Tesoro metal detectors?

[Jovan421]

What like some info abot these detectors nd what makes them so great. Also compared to VDI display detectors. thanks

 

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[locater]

My buddy found his first nuggets recently with a GMT & 4x6" sniper coil. The Lobo can, and does track out good targets if you are not careful. That is why Dave Johnson (Fisher, Whites, Tesoro, engineer) does not use tracking on any of his later designs. Customers found they didn't miss it. Gold Bug 2 is a standard go-to machine for many and has NO tracking. As long as you stay on top of checking/adjusting GB every few feet in hot ground, you won't miss anything by not having tracking.

Thanks for your input atomicscott,
After pretty extensive research, I thought the GMT was the best fit for me. The GB 2 has a great rep on small gold, but it's high freq., I'm thinking may inhibit some depth. It probably picks up every bit of mineralization, and although experienced at detecting, I'm new to nugget hunting. I figured the constant adjusting to the ground balance would be a bit distracting. The short list consisted of the Gold Bug Pro and the GMT. Both have readouts of ground mineralization, which I like. Both have manual ground balance. The Gold Bug Pro is a better all around detector, as it has general detecting ability with it's discrimination ability. In the end the GMT won out. So far I am not disappointed. I will not go out west until after I retire, but have been getting to know it's abilities with small lead and iron bits. I have some black sand from the Lake MI shore to practice with also. I should have pretty good knowledge of it by the time I head to gold country.

 

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[atomicscott]

Thanks for your input atomicscott,
After pretty extensive research, I thought the GMT was the best fit for me. The GB 2 has a great rep on small gold, but it's high freq., I'm thinking may inhibit some depth. It probably picks up every bit of mineralization, and although experienced at detecting, I'm new to nugget hunting. I figured the constant adjusting to the ground balance would be a bit distracting. The short list consisted of the Gold Bug Pro and the GMT. Both have readouts of ground mineralization, which I like. Both have manual ground balance. The Gold Bug Pro is a better all around detector, as it has general detecting ability with it's discrimination ability. In the end the GMT won out. So far I am not disappointed. I will not go out west until after I retire, but have been getting to know it's abilities with small lead and iron bits. I have some black sand from the Lake MI shore to practice with also. I should have pretty good knowledge of it by the time I head to gold country.

The GMT has stood the test of time. It's been around forever, even the older Gold Master 2 was proven to find the small gold. 48 khz is as high as needed, unless you like trying to find fly-poop size gold. Even my Vaquero (14.75 khz) would find tiny sub-grain lead shot @ 2-3" depth.

 

[atomicscott]

The GMT has stood the test of time. It's been around forever, even the older Gold Master 2 was proven to find the small gold. 48 khz is as high as needed, unless you like trying to find fly-poop size gold. Even my Vaquero (14.75 khz) would find tiny sub-grain lead shot @ 2-3" depth.

If you do come out to Cali, let me know. I know some spots in the desert that have produced many ounces. I'm itching to get out there again myself!

 

[ACduCE]

What like some info abot these detectors nd what makes them so great. Also compared to VDI display detectors. thanks

I punched a hole in the coil of my Sand Shark while detecting in Spain. I express mailed it back to Tesoro in Prescott and they replaced the coil and had it back in express mail overseas on the day they received it! I got the SS back in 4 days. As I bought the SS second-hand it was not covered by the Tesoro warranty but I have no doubt that if it had been covered Rusty at Tesoro would have replaced it at no cost for the coil. I think Tesoro charges $50 fee for all repairs but dont quote me on that.
The only complaint I have about the SS is all the overburden I remove to get to targets!!!!! I use a Compadre the little bit I work dry sand and a display would be a nice feature to help discriminate out the 1,2 and 5 centimo Euro clad coins but discrimination is a judgement call at best.
e

 

[Keppy]

I will say Terry that ps249 did put up a pretty sorry post i never did or never will like a post like that..

 

[dirtscratcher]

You ask if being given thousands of dollars in detectors makes you a paid spokesman the answer has to be hell yes.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Warning issued to PS249......Everyone, please end the insults so we don't have to take action.......

 

[Terry Soloman]

I LOVE personal attacks. This type of response brings into focus how weak and desperate some people become when they realize that their belief systems are flawed. They quickly move away from reason, or educated debate, and simply degenerate into personal attacks and name calling.

