Tesoro Vs All the Rest (Build Quality)

Fletch88

Silver Member
Mar 7, 2013
4,841
2,367
Valdosta, GA
Detector(s) used
Garrett ATPro- 8.5x11, 5x8, CORS Fotune 5.5x9.5
Tesoro Silver microMax- 8 donut, 8x11 RSD, 3x18 Cleansweep
Minelab Excalibur ll- 10" Tornado
Minelab CTX 3030
Minelab Xterra 305
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting

Terry Soloman

Gold Member
May 28, 2010
19,428
30,118
White Plains, New York
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1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
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Detector(s) used
Nokta Makro Legend// Pulsedive// Minelab GPZ 7000// Vanquish 540// Minelab Pro Find 35// Dune Kraken Sandscoop// Grave Digger Tools Tombstone shovel & Sidekick digger// Bunk's Hermit Pick
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Funny, I've been using Tesoro machines for 20-years, and I don't have a single complaint. Single tone does not mean you can't tell the difference between iron and a sweet target. Yes, you need to train your ear to tell the difference in tone quality, but after 50-100 hours (as with any other machine you are trying to learn), you should have it down. I've used Garrett, Whites, Fisher, Bounty Hunter, Minelab (still use the GPX 5000 in the goldfields of Arizona), and the Tesoro detectors stand up to any of them, are lighter, and have a much better warranty. I upset quite a few of my buddies that hunt with CTX 3030s and E-Tracs, because I find just as much or more than they do on any given hunt with my "cheap Tesoro."

I think that is what upsets Whites and Minelab users the most. They spent hundreds, sometimes thousands more on their machines, and a man or woman with a Tesoro finds just as much or more than they do on any given hunt. It is a real source of pain and hurt pride for many - as witnessed in this three-year-old thread.
 

dirtscratcher

Bronze Member
Mar 18, 2009
1,877
1,350
Columbia falls Montana
Detector(s) used
Minelab Sov GT Explorer XS Tesoro Vaq t2se x705
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
If you went hunting with me and found more I would be happy for you, but I still would not want to use a detector with only one tone. You like them that is cool with me. I do this for fun it would quit being fun worrying about who finds the most but that must be important to you.
 

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rws51

Full Member
May 12, 2009
124
18
I am well aware of Tesoro's new policy of charging a small fee to repair a detector if you are not the original owner. At the time I made my post about their detectors having a lifetime warranty Tesoro was repairing
detectors for free if you were the 2nd or 3rd owner of the detector. I believe the fee is 50.00 now to repair a detector not under warranty, unless there are major problems with the machine.

Having used most of Tesoro's current detectors and a couple of the older models, all I can say is they work for me. I prefer their simplicity of operation and their peformance still amazes me that something so small can pack that much punch.
My current arsenal consists of a Tejon, Compadre, and a Troy Shadow X2. These 3 detectors will relic hunt, coin hunt, and hit some of the smallest gold that most other detectors pass up....all less than the price of one of the popular high end coin detectors, and they are light as a feather to boot. I don't need nor can I afford a 2000.00 dollar detector to have fun in this hobby. If you prefer metered detectors with tones, great...but for me I don't mind digging a few more signals with my beep and digs. The main thing is use what you like and get out there and have fun! HH......

Roger
 

NeilinFR

Full Member
Oct 11, 2007
235
40
New Jersey
Detector(s) used
Teknetics T2 ltd
Minelab Etrac
Xterra 705
Shadow X5
Primary Interest:
Beach & Shallow Water Hunting
They NEVER did. That was my point.

Tesoro repaired almost all of their stuff for free for a lot of years(whether you bought it new or used) and that is the point the poster is trying to make Terry. No one is arguing about what is written, its what they did for so many years, they set a precedent that caused a little uproar and its as simple as that.
 

Terry Soloman

Gold Member
May 28, 2010
19,428
30,118
White Plains, New York
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Detector(s) used
Nokta Makro Legend// Pulsedive// Minelab GPZ 7000// Vanquish 540// Minelab Pro Find 35// Dune Kraken Sandscoop// Grave Digger Tools Tombstone shovel & Sidekick digger// Bunk's Hermit Pick
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
..they set a precedent that caused a little uproar and its as simple as that.

