Newbie with questions if somone could help please =)

[anewhobby]

Hello, my name is mike im from Maine. Me whos currently unemployed and my father whos retired have alot of time on our hands and wanna start a new hobby. We have always been interested in antiques and exploring.. so this seems to be for us. Anyways, what would be a good metal detector for both of us to start with in the 150-200 dollar range? We've heard the "Ace 250" brand is nice for beginners and you get your moneys worth. If we wanna find really old coins shall we do history researching and find old local gathering places? What are really good places to search? I've heard of people also digging up really old bottles do metal detectors have some type of sensor for them? If somone could help me that would be awesome, thanks much.

 

[thadious]

no metal detector will detect bottles unless some type of metal is attached or inside of them. Also cannot say anything about ace 250 since I don't own one. There are several detectors out there under 200 dollars but most of them are basic. Try Wall mart or radio shack to see what they have in that price range. When you get your detector read the manual and watch the video(if it comes with one to get a basic idea of what to do). Beware tding is very addictive and can be frustrating at times. Practice in your back yard or at local parks until you are familiar with your detector, this will help you to learn your machine and increase your chances of good finds. Good luck and welcome to the forum. HH. Ted

 

[Jeffro]

You're on the right track with all your comments, except one. No a metal detector doesn't have a function for bottles. Reading through the metal detecting forum here will astound you with all the different things you can learn, as I'm sure you're finding out as I type this.

I haven't heard anything but good so far about the Ace 250, but I haven't tried one.

Parks, picnic grounds, fairgrounds, swimming holes, old homesteads, the list goes on and on for places to hunt. Basically, anyplace that people gathered is a good place. Research is key after you get a little practice under your belt at the local park.

 

[buscadero]

Anew, Run, Don't walk & Pick up a Garrett Ace 250. T he perfect MD for Beginners & Experienced Users Both. You won't be sorry! Check out the prices on the Internet. I've seen 'em from $199 to Sticker Price. Shop for the best deal , & by the way, Welcome to the Hobby & TN!!

JOE

 

[Sandman]

Welcome to the forum and our hobby. Stay away from the Radio Shack and Wal-Mart stuff unless you wanna buy an new detector cause the old one doesn't do what you need. The ACE 250 is one of the best entry level machines. Some say it's the only machine you'll need. There are others by the MAJOR manufactures that are well made and will do the trick.

Check out the books by Garrett, Tesoro, Whites about metal detecting. Garrett's book, "Sucessful Coin Hunting," is loaded with places to detect and gives many ideas and leads.

As mentioned by others, detectors don't beep on glass. But old bottles are collectables in themselves and some comand high prices from collectors if you happen to reconize which ones they are. Good Luck. We will answer all your questions, or try.

HH,
Sandman

 

[Postalrevnant]

Welcome to the hobby and this forum. I don't have anything to add on Metal Detectors, however I do wish you lots of luck if and when you do get a detector.

Postalrevnant

 

[Ramapirate]

I don't have stock in Kellyco and this isn't an advertisement for them, but three weeks ago I ordered an Ace 250 from them using a price match from Dick's Sporting Goods Online. I spoke with a guy named Tony who let me have it for $199.95 including free shipping, a digging tool, sheath, batteries, DVD, trial subscription to a treasure hunting mag, the whole shabang. It really is a good little detector, especially for the price.

 

[Mental Granny]

I AM WANTING TO GET A 250 FOR MY SELF IM NEW TO THE FORUM BUT NOT DETECTING I WANT ONE CAUSE ITS A LIGHT WEIGHT MACHINE AND I'VE HEARD A LOT OF GOOD THINGS ABOUT IT

 

[Gribnitz]

That price range? Ace 250...no if's and's or but's. That machine packs a whole lot of features into a very inexpensive package. It does things other detectors costing 2 or 3 times the price will do. I honestly don't know how they do it and still sell their higher end machines. I am a Tesoro brand loyalist, but I am going to get me a 250 for quick park hunts for when I only have an hour or two. The 250 just packs so much punch into the machine for the $ to think about any others. I already have too much money tied up in machines, but the 250 makes it attractive to get just one more.

 

[neilo]

If you are looking for old coins you want something which has good depth capabilities this is where the ace 250 is not the ideal machine. You would be better off getting a better more powerful machine second hand for the same sort of money.Minelab Sovereign definately will beat the treasure ace, plus it also handles mineralised soils and wet salty beach sand conditions much better.If you buy a cheap machine lacking in performance to start off with you will definately regret it. If you look at a second hand machine get one from a reputable dealer who will give you a warrantee with your machine. Look on ebay a lot of dealers sell on ebay giving warrantees aswell. good luck seeya Neilo

 

[MAINE HILLS HUNTER]

A buddy of mine has an Ace 250 and he loves it. I have used his a few times and think it is kind of heavy compared to my current detector. Good Luck and Happy Hunting when you make your decision. I would buy one if I didnt already have a detector.

 

[red]

I see everyone is telling you to go for the Ace 250. and I have to agree. Garrett makes a great detector at every price range.I have been using Garretts for over 20yrs, although I use a Fisher CZ70 for relic hunting, when it comes to coin hunting or trashy areas I will always grab my Garrett.
But DO NOT go to Wal-Mart or the Shack for a detector you will end up getting a low end Bounty Hunter thats not worth the 100 or 200 $ you spend I know I bought one of the 200 $ ones from wall mart and it was not worth it :P. Don't get me wrong the higher end Bounty Hunters are prob great.
And don't start off hunting in parks or public areas, there is to much trash in them areas to start learning how to use a detector. the trash will drive you nuts trying to learn the settings . Although the 250 will do great at filtering trash out. Your best place to start hunting is an old house thats still standing that way you will also learn where to hunt. pay attention to where you find coins, buttons and kids toys so when you get to a place that a house was you can get a mental map of where it set and find the walk way which always gives up a coin or more the cloths line and a few more coins and buttons.
I could go on but :-The best advice to take from all us who have been detecting for years is overlap your coil every time,walk a pattern and read all the Treasure mags you can for more hints.

HH Red