Want to buy my first detector.

[trash n cash]

Hi, I want to buy a new detector. It will be my first, so instead of asking what is the best detector? I will start my research into multiple freq. or single freq. detector. Is there something to gain by getting a multiple freq. over a single freq? I will do most of my hunting for coins around northern Ill. No great lakes beaches, but a slight possibility so I don't rule that out. I am tech savvy, and don't mind learning something hard. A top end detector is what I will get.( because I like bells and whistles ) I work for a railroad around Chicago and being outside digging up old stuff is nothing new. I feel metal detecting would be the next step as a hobby. Thanks... Trash n Cash

 

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[JOE(USA)]

trash n cash,

Well here is my take on "multiple frequency" metal detectors: With regard to MDs there are two categories of multiple freq. a. The detector uses several freqs. to penetrate the ground simultaneously. b. The detector uses one freq. at a time but has a switch that allows the user to change freq. if he is getting interference from another detector or device. Are you asking about "a."?
Because of the difference in metal of different targets,some targets are detected better by a higher or lower freq. I don't want to ramble on if I am not helping so get back and let me know. Joe

 

[hollowpointred]

whats your budget?

 

[Sandman]

Welcome to the forum and hobby or addiction as many of us call it.

I think the only gain? you get from a multi freq. detector is it's ability to correctly id various metals for the disc. circuit. But it can still be fooled as can simpler detectors.

I am not a big fan of the ID screen detectors as I feel hunters rely on them to much and leave good targets in the ground more often than not. But these detectors have all the bells and whistles you want. You should research the Minelab Explorer II and SE, Whites DFX, and MXT. These have the options to use features that make playing with them fun. Visit http://losttreasure.com/fieldtests/ This site has many field tests.

Remember that there is no one detector that does it all well, they all compromise on something somewhere.

 

[Montana Jim]

This is a great question, and I see some great replies from sandman...

I always thought the multiple freq detectors used them all at once - obviously not so! So - those that claim 28 freqs are "one-at-a-time"? Man... that could keep a guy busy forever on one target...

Or is that something reserved for interference only, and maybe ground conditions?

 

[trash n cash]

Hi, thanks for reply. From a turn on and go preset program that some of the models use as a sales point. I was thinking of the multiple freq in general is it more functional over a wider soil condition? Example if I took a Fisher f75 to Europe or England I figure I would miss targets because of soil conditions or the metal that the coins are made from vs. the conditions and the metal that our coins are made from. I guess my point is if I have same story as told above and I went with a fisher dfx, or minelab se would I have a machine that has an edge in finding targets in a preset turn on and go program because it's using multiple freq all the time. I know I said that I am savvy about learning hard things, but I want to have fun while I learn it. If there is an advantage in some way I just wanted to dip into the well of knowledge from somebody who has used both. And you know it's always good to have the advantage...

 

[bakergeol]

This is a great question, and I see some great replies from sandman...

I always thought the multiple freq detectors used them all at once - obviously not so! So - those that claim 28 freqs are "one-at-a-time"? Man... that could keep a guy busy forever on one target...

Or is that something reserved for interference only, and maybe ground conditions?

I thought that I would clear this up. Multiple freq detectors are indeed multiple freq detectors and indeed they are effective. However the number of frequencies listed usually is just those that are transmitted which really mean nothing. Heck my PI may transmit over a 100 frequencies. What is important is the number of frequencies RECEIVED. For the Explorer I believe it is 3 frequencies. Minelab advertising states that transmitted frequencies range from 1.5Khz to 100 Khz. Now if 100Khz frequencies were actually received by the Explorer it would be just as sensitive to very fine gold as a GoldBug 2 is. I have always been impressed with Minelab's machines- the Explorer is awesome, however, I have not been impressed with Minelab marketing/hype.

George

 

[trash n cash]

Thanks for the reply I was a sonar tech in the Navy and we used single freq detect and track. I was thinking of a Fisher f75 I have been liking the reviews. I just wanted some opinions on Multi freq. You are right it's not always what you put out, it's what you receive.

 

[DPBOB]

I agree with sandman.
I like White's
But I hear the Minelab's are good too.
I use an XLT
Buddies use DFX's and XLT's and a Minelab for the water
If you just want to coin shoot like I do then a XLT is great for that.
DFX has a lot of bells and whistles
Minlab has many freq.