With who? Whites affiliates? Second-hand dealers? As far as I can tell the current Tesoro repair policy is just as good or better than any of their competitors. The vast majority of Tesoro machines NEVER require a repair due to manufacturer defects. That is why Tesoro can warranty their machines for the life of the original owner. They still work on every machine they ever built, and if they can't replace a part from a machine no longer made, they will upgrade the original owner to the newer replacement model at a price below wholesale. Does ANYONE expect ANY company to lose money? Does ANY metal detector manufacturer offer BETTER customer service than Tesoro? American made, Arizona Proud!
 

dirtscratcher

Bronze Member
Mar 18, 2009
1,877
1,350
Columbia falls Montana
Detector(s) used
Minelab Sov GT Explorer XS Tesoro Vaq t2se x705
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
With who? Whites affiliates? Second-hand dealers? As far as I can tell the current Tesoro repair policy is just as good or better than any of their competitors. The vast majority of Tesoro machines NEVER require a repair due to manufacturer defects. That is why Tesoro can warranty their machines for the life of the original owner. They still work on every machine they ever built, and if they can't replace a part from a machine no longer made, they will upgrade the original owner to the newer replacement model at a price below wholesale. Does ANYONE expect ANY company to lose money? Does ANY metal detector manufacturer offer BETTER customer service than Tesoro? American made, Arizona Proud!
Nobody insulted their warranty. I've never seen anyone lose an argument and still make a commercial out of it. I hope they are taking good care of you.
 

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smokeythecat

Gold Member
Nov 22, 2012
20,727
40,814
Maryland
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XP Deus II
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I have a pair of Cibolas and a new Vaquera. The Cibolas have been hauled thousands of miles, THROWN in and out of trunks and back seats, frozen, overheated by the sun, sprayed by salt water, dropped and sat on. They still run perfectly. The Vaquera I just got, and was up against some pulse induction machines. I have the larger loop on it, I wasn't doing too good until I got the larger loop but am now holding my own against the other guys with the larger loop. Blasted red soil. BTW _ I've also had some White's a Fisher and Garrets. They're gone. Found a snake buckle part today!
 

Terry Soloman

Gold Member
May 28, 2010
19,428
30,118
White Plains, New York
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1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
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Nokta Makro Legend// Pulsedive// Minelab GPZ 7000// Vanquish 540// Minelab Pro Find 35// Dune Kraken Sandscoop// Grave Digger Tools Tombstone shovel & Sidekick digger// Bunk's Hermit Pick
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I am not now, nor have I ever been a paid spokesperson for Tesoro. I am a true believer in Tesoro however, and have been using Jack Gifford machines since the 1970's to find treasure. I am proud to know fellow Arizonan's Vince Gifford, Rusty Henry, and have been lucky enough to visit the factory in Prescott, Arizona several times. I've had the opportunity to walk the production line and meet the folks that build these machines, test them and repair them.

I've lost a lot of arguments in my life Dirtscratcher, but when I do I don't make a habit of insulting the other party or belittling them. I have stated facts about Tesoro, not opinions when it comes to their quality, customer service and warranty. Tesoro machines FIND treasure, they always have. I have found a lot of gold with mine over the years in the Arizona desert, and the parks, woods, fields and beaches of the East Coast. You can insult me and question my integrity until the cows come home, but your opinion won’t change the facts - or my experience with Tesoro machines.

Oh, and sorry about your experience with the Cibola Elvis (DDDan). To each their own.
 

dirtscratcher

Bronze Member
Mar 18, 2009
1,877
1,350
Columbia falls Montana
Detector(s) used
Minelab Sov GT Explorer XS Tesoro Vaq t2se x705
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I am not now, nor have I ever been a paid spokesperson for Tesoro. I am a true believer in Tesoro however, and have been using Jack Gifford machines since the 1970's to find treasure. I am proud to know fellow Arizonan's Vince Gifford, Rusty Henry, and have been lucky enough to visit the factory in Prescott, Arizona several times. I've had the opportunity to walk the production line and meet the folks that build these machines, test them and repair them.

I've lost a lot of arguments in my life Dirtscratcher, but when I do I don't make a habit of insulting the other party or belittling them. I have stated facts about Tesoro, not opinions when it comes to their quality, customer service and warranty. Tesoro machines FIND treasure, they always have. I have found a lot of gold with mine over the years in the Arizona desert, and the parks, woods, fields and beaches of the East Coast. You can insult me and question my integrity until the cows come home, but your opinion won’t change the facts - or my experience with Tesoro machines.

Oh, and sorry about your experience with the Cibola Elvis (DDDan). To each their own.
I was not trying to insult you. Please tell me what facts you think I'm trying to change.
 

Keppy

Gold Member
Nov 19, 2006
8,318
2,870
N.E. Ohio on lake Erie
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** WHAT ONE I FEEL LIKE ON HUNTING DAY *****
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Other
I have a pair of Cibolas and a new Vaquera. The Cibolas have been hauled thousands of miles, THROWN in and out of trunks and back seats, frozen, overheated by the sun, sprayed by salt water, dropped and sat on. They still run perfectly. The Vaquera I just got, and was up against some pulse induction machines. I have the larger loop on it, I wasn't doing too good until I got the larger loop but am now holding my own against the other guys with the larger loop. Blasted red soil. BTW _ I've also had some White's a Fisher and Garrets. They're gone. Found a snake buckle part today!
……………….:occasion14: DSCN0071.JPG
 

