tools of the trade

[snowskate]

After breaking my 3rd digging tool on my last outting I decided to buy a Lesche. ($38 shipped usps priority from colonial metal detectors on ebay if anyone else needs one). What other tools are a must when detecting?

Probe: Sunray vs. Pistol Probe

From what I've read/seen, the pistol probes twice as deep as the sunray, but the sunray looks like it might be more convenient. Anyone used both and want to weigh in?

Headphones:

Right now I am using iPod headphones with a volume control. It works but I will have to upgrade sometime in the near future. Is there a brand everyone is using? Anyone had any experience with wireless?

Misc:

What type of pouches/bags are people using for trash and treasure? Is there anything else I should carry with me?

Detector:

Right now I am using an Ace 250. Every "experienced" detector I have seen has always upgraded, and I will too. I have done a lot of research and have decided on either Whites or Minelab.
Whites MXT vs Minelab Explorer
Whites DFX vs Minelab Etrac

Can anyone convince me?

 

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[tmanfromtexas]

After breaking my 3rd digging tool on my last outting I decided to buy a Lesche. ($38 shipped usps priority from colonial metal detectors on ebay if anyone else needs one). What other tools are a must when detecting? a shovel if you get an etrac

Probe: Sunray vs. Pistol Probe I used a handheld probe then I switched a sunray probe. You are using the metal detector to find the depth and location and possible target id. Why does the probe need depth?

From what I've read/seen, the pistol probes twice as deep as the sunray, but the sunray looks like it might be more convenient. Anyone used both and want to weigh in?

Headphones:

Right now I am using iPod headphones with a volume control. It works but I will have to upgrade sometime in the near future. Is there a brand everyone is using? Anyone had any experience with wireless? I use Koss headphones but that is just me.

Misc:

What type of pouches/bags are people using for trash and treasure? Is there anything else I should carry with me? I use a minelab pouch but you can get one from the hardware store along with a belt to hang it from and your lesche and your shovel

Detector:

Right now I am using an Ace 250. Every "experienced" detector I have seen has always upgraded, and I will too. I have done a lot of research and have decided on either Whites or Minelab.
Whites MXT vs Minelab Explorer
Whites DFX vs Minelab Etrac

I use an etrac. If you use a whites mxt then you dont need the shovel. I guess it depends on if you want to carry a shovel or not as to which detector you get. LOL

Can anyone convince me?

 

[p2c]

After breaking my 3rd digging tool on my last outting I decided to buy a Lesche. ($38 shipped usps priority from colonial metal detectors on ebay if anyone else needs one). What other tools are a must when detecting?

I'd also suggest at some point getting a Sampson digging tool. Lesche and other manufacturers make them. Mine is made by WWM or something like that. They make digging deep a lot easier.

Probe: Sunray vs. Pistol Probe

From what I've read/seen, the pistol probes twice as deep as the sunray, but the sunray looks like it might be more convenient. Anyone used both and want to weigh in?

I haven't used both, but will comment... some people who have minelab Etracs find the pistol probe and the Etrac can interfere with each other. The pistol probe will be much deeper. The sunray will allow you to ID what you are scoping out, which is good if there is a trash target and good target in the same hole. The pistol probe you can use with any detector, the Sunray will only work with the one detector its made for. The sunray wont run low on batteries (unless you run your detector down) ie no separate batteries. With the sunray, however, if you forget to switch back to coil, you can go swing for a while with your coil off (I know, I've done this). I like the sunray.

Headphones:

Right now I am using iPod headphones with a volume control. It works but I will have to upgrade sometime in the near future. Is there a brand everyone is using? Anyone had any experience with wireless?

Headphones are actually very important. IF you are hunting where there is not a lot of noise, I think the Ipod phones will be okay, but if there is traffic, wind, etc that can impair what you are hearing, you could miss faint signals. I think people have a lot of individual preferences, so talk to a lot of people. I am just using the stock pair that came with my Etrac and I like them, but they lack the ability to adjust the volume or open and close noise blocking per ear that other sets of earphones might have.

Misc:

What type of pouches/bags are people using for trash and treasure? Is there anything else I should carry with me?

I currently use an old messenger style bag (backpacks don't work for me for swinging and I hate the aprons). It's not very ergonomic though. But I want something that partially hides my sampson tool so on lookers don't jump to false conclusions that I am digging huge holes or something. I also keep pepper spray with me. I take a bottle of water to put the coins I find in (never rub a good coin to clean it). I also have 3x4 ziplock bags to put the good finds in. I also take a towel if I am digging somewhere where the grass is nice to collect all the dirt from the plug/hole, so its easier to refill the hole and leaves less of a mess.

