Newbie need advice - which detector to buy

[OkieDave]

Hello all. I'm planning on purchasing my first metal detector and could really use some advice. My budget is around $600. I mainly plan to use it on the Florida East Coast beaches, wet and dry sand. Would like to do shallow water searching also. I've been looking at the Garrett Ace but would like your input. Please give make and model, pros and cons of your suggestions.
I'm stoked to dig my first pull tab and Gold ring!

 

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[BARKER]

Hi; Look at the Whites DFX. I use it for wet & dry sand, parks, deep woods etc. It is very sensitive, deep and accurate. It is a great turn on and go detector with a LOT of Pro Programs built in. I find dimes at 10" no prob. Very sensitive to gold and silver. It screams on silver ok. Larger objects like a jar of coins can be detected at 4' down. You can buy a used one in great shape for about $400. If you "ever" break it White's will usually fix it for FREE. You can't beat that.!!! Garretts and the others all charge a good buck to repair anything ok. With the DFX you will never need another detector again ok. Make sure you buy a GOOD set of headphones like the Grey Ghost's or the Killer Bee's ok. Think about it.
PS: You can NOT go wading with the DFX ok. Just wait for low tide. PEACE:RONB

 

[Oddjob]

Try Kellyco, they always have great deals and plenty of folks ready to help you out wisely for what you are after.

 

[Fletch88]

A used safari/ Explorer or Sovereign GT can be bought for that money. A single freq detector without ground balance will not work well in wet salt sand. Multiple freq machines run well on wet salt

 

[OkieDave]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[Mach1Pilot]

I'm with Fletch.... try to find a used Sovereign. The multi-Frequency technology is proven to perform very well in the conditions you are describing. An Minelab Excalibur would also be good as they are fully waterproof, but cost more than your budget even used.

 

[TRanegar36]

I have a AT Pro and love it!

If I was planning on doing salt water beaches primarily tho... I would probably go with something else. I've heard numerous times if can act chattery on saltwater beaches and I would suspect the Ace to do the same thing.

As Garrett says in his book. Give yourself a price budget and then add 100-200 dollars on top of that. You get what you pay for.

Many people I see on the east/west coast use minelab's. I would look into getting a used Excal 1000 or 2000, but that's just me.