The Tesoro haters decided long ago that they could not attack Tesoro or their machines because of their quality, technology, service, or treasure producing results, so they chose another target to attack – me. Why me? Because I have never let Whites, Fisher, and Garrett dealers get away with their fictitious attacks on Tesoro, as the Company continues to eat away at their market share largely through word-of-mouth.

I have strong opinions, and that makes me a target for other people with strong opinions that are different than mine. I do get a chuckle out of some of my critics though, especially when they try and make their points with half-truths and flawed information.

One brings up the fact that Dave Johnson designed three different VLF gold nugget hunting machines, but doesn’t seem to be clear on when the machines (designed for three different companies) were released, or why they differ in their design. Here is a quote I love:

“The Lobo can, and does track out good targets if you are not careful. That is why Dave Johnson (Fisher, Whites, Tesoro, engineer) does not use tracking on any of his later designs. Customers found they didn't miss it. Gold Bug 2 is a standard go-to machine for many and has NO tracking.”

Of course, the Fisher Goldbug II was released in 1995, and the Tesoro Lobo Super Traq was released in 1997, but hey, facts don’t really matter – or, do they? Auto ground tracking simply means the LST’s computerized ground tracking system solves the greatest problem the Goldbug II has, having to re-ground balance every 20-meters in places like the Weaver and Bradshaw Mountains of Arizona. Do folks think Dave Johnson wanted to design an inferior machine, or do you think he wanted to continue to improve on his design?

I’ve used, and taught people to use the Whites GMT, Fisher Goldbug II, and the Tesoro Lobo Super Traq. All three are great machines, and they ALL find gold. I chose the Lobo Super Traq for our gold prospecting school for several reasons - it finds gold as well as any other VLF nuggetshooter; it is lightweight and tough as nails; it is easier to set up and learn than ANY other nuggetshooter on the market; it has auto ground tracking; has a Lifetime warranty; and it is made in Arizona.

Now, the Tesoro sponsorship story is a good one. When I first started my company, I approached Tesoro and asked them to be a sponsor but they refused since it was new and really had no track record. After we had been in business for several years – and we had bought and were using a couple dozen Lobo Super Traq machines, I developed a relationship with Rusty Henry, and Vince Gifford. I finally convinced the Company that a sponsorship would be a good thing since they could train all of our instructors, and do annual checks of all our machines as part of their ongoing quality assurance and control testing. Yes, they did give us several machines as part of the sponsorship, all of which we gave away in several online promotions to boost our business.

I have a great relationship with Tesoro, and even though we have not had an official sponsorship agreement since 2012, I still visit the factory and Vince and Rusty, when I’m in Arizona, and will always use their machines. I believe Tesoro VLF machines are just as good - or better, than any other brand or machine I have ever used. I keep hoping they will make me a true nuggetshooting Pulse Induction machine (right now we teach the Minelab GPX 5000). Does that make me a paid Tesoro spokesperson? I guess it does in some people’s minds, but I don’t lose any sleep over it. I do get a lot of laughs out of it though.

 

[TheGoldProspector]

Very very well thought through.

I wouldnt disagree..

 

[dirtscratcher]

I LOVE personal attacks. This type of response brings into focus how weak and desperate some people become when they realize that their belief systems are flawed. They quickly move away from reason, or educated debate, and simply degenerate into personal attacks and name calling.

The Tesoro haters decided long ago that they could not attack Tesoro or their machines because of their quality, technology, service, or treasure producing results, so they chose another target to attack – me. Why me? Because I have never let Whites, Fisher, and Garrett dealers get away with their fictitious attacks on Tesoro, as the Company continues to eat away at their market share largely through word-of-mouth.

I have strong opinions, and that makes me a target for other people with strong opinions that are different than mine. I do get a chuckle out of some of my critics though, especially when they try and make their points with half-truths and flawed information.

One brings up the fact that Dave Johnson designed three different VLF gold nugget hunting machines, but doesn’t seem to be clear on when the machines (designed for three different companies) were released, or why they differ in their design. Here is a quote I love:

“The Lobo can, and does track out good targets if you are not careful. That is why Dave Johnson (Fisher, Whites, Tesoro, engineer) does not use tracking on any of his later designs. Customers found they didn't miss it. Gold Bug 2 is a standard go-to machine for many and has NO tracking.”

