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05-13-2007, 6:18 AM kellybrookme Joined on 01-30-2006 Boothbay Harbor, Maine Posts 144 Buying a detector Ben (who will be 11 soon) has been talking about buying a detector this year. He will be painting for his Uncle this summer and has plans to set aside $800.00 to get a good unit.  I met someone at the store the other day. He said he was a whites dealed and he would sell me one at 10% over cost. I  don't know if that's a good deal. He suggested two, the Beachhunter http://www.whiteselectronics.com/beachhunterw.php It looks easy to use and it's waterproof. I like that idea. So if Ben accidently dropes it in water he wouldent be out his $800. The other was the MXT http://www.whiteselectronics.com/mxtw.php We don't know much about Detectors so any suggestions would be helpful. Tkanks,Tom We are the gold in Gods pan!    Report

05-13-2007, 6:34 AM socalgold Joined on 01-25-2006 Fighting for Miners Rights & Our Civil Liberties Posts 2,007 Re: Buying a detector Tom, Most all detectors are waterproof heads, very few except underwater ones are waterproof control units. Steve Herschbach is renowned on detectors and probably sells more than anybody on the market. Steve says if you are going to own just one detector, then get a mxt. I have a MXT with a 6 x 10 head and Anita has a gold bug 2 with the little nugget shooter head.. They all have a learning curve to get past first, I don't care if its a cheap wally world one or a big minelab. If he is just coin hunting then a cheapo from walmart or radio shack will be a good learning one. The mxt has 3 different settings. I've yet to find a gold nugget with mine but i do have about 3 gallons of coins, (none rare and mostly clad coins); countless rings, bracelets, watches, knives etc. The beach hunter, I've never used, but I use my mxt on the beaches. Guess it all boils down to personal preference and intended uses. 11 yrs old?, i'd suggest a wally model and he save the rest towards his college education account. He'll probably find just as much either way and if he invests right, his account started at 11 could grow into such he could go ivy league. Lee I Love My Country It's the government I'm Afraid OF    Report

05-13-2007, 11:14 AM Bobg Joined on 12-15-2006 Supply NC Posts 380 Re: Buying a detector Tom, what Lee didn't take into consideration is your son is 11 yrs old. If he can swing an MXT for an hr without tiring of the whole concept of detecting than it'd be a miracle. White's does not make a detector for young folks, they are about as heavy as they come. Some of the lightest units out there are made by Tesoro Oh, do not get a PI, (Pulse Induction) unit such as the whites beach hunter. That young man will pick up every piece of iron/steel target in range, there's no descriminating with a PI unit. Also look at what the difference in a DD coil, and the coil that comes with most units. Continue on with the search for a good unit, but concider his height, as they can't all be adjusted for real short, and the weght factor, although some units can be belt mounted and the relief to arm fatigue is greatly apreciated. I have two, both minelab, both have DD coils that come standard and are expensive options with whites and many others, and both my units are either chest harness or belt mounted. When I hit the beach, it's usually for 3 hrs or more. I hope this helps. You've just been told some info your Whites dealer will never volunteer. I owned an MXT with a 14" DD coil. Yes I found things, but I've found more and deeper targets with my Soverign GT and factory DD coil, not to mention that it also puts out 17 different signals, as opposed to the one signal of the MXT. Good technique in swinging and recovering your targets is as important as the machine you get. You can make a mess of a city park, or leave the place looking like you've never been there. The net is full of how to's on both those subject. And finally we come to digging and retrieving tools. Yup there's a bunch out there, along with these little hand held detectors called pinpointers. They are essential for saving time, as most of what he'll find will look just like the soil he finds it in, untill washed off. Good luck in him getting him what he'll enjoy. Did I mention that Tesoro has a lifetime warranty? I just noticed where your from. If salt water is a factor, then be very careful what he buys. It's essential for his unit to be able to ground balance to eliminate the salt/minerlization noise.    Report

