Whats a Decrnt MD for Beginner?

[timmune]

What's a Decent MD for Beginner?

Hey guys, I've been hunting coin rolls for about another or so now and after reading a number of posts/ finds from all you MD guys/gals, I'm sold on the prospect of giving it a whirl.

My question:

What's a good MD to start out with? I live in the Northwest...think trees, some fields, maybe daytrips to the local mountain pass, and of course the backyard of my moms house which is approx 2 acres.

I'd like something to get me started and maybe last about a year before I upgrade, and am most interested in coins, relics, etc.

I'd like to spend between $100 - $300, definitely nor more than like $320.

Im concerned about purchasing used as I'll have no clue about how to test the MD before buying it to make sure I'm not buying a broken piece of equipment.

Appreciate all the help and advice in advance! Thanks much!

 

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[RvPrepper]

If you want used to test use a nickel and gold wedding band for testing. I bought a Lone Star Bounty Hunter but plan to move up to the Fisher F5 because the cheaper ms's are lacking depth reading and the F5 has builtin pointer mode. My two cents.

 

[BigWaveDave]

Go to Kellyco website... shop around w/in your price range, then check out independent reviews on other sites, youtube videos, etc. I went w/ the Garret Ace 350, very happy w/ it, good luck to you.

 

[TNGUNS]

You will get tons of comments from many users. Many of us are VERY brand loyal so take that into consideration. I think literally the best one you can comfortably afford is not off base. Often times a good used machine is a great way to start with the higher end machines. Many of us always want the latest and greatest and will let a perfectly good machine go at a considerable loss. Do lots of research and remember some of the machines are better for relics and some for coins, so your primary type of hunting will affect what will best suit you. Coin hunters generally prefer the metered (VDI) machines and often the hardcore relic folks will prefer beep and dig. I do a bit of both and love my T2 SE. The AT Pro has a huge following and can be used on land or in the water. I think the best advice anyone can give you is to do research and read reviews and try to narrow in based on your budget and the type of hunting you want to do. Good luck.

 

[timmune]

Go to Kellyco website... shop around w/in your price range, then check out independent reviews on other sites, youtube videos, etc. I went w/ the Garret Ace 350, very happy w/ it, good luck to you.

Awesome, thx for the advice!

 

[adamBomb]

If you want to go cheap and are not sure you will 'stick with it', get a bounty hunter tracker IV on amazon for $80. Its an awesome cheap machine. If you find you are not digging in a few months you wont have broke the bank. And if you want to upgrade, you wont care that you spent $80 to find out if you liked the hobby or not.

Now, if you think you will like it and want something better, the Fisher F2 sounds like the best machine in your price range ($200). A few months ago I was in the same position and found the fisher f2 seemed to have the most positive reviews overall. There are a few others in that price range too that people like (garret ace 250, tesaro, etc). and they probably all are the same depth and such so you are not going to go wrong with any of them. Tesaro has a lifetime warranty which is awesome. The garrett seems to have people that either love or hate it. Keep in mind I havent used any of these machines. I bought the bounty hunter, realized I liked the hobby, and bought a $1200 machine for the beach...

 

[Lores]

Im partial to screens. Find a good ACE 250 or 350 used. Take the money you save and buy a very good pin pointer. As someone new to the hobby I can tell you to not underestimate the value of a good pin pointer.

 

[timmune]

So I'm leaning towards a Garrett Ace 250 or 350 right now... any significant difference between the two I should know about?

 

[RvPrepper]

Tell you this don't bother spending 49.00 on pinpointed to cheap have no depth, I just ordered a Valcun 360 from KellyCo.

 

[McKinney_5900]

Fisher F2 with multiple coils, and you can still get a great pinpointer and stay under 300. do some research yourself on "Fisher F2." Best bang for the buck!

Stay away from KellyCo. Especially the free pinpointer and accessories. Junk.

 

[masterjedi]

Garrett ACE 250 or 350.... you can buy them new at Kellyco at $300 or less.... good luck...

 

[adamBomb]

So I'm leaning towards a Garrett Ace 250 or 350 right now... any significant difference between the two I should know about?

If I were getting a Garrett, I would just get a used AT Pro from someone on the forums. It will be worth it for you to get the AT Pro over these 2. in fact if I had $300 to spend it would be my number one choice.

Fisher F2 with multiple coils, and you can still get a great pinpointer and stay under 300. do some research yourself on "Fisher F2." Best bang for the buck!

Stay away from KellyCo. Especially the free pinpointer and accessories. Junk.

This is exactly what I found in my research too. The fisher f2 seems like it gets really good reviews everywhere. Also check to see if these machines have a pinpoint mode or even need a pinpointer. With my cz21 a pinpointer would be a total waste. I dont even use the pinpointer on the machine, it just doesnt need it. I did buy my machine from kellyco and it was a good experience and they were very quick with delivery and such. But yea the freebies are junk.

 

[mlayers]

I would also say Ace 250 or 350. I just picked one up for my daughter from Kellyco for $300 and also got a lot of free stuff with it. We got a pin pointer, digging tool, pouch to put our finds in, a DVD on how to use the Ace plus a few other items...

 

[CoinHunterAZ]

Don't overlook the Tesoro line of detectors. They have excellent discrimination, don't cost an arm and a leg, and have a lifetime warranty. They are lightweight, and powerful machines.This is what I would recommend for a beginner all day long. These machines are no joke, even for the serious detectorist.

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

I'd recommend the Ace 350, Fisher F2, or Eurotek Pro. They are all excellent entry level machines. The difference between the Ace 250 and 350 is that the 350 has a larger DD Coil, better iron discrimination and comes with Garrett headphones.

Give me a call if I can help you with your questions.

Wayne

(832) 928-9135

Metal Detector Sales and Rentals | Fisher, Garrett, Minelab, Lesche and DetectorPro

 

[ivan salis]

check out the delta 4000 -- it has a 0 to 99 numbers type sorting display to help ID what type of metal you found * its light in weight --runs off 1 - 9 volt -- it has a all metal mode and a custom mode with notching ability along wit preset modes (coin/jewelry) its priced at $279

 

[timmune]

Man, I didn't expect so many responses! Now I'm spinning my head a little, but it sounds like the general consensus is Ace vs F2 vs AT.

 

[masterjedi]

3 great choices based on your budget...

 

[JayInGA]

I bought the F4 from a guy who bought it from kellco. It only had the DD coil. I was gonna buy a F2. I am happy but I would've went with the AT pro use if I could go back. I am happy with the Fisher F4 though. Find something new every time I MD my yard. Found bunches of old car parts, axe heads and cow nose rings. Went to the park 3 times and have found a broken gold necklace and about $7 in change. I stress for you to get a very good pinpointer. Makes finding what u found very quick

 

[DiggerinVA]

I have an ATpro and it paid for itself the first year....however i did not start with it and it may have a little learning curve for a first machine. I would definately take the Ace350 over the 250 for the price difference just for the DD coil. Pinpoints much better! But talking beginner machines...the Fisher F2 comes highly recommended(i have never used one) and i personally like the Silver Umax from Tesoro. It doesnt have a screen but is powerful, accurate, and very easy to learn and find the good stuff with. New it costs around 250.00 and leaves room for a pinpointer in the budget. It just comes down to personal preference, but i would stay away from the bounty hunters as all i have used lack alot in the depth department and you will want more depth very quickly. So i recommend looking/researching the Ace350...Fisher F2....Tesoro Silver Umax. My son has the Tesoro Compadre (a Silver umax without sensitivity adjust) and it is a wonderful little machine! Good luck!