Of course, the Fisher Goldbug II was released in 1995, and the Tesoro Lobo Super Traq was released in 1997, but hey, facts don’t really matter – or, do they? Auto ground tracking simply means the LST’s computerized ground tracking system solves the greatest problem the Goldbug II has, having to re-ground balance every 20-meters in places like the Weaver and Bradshaw Mountains of Arizona. Do folks think Dave Johnson wanted to design an inferior machine, or do you think he wanted to continue to improve on his design?

I’ve used, and taught people to use the Whites GMT, Fisher Goldbug II, and the Tesoro Lobo Super Traq. All three are great machines, and they ALL find gold. I chose the Lobo Super Traq for our gold prospecting school for several reasons - it finds gold as well as any other VLF nuggetshooter; it is lightweight and tough as nails; it is easier to set up and learn than ANY other nuggetshooter on the market; it has auto ground tracking; has a Lifetime warranty; and it is made in Arizona.

Now, the Tesoro sponsorship story is a good one. When I first started my company, I approached Tesoro and asked them to be a sponsor but they refused since it was new and really had no track record. After we had been in business for several years – and we had bought and were using a couple dozen Lobo Super Traq machines, I developed a relationship with Rusty Henry, and Vince Gifford. I finally convinced the Company that a sponsorship would be a good thing since they could train all of our instructors, and do annual checks of all our machines as part of their ongoing quality assurance and control testing. Yes, they did give us several machines as part of the sponsorship, all of which we gave away in several online promotions to boost our business.

I have a great relationship with Tesoro, and even though we have not had an official sponsorship agreement since 2012, I still visit the factory and Vince and Rusty, when I’m in Arizona, and will always use their machines. I believe Tesoro VLF machines are just as good - or better, than any other brand or machine I have ever used. I keep hoping they will make me a true nuggetshooting Pulse Induction machine (right now we teach the Minelab GPX 5000). Does that make me a paid Tesoro spokesperson? I guess it does in some people’s minds, but I don’t lose any sleep over it. I do get a lot of laughs out of it though.

What is funnier than all that is it is usually you that starts the name calling as anyone that has been here more than a short time knows. There will always be new people coming in to the hobby and listen to your sales pitch and join the ranks of the disappointed like so many have and when they say anything against your sales pitch it will be the same old thing you'll make it a point to thrash them because their opinions differ from yours kind of like a broken record. Kind of like Charlie sheen telling us he was winning. I guess if you repeat it over enough you believe.

 

[TheGoldProspector]

Not to get into the middle of this, for I know near Nothing about MD.
...yet, DS, don't you own a Tesoro? Then are you just blatantly attacking TS for debating 'others'; and not what he has to say about Tesoro?

kind of out of line, yet, as has been said before, humans will always think 'my rock is better than yours..chevy is better than ford so I own 7'....
..same poor relationships.

Heavy pans to you all - or HeavyPouches for those who MD and not prospect...

 

[Terry Soloman]

I love you Dirtscratcher.

 

[dirtscratcher]

Not to get into the middle of this, for I know near Nothing about MD.
...yet, DS, don't you own a Tesoro? Then are you just blatantly attacking TS for debating 'others'; and not what he has to say about Tesoro?

kind of out of line, yet, as has been said before, humans will always think 'my rock is better than yours..chevy is better than ford so I own 7'....
..same poor relationships.

Heavy pans to you all - or HeavyPouches for those who MD and not prospect...

Yes I do and thanks for asking . I own a vaquero that I used for a year and a half and was a terrible dissapointment . I actually researched quite a bit hearing it will do anything the more advanced detectors will is just what I wanted to hear. I kept coming back to the forums and reading about the different difference in tone even thought it only has one which blows my mind how that could be reasoned as better. Fact is after that year and a half I dug tons of stuff way to much junk and 4 or 5 silver coins. After what I feel was a waste of 450 I bought a multitone vid detector that is supposed to be so hard to learn and in a couple months time started digging more silver coins in a day than the year and a half with the vaq. The only reason I respond to this thread is to show there is a whole other side to the story and maybe the next guy will research all sides of the story. Oh and last but not least the headphone plug could not have been designed worse and the pole squeaked just like the other three vaquero that I have swung.

