I am new to all this so I don't know of anything different than what I have. I spent, significantly, less than $1500 and am very happy so far. Except for the fact that I have had the machine for 5 years and have used it less than 10 times. If I had your budget, I would see it that, I could always trade up, so to speak, to something different. I think there are probably a number of good choices for far less than that. So far, my detector has proven to be a decent multi purpouse machine. And, I haven't fully used most of it's abilities yet.
Back, about 5 years ago, I bought a White's XLT for myself for my birthday. I had some time on my hands and was looking forward to a trip where I thought detecting might be a good thing to pass some time. I was prompted by ads that I had been seeing on Cable for White's, showing a guy searching with an XLT. I had some experiences with a Jetco (very basic) machine that I had when I was in high school. About 30 years ago. I never really found anything with it but, then, I didn't really have any idea of what I was doing. Knowing I was going to go to Florida for a Month to help out my parents, I tried to find the old machine to see if it would work. I never found it. Probably got tossed during one of many garage cleanings over the years. I didn't use much knowlege to pick the new machine. I ordered a catalog based on the commercial that I saw. I chose the XLT because I liked the display and features that it offered. It really isn't a difficult machine if you use the basic functions and presets. However it has some power to grow into. That was another selling point. If I should start to get into this more, I wouldn't have to rush out and buy something else right away. Back at the time, I think, the XLT was the only one in the line that would show some info about the target, as to depth and possible ID of what you were detecting. Ie., a quarter, ring, foil...., 2" 4", I have had hits as much as 7.5". While the ID ability isn't always accurate, it does give some indication of possibilities. There are some things that ID similar to other things. That doesn't matter to me though, I just dig everything I hear. Everything is an item found, and a form of treasure to me. Some things are valuable because they are interesting. like the core of concrete that I found with a piece of rebar in it.
The smooth edges and colorful aggregate are interesting. Or,
which someone here mentioned was the plug for a drain in the bottom of a boat. I think that is what he said.
Then there is the ONE ring that I have found, so far,
The one thing of value that has pushed me a little to keep going.
Or,
this piece of stamped metal. Don't know yet what it is made of, or where it came from. Only the size of my finger tip. Pretty small but has nice detail. I have it here by my computer and look at it from time to time. Just because it is kind of cool. I really like the detail in it.
I have also found a lot of modern coin. Nothing special yet but, hey, after a hot day of searching I can usually buy a 20oz Dew at 7-11 on my way home. Then, I find a lot of bits of metal, pull tabs, nails etc. The way I see it, while it may not really be treasure, it is one less item for some child to step on in the sand and get hurt on.
The depth indicator, I have found, does seem to be fairly accurate, most of the time. If something reads an inch or inch and a half, I usually find it in a scoop of the surface of the sand. At about 4", I usually just drop my scoop onto the sand and push down with my foot. The item is usually right there inside when I pull up.
I have used my detector on beaches in SW FLA as well as along Lake Michigan, near Chicago. I have search Volleyball Pits and Play Lots. I searched my yard a little and found parts of some old toys I had when I was a kid along with some nails from when they built my bedroom onto the house. I have done a little looking on hard land but, as I am just getting started, not much.
I Am leaving Saturday for Las Vegas and have been horrendously busy the last couple months trying to finish a videotape project. I haven't been out detecting in about 6 weeks and have been getting some serious withdrawals. Now that my video work is finished being edited and copied, and will be delivered to the clients tomorrow morning, I might try to hit some sites, one more time, before I head out of town. Maybe that will get me through the next week.
Back to a few recommendations before I close this, Like I said, I like the XLT. For your budget, maybe it, or another machine of similar level, might be good to start with. I would also get a sand scoop if you have beaches, volleyball pits, play lots... around. Get a trowel also, so you can dig in the dirt. I also, just got a Lesche Predator so I can start doing more hard land searching or cutting of turf. Then, if you are going to travel, at all, you might want to get a case. My detector came with a soft case that would be good for storage or taking around locally. But, as I said earlier, I bought my detector with some thought of taking it to Florida on vacations. So, I bought a Pelican case for it. Dissassembled, the detector can be organized in a model 1550 case. When I want to take it with me, I put the case into a plain box and ship it, back and forth, via FedEX or UPS. The padded case might be good to protect during shipping. With the Pelican, you can lock it and ship it, as is, but I would recommend boxing it to protect the finish and appearance of the case and to disquise the contents from curious eyes. The case alone might attract attention as something valuable.
All totaled, I paid about $1000 for the detector and the case. Then, recently, I paid about another $100 for the Scoop, Trowel and Lesche tool. I don't have any extra coils. Just the stock one. I think I have enough to give me a good start and get me going. As I get more experienced, I might consider another coil. In my situation though, my searching consists of the beaches and other average areas. I haven't encountered any unusually trashy areas, etc. Besides, I don't really understand, yet, the differences between different coils and how one might benefit me more or less than what I have right now.