 

[trash n cash]

Thanks to all. My next step is to go to a dealer that has a few I can get my hands on. My parents live up the road from Prostock detectors in Plainwell, Michigan. I will start there. I think Joe asked whats my budget. Well fortunately I have been planning all summer so I can get any model that has been said by you guys or me. Minelab, Whites, Fisher, etc: I'm tall with a good pace so I was thinking of a model with fast recovery. That's another topic in itself. I will try them all...

 

[thompy]

the F-75 &T-2 handle bad ground well, one problem you may encounter is they are very sensitive, more so than most, which can be a problem at first, the F-75 more so, another advantage to these is there extremely fast responce to targets, which helps to pick out targets in iron sites, and they are light so you can swing them all day

 

[Montana Jim]

This is a great question, and I see some great replies from sandman...

I always thought the multiple freq detectors used them all at once - obviously not so! So - those that claim 28 freqs are "one-at-a-time"? Man... that could keep a guy busy forever on one target...

Or is that something reserved for interference only, and maybe ground conditions?

I thought that I would clear this up. Multiple freq detectors are indeed multiple freq detectors and indeed they are effective. However the number of frequencies listed usually is just those that are transmitted which really mean nothing. Heck my PI may transmit over a 100 frequencies. What is important is the number of frequencies RECEIVED. For the Explorer I believe it is 3 frequencies. Minelab advertising states that transmitted frequencies range from 1.5Khz to 100 Khz. Now if 100Khz frequencies were actually received by the Explorer it would be just as sensitive to very fine gold as a GoldBug 2 is. I have always been impressed with Minelab's machines- the Explorer is awesome, however, I have not been impressed with Minelab marketing/hype.

George

Thanks!

 

[robert roy]

May I add my two cents? ( I found them at the soccerfield(:-))Hahaha. Have to have a sense of humor these days.

You might try the Ace 250 because it has proven itself to be an excellet coin hunter and has cornered a good portion of the market as of late. However, other metal detector companies are countering with low cost detectors of their own. Fisher is coming out with
the F2 this November to make it in before the Christmas Hoildays. It is said to be even better than the Ace 250 and much more accurate. It is predicted to be a real Ace killer. If so we may all be reading the Ace obituary soon(:-) We'll all have to wait and see. It will retail for arounf $199.00. The Ace 250 is $212.00 through most companies.

Go www.losttreasure.com and click on field tests. That will give you alot of information.
Also go to metaldetectorreviews.net and see what other people have had to say about their metal detectors.

About the MXT. You might want to buy a used one from Ebay.
I bought mine used for $300 and have never regreted it.

Today I took it out to a soccer field that I have visited MANY times over the past two weeks. I thought I had cleaned the place out with my Ace 250. No even. Useing my MXT with noting more than a 5.3 coil I recovered More clad and some trinkets in a matter of a couple of hours.

Personally I would look for a machine that will let you do more than hunt for coins. You'll quickly grow out of the machine and want something more. The MXT will let you do that. You can buy a used one for about $300 or you can buy an Ace 250 for around $200 and buy the sniper coil to go with it. You will need it. It seperates trash very well. Either way, if you decide you don't want to metal detect anymore, you won't have put out a lot of money.

Regards
Robert Roy

 

[Farmercal]

Don't get too hung up on the multiple frequency feature. I have a Minelab Explorer II and Excalibur 1000 which are multiple frequency machines and an Xterra 70 which is single frequency machine. They all work equally well and get good depth. The Xterra has a faster response time so that is the detector of choice for competition hunts and I do well with it in that area. Look for a detector that has features you like or think you would use. If you are looking at top of the line detectors then you won't be disappointed with any of them. Learn your machine and you will do well in this hobby.

 

[johnnycat]

Mind boggling huh? I had an Explorer for about 9 months and finally sold it because it was to heavy, for me anyway. I bought an MXT and have never regretted it. It does everthing, relics, coins and gold. As with all things, pick the detector you think will best suit your needs and practice, practice. Bought an ACE 250 the other day for my oldest granddaughter and I have to admit its a pretty good unit for the money.