your location and there is probably some people on this site that live nearby who could help you out. steve

 

[atomicscott]

Hey Jay, Just to give you an idea, I had a Fisher F2 and now I have a compadre and I would never go back to the F2! I thought the F2 was great until I got the compadre. The compadre BLOWS IT AWAY on gold and smaller items. I've tested it on some gold flakes and tiny lead shot and get good signals I would definitely dig. In fact I dropped a .177 caliber lead pellet ON the ground, I was looking right at it!! The F2 never even saw it! The compadre finds pellets (and even bird shot) IN the ground. No brainer in my opinion. It could pay for itself MUCH quicker than the F2 with the screen that just lies to you. DJ, I hope you are listening (hint)! Lol!

 

[mccloud39]

Definitely go with the Garrett ace 250, your brother already has the 150 and it seems like you like it and there is definitely a difference between the two. Ace 250 is a great first MD!

 

[jay28]

Jay, Where are you located? I'm near Martinsville VA and would be glad to let you try out my Compadre if you are close. If you are not, post your location and there is probably some people on this site that live nearby who could help you out. steve

Thanks for the offer but I am in MA,

At this point I am watching some Youtube videos on both the Compadre and Ace 250, I figure though if i go with the Compadre that leave me more money for dig tools and what not

 

[atomicscott]

Thanks for the offer but I am in MA,

At this point I am watching some Youtube videos on both the Compadre and Ace 250, I figure though if i go with the Compadre that leave me more money for dig tools and what not

You will NOT be disappointed with the Compadre. It looks simple but don't be fooled, it is one hell of a performer. Like you said, you'll have money left over to buy a nice Lesche digger (I still need one, lol) and a finds pouch! Happy Hunting!

 

[jay28]

One more question can either of these go a few inches of water? I will be doing some beach hunting too.

 

[mccloud39]

Ace 250 can buy is not useful in the water as well as the compadre, ace 250 will last longer and make life much easier for you with the LCD screen

 

[Keppy]

Since I am pretty new I was thinking that a screen would be easier to use

That's up to you but you waste a lot of hunting time with a screen.................

 

[Indian Steve]

I used my compadre in fresh water lakes with great success. Just don't get the box wet. I actually put a zip lock bag around the box and sealed with duct tape to protect it from splashes or any accidental drops. You can also get a rain cover for about $15 on ebay so you can detect in the rain.steve

 

[Indian Steve]

I can't comment on which will last longer but the Tesoro has a lifetime warrenty. Garrett does not. steve

 

[atomicscott]

I can't comment on which will last longer but the Tesoro has a lifetime warrenty. Garrett does not. steve

Thats the great thing about tesoro. You will be out of luck if the Ace 250 breaks down in a couple years. Try to google Compadre versus Ace 250, I'm sure the Compadre will smoke the Ace just as it does the Fisher F2.