Tesoro Sidewinder uMax

SkiWhiz

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Location
Upstate New York
Detector(s) used
Tesoro Euro Sabre
The Sidewinder was one of the first of the umax mini box detectors that were introduced in about 1995 or 96. It was a great little machine then and will still be. They were considered intro machines because of their simplicity, but are still Tesoros which means quality and usability. Tesoro is my own detector of choice and has never let me down. If you later go to a more complex machine, that Sidewinder will still be a most excellent backup.
Have fun.
 

I bought one used a couple of years ago and I will never part with it. It's great for tot-lot hunting with the 8" coil and gets an added extra depth punch when you switch to all metal mode on those faint, iffy signals. pinpointing is superb. You don't see these too often for sale and I can see why. A good clean unit will run in the $150 range - well worth it.
 

mercy sakes ever try to find one two years looking for one,found one today 01/26/18.They are as hard to find as a good 1266-x fisher!Had to give $175 ,but the asking price was $250 with bags & headphones,offered $150 ,but the guy would not budge from $175 without bags and phones.jwm45
 

Hi all, I just bought a Tesoro Sidewinder uMax from a fella on one of the forums. I have never heard of this model before but being a Tesoro it should be a good one. In my opinion Tesoro makes the best detectors and has the best service. Steve.

If you're not happy with it, I'll gladly purchase it from you.
 

If you're not happy with it, I'll gladly purchase it from you.

That post was made a decade ago in 08 lol. I'm sure if he didnt like it he passed it on by now.
This is probably the oldest thread I've seen resurrected since joining lol.
Just letting you know so you don't get your hopes up :-)
 

I've had been looking for a nice Sidewinder Umax a long time. Finally found a mint one a few weeks ago. I have used it once hitting 2 tot lots one day. s-l1600 (77).webp s-l1600 (78).webp
 

Very nice! Thanks for the pics.
 

The user manual shows which pot to adjust for the Ground Balance. When I told Rusty Henry that one time he didn’t believe me!!
 

I like the sound of it's tones better than my other Tesoro's. It's higher pitched. Being it's so nice I plan to use it for a few tot lot hunts a year only.
 

I like the sound of it's tones better than my other Tesoro's. It's higher pitched. Being it's so nice I plan to use it for a few tot lot hunts a year only.

When I got my first Bandido microMAX I said the same thing; too nice to use except on special occasions. Then I starting using it more. And more. Still looks pretty, still works great.
Just use it - that’s what they were made for and there’s nothing really special about any of them. Be careful when changing the battery so you don’t wreck the plug or pull the wires out.
Take care of it and it’ll last for years. They’re just metal detectors.
 

I love that color scheme and graphic. How old are these? kHz? I bet it does have a great tone. My eldorado umax had great sound.
 

I love that color scheme and graphic. How old are these? kHz? I bet it does have a great tone. My eldorado umax had great sound.

I have the original manual and warranty card from 1997. 12 kHz. It does not perform as well as the Silver Umax's and Mojave which is why I'll just use it for tot lots. It's more like the Compadre performance wise.
 

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?.It's more like the Compadre performance wise.

That’s also how my Cutlass μMAX seems. Also have a Cutlass II μMAX and I’m a bit embarrassed to say - I haven’t even taken that one detecting yet. It’s supposed to be much like the Silver.
 

No rabbit trail, I'm just another Tesoro lover, a Cibola to be exact,
and it has given me nothing but joy, ever since 2007!
Great service then, and I only HAD to send it in once, to get my machines's
pinpointer button fixed/replaced....Its a tough lil' bugger, and lite weight, too...!
Did I mention simple....?
 

That’s also how my Cutlass μMAX seems. Also have a Cutlass II μMAX and I’m a bit embarrassed to say - I haven’t even taken that one detecting yet. It’s supposed to be much like the Silver.

I just hurriedly bought a Cutlass Umax on Ebay. I hope to be able to clean and polish it up after I get it tomorrow. I probably should have waited for a Cutlass II though. Saw one perform pretty well on a Youtube vid.
 

I just picked up a Mojave and a Compadre nib from eBay. I’m very impressed with the Mojave. It will disc out bottle caps with the foil on them and still ring loud and clear on the gold.
 

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