Anyone know a lot about them? I'm interested in getting one, had one as a kid. I have no idea what vlf vs pi and so on. I see them range from $150 to over a thousand.
Metal detectors
- Thread starter spasm3
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Do you want to find g
Gold nuggets in the desert or coins in the park?
Gold nuggets in the desert or coins in the park?
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beachcombing after crowds, old homesites. Perhaps locate my property markers. I have a site off my property that i suspect an ancestor might have used to make moonshine, love to check that for any copper fittings etc. to see if it was.
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Any metal detector will do that stuff. I have a Fortune Hunter from Big5 thats great for that stuff. I'm in a Gold bearing area so im hunting nuggetts and I have a specialized detector for Gold also.
I took a class on metal detectors and after class we had a contest. They salted a field with nickles. Every body else had very expensive detectors.
Guess who found the most nickles with a $125 Fortune hunter and won the prize!
The Garret ACE250 has a huge following.
http://www.kellycodetectors.com/garrett/garrett-ace250.htm
Pretty much any Bounty hunter would work well for you.
http://www.kellycodetectors.com/bountyhunter/bhunter.htm
I took a class on metal detectors and after class we had a contest. They salted a field with nickles. Every body else had very expensive detectors.
Guess who found the most nickles with a $125 Fortune hunter and won the prize!
The Garret ACE250 has a huge following.
http://www.kellycodetectors.com/garrett/garrett-ace250.htm
Pretty much any Bounty hunter would work well for you.
http://www.kellycodetectors.com/bountyhunter/bhunter.htm
Then you'll want to use a VLF.
Stick to the well known manufacturers:
Whites, Tesoro, Garrett, Minelab etc.
I recommend not start at top of the line models that are loaded with features because it can be confusing, but many have factory pre-set programs.
Think about accessories:
Propointer (by Garrett) can/does help get in on target on a dig
Lesche hand trowel
Pouch
If you have a MD club nearby, most generally allow visitors.
Have a dealer nearby? Some will teach on the spot.
No club or dealer? - Visit sites online. Think about your hunt, detectors, take your time and boil it down to a detector or two.
Join a site like "Findmall", Treasure Depot etc.
Don't get hope up high at the start. It takes time and patience.
A Pi detector is not a easy start, start with VLF for what you stated you wanted to do.
Start out and stick with a detector or two and stick with learning them. There is a learning curve understanding the machine. I can use one with one tone (like Tesoro's) and learn what the one tone says, or use a multi tone machine.
Don't rely totally on a machine with a display screen - go by tone and use the display (if it has one) as a second tool.
Headphones, quality headphones and listen carefully.
Larger coils for cleaner areas and more depth, small coils for trashy area, and some small coils can get good depth, but a big plus is work slow. Folks go to fast and don't know what they are missing.
I'd start reviewing on "Findmall" and spend some rainy cold days reading.
I only been detecting for over 3 decades - patience and research is key.
It's only a hobby so don't get frustrated at the get go, it comes sooner or later.
One the rains start and soften the ground, I go occasionally, hang it up once it gets dry and too warm.
Old ring pull tabs are abundant. When you start hitting wheat pennies, consider that a time stamp for the area. Once the silver coins start showing up, work the area. School tot lots and your own yards are the place to start and learn. Please don't leave open holes at parks and schools. Respect the hobby.
Enjoy
Stick to the well known manufacturers:
Whites, Tesoro, Garrett, Minelab etc.
I recommend not start at top of the line models that are loaded with features because it can be confusing, but many have factory pre-set programs.
Think about accessories:
Propointer (by Garrett) can/does help get in on target on a dig
Lesche hand trowel
Pouch
If you have a MD club nearby, most generally allow visitors.
Have a dealer nearby? Some will teach on the spot.
No club or dealer? - Visit sites online. Think about your hunt, detectors, take your time and boil it down to a detector or two.
Join a site like "Findmall", Treasure Depot etc.
Don't get hope up high at the start. It takes time and patience.
A Pi detector is not a easy start, start with VLF for what you stated you wanted to do.
