Newbie trying to get started

[Rs25subaru]

So I want to get into the treasure hunting game... But I don't want to spend a ton on a detector. I've been looking on Craigslist for a used one. Does "you get what you pay for" come into play here? Any suggestions on a new one possibly around $300? I don't want to spend a lot but at the same time I don't want to buy junk.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Cry Of The Eagle: History And Legends Of The Cherokee Indians And Their Buried Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[sonofadigger]

An ace 150 or 250 would be right up your alley good detectors great customer service and right around the price your looking for call Bart at big boys hobbies and he will set you up with a smoking deal

 

[olfacere]

Yes, you definitely get what you pay for when you buy metal detectors. A new machine for less than $300 is plausible, but that depends on what you want the machine to do. If you're thinking of dispersed coins and jewlery, mixed with a lot of ferrous trash, then I would recommend the Tesoro MicroMax Silver (about $250 new). Note that Tesoros come with a lifetime warranty and are made in the USA. You could also get the Tesoro Compadre ($160 new; very similar, but without manual sensitivity control) and use the rest of the money for a Garrett Pro Pinpointer (an highly recommended accessory). Gold prospecting machines are more expensive and so are beach machines. If you're thinking of finding a specific treasure that you would expect to be in one big pile, then a pulse induction machine might be best. The machine should fit what you want to do.

P.S. Unlike those Garrett Ace detectors, when you buy a Tesoro, you almost don't need the warranty!

 

[JSMITH]

Ive had my ace 250 for two years. Never have had a problem with it. I find all sorts of good stuff with it as well. Found a gold ring 4-5 inches down last saturday along with two silver dimes and an indianhead penny. I believe they msrp for 250 bucks. Got mine on sale for 215 brand new.

 

[bcbear]

You might want to look at the Fisher F2. A great machine and it is around $200 and a 5 year warranty. I love mine!

 

[lonewolfe]

Any of the machines these folks here have suggested above would be a good starter machine to find coins/jewelry with.

Ace 250 or Tesoro or F2 - they're all decent starter machines

you might find a used ace 350 or a F4 for around $275/$300 which are a notch above the starter machines - check the For Sale ads on here

Good luck, HH and welcome to the hobby :-)

 

[Rs25subaru]

Wow you guys have great advice! Thank you all! I will look into the ones you have suggested. I'm itching to get started!!!

 

[Rs25subaru]

Help I can't decide between the ace 250 or the fisher F2. I'm leaning more towards the F2 because of the faster response....

 

[dmaki1988]

i would go with the teknetics delta 4000, one of the lightest machines on the market and great battery life. i found plenty of silver coins and other nice finds with the one i had. i think its 279.00 out of the box but you could prolly find a nice used one for around 180 to 200. well worth the money, if you were to detect enough you would pay it off with a clad count in your first year of detecting...