 

[atomicscott]

Yes I do and thanks for asking . I own a vaquero that I used for a year and a half and was a terrible dissapointment . I actually researched quite a bit hearing it will do anything the more advanced detectors will is just what I wanted to hear. I kept coming back to the forums and reading about the different difference in tone even thought it only has one which blows my mind how that could be reasoned as better. Fact is after that year and a half I dug tons of stuff way to much junk and 4 or 5 silver coins. After what I feel was a waste of 450 I bought a multitone vid detector that is supposed to be so hard to learn and in a couple months time started digging more silver coins in a day than the year and a half with the vaq. The only reason I respond to this thread is to show there is a whole other side to the story and maybe the next guy will research all sides of the story. Oh and last but not least the headphone plug could not have been designed worse and the pole squeaked just like the other three vaquero that I have swung.

I had the exact same experience with my Vaquero, I researched, watched the videos, learned all the tips. I 'power balanced' & 'super tuned'. It only made the disc less accurate, and spinning knobs to check a target is horse & buggy thinking. Terry makes the Vaquero seem so great, yet I found much more with my other detectors (even the lowly F2) & dug way less rusty iron, and trash in general. As I've said before, in all metal I think the Vaquero works great, and makes a good budget nugget shooter with a small DD coil.

 

[locater]

Written by a person that has obviously never owned or used a Tesoro. Oh, and I LOVE this line: "I can set a tone for aluminum, foil, nickles and silver or copper pennies on up and know what I'm hitting without even looking at the meter.." Sure you can Daniel, sure you can

Terry,
What Daniel said about setting tones is correct!

I have no desire to get caught up in any personal disagreements, frankly, I find them unproductive.

For the sake of accuracy. I refer you to page 36 of the Minelab: CTX 3030 Manual, titled "Tone ID Profile". The operator can indeed assign tone/pitch to specific ferrous and conductive parameters, for customized audio ID. The visual and AUDIO ID abilities of some of these new machines are quite remarkable.

 

[Keppy]

……..Well that is the problem of treasure forums… Ones will hear and read about what every one has to say about the brand they use and love …. And it could be any brand so they run out and buy that brand and then they are very unhappy with the detector…...My self i have almost done that went and bought a detector brand that ones have posted as the deepest the great Discrim… the best VID …. best one for every thing …. . ​But then i start thinking the detector brand i use has done great for me why do i want to change detectors … So i just keep the brands i have always used for all these years… And i am happy and do not have to blame some one else for my bad decision's...

 

[rainyday101]

Terry,
What Daniel said about setting tones is correct!

I have no desire to get caught up in any personal disagreements, frankly, I find them unproductive.

For the sake of accuracy. I refer you to page 36 of the Minelab: CTX 3030 Manual, titled "Tone ID Profile". The operator can indeed assign tone/pitch to specific ferrous and conductive parameters, for customized audio ID. The visual and AUDIO ID abilities of some of these new machines are quite remarkable.

These new machines are incredible. Incredibly priced! That's lots of money for a clad stabber!

To each his own. Some car collectors like AMC Pacers, some like Ferrari's.

 

[dirtscratcher]

These new machines are incredible. Incredibly priced! That's lots of money for a clad stabber!

To each his own. Some car collectors like AMC Pacers, some like Ferrari's.

Thing is you can get a former top of the line detector a few years old for the price of a vaquero. Anyone buying a 3030 is probably not a cladstabber. I bought my explorer for $400 and see deals like that every now and then.

 

[Terry Soloman]

"Ultimately the only person that can determine what works best for you in your ground is you." - Steve Herschbach

 

[Normsel]

I agree 100% with Keppy. Stick with what you know and are comfy with. Detector brands are pretty much like cars. They all have different models and options. I out grew my 1st detector so I moved up a model and then i moved up again for the challenge and to see how much better a detector can be for double the money. I learned one thing for sure. You will not find any more with a $2500 detector then you will with a $600 detector. You just have a better chance knowing what it is before you dig.

Bells and whistles cost money no matter what brand a person buys.