05-13-2007, 11:50 AM kellybrookme Joined on 01-30-2006 Boothbay Harbor, Maine Posts 144 Re: Buying a detector             Thanks so much for the info! I hadn't thought much about the weight of the unit. Ben is 5'3" and about 120lbs so he won't blow over in a good storm. We have some sand beaches but mostly rocks up here. A lot of stone walls and cellar holes. I think that the most important thing for me (which might not be for him ) is that he get something "easy to learn" so he doesn't get discouraged and set it in a corner. He has also been talkin about using it in or near the river while I am panning ( which won't happen as offten as I like ) The nearest place is about 4 hours one way.            Lee I don't know much if anything about investing but if it works like you say where do I start? Thanks again for all the good info! We are the gold in Gods pan!    Report

05-13-2007, 12:37 PM cosmic Joined on 03-30-2007 Posts 55 Re: Buying a detector What kind of md is he going to do the most? Mostly beach or coin and relic? A pinpointer is a must have and saves alot of time..Mostly looking for gold or coins? Lots of detectors in that price range.. Hard to say what kind of a machine until we know what kind of detecting he's wants to do..                                                     Report

05-13-2007, 1:03 PM kellybrookme Joined on 01-30-2006 Boothbay Harbor, Maine Posts 144 Re: Buying a detector Most would be here by the house. Along stone walls. I know of 3 or 4 cellar holes that are about a 10 min walk. Sandy beaches about a 20 min drive and rocky beaches 10 min drive. The only time it would be specifically gold is when we head north. That won't be to often. It's a four hour drive one way. So, to make a short answer long... I would say mostly coin and relic to start.  We are the gold in Gods pan!    Report

05-13-2007, 4:10 PM GasCan/SW-GA Joined on 01-25-2006 Summerville, Ga Posts 654 Re: Buying a detector kellybrookme, you can check out some of these fourms, but of course on each one, their detector is the best, LOL.  Also you probably need a week or two for all of them. Have fun!!! PS. you can read without sighing in, but if you want to ask questions, you'll need to register. http://www.findmall.com/ GasCan/NW-GA, Formerly SW-GA    Report

05-14-2007, 10:32 AM Jus John Joined on 02-16-2006 Chehalis,Wash. State Posts 248 Re: Buying a detector I'll stick in my 2 cents worth here. I personally have a Whites DFX, and do like it a bunch, but wouldn't reccommend it for a beginner. In my opinion, the best detector for a beginner, and for the money, is the Garretts Ace 250. It has many features of more expensive machines, it has optional coils available for it, (which many cheap or lesser expensive machines don't) It has really good depth, it is easy to use right from the start yet has advanced features that you can progress into. It is light weight and adjustable for length. They are waterproof (not just water resistant) up to the head. Also has a good guarantee. They can be bought new for around $200.00 to $250.00. While Whites does have a less expensive line of detectors, called the Prism line, which are good detectors,but,  you would have to step up to a Prism 5 to get most of the features of the Ace 250, and from my experiences, still wouldn't have the depth and a few other things. Prism 5's are $500.00 suggested retail. The trouble with, for example, Wally world detectors is that they are built for Wally, to Wallys specs, by the manufacturer, to sell cheap. The Ace 250 is NOT a CHEAP detector, but it is an inexpensive one. And YEP, the rest of the money in a college fund, or maybe if the kid really gets into detecting, it could be used in the future to step up to a more expensive machine. No, I am not a garrett dealer nor am I an employee. I have used the Ace 250 and think that it is a really great machine at a really GREAT price. And, NO, you don't want a BeachHunter for a first time detector for the kid. Also, it is not important how many freqs a detector sends out, but it IS important how many it recieves back and analyzes. Jus John    Report

