Which Is Your Favorite Current Production Tesoro Detector?

[ToddB64]

My favorite is the Tesoro Compadre !

With the coil cover removed, the coil diameter on my Compadre measures 5 15/16" using a retractable steel tape.

The frequency is 12kHz, which I believe gives it some edge on signaling gold jewelry.

I was hunting the grassy edge behind one of the basketball poles in a park recently, finding Lincoln cents, both zincolns and all-coppers every few inches as I moved forward with the coil and was using my newly-acquired Garrett "carrot" to pin-point targets after digging.

Also found were a few nickels, dimes, quarters and a crucifix pendant stamped STERPPC on the back. After checking the Internet, I found out that the stamping meant Sterling silver and the PPC stands for Princess Pride Creations sold in Providence, RI. The PPC trademark was registered in 1955, but the registration expired on 1-21-2006. A copy of this pendant was being advertised recently on e-Bay for $24.95.

Most of the targets were shallow, about 1" to 2" deep, although a few were down 4" to 5".
As I used the carrot, it became evident that it would find coins at a faster pace by just laying the probe on it's side, then sliding it left and right in contact with, or nearly touching, the ground.
Operating the carrot like this was faster due to the particular area being loaded with coins at shallow depth. Basketball players popping coins out of their pockets as they made jump shots and various other action moves had lost many coins and I was finding them every 6" to 12" as I moved forward on hands and knees. It was a banner day for me !

ToddB64

 

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[Rob in (ca)]

I liked the Deleon, very sensitive to small jewelry, went pretty deep, ID locked on real good, great coin & Jewelry type hunting machine for The parks - sports fields - Tot lots type hunting.

 

[ToddB64]

Love my Vaq, I have never really used it to go after the deep stuff but I still found a bunch of great things.
It found my oldest coin ever, a beautiful 1865 2 center, and tons of clad plus silver and gold.
I also have a Compadre and have found large gold class rings with both...out of all the detectors I have used and all of the gold I have found with them the tones I heard when swinging over these two rings were the most unique and memorable.
Not all gold rings, just the big ones.
The first time I heard this clear, sustaining, beautiful sound with the Compadre I knew it was different but I didn't relate it to what it really was, thought it was just another zincoln.
About a year later when I heard that same sound again using the Vaq it actually stopped me in my tracks, rocked me back on my heels and made me take a breath.
This was the only time in my career that I absolutely knew 100% that I was swinging over gold before I bent over and opened a hole.
That was a few years ago and now that tone is my holy grail, I use a Fisher with a screen more nowadays but still get out my Tesoros from time to time and every time I do the one thing I hope to hear again before I hang up this hobby for good is that gorgeous sound just one more time.

As far as preferences if you had to nail me down I would have to say that put a gun to my head I would probably give up my Vaq but I would fight you to death before I ever let go of my Compadre.
Something about that one knob simplicity, the ultra small targets it easily finds and the fun I have standing behind it all adds up...big time.
The little C has found me the most smallest, thinnest, mind boggling treasure that still makes me drop my jaw and it can to it in sites and under conditions that I sometimes can't believe possible.
All my detectors have paid for themselves many times over, my Tesoros just seem to do it with class and style.

Hi Digger27 !

With reference to your sentence above that I colored blue, I've read lots of posts that say we should dig Zincoln and Copper Cent signals to be sure of not leaving behind gold & silver jewelry !

When using my 5.75 coil Compadre in parks with chip-filled tot lots and sports fields, in SW, Ohio where mineralization is not extremely high, how would you describe the different subtle tone characteristics of Zincolns, Copper Cents, Gold jewelry and Silver jewelry in more detail ?

I realize this might be asking for a lot of your time posting, but after following your threads and posts for some time now, you don't seem to shy away from doing novels !

I guess you could do four different descriptions, or just two descriptions if it's possible to combine Zincolns with Coppers and Gold with Silver jewelry.

Thanks,

ToddB64

 

[TXPIRATE]

Tesoro Compadre That what I'm saving for. All my detectors have been sold except for a Bounty Hunter tracker IV. Since wife suffered her brain injury. So I only hunt got lots about 2 hours a month.Hard to get Way. But the compared is a great machine for the money with a 5.75" coil.

 

[DeepDigs]

For me, it's the Vaquero (for now). I'll never forget my first hunt with this little guy. Besides the normal clad I found, there were 2 distinct, soft, round tones I received thru my headset, one was a 1917 Mercury dime, the other was a 1952 silver rosie. Both holes had either pull tabs and or small nails in the same hole as the silver dime, which was beyond impressive. And both were at an approximate depth of 7" in a worked over park that has been POUNDED since the 60's. I don't think the Vaquero gets enough props for how well it separates in trash laden areas. Dollar for dollar, it's the best detector I own - and I own several.

 

[doggoneitdignit]

For me, it's the Vaquero (for now). I'll never forget my first hunt with this little guy. Besides the normal clad I found, there were 2 distinct, soft, round tones I received thru my headset, one was a 1917 Mercury dime, the other was a 1952 silver rosie. Both holes had either pull tabs and or small nails in the same hole as the silver dime, which was beyond impressive. And both were at an approximate depth of 7" in a worked over park that has been POUNDED since the 60's. I don't think the Vaquero gets enough props for how well it separates in trash laden areas. Dollar for dollar, it's the best detector I own - and I own several.

Curious what coil was it that you where using?

 

[DeepDigs]

Curious what coil was it that you where using?

I was using the standard 9x8, machine super tuned for both finds.

 

[doggoneitdignit]

I was using the standard 9x8, machine super tuned for both finds.

 

[G.A.P.metal]

 

[Honest Samuel]

My good members: What Tesoro detector do you recommend that is simple to learn and use on salt water beaches and parks and for buried treasures about 2 feet down? Good hunting and good luck.