What detector to buy?

Jerdog515 · Mar 10, 2019

Hello I'm new to the Forum and was curious on peoples opinions on what to buy. I know its like asking Chevy or Ford. I had a cheap detector and am looking to spend under $1000 on a new one. If you can give me good and bad. Minelab 800 or 600, Garrett AT pro or Max.

Thanks for your input.

Timecop67 · Mar 10, 2019

Well I'm in the market for a new machine also. If buying now the Equinox 800, Deus Orx, or the Anfibio multi. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. Deus has good ergonomics/lightweight, Equinox shoots multi frequencies down the pipe for higher mineralized soil types, Anfibio has the concentric coil options and I like their VDI screen layout but heavier at 3.7 pounds.

If you can wait....this year might see some more new detectors that could be game changers....First Texas may bring out their new detector based on the Manta Ray pulse technologies, Makro may have a new detector as well. So is it worth the wait?....I say yes it is unless you need a machine right now.

devldog · Mar 10, 2019

You will get a lot of suggestions regarding this. If I may suggest, first figure out what type of hunting you would most likely be doing. Relic hunting, coin hunting, nugget or gold hunting, or a MD that can do it all. Then if you want a waterproof detector for the beach or fresh water, or one for dry land, or again one MD for both. Once you've pretty much narrowed this down watch videos on Utube. They have videos on most every make and model. Utube is a most helpful tool. Best of luck to you in your search and decision. I mention to wish you A Big Welcome to the Tnet forum from Georgia. We are glad to have you.

cudamark · Mar 10, 2019

Like devldog mentioned, we need to know where you're detecting and what you are trying to find.

Megalodon · Mar 10, 2019

devldog said:
You will get a lot of suggestions regarding this. If I may suggest, first figure out what type of hunting you would most likely be doing. Relic hunting, coin hunting, nugget or gold hunting, or a MD that can do it all. Then if you want a waterproof detector for the beach or fresh water, or one for dry land, or again one MD for both. Once you've pretty much narrowed this down watch videos on Utube. They have videos on most every make and model. Utube is a most helpful tool. Best of luck to you in your search and decision.

Hard to improve upon this succinct list. But I'll add: visual ID or beep & dig, multi-tone or single tone, notch filters or single discrimination, analog or program, breakdown convenience for backpacking.

beerguy · Mar 10, 2019

You will be hard pressed to find people with an opinion on that here...

vpnavy · Mar 11, 2019

Jerdog515 said:
Hello I'm new to the Forum...

1st - I noticed this was your very first post - so, Welcome Aboard Jerdog515! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forum: Select Your Area.... and selecting location information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country). You might also consider adding your state (or country) to your displayed profile (SETTINGS -> EDIT PROFILE) - members may have more success helping you (your location may help, etc.)...

Jerdog515 said:
...If you can give me good and bad. Minelab 800 or 600, Garrett AT pro or Max...

2nd - You might consider browsing forms Brands > Minelab and Brands > Garrett.
3rd - Whatever you finally decide on - please consider buying one from one of

's Supporting Vendors.

☠ Cipher · Mar 12, 2019

You can't go wrong with an Equinox 800, or even a 600 for that matter. I can't find much not to like with them. If I had criticisms it would be that 1. the build quality could be better. 2. There could be more memory for more saved programs, and 3. These days there's little reason why any new multifrequency machine could not have a color screen with spectrograph like the V3i or target trace type target analysis. Color screens are no longer expensive at all, and lithium ion or lithium polymer can maintain battery life. Color screens with color coded frequency reaction to targets is a very useful tool in my opinion.

Swaveab · Mar 13, 2019

If you're unsure then I recommend you go to a dealer or club if nearby to try them out to see which one you'd like. You could also talk it over with those people as an education on their first hand experience is great too.

RustyGold · Mar 14, 2019

Tough question to answer without knowing where you’re going to use it. Probably a ML 800 if I were to guess.
Welcome to TreasureNet!

Swaveab · Mar 14, 2019

Oops, shame on me. Welcome to T-NET Jerdog515.