Start out and stick with a detector or two and stick with learning them. There is a learning curve understanding the machine. I can use one with one tone (like Tesoro's) and learn what the one tone says, or use a multi tone machine.
Don't rely totally on a machine with a display screen - go by tone and use the display (if it has one) as a second tool.
Headphones, quality headphones and listen carefully.
Larger coils for cleaner areas and more depth, small coils for trashy area, and some small coils can get good depth, but a big plus is work slow. Folks go to fast and don't know what they are missing.
I'd start reviewing on "Findmall" and spend some rainy cold days reading.
I only been detecting for over 3 decades - patience and research is key.
It's only a hobby so don't get frustrated at the get go, it comes sooner or later.
One the rains start and soften the ground, I go occasionally, hang it up once it gets dry and too warm.
Old ring pull tabs are abundant. When you start hitting wheat pennies, consider that a time stamp for the area. Once the silver coins start showing up, work the area. School tot lots and your own yards are the place to start and learn. Please don't leave open holes at parks and schools. Respect the hobby.
Enjoy
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Thanks!! i had a jetco mustang as a kid, todays detectors are way past what i had.
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Thanks!! i had a jetco mustang as a kid, todays detectors are way past what i had.
I remember the Jetco's
I'm down to 13 detectors now, sold off a group a couple years ago.
My Tesoro Compadre looks like a kids toy, but believe it not it gets its share of use yearly. Fun and very affordable, works real good. It's a sleeper. One of my favorites.
My last buy is the White's V3i w/wireless headphones. With all the bells & whistles, color display screen, I still decide by audio response. It's a interesting machine, but it doesn't keep me from using simplistic machines like the Compadre I mentioned.
If I only have a short time to hunt, a grap-N-go machine makes time of it.
Thanks!! i had a jetco mustang as a kid, todays detectors are way past what i had.
I remember the Jetco's
I'm down to 13 detectors now, sold off a group a couple years ago.
My Tesoro Compadre looks like a kids toy, but believe it not it gets its share of use yearly. Fun and very affordable, works real good. It's a sleeper. One of my favorites.
My last buy is the White's V3i w/wireless headphones. With all the bells & whistles, color display screen, I still decide by audio response. It's a interesting machine, but it doesn't keep me from using simplistic machines like the Compadre I mentioned.
If I only have a short time to hunt, a grap-N-go machine makes time of it.
I ordered a bounty hunter IV yesterday for $89 plus free shipping. Ordered some garrett headphones too. Hopefully that will get me started and then later if i still enjoy it , I will consider higher end units.
The Bounty Hunter you've ordered will be a good basic introduction for you. Good idea getting the headphones as having them increases your abilities.
For me, I enjoyed doing it for a few years. Then....as almost always seems the norm for activities these days, the LAW got into it and decided to ban detecting at almost anyplace I tried to go. All parks, most beaches, sports fields, schools, any city or county property....including seemingly abandoned lots. I tried going way out of town and was able to find a few places I was allowed to do it, but not much. I was always very careful to leave a place as I'd found it too, but apparently others did not and that's probably why they are so widespread banned in my area. About the only places left are my own property and any I can get permission to detect (not likely I'm going to knock on someones door and ask to metal detect).
Anyway, it's a very fun hobby and hopefully you have lots of available places in your area to enjoy it.
For me, I enjoyed doing it for a few years. Then....as almost always seems the norm for activities these days, the LAW got into it and decided to ban detecting at almost anyplace I tried to go. All parks, most beaches, sports fields, schools, any city or county property....including seemingly abandoned lots. I tried going way out of town and was able to find a few places I was allowed to do it, but not much. I was always very careful to leave a place as I'd found it too, but apparently others did not and that's probably why they are so widespread banned in my area. About the only places left are my own property and any I can get permission to detect (not likely I'm going to knock on someones door and ask to metal detect).
Anyway, it's a very fun hobby and hopefully you have lots of available places in your area to enjoy it.
Originally Posted By: dugw
i love mt tesoro vaquero. all tesoro models are lifetime warranty.
The Vaquero is a workhorse of a detector. Very nice.
My 1st Tesoro buy was the Vaquero and Cibola together. Then the Tejon followed that. Then the Compadre, Silver, and Cortes on my 3rd trip to a local dealer.