Detector:

Right now I am using an Ace 250. Every "experienced" detector I have seen has always upgraded, and I will too. I have done a lot of research and have decided on either Whites or Minelab.
Whites MXT vs Minelab Explorer
Whites DFX vs Minelab Etrac

I use the Etrac. You can get them for 1295 new if you know who to buy them from and forgo all the "freebies". The Etrac rocks on coins. It Rocks in places that have been "hunted out". It allows you to also really analyze the target well before you dig. And did I say it is deep! I can't comment on whites, I used Fisher before. I have heard people who have the whites v3 with the cordless headphones complain about lag time between when the coil passes over the target and when they hear it in the headphones.

Can anyone convince me?
[/quote]

 

[snowskate]

All good info, thanks! I am pretty sold on the E-Trac if I can get it for that price. Lowest I've seen new is 1500 with all the free stuff, where can I get it for cheaper?

 

[p2c]

All good info, thanks! I am pretty sold on the E-Trac if I can get it for that price. Lowest I've seen new is 1500 with all the free stuff, where can I get it for cheaper?

PM sent

 

[treasurefiend]

I used to have a handheld pinpointer and I gotta say it was more of a hassle than anything. I forgot it at a few holes, batteries dead, forgot to turn it on, ect. Then I bought the sunray in-line prob and now I never have to worry about it anymore. Also like said above, all the handheld pinpointers out there will just tell you something is in the hole, but the sunray will let you know which is a good target and what is garbage. Also you can pinpoint with the sunray (helps when you have multiple targets in a hole.) It is really a 1" coil that is attached to your detector.

I went and bought the green canvase pouch from Kelly Co. and am very happy with it. I think its like $15 and the thing is great and will last for 100 years!!! I also bought a "web belt" $10 from Kelly Co. but its cheap and am planning to go to Home Depot and buying a better one or maybe just going to an Army surplus store to get a real one.

As for a digging tool, yes buy the Leache but also go to Home Depot and buy a small D Handle shovel, they are the tiny ones and are $10. This is one tool has saved me time and my sanity on plenty of occasions while out in the woods.

As for headphones I used the Koss ones that came with my detector until they died on me (about a year) then I got a pair of Black Widows and have been using them ever since.

 

[DPBOB]

Got a Whites XLT for sale w/ Sunray probe P M if interested

Ditto on the above....

 

[DPBOB]

I used to have a handheld pinpointer and I gotta say it was more of a hassle than anything. I forgot it at a few holes, batteries dead, forgot to turn it on, ect. Then I bought the sunray in-line prob and now I never have to worry about it anymore. Also like said above, all the handheld pinpointers out there will just tell you something is in the hole, but the sunray will let you know which is a good target and what is garbage. Also you can pinpoint with the sunray (helps when you have multiple targets in a hole.) It is really a 1" coil that is attached to your detector.

I went and bought the green canvase pouch from Kelly Co. and am very happy with it. I think its like $15 and the thing is great and will last for 100 years!!! I also bought a "web belt" $10 from Kelly Co. but its cheap and am planning to go to Home Depot and buying a better one or maybe just going to an Army surplus store to get a real one.

As for a digging tool, yes buy the Leache but also go to Home Depot and buy a small D Handle shovel, they are the tiny ones and are $10. This is one tool has saved me time and my sanity on plenty of occasions while out in the woods.

As for headphones I used the Koss ones that came with my detector until they died on me (about a year) then I got a pair of Black Widows and have been using them ever since.

Kross will fix them for free

 

[twistidd]

I pretty much agree that the mighty Etrac can't be beat. I don't even own one, but it's no coincidence that the majority of the best finds found anywhere are with Minelab machines. I have used several detectors over the years and my current daily driver is the White's M6. If the Etrac is a super-advanced super computer, then the M6 is what many might consider an Apple 2. However, some people can become hackers with those Apple 2's...

I get decent depth with my M6, probably not as much as your average SE or Etrac, but I have found that it's not always the depth of the good stuff, it's the placement of the good stuff within the trash that matters. Pretty much any mid-to high-end machine is capable of being able to sniff out the good stuff in trashy areas, but it's time and experience that will ultimately get you that stuff. Using, an Ace 250 for example, will more than likely not get you good stuff in a trash-ridden park. The reason being, is because all you'll hear is ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding over and over again. I'm not knocking the Ace, but it's simply not made for that kind of stuff. A machine with better separation is what you want. Keep the Ace for tot lots and for clad-hunting, and maybe the beach.

I highly recommend the Sunray probe. A lot of people I know use the Propointer and I've seen it in action and it also works very well. I would dissuade you from using a White's Bullseye, as they are for all intents and purposes worthless.