Fletch88

Silver Member
Mar 7, 2013
4,841
2,367
Valdosta, GA
Detector(s) used
Garrett ATPro- 8.5x11, 5x8, CORS Fotune 5.5x9.5
Tesoro Silver microMax- 8 donut, 8x11 RSD, 3x18 Cleansweep
Minelab Excalibur ll- 10" Tornado
Minelab CTX 3030
Minelab Xterra 305
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
...................:occasion14:<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=974181"/>
Keppy, Where did you Miss Pirate avatar go? :)
 

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Hot zone

Bronze Member
Apr 26, 2012
1,032
259
Clark County Washington
Detector(s) used
Tiger Shark 8" coil, vaquero 8"x9" and 5.75" WS, clean sweep coil, Gray ghost deep woods headphones

Whites TRX pointer
, Garrett gold stinger
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Ive used a Vaquero nothing ive seen from the performance of the machine would lead me to believe it can hit coins at 12 inches ...not even set to iron discrim

I found a quarter at 12 inches once with my DeLeon... The wet sandy soil was discolored making 2 inch halo all around the heavily tarnished clad coin... While it did happen, I must say your results may vary...
 

HDRK11

Jr. Member
Feb 3, 2013
81
15
Massachusetts
Detector(s) used
Excal, MXT, Tejon & Silver Umax
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I own the Tejon and Silver and had the Tiger and Vaquero and all were solid detectors and I do not baby them. I do wish I had that Tiger again though!
 

swolfe

Full Member
Jul 8, 2012
219
437
Rockford Illinois
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
Beep and Dig Harbor Freight 9 function detector.
Whites Coinmaster DB/4
Whites Coinmaster Pro
Tesoro Vaquero
Garrett AT Pro
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I've used my vaquero for about 50 hours now. I have started hunting in all metal mode listening to the threshold. Just like screens can be inaccurate, thumbing the discrimination knob is not a reliable way to determine what is in the ground either. 12 inches on a coin sized object? I don't know about that yet, so far I've found some at roughly 7" using all metal mode and digging every sound - I cover a lot less ground this way and end up with a lot more trash than I'm used to but I think I'm learning the machine better.

I dig every chirp, hiccup and pop the machine makes, nails, bobby pins, staples, tiny bits of foil. I've noticed that common targets like pulltabs, pennies and nickels can all discriminate out just past iron sometimes but I haven't figured out why yet. After the items are dug and on the surface, they discriminate out where you'd expect them to - this continues to be confusing for me.

I do find coin targets that are pretty deep... just today I pulled a pretty ugly looking nickle at about 7" but it discriminated out in the center of the iron section on the knob. I like nickles and a lot of them seem to suffer from this "iron shift" so I just dig everything at this point. I do thumb the discrimination knob just to help me get a better idea of what the machine is saying.

Overall I'm happy with the vaquero. Performance seems to be about on par with other detectors in the same price range though. I wouldn't call it the superstar depth demon that it's hyped to be (until it proves otherwise). Isn't coil size the main factor in determining depth capabilities?
 

Fletch88

Silver Member
Mar 7, 2013
4,841
2,367
Valdosta, GA
Detector(s) used
Garrett ATPro- 8.5x11, 5x8, CORS Fotune 5.5x9.5
Tesoro Silver microMax- 8 donut, 8x11 RSD, 3x18 Cleansweep
Minelab Excalibur ll- 10" Tornado
Minelab CTX 3030
Minelab Xterra 305
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
It can hit targets much deeper if you super tune the Vaquero. I would at least try to disc out tiny bits of iron unless you have more time and patience than I do.

 

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swolfe

Full Member
Jul 8, 2012
219
437
Rockford Illinois
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
Beep and Dig Harbor Freight 9 function detector.
Whites Coinmaster DB/4
Whites Coinmaster Pro
Tesoro Vaquero
Garrett AT Pro
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
It can hit targets much deeper if you super tune the Vaquero. I would at least try to disc out tiny bits of iron unless you have more time and patience than I do.

You can't supertune it while hunting in all metal mode. The problem is that if I turn up the discrimination a hair past the click then I will miss certain nickles and pennies. If I ever figure out why some buried coins come in so close to iron, and can change it, then I'd use the discrimination. I've watched that person's vids and if I were to use his suggested discrimination setting, I'd miss some coins (again, mainly nickles... dimes come in better than those). I noticed that for the actual test he runs the discrimination very low, rather than leaving it just behind the "five cent mark", he's in the range on the knob that I am talking about. I'm sure this isn't a coincidence.

That's sort of the point of a tesoro anyway, right? Trust nothing and dig everything! Most of the time you won't be surprised but sometimes you might!

In the video he does dimes at 6 and 8 inches. I don't have trouble with that depth range. The 12 inch claims on coin sized objects are the ones that I can't yet attest to.
 

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