05-14-2007, 10:36 AM navydoc Joined on 01-25-2006 Jacksonville, N.C. Posts 1,466 Re: Buying a detector Here goes my 2 cents.  I own a Garrett Gold Stinger...not recommended for the young un's.  If I had a choice, I would look at one that has automatic ground balance.  Tesoro Super Lobo is a good machine and last time I looked was around $750.  It has auto ground balance and is very user friendly.  I don't recall the one I used as being too heavy.  My son (9 at the time) used it for about 1 1/2 hours at the park and found a good bit of change and a nice ring.  I am considering this as my next detector.  Another bonus is that it also works well for park, beach or nugget shooting.  Hope that helps a little. 'doc One shot....One Kill! 'nough said.    Report

05-14-2007, 12:18 PM cosmic Joined on 03-30-2007 Posts 55 Re: Buying a detector O.K. I just purchased a garret 1350 and its great.. It has salt eliminator mode for beach...( haven't had to use that I'm atleast 1000 miles from salt water) 3 tone ID..  When running it sounds like a chime or bell on a coin but just a high tone in profiling for conductive metals..  Profiling mode is the best thing!! It shows the apporoxamate size of the object  small (1 1/2" or smaller) medium(1 1/2 -4") and large!!!Very cool!!!  Also before you stast looking at the 1500 and 2500 the 1350 uses STANDARD coils .. Don't need the imaging coils like the 1500 and 2500...Target ID work very well.. Light and if wanted you can detatch the battery compartment and hook it to your belt so its even lighter..                            Like it better than the minelab!!!                                             Ray    Report

05-14-2007, 3:23 PM cosmic Joined on 03-30-2007 Posts 55 Re: Buying a detector One thing I forgot to mention.. GET A PINPOINTER!!! Makes it a whole lot easier.. I like the fisher-bounty hunter- teknetics pinpointer.. When the ground is soft you can push it in the soil to really pinpoint a target!!! Just don't pry with it.. If you do buy one let us know and I have a couple of ideas that will help a whole bunch..                                 Ray    Report

05-15-2007, 4:08 AM Bobg Joined on 12-15-2006 Supply NC Posts 380 Re: Buying a detector Well, I see there are quite a few detector opinions out there, and all are worth while reading. Just a bit of info for the whites enthusiasts out there, The whites top of the line, multi signal, DFX uses minelab technology that whites pays dearly for. Like what's been mentioned already, they all claim to be the best, deepest detecting and on and on. Some things I do know as fact from personal experienceis, forget Garrets in or around wet salt water, no matter what their claims, however, the Garret Ace 250 is about the best and most affordable for the young man. If he opts to get the 12" coil for it, he'll find and have a good time when at the beach, if he stays away from the wet stuff and hunts for the dropped targets where the towels and blankets are laid. I got 6 nice gold rings last year in those areas. Just like boats, which I am vary familiar with, no one unit will do it all. By the way, when hunting cellar holes, be very maticulous to overlap the swing and smaller coils will get more targets when you do overlap by about just 1/3.    Report

05-15-2007, 7:14 AM cosmic Joined on 03-30-2007 Posts 55 Re: Buying a detector Another unit to gander at is the whites' M6... I know someone that deals in many kind of detectors... He told me the M6 is the one he always goes back too.Yes he has ALL the high end machine and still likes the M6.. I haven't had a way to check one out yet, but white makes some great detectors.. He calls it his fun machine because of the simplicity.. and through USE he states it goes just as deep as the high end white just not that many whistle and bells... Not sure on the weight..  As far as garrets not working in salt the 1350 has a mode just for that.. I don't think the ace does..                                                                 Ray    Report

05-15-2007, 7:31 AM socalgold Joined on 01-25-2006 Fighting for Miners Rights & Our Civil Liberties Posts 2,007 Re: Buying a detector Ray, think it fits a unknown 11 yr olds enthusiam level? I would be afraid to put out too much for a machine until I saw how long he would stick to it. I think for where he can use it and how he intends to use it, most el cheapos will do the job. If it was one of my kids, I would go to wally world and get a decent one and see how far his interest will last. Most kids lose interest rapidly, course to my understanding, this is a "special " needs child and that could not be the case. Money for me is tight, and I would hate to put out a considerable sum and find out he didn't like it. Course then again if dad wants one they could both use, then that goes out the window also. I Love My Country It's the government I'm Afraid OF    Report