Quality machines, warranty and service can't be beat.
I have never had to send one for repair/service - but I can say the same for all my other detectors with the exception of my Whites Vision which had it's software upgraded and wireless headphones checked.
i love mt tesoro vaquero. all tesoro models are lifetime warranty.
The Vaquero is a workhorse of a detector. Very nice.
My 1st Tesoro buy was the Vaquero and Cibola together. Then the Tejon followed that. Then the Compadre, Silver, and Cortes on my 3rd trip to a local dealer.
Quality machines, warranty and service can't be beat.
I have never had to send one for repair/service - but I can say the same for all my other detectors with the exception of my Whites Vision which had it's software upgraded and wireless headphones checked.
JHZR2
Staff member
How about a thread showing what you've found???
No need a new thread - over 3 decades of detecting for typical coins (silver not as abundant as years past but still find them), trash, tokens, jewelery, trash, relics (no civil war relics where I'm at - but some old mining town junk), trash, knifes, trash, watches, trash, keys, trash, and such a wide variety of all kinds of odds & ends, and a ton of trash.
My point - some folks will cherry pick by trying to discriminate all but common coins and those are the folks that miss a lot. That's okay I guess, but as stated, I dig up a ton of trash because much jewelery etc., fall in trash range. Small coils and go slow is what I do for the trashy areas, but I'll knock out the trash if time is short.
It's just a hobby that gets me out sometimes - I'm not really a coin collector although I don't pass digging up a coin signal, not even a penny. Although I know nothing about coins, it brings a smile still when I dig up a large cent, Indian head, standing/walkers etc.
The far and few in between - gold coins, silver dollars, halfs, US 2-cent, US 3-cent, half dimes etc.
But it's fun trying. Take the dogs out, sometimes the kids, friends etc - its just a hobby but one that puts time into it and has patience are hopefully successful instead of some I seen get their hopes high and get discouraged.
My point - some folks will cherry pick by trying to discriminate all but common coins and those are the folks that miss a lot. That's okay I guess, but as stated, I dig up a ton of trash because much jewelery etc., fall in trash range. Small coils and go slow is what I do for the trashy areas, but I'll knock out the trash if time is short.
It's just a hobby that gets me out sometimes - I'm not really a coin collector although I don't pass digging up a coin signal, not even a penny. Although I know nothing about coins, it brings a smile still when I dig up a large cent, Indian head, standing/walkers etc.
The far and few in between - gold coins, silver dollars, halfs, US 2-cent, US 3-cent, half dimes etc.
But it's fun trying. Take the dogs out, sometimes the kids, friends etc - its just a hobby but one that puts time into it and has patience are hopefully successful instead of some I seen get their hopes high and get discouraged.
^ add - detecting for nuggets really takes patience.
Originally Posted By: Schmoe
I found a quarter on the beach once, that's about it.
That's a start. A detector helps to find the ones ya can't see.
Salt water can play havoc on many detectors. Some more than others. High minerals affects.
For beach sand, best to have a long handle scoop - the kind you can push it in with a foot. Saves some back breaking up & downs.
I have yet to detect salt water beaches. A buddy did a good bit of it and it can be productive.
I found a quarter on the beach once, that's about it.
That's a start. A detector helps to find the ones ya can't see.
Salt water can play havoc on many detectors. Some more than others. High minerals affects.
For beach sand, best to have a long handle scoop - the kind you can push it in with a foot. Saves some back breaking up & downs.
I have yet to detect salt water beaches. A buddy did a good bit of it and it can be productive.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
How about a thread showing what you've found???
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On a site traveled by civil war troops i found this .58 in a nearly rotted piece of cedar. Another guy found an unfired .58 2 ring bullet.
Ugraded my bounty hunter, i found this with a garrett ace 350
How about a thread showing what you've found???
[img:center]http://
[img:center]http://
On a site traveled by civil war troops i found this .58 in a nearly rotted piece of cedar. Another guy found an unfired .58 2 ring bullet.
Ugraded my bounty hunter, i found this with a garrett ace 350
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