newbee whats a good all round starter detector

chrisarvor · Dec 22, 2014

hi
i am going to buy my first detector and want some advice (i know it been asked a million times)
but what should i buy

? i will be working grassland and fields
thanks

Lord Verdigris · Dec 22, 2014

There are many good starter detectors but I'd say the fisher f2. Turn on and go. You can get it with pin pointer and coil package. It works very good with the 11" DD coil but you can also get a cheaper ($50-$60$ ) big 10" concentric coil that may be great for the big fields you want to hunt. Run it max sensitivity and no discrimination and if there is goodies you'll find them. Listen for good steady signals.

Landlord Jim · Dec 22, 2014

I laugh every time I see this question. It's like asking whats the best car company.

chrisarvor · Dec 22, 2014

Landlord Jim said:
I laugh every time I see this question. It's like asking whats the best car company.

why its a Rolls obviously funny what so

afxtwin · Dec 22, 2014

garrett ace 250 or fisher f2. talk to Keith from Fort Bedford Detectors. he's a vendor on here and will help you out with any questions. he helped me out when i was looking for me and my SO's first detectors.

Boatlode · Dec 22, 2014

Everybody on this forum is going to recommend the machine they use. Before you buy, you should hands-on test as many machines as possible to see what works best for you.

The only other advice I can give you is that more expensive does not always mean better. Take your time and you will make the right decision.

Fletch88 · Dec 22, 2014

Eurotek Pro! Fort Bedford has a used one for a good price. If you decide you don't like it or want to upgrade you will lose almost nothing. Keith is very knowledgable and helpful with metal detecting advice.

Terry Soloman · Dec 22, 2014

TerryC · Dec 22, 2014

Yes, Terry, a Garrett Ace 250 is good for starters. When you want to upgrade, and most do, keep the 250 as a backup. And LEARN the machine, whichever you choose. Garrett suggests 100 hours on the machine before you can claim you know it. TTC

Papalittle · Dec 22, 2014

1. Eurotek Pro
2. Delta 4000
3. Ace 250
4. F2

I might be a little Bias but my favorites in order.

kayden · Dec 22, 2014

Ace250 end thread!

CincinnatiKid · Dec 22, 2014

What is your budget? Knowing this will help determine the appropriate machine for you.
Please realize, you will need a few accessories as well. A quality pinpointer being foremost.
Peace ✌

Luke 12 · Dec 22, 2014

Whatever you choose, check out the Treasure Depot classifieds, they have a lot of nice used detectors for sale. Something you may have thought outside you price range could be back in if you find it used.

Jarl · Dec 23, 2014

Hard question. My first inclination is to side with the ACE 250'ers here, seeing that I used one when I began. It's a great machine, but I think you'll grow out of it very fast. As someone said here, keep it as a back up or something if and when you upgrade. But, if I had the opportunity to start over again(and not to jump up to a professional model detector to be fair), I would have purchased something with a little more dynamics than an ACE 250. I really liked using my friend's Teknetics Gamma 6000 with the concentric coil. One thing I really liked was the option of tones...the ACE only has three distinct tones and they're all BONGY bell tones. I can't say that the Gamma's depth is more or less, i didn't use it that much, but i felt that for the price it gave a lot more information that the ACE didn't. Also, target separation was notably good with the Gamma. I'm just saying, most people I think can start a few steps up than at bottom drawer...don't just get any detector because it's cheap (unless you have to and can't stand it anymore).

Tony in Virginia · Dec 23, 2014

I'll probably get alot of flak for this, but, don't spend less than $400.00. Just sayin.

CincinnatiKid · Dec 23, 2014

No flak here Tony in Virginia.
I knew from the onset, that metal detecting was a "calling" for me.
I started with a $200 machine. Don't get me wrong, I found many valuable targets with it.
But, what if I initially purchased an ETrac? Sure, learning a high end machine may be difficult. Yet how many more great relics/coins/jewelry etc. would I have found had I purchased a better detector?
Obviously, budget is the limiting factor.
As you state, $400 is a minimum.
GL
Peace ✌

Higgy · Dec 23, 2014

My recommendation is a Tesoro Vaquero. Its super-easy to learn, yet it competes well with detectors twice its price. There's no confusing target ID window, so the learning detectorist can concentrate on sounds. Very nice detector. Heck, I may even get one as a backup to my ATP.

Professor of Engineering · Dec 26, 2014

Hello Chrisarvor,

After thinking about your request, I would choose the Garrett AT Pro. My thought process is based on the fact you can setup the AT Pro to “chime” like the ACE 250, if you wish, by running in standard mode and choose beginner setting. After you gain the skill and confidence switch to Pro-Mode and really exploit the machines power, by learning and hunting by the tones. I would imagine that most of the experienced treasure hunters on this forum use this method. Whatever you decide learn the machine and most importantly Have Fun!

Regards,

Professor

Machinist · Dec 27, 2014

CincinnatiKid said:
No flak here Tony in Virginia.
I knew from the onset, that metal detecting was a "calling" for me.
I started with a $200 machine. Don't get me wrong, I found many valuable targets with it.
But, what if I initially purchased an ETrac? Sure, learning a high end machine may be difficult. Yet how many more great relics/coins/jewelry etc. would I have found had I purchased a better detector?
Obviously, budget is the limiting factor.
As you state, $400 is a minimum.
GL
Peace ✌

I do not have the experience to advise you on detectors but, the situation Cincinnati refers to above was/is me. I knew I would enjoy detecting very much so I opted for raising my budget a bit and look for a good buy on a used Etrac. I wanted a detector I could grow into and not one I wanted to upgrade after a year and wonder about everything I might have missed. With Andy Sabisch book, forum threads, and Youtube videos I found all the information I would need to learn this detector. Not having the experience with detector sounds I rely on the book charts, for ferrous and conductive values, to build an association with the sound it makes. I cross reference the detectors values to the charts to help identify the target. My point being do not hold back on a more technical detector because of the learning curve. With the world wide web the information is out there some where that one can relate to.