Suggestions wanted for first silver metal detector

[Punchy71]

Hi,
I am completely new to Metal Detectors and have never owned one before. Recently, I have been thinking of buying my first one and I've thought I would like one that is particularly good at detecting silver because that is primarily what I am interested in searching for (especially silver coins and silver caches). So I am wondering if anyone can recommend certain makes and models from both the past and present that are especially good at silver finding- a "Silver Bloodhound" so to speak. Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

 

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[Digger2]

Welcome to the forum Punchy71. Maybe a little more information on your price range would help, but I really like the Garrett ATPro, but any of the middle priced (and up) detectors will get the job done. The ones that are better at finding silver are in use by the folks doing research and knowing their detectors.
Hope this helps.

Roy

 

[christo000]

I agree with digger along with mayb ur range in which u are thinkin on & I know u said u wanted mainly silver now where are u thinkin of hunting beaches,parks,homesites,land,sea a lot of those will factor in the model aswell but for now welcome to the site lots of info & very nice people here along with a list of great vendors

 

[fella]

Maybe a little more information on your price range would help,

Yep, what you wanna spend?

 

[strateloss]

There's a wide range, from a couple hundred to a couple grand.

 

[Punchy71]

There's a wide range, from a couple hundred to a couple grand.

Since I'm a beginner I don't want to spend too much until I get a feel for things. So I am thinking in the $500 and under range. So $500, the $400 range, $300 range and less. The $100 range and $200 range are naturally more attractive than the upper limit of that range, of course, since I'm a beginner.
Also, I live in NorthWestern Missouri and I'm not familiar with the ground conditions in this state. I would probably expect to try my hand in the neighboring states of Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa as well.
As far as where I would be hunting, well this area is pretty land-locked, so mostly parks, homesites, and other similar land sites. We do have a few beaches here in the midwest but they are scattered.

 

[fella]

With a price point of 500, definitely one of the Tesoros. The Outlaw, Vaquero or the Golden uMax all come to mind.
These machine are probably the best machines in their price range and perform better than most machines costing twice as much. The three models I listed are all beep and dig units and do not have a display. If you feel you want a detector that has a display, maybe a Whites Coinmaster GT ($400), Garrett Ace 350 ($300).
However, if just want to get into the hobby to see if you like it, don't want to spend a lot of of money, want a capable machine, look no further than the Tesoro Compadre. Hard to find anyone that doesn't like theirs. Tesoro Metal Detectors - Official company web site with metal detector models for treasure hunting land or water.

 

[dirtscratcher]

I would check finds forum and see who is finding silver and noting with what type of detector. Seems to be a pattern on this and other forums whay type finds silver really well. 500 dollars will buy a heck of a good detector.

 

[Longhair]

From purely a technical standpoint, a machine that runs a lower frequency will get better response from silver than one that runs a faster frequency. It is why units like an E-Trac are so successful. According to research that George Payne (the father of modern detector design) did years ago, a silver dime responds best to a frequency of 2.7 kHz. Nickels and gold jewelry respond best around 16.5 kHz. All other US coins are most responsive to frequencies under 10 kHz. Gold nuggets are better served with a frequency of 20 kHz or faster.

 

[christo000]

From purely a technical standpoint, a machine that runs a lower frequency will get better response from silver than one that runs a faster frequency. It is why units like an E-Trac are so successful. According to research that George Payne (the father of modern detector design) did years ago, a silver dime responds best to a frequency of 2.7 kHz. Nickels and gold jewelry respond best around 16.5 kHz. All other US coins are most responsive to frequencies under 10 kHz. Gold nuggets are better served with a frequency of 20 kHz or faster.

Along with that the whites v3i also uses 3 frequencies a 2.5, 7.5, & a 22.5 from my experience in what I've hunted I've had pretty good luck in the silver areas @ parks & older home sights

 

[dholland02]

Look Into the xterra line that minelab has. Ive read good things from them. I own a safari and absolutely love it. Just stay away from the garrett ace line. The bell tone on them will drive u nuts, atleast it did me.