05-15-2007, 8:58 AM cosmic Joined on 03-30-2007 Posts 55 Re: Buying a detector If  thats the case the ace 250... My son got hooked when he was 9 and been swinging a coil ever since.. But the ace is a great low priced, high quality detector... Sorry I thought he was looking at a mid priced detector.. My mistake...    Report

05-15-2007, 9:27 AM twig/al Joined on 01-24-2006 Gadsden, Alabama Posts 4,627 Re: Buying a detector kellybrookme, Metal detecting is NOT one of my strong hobbies that I know much about.. I have and use and older White's Spectrum XLT... I have had and used it for several years. It is a fairly good unit and has been replaced by the newer ones... But you can still find them for a good price.. They have 4 preset modes and 4 programmable modes... You should be able to pick one up at a bargain!!! Mine still has the factory coil and is not real good for gold in the wild, like nugget hunting, but does great for coins and relic hunting... Plus it also has the salt water mode... It is easy to use and ground balance and my 10 year old grandson loves to use it!!! So just don't think "new"... Everyone has the brand they like best!!! I like mine because it works.... twig/al Alabama Prospecting Supply www.alabamaprospectingsupply.com Email: tom@alabamaprospectingsupply.com Southeast Treasure Hunters Forum www.southeasttreasurehunters.com    Report

05-15-2007, 7:30 PM kellybrookme Joined on 01-30-2006 Boothbay Harbor, Maine Posts 144 Re: Buying a detector      WOW! So much info so little time. I can't thank all of you enough. I am going to print all of this and sit down with Ben this weekend. I'm sure I will get the big " I TOLD YOU SO " after he reads a few of the posts. You see, Dad reads Gold Prospectors, Treasure Hunters and a few other magazines. SOOooo, every time Ben scopes out the detectors at wallie world Dad puffs up and says " No son I read all those magazines and you need to spend at least $800 to get A GOOD ONE [:$]" After reading all them postes I'm here to tell you I was Wron... I was wro..  I was WR... I was ......... not as right as I thought. It seems that my 11 year old has a 45 year old "special needs" Father. How does that saying go? "OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES" Oh well, on to my next blunder. Thanks again for all the good info. This will make his day because he will have a detector sooner than he thought. We are the gold in Gods pan!    Report

05-16-2007, 4:49 AM Bobg Joined on 12-15-2006 Supply NC Posts 380 Re: Buying a detector ok, this is real life and not an add to promote. The guy making this post on another site uses nothing but Minelab at the beach and under water, but he's having shoulder problems. Arthritus issues I believe. This is just his thoughts with some proof on another detector you might consider. http://detectorx.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=10574#10574    Report

07-09-2007, 5:45 PM kellybrookme Joined on 01-30-2006 Boothbay Harbor, Maine Posts 144 Re: Buying a detector After all the great info and enlightenment this is what I came up with. I manage a Radio Shack. We sell the Discovery 3300 and I only had to pay $90.00 for the unit.                       I did some research on the unit and found good and bad reviews. It was about a 50/50 split. What socal said made a lot of sense so I just bought it for his birthday. Ben has only been out a few timse with it but is having a great time! Its not to heavy and easy to use. Here are some of his finds. http://forum.goldgrubbin.com/forum/photos/members_other_pictures/picture27659.aspx http://forum.goldgrubbin.com/forum/photos/members_other_pictures/picture27660.aspx Ben is saving his summer job money and we plan on hitting the town common this Sunday! Thanks again for all the help. We are the gold in Gods pan!    Report

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