Opie · Mar 14, 2019

Welcome Jerdog!
Great advice all around! Performance is where "You" find it, and there is no such thing as one perfect machine. Consider the "W's" of detecting. "Where" you'll be detecting, "What" you'll be detecting and "Which" detectors could be used or "Which detectors do you need more information about. You've already answered the"Why" your going to be detecting or you wouldn't be looking for the replacement. Many here with great advice!
Good luck!
Stay Gold!
Opie

BLK HOLE · Mar 14, 2019

Welcome to T-Net from Northern Virginia :skullflag:

You are so right about metal detectors and cars! I have not used nor even seen the NOX 600/800 in action live but many on this forum that I highly respect love them, me I like the AT series. If you have a detector shop or club that you can go to and check a variety of machines out in real time that would be the best way to compare before you make a choice. Just my two cents. Have fun and Good Luck :icon_thumleft:

DeepseekerADS · Mar 14, 2019

I personally have 7 different machines, all of them have their merits.

But for a new guy to the hobby, the first machine I would recommend - if you can find one - is the Tesoro Tejon. I've spent too many bucks on my hobby aspirations, but the first detector I tend to go to is the Tejon.

It is a beep & dig machine which goes very deep. It beeps, you dig. Others can be just confusing and too much for a simplistic approach.

smokeythecat · Mar 14, 2019

Welcome. Everyone here has an opinion, I currently own machines from three different manufacturers.

With that said, it really depends on what you want to do with it. I would absolutely drive to a dealer to demo anything you want to buy. I have made several purchase mistakes not doing that.

RobNC · Mar 14, 2019

smokeythecat said:
Welcome. Everyone here has an opinion, I currently own machines from three different manufacturers.

With that said, it really depends on what you want to do with it. I would absolutely drive to a dealer to demo anything you want to buy. I have made several purchase mistakes not doing that.

I can not agree more with this. If you have a dealer anywhere near close please go there and look. If they give you a good deal then even better. Consider it a road trip if that's what it takes. A lot of the dealers sponsored here will give you a much better deal than what you can otherwise find so give them a call before you dedicate yourself to buying elsewhere once you know what you want.

ken135 · Mar 16, 2019

I agree with Deepseeker. Keep it simple. It's the time you spend researching for good sites that will determine the quantity and quality of your finds.
Best of luck.

cudamark · Mar 23, 2019

DeepseekerADS said:
I personally have 7 different machines, all of them have their merits.

But for a new guy to the hobby, the first machine I would recommend - if you can find one - is the Tesoro Tejon. I've spent too many bucks on my hobby aspirations, but the first detector I tend to go to is the Tejon.

It is a beep & dig machine which goes very deep. It beeps, you dig. Others can be just confusing and too much for a simplistic approach.

I'm more of the opposite opinion on this. I've seen too many people get a beep and dig machine only to toss it into a closet because they only found a bunch of junk on their first outing. Let's face it, most newbies first detecting site is either their own yard or the closest public park/school. Neither are the easiest site to hunt for keepers these days, and more so with a newbie trying to figure out what all these signals are. With some decent discrimination, you can have success right off the bat. A more sophisticated machine with turn on an go programs will make it easier to have that instant gratification that newbies always seem to want.

Ammoman · Mar 23, 2019

cudamark said:
I'm more of the opposite opinion on this. I've seen too many people get a beep and dig machine only to toss it into a closet because they only found a bunch of junk on their first outing. Let's face it, most newbies first detecting site is either their own yard or the closest public park/school. Neither are the easiest site to hunt for keepers these days, and more so with a newbie trying to figure out what all these signals are. With some decent discrimination, you can have success right off the bat. A more sophisticated machine with turn on an go programs will make it easier to have that instant gratification that newbies always seem to want.

Beep and dig machines are absolutely the best bang for a beginners buck. They do have Discrimination knobs that can pretty much assure most trash is eliminated and nothing but pennies dimes quarters and silver are found. As the person gets more comfortable with the machine the knob can be lowered to accept more targets.

Opie · Mar 26, 2019

jerdog, what ever you buy look for a machine that has options. Its the coil, always remember that. The coil controls the type of hunt, how you will hunt and the manner in which you'll hunt. Concentric coils pinpoint well, DD's are great for large area and heavy mineral locations, small coils for trash or gold nuggets, large coils for fields and open area. What ever you buy make sure it has a ground balance or ground grab feature, and the ability to buy different coil options.
Good Luck!
Stay Gold!
Opie