Seriouls considring

CaptnJohn

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Location
SE NC & FL
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT PRO
Primary Interest:
Beach & Shallow Water Hunting
but open to suggestions. The Ace 400 is in a good price range for a 1st detector for me. I've read about better but going from $340 to $550 or more to start I'm not sure of. I'll mostly be searching the NC and FL beaches. If it is a bad idea I'll be open to others. 1st off, I'm 70 and unable to walk far or stand long periods ~ another reason to start conservatively.
 

It isn't a salt water detector, it is single frequency not designed for salt beaches.
 

It isn't a salt water detector, it is single frequency not designed for salt beaches.

I'd like to cap the unit around $400 as a pointer and etc is still needed. Open to any suggestions...
 

You might look at a used one from a seller here and find a good one for the beach in your range.
 

of the detectors in that price rang the 400 would be the last one I would choose. I have one and it is sorry.
 

That one will be fine for dry sand. I also have your physical issues, and so don't go in the water, it's too dangerous for me to walk there. The really wet sand is another whole animal and there is no new detector in that price range that will do it for you. Weight of the machine and balance of the machine are also issues to consider.
 

That one will be fine for dry sand. I also have your physical issues, and so don't go in the water, it's too dangerous for me to walk there. The really wet sand is another whole animal and there is no new detector in that price range that will do it for you. Weight of the machine and balance of the machine are also issues to consider.

As mentioned this unit does not have ground balance (it is fixed) and the coil end is adult sized and the cuff is youth sized so it is very nose heavy. It is absolutely not a beach machine.
 

I'd like to cap the unit around $400 as a pointer and etc is still needed. Open to any suggestions...

Up your cap to $650 or $552 if your in military or a vet and get the Minelab Equinox 600, the Nox is waterproof to 10 foot, is multifreq so it will run great on salt beaches and far more versatile.
 

You might look at a used one from a seller here and find a good one for the beach in your range.

Thanks ~~ I've been to the classifieds here and will keep checking. No faith in Craigslist though.
 

Up your cap to $650 or $552 if your in military or a vet and get the Minelab Equinox 600, the Nox is waterproof to 10 foot, is multifreq so it will run great on salt beaches and far more versatile.

No longer "IN" the military but do have base privileges. Are these available at the exchange?


Whoops ~~ only Bounty Hunter models at the Army / Air Force exchange and nothing at the Navy exchange.
 

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You might should consider White's Treasure Pro. Around $375 I think. It has manual or automatic ground balancing. I think it has a beach mode. I don't have one but have watched reviews on Youtube.
 

You might should consider White's Treasure Pro. Around $375 I think. It has manual or automatic ground balancing. I think it has a beach mode. I don't have one but have watched reviews on Youtube.

It is a single freq detector using 8.2 khz, it is NOT a salt water machine.
 

No longer "IN" the military but do have base privileges. Are these available at the exchange?


Whoops ~~ only Bounty Hunter models at the Army / Air Force exchange and nothing at the Navy exchange.

No but you do not have to currently be in military, just be a vet, active or past.
 

While visiting my daughter this AM I ordered the Garrett AT Pro from Big Boy Toys. Bart indicated it was marginal for the beach but would work. He did mention the NOX but at another $150 ($650 vs $499). He answered all questions and was not pushy. Thank y'all for steering me away from the Ace 400 as it would not do near what I want.
 

Congrats.......I think your going to wish you up graded, huge difference between Equinox and AT Pro. I have a friend using AT Pro and AT Max and after using a Equinox he wishes he had bout it instead of the Max.
 

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Congrats.......I think your going to wish you up graded, huge difference between Equinox and AT Pro. I have a friend using AT Pro and AT Max and after using a Equinox he wishes he had bout it instead of the Max.

Well, I'll give it 6 months or so. If enjoyed and not over taxing physical limitations the Pro can go on Craigslist and get the NOX. I'm hoping to be able to walk more than 1/2 mile over time. May need mule to carry a chair to stop a while on. :laughing7:
 

Cap'n, I think you made a decent choice. I have the 400 and while I love it for coins and relics, it sucks on the beach. I have seen the Hunter GT use a Patriot on wet sand to good effect, but that's the cheapest machine I have seen. The AT-Pro is good for fresh water but you have to crank down the sensitivity for wet sand. I hate to say it, because I love Garrett, but the Nox 600 would have been the best choice for a beach machine, and one I am looking closely at for my retirement machine.
 

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