I use headphones for recording music made by Koss or Bose, can't remember (they are in the car). I've been using them more for detecting lately than for music recording, so I don't really care if they get dirty.

Personally, I usually don't use treasure pouches or anything like that, though most people do and I'd probably recommend that stuff. I always hunt in cargo pants (or shorts in the summer), and I've got more than enough room for good stuff, trash, car keys, etc. But, no room for water or snacks, but that's because I just don't eat or drink while I'm detecting (I keep that stuff in the car). To each his own, I guess you'd say.

One more recommendation for you. If you ever want to consider a local detector dealer, look into Windy City Detectors (Ron Shore). Tell him you belong to this forum, see what he might do for you. No gaurantees, but he is close by and stocks all kinds of cool stuff. Super nice guy to just shoot the $h!t with too. All my stuff is from him, and I have been 100% satisfied. Give Ron a call one of these days if you're interested in stopping by to see what he's got.

I hope we can hunt together this year.

Joe

 

[twistidd]

LOL- oh, and Tracey, there HAVE been times when I could have really used a shovel...

Joe

 

[Lowbatts]

Never had much use for a pin pointer, always made sure that was the first thing I figured out on any machine I owned, accurate pinpointing. But I do have a Pro pointer now and I would not consider trading it. Fast and on target, easier to handle than the rod-mounts and usable WITHOUT your detector, for some of those hard-to-reach places.

Headphones, making my own from now on, because I can. And their durability and design will fit my hunting sites and styles.

I use a few different pouches again depending on site and hunt demands. Two sided carpenter pouch, black canvas or a shotgunners pouch are primary but nail aprons with large pockets are also good.

Digging tools are so important, the easier to recover a target, the more time to move on. I think the guys using the Lesches are best set for all around digging tool, then comes a root saw, folding or keyhole saw. Unless you want to ignore the target under those 3 inch roots that is. For a shovel, check out Predator Tools. I use the Mauler, but it's too dang big to carry along on long treks. If you like their shovels, get one with the smaller of the two size handles, excellent choice. The small "D" handle garden shovel seems to work well, but the plastic handle will break if you work more than a couple hard sites. Mine has a solid aluminum shaft that I put on it, works great and does not kill you with the weight. Hit the grinder with one side of it in case I ever need to take a critter's head off while hitting the woods again. Sharp!

The big detector manufacturers all have three tiers and each has at least one "best-bang-for-the-buck" rig.
I use Fisher machines, the F75 is their flagship model but I am happy with the F70, the BBFTB of their line for digital machines. My opinion lacks the experience of the F75 or the other digital machines but it's mine and I'm typing. Their CZ line is without peer in the analog world, IMO. But their leadership apparently knows better.

Never used Whites, but I've read enough from the guys using them and hunted with enough users to think Joe's rig, the M6 is the BBFTB in their line. Their flagship model is whatever costs the most right now. They seem to never stop adding bells and whistles and creating new variants.

Minelabs always confused me, knew so many people who couldn't find the change in their pockets with the Explorers or ExII's, but some guys figured them out and those became arguably the best in the field. Their flagship model, the ETrac seems without peer for coinshooting, period. Perhaps their EX SE, now relegated to second place, may be the BBFTB.

Your Ace 250 may be the super BBFTB overall. Might not hold too well against the others I've noted but it has a great track record in the right hands.

If it's not a matter of bells and whistles then you might consider Tesoro as your first high end machine, they have a couple models that just kill in the field in the right hands. Considering there is no never-ending array of after market add-ons or upgrades to deal with, they may be the overall BBFTB.

Then again I'm a guy who has never sold a car to anyone but the scrap yard so I don't spend much time trying to keep up with the Jonses.

Get something you like, learn all it's tricks, use it to death.

 

[mikewaz]

I use the ProPointer too and think that next to my detector it was the best investment I've ever made in this hobby.
I know the Sunray is great but I didn't want to add any weight to my swinging.

As far as detectors go the Etrac is hard to beat but I use an F75 and love it. If I had the money though I'd buy the LTD if I could.

I finally broke down and bought a Lesche last year and I'm glad I did. No more bent digging tools to deal with and it goes through the toughest soil.
Mike

 

[twistidd]

Never had much use for a pin pointer, always made sure that was the first thing I figured out on any machine I owned, accurate pinpointing. But I do have a Pro pointer now and I would not consider trading it. Fast and on target, easier to handle than the rod-mounts and usable WITHOUT your detector, for some of those hard-to-reach places.

Headphones, making my own from now on, because I can. And their durability and design will fit my hunting sites and styles.

