Where to buy?

[bottlecap]

Where do you guys recommend purchasing a detector? I am looking to buy my first one and was curious where you make your purchase? The F2 looks like it is quite highly recommended for a new guy like me. This should be interesting. For work I am a utility locator....everyone walking by when I am locating always asks if I have found any gold! Wonder if detecting is similar to locating in any way? At work there are garbage tones and money tones, I have been doing it long enough that the false tones, or non target tones don't even grab my attention anymore.

 

[cudamark]

As a newbie, I wouldn't buy from Amazon. Sure, the have a good return policy but they know zip about detecting. If you have a good local detector store, use it. If not, our supporting vendors here are an excellent source for both equipment and user tips. With over 43 years of detecting and over two dozen machines, I've bought from just about every type of source out there. My best experiences have been with my local dealer, Bart@BigBoyHobbies, and Kellyco, in that order. I've had both great and terrible deals through E-bay, local newspaper, club members, and Craig's list. My worst was with a local electronics store that knew nothing about detectors or detecting. Your idea about getting the feel of several models is a good one. You want to be comfortable with whichever one you pick. Keep in mind that a heavy machine or one not balanced well can be overcome with a good sling. Include a pouch, digger, scoop (if sand hunting), and a pin pointer in your initial budget. You can get other accessories as you go. Sometimes the detector dealer will package those items (and more) with the detector purchase, so ask!

 

[SoCalBeachScanner]

As a newbie, I wouldn't buy from Amazon. Sure, the have a good return policy but they know zip about detecting.

cudamark! Earth to cudamark Most people would want to get the most bang for their for their buck and look out for their own wallet. And if Amazon can give you that, then why not!? Amazon does not need to "know zip about detecting".
The Internet has all the User Tips, Information, Instructions, Manuals, Troubleshooting, Reviews, Comparisons, Repair Procedures, and everything else that you could ever want or need to know about Metal Detectors or Detecting. Along with all the best places in the world to use the equipment.

Although, there is some people that require affirmation, a good hand holding, someone to show them how to turn on the machine, and point them in the right direction. A good local dealer would be good for that.

 

[SusanMN]

Just another comment about the stores that charge a 30% restocking fee. I do understand that "used" machines cannot be sold for the price of new. But take a look at their inventory of used equipment and you will see they sell them for 90% of the new price. That means for every 30% restock fee they are pocketing 20%.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Just another comment about the stores that charge a 30% restocking fee. I do understand that "used" machines cannot be sold for the price of new. But take a look at their inventory of used equipment and you will see they sell them for 90% of the new price. That means for every 30% restock fee they are pocketing 20%.

The prices you see are negotiable. ...






American by birth, Patriot by choice.

I would rather die standing on my two feet defending our Constitution than live a lifetime on my knees......

 

[cudamark]

cudamark! Earth to cudamark Most people would want to get the most bang for their for their buck and look out for their own wallet. And if Amazon can give you that, then why not!? Amazon does not need to "know zip about detecting". The Internet has all the User Tips, Information, Instructions, Manuals, Troubleshooting, Reviews, Comparisons, Repair Procedures, and everything else that you could ever want or need to know about Metal Detectors or Detecting. Along with all the best places in the world to use the equipment. Although, there is some people that require affirmation, a good hand holding, someone to show them how to turn on the machine, and point them in the right direction. A good local dealer would be good for that.

Thanks for reinforcing my point. Most newbies need some hand-holding. You can look at video, read all the manuals until you get eye-strain but there is nothing like having the detector in hand and being prompted by someone knowledgeable on your machine. For someone that doesn't need the tutorial, sure, buy from Amazon if you want. Just don't expect them to be of ANY help in using the machine.

 

[bottlecap]

Anybody with a beard tries holding my hand and we're gonna have issues I see the points from all of you, and I certainly will be looking for guidance(hand holding) come spring when I get going on this. I did stop by that shop I mentioned and looked at a few units. The guy was really kind of a Garrett guy and we spent the most time looking at the AT Pro. Really seems like a sweet rig and after telling him the type of juice, roundness, and nectar(I'm gonna kick my own butt for that) I intend to pursue and the conditions I was facing he really thought that AT Pro would fit me well. Kind of curious what the difference between the Pro and the Gold is but I forgot to ask him. Either way he was a heck of a nice guy and said if there wasn't 3 feet of snow and 11 feet of frost he would take me to a park and give me a tutorial. I also watched the 4 part operating videos on the AT Pro and it looks pretty easy to operate and looks like they really did a good job making changing settings, iron whatever, and all of the other stuff convenient.

P.S. If you ever catch me using the words "nectar", "juice" or "roundness" in reference to detecting feel free to dig a hole to China and throw me in it

 

[Tejaas]

Before you decide you should give Bart a call at Big Boys Hobbies. He can answer all your questions. http://www.bigboyshobbies.net/

This is the best info posted on this thread.
Call Bart, get the questions asked and answered, then- before you hang up, place your order!

