Newbie Alert!

Painter65 · Jan 15, 2009

Hey folks!!!! Went to the beach today once again with not too much luck. Im a Newbie here and Im using a Garrett Ace 150. I think the main problem, and correct me If I am wrong, is that this detector is more of a land detector. I think the salt and sand mess with it and Im not getting the desired results. I have found a few coins here and there but I really truly think Im missing more than I am finding. I also seem to get alot of "ghost" signals. I walk rather slow and dont take huge swings but it will go crazy for a second then when I re-check the area, nothing. Today, I got a good coin signal, 6" deep, I must have dug up half the beach and nothing :icon_scratch:

, scanned all removed sand from the hole and everything...maybe Im just a bit frustrated :icon_scratch:

, Im not sure

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Anybody have any experience with this detector? I really do like it and the fact that I only paid $30 for it makes it all the better. Im currently looking at the White Classic ID 5 for my next purchase :icon_study:

, Kellyco has them right now for a pretty decent deal and I think this would do much better in the sandy beaches Im working over the Garrett that Im currently using :thumbsup:

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So...........If anyone can point me in the right direction or at least let me know if you think the Whites is a good choice please chime in, Im on a bit of a budget right now, (who aint??), so price does matter but I obviously want to get the best I can for the money and stay away from the China junk :tard:

!!!
Thanks!!!!! :headbang:

Old River · Jan 15, 2009

I think the 150 is a good choice. Although I don't know how the salt water will effect it. I have an old ADS Materhunter, Ace 250, Scorpion, and a GTI 2500 all Garretts. I am very satisfied with mine. Have made some great finds. Though i have not done to much hunting on the beach. Good luck whatever your choice is. I believe they are all good. Happy Hunting.

outback2000 · Jan 15, 2009

How high do you have your sensitivity if you have set high it will false on you if you set it high 3 bars is good and if you are not using a sand scoop and digging by hand you will not have any luck retrieving your target ,,,,, I swing an ace250 and it works well on beaches

Painter65 · Jan 15, 2009

outback2000 said:
How high do you have your sensitivity if you have set high it will false on you if you set it high 3 bars is good and if you are not using a sand scoop and digging by hand you will not have any luck retrieving your target ,,,,, I swing an ace250 and it works well on beaches

I keep it on 3 bars for the most part...still quite frustrating, maybe there is just nothing there right now

? Yes, I have a scoop,... :thumbsup:

but your correct I would be a digging fool without one. Thanks!

ringfinder · Jan 15, 2009

Welcome to the forum. I have used my ACE 250 for sometime now and I have found it to be
a Awesome metal detector. The ACE 150 isn't that much different. I suggest you set up a test
plot with different coins, pull tabs, bottle caps and maybe a ring. See where they come in on your
detector.

Maybe try hunting in just coins and with the sensitivity set low. If you are trying to hunt near the
water in NC, you might have trouble. I hunted the beaches in Myrtle beach and the only detector that would work in that area was a min lab detector. But when I moved back from the ocean, I could use my ACE without any problems.

I also suggest going to the beach when people are using the beach. See where they lay, play and sit. Then when you go back to the beach, hunt those areas. Don't just roam around, pattern search. Go back and forth, north and south, then east and west, overlap your swing area.

If you want to hunt for jewelry, you will have to hunt in the jewelry mode. Most ladies rings won't show
up in the coin mode. Check your detector with a ring and see where it comes in at. Try the different modes.

Just a few suggestions. Hope they help!

HH,Ringfinder

By the way, my first year hunting with my ACE 250, I dug over 4,000 clad coins and hundreds of silver coins, plus many tokens. I also use a SunRay Probe on my detector and a Good Headset.

Bavaria Mike · Jan 16, 2009

Alright, who left the door open, there's a newbie in the house, LOL! Welcome to Tnet! Since you are so close to the beach you will probably do most of your detecting there so I would advise you to get a beach specific detector that you know will handle salt water and black sand. The Minelab XT70 claims it does well in wet salt water and does an awesome job on land relic hunting as well, I have one but have never detected salty beaches. It is not water proof (coils are waterproof) but would do well in shallow water. It is also lightweight. There a several other beach type machines out there, just have to research a bit. HH, Mike

mumszie · Jan 16, 2009

Crackbadger is the guy to talk to! He has made some amazing finds with his ACE and at the beach! PM him.

Tin Nugget · Jan 16, 2009

mumszie said:
Crackbadger is the guy to talk to! He has made some amazing finds with his ACE and at the beach! PM him.

Ditto, he is a gold magnet at the beach with his ACE.

Painter65 · Jan 16, 2009

Thanks to all for the Replies, this is some wonderful advice and I will be doing some testing in the yard tonight for sure!!!!! Youve definately given me some more confidence in this little Ace 150 and I appreciate it!!!!
Ill keep you all informed of the results of my labor.. :thumbsup:

limitedthoughts · Jan 16, 2009

I use a Ace 250 and I have found quite a few good things. it just takes time to learn the machine.

The salt water issue ive been told is quite bad with this machine and something to think about. If you use it on dry sand you should be ok but the wet seems to mess them up. I have heard a couple people state that turning downt he sensitivity can help in the wet sand too but thats just something to try.

So did it work around the yard. If so you got a good machine to start with . Heck go find lots of stuff and pay for a waterproof detector with your findings.

LT

sqwaby · Jan 16, 2009

I've used a 250 quite a bit on the beach, it does fine in dry sand, sens 2 bars down from max. Damp sand requires the sens to be turned down a bit, for wet sand turn the sens down even more till it runs stable. Very wet sand(where the waves surge up and any standing water is really tough, lots of falseing even with sens down to 2-3 bars. Even on dry or damp sand you'll occasionally hit small mineralized pockets, that the machine can't handle. I'm on the Texas coast so I'm sure theres some difference in the mineral content of the sand. You've got to put the time in with any machine and learn it wether on the beach or inland hunting. You need to cover the head unit with a cover to keep out sand and salt air. I keep it simple and cover it with stretch tight(like seran wrap) it seems to seal better than the covers sold by the manufacturers and you can still use the touch pad. Good hunting Sqwaby

Ifoundit69 · Jan 17, 2009

I had the same problem with my whites mxt in certains spots near ocean water but for the most part my machine did well . If you dig at the beach alot kellyco had some awesome machine made just for the beach .Good Luck !

mikewaz · Jan 17, 2009

If the majority of your time is going to be spent hunting the beaches, you might want to also look for a used Sovereign.

I've been thinking of buying a new machine and from all of the reviews I've read, the Sovereign is great for saltwater beach and land hunting. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of other models, but it sounds perfect for what your doing.

Keep at it!
Mike