I use a few different pouches again depending on site and hunt demands. Two sided carpenter pouch, black canvas or a shotgunners pouch are primary but nail aprons with large pockets are also good.

Digging tools are so important, the easier to recover a target, the more time to move on. I think the guys using the Lesches are best set for all around digging tool, then comes a root saw, folding or keyhole saw. Unless you want to ignore the target under those 3 inch roots that is. For a shovel, check out Predator Tools. I use the Mauler, but it's too dang big to carry along on long treks. If you like their shovels, get one with the smaller of the two size handles, excellent choice. The small "D" handle garden shovel seems to work well, but the plastic handle will break if you work more than a couple hard sites. Mine has a solid aluminum shaft that I put on it, works great and does not kill you with the weight. Hit the grinder with one side of it in case I ever need to take a critter's head off while hitting the woods again. Sharp!

The big detector manufacturers all have three tiers and each has at least one "best-bang-for-the-buck" rig.
I use Fisher machines, the F75 is their flagship model but I am happy with the F70, the BBFTB of their line for digital machines. My opinion lacks the experience of the F75 or the other digital machines but it's mine and I'm typing. Their CZ line is without peer in the analog world, IMO. But their leadership apparently knows better.

Never used Whites, but I've read enough from the guys using them and hunted with enough users to think Joe's rig, the M6 is the BBFTB in their line. Their flagship model is whatever costs the most right now. They seem to never stop adding bells and whistles and creating new variants.

Minelabs always confused me, knew so many people who couldn't find the change in their pockets with the Explorers or ExII's, but some guys figured them out and those became arguably the best in the field. Their flagship model, the ETrac seems without peer for coinshooting, period. Perhaps their EX SE, now relegated to second place, may be the BBFTB.

Your Ace 250 may be the super BBFTB overall. Might not hold too well against the others I've noted but it has a great track record in the right hands.

If it's not a matter of bells and whistles then you might consider Tesoro as your first high end machine, they have a couple models that just kill in the field in the right hands. Considering there is no never-ending array of after market add-ons or upgrades to deal with, they may be the overall BBFTB.

Then again I'm a guy who has never sold a car to anyone but the scrap yard so I don't spend much time trying to keep up with the Jonses.

Get something you like, learn all it's tricks, use it to death.

Good breakdown, Tim. I've gotta say that White's flagship model would be the Spectra V3, AKA the Vision. I don't know anything about it. The big boy used to be the DFX, though even though it has moved down the bench a little bit recently, its users are some of the most dedicated guys out there. The same could be said about the XLT. I've seen enough of Bob's and Mark's recoveries to know that the XLT is a classic that is hard to beat in its price range. The M6 is the little brother to the MXT, the latter of which has more bells and whistles than the former. I get too confused by all the options so I opted for a machine with three knobs, lol. I love it to death, but that doesn't mean that if I were to inherit a grand, I wouldn't spend it on an Etrac...

Joe

 

[snowskate]

you guys rock! I am going with the E-trac and Sunray probe. I made the mistake of ordering the centech probe a few weeks ago lol.. it seems like a POS. I guess a guest will have one to use with the Ace. I tried to cut some corners but I really want to find the good stuff, so I'm going to shell out the cash. Still not sure what headphones to get, but I'm going to hit up menards or home depot tonight to look at pouches/belts/shovels. Thanks again for the help.

Unfortunately my Lesche didn't come today like I hoped, I really want to get out there! I found myself improvising a song about treasure hunting to some music in my car.. wtf? Does this happen to all of you? I am getting obsessed haha

 

[twistidd]

you guys rock! I am going with the E-trac and Sunray probe. I made the mistake of ordering the centech probe a few weeks ago lol.. it seems like a POS. I guess a guest will have one to use with the Ace. I tried to cut some corners but I really want to find the good stuff, so I'm going to shell out the cash. Still not sure what headphones to get, but I'm going to hit up menards or home depot tonight to look at pouches/belts/shovels. Thanks again for the help.

Unfortunately my Lesche didn't come today like I hoped, I really want to get out there! I found myself improvising a song about treasure hunting to some music in my car.. wtf? Does this happen to all of you? I am getting obsessed haha

All I'm going to say, is that if you had any other hobbies, such as fishing, collecting stamps, or woodworking, you can kiss those all goodbye. Welcome to the madness, and I'm not even kidding when I use the word madness to describe the hobby.

Don't worry about not being able to get out right away. The ground is still frozen pretty solid. Hopefully it will soften up during the week, you've got a good week or so of freedom before the detector takes over you.

lol! Hope to see you out there soon.

Joe