I'd even wager it's at your door with 48-72 hours!

 

[Tejaas]

Duplicate post.

Damned iPhone!

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

Bottlecap, the difference between the AT Pro and Gold is that the gold is more sensitive to subgram gold. The AT Pro is a better choice than the gold if you intend to hunt in wet salt beach.

If your local dealer has invested time with you and offered to take you out, I'd encourage you to support him. Its nice to see how individual machines operate and feel. If you want to have that type of opportunity in the future, then give the local dealer an opportunity to earn your business.

Wayne

Www.metaldetectingstuff.com

 

[Lord Verdigris]

Thanks for posting that video Terry, very useful to know what's out there. All of you have been extremely helpful and patient with me and I appreciate it. If considering the Fisher F2 I have heard a lot of people talking about getting the 11" DD coil?? Is this something you would do right up front or is it maybe not necessary. Thanks.

The f2 is great for its price. When I first got one I got the package deal and it was good but then I ordered the 11"dd and it made the machine twice as good. I ended up never using the other coils much because it worked so good for me anyway. The f4 may be an option for you as well because it's comes standard with the 11"dd and it has ground balance. If you get the f2 package deal and order the 11" dd extra you would have a 8" coil, pin pointer and 4" sniper coil but no ground balance. I personally prefer the dd coil on it and I made lots of deep good finds with an f2.

 

[donb62]

I can tell you where not to buy,, pawn shop. I went in a local shop to see what they had, there was an AT-pro they said was new,, they bought it to rent out , to me that is used. The price was 700.00 with no accessories.

 

[bottlecap]

First of all thank you all for the replies! This is probably gonna tick a few people off but I called Bart at Big Boys Hobbies and wasn't impressed with him in the least, he answered all my questions with, "it should be online", or , "you can check the website", or whatever answer would allow him to NOT answer, I hate that, even if the answer is online just tell me for crying out loud, huge turn off for me. Heard some bad(and good to be fair) things about Kellyco and they have some really great package deals out there. I would like to support the local dealer I met but the prices were right at the highest end of the MSRP, and being as I'm just starting out some extras would certainly be nice, not ruling out the local dealer though, he's is a super guy and may be worth dropping extra money. Are there any other vendors you guys would recommend other than Kellyco and BBH's? By the way I have narrowed my search down to a few detectors. It's between the F2(with DD coil), F4, and AT Pro.....I know I know....JUST GET ONE ALREADY!

EDIT: Not ruling Bart out, could be he was having a bad day, had someone talking to him in his other ear, or was just plain busy! From everything I hear he has to be a good guy, just wanted to share my experience.

 

[bottlecap]

I can tell you where not to buy,, pawn shop. I went in a local shop to see what they had, there was an AT-pro they said was new,, they bought it to rent out , to me that is used. The price was 700.00 with no accessories.

I agree 100 percent. I don't sell or buy from pawn shops!

 

[SavageHunter]

By the way I have narrowed my search down to a few detectors. It's between the F2(with DD coil), F4, and AT Pro.....I know I know

If you have the budget for the AT Pro, that is what I'd buy. I have the F2 and the AT Pro and in my honest opinion, the AT Pro is a lot of machine for the money. Don't get me wrong, the F2 is a good machine for it's price range, but the AT Pro has so much more to offer.

 

[RobRieman]

First of all thank you all for the replies! This is probably gonna tick a few people off but I called Bart at Big Boys Hobbies and wasn't impressed with him in the least, he answered all my questions with, "it should be online", or , "you can check the website", or whatever answer would allow him to NOT answer, I hate that, even if the answer is online just tell me for crying out loud, huge turn off for me. Heard some bad(and good to be fair) things about Kellyco and they have some really great package deals out there. I would like to support the local dealer I met but the prices were right at the highest end of the MSRP, and being as I'm just starting out some extras would certainly be nice, not ruling out the local dealer though, he's is a super guy and may be worth dropping extra money. Are there any other vendors you guys would recommend other than Kellyco and BBH's? By the way I have narrowed my search down to a few detectors. It's between the F2(with DD coil), F4, and AT Pro.....I know I know....JUST GET ONE ALREADY! EDIT: Not ruling Bart out, could be he was having a bad day, had someone talking to him in his other ear, or was just plain busy! From everything I hear he has to be a good guy, just wanted to share my experience.

Are you sure it was Bart? I'm telling you the man has incredible customer service skills. I've bought from him on a late Sunday evening even. And trust me, none of the prices on the site are T-Net member prices!!

 

[bottlecap]

Yes I am sure it was him, when he answered the phone he said, "this is Bart". Like I said maybe he was really busy and didn't feel like answering new guy questions. I'll probably try calling again sometime, maybe I just caught him at a bad time.