Bissen link=topic=12417.msg133002#msg133002 date=1359621819 said:
Best beginners detector under 500 Dollars
In no particular order: Garrett Ace 250 / 350, Whites Coinmaster GT, a used Whits IDX Pro
Both whites have salt or beach setting reducing false signals in wet sand ocean beaches. The Garrett Ace 250 is a price champ. The IDX may be around 10 years but holds its own and excels in trashy sites with a small coil to swap to.
Price under 500 dollars
Beach/Water Detector Water proof till 10 feet a least
Salt water, fresh or both? Under $500 isn't happening for a new waterproof unit. If you are primarily in fresh the Garrett AT Pro can be had every day for $595 and if there are a couple dealers who may cut you steal closer to $500 even. If you know them and have cash - no charge. The AT Pro can be used wading in salt wader though I haven't tried it with mine as I prefer different tech for saltwater wading. Right here I will say this Garrett has set a new standard of flexibility at a price point not found anywhere else.
Price under 500 dollars
Land Detektor
Best gold detector under 500
I haven't used any devoted gold detectors. Nugget shooting is on my bucket list and I'd likely buy used and have it factory checked before venturing out. Again, plan on $100 more for new. I don't wich one is best. The frequency and user interface along with the ability to ID iron clearly would factor into my selection. How often will a dedicated gold unit be used? The Garrett ATGold will do everything the ATPro will do except ground balance to the ocean bottom.
Best All around under 500 Dollars
Land and Water
The Garrett ATPro at the best price you can negotiate.
Best beginners detector under 1000 Dollars
Same as best under $500 for a beginner, why spend more. Ok the ATPro. The ATPro can be set to standard audio so a beginner can start identifying coins right away. That mode sounds like the ACE series. It's not intimidating for a beginner to learn and leaves room to learn more sophisticated features and uses. .
Price under 1000 dollars
Beach/Water Detector Water proof till 10 feet a least
Used Excalibur 2 will run about $1000 and work in salt or fresh environments.
Price under 1000 dollars
Land Detektor
Aside from the detectors I already mentioned Fisher and Teknetics have some light weight offerings to consider if weight is a factor. The F5 and Omega 8000 respectively are well liked. I haven't used either.
If you want horsepower consider the Whites VX3 but it will run ya about $1099. Gee, the more I consider the $ factor I come back to the Garrett ATPro.
Best gold detector 1000 Dollars
You'd be best to contact Gerry McMullen in Boise Idaho if you are serious. He's a pro.
Best All around under 1000 Dollars
Land and Water
ATPro it may be the best product Garrett has ever released. The fast recovery, iron audio, ground balance and the fact it's is all weather - water tight to 10' is hard to beat. It leaves money in the budget for some detecting necessities.
Best beginners detector over 1000+ Dollars
None unless you 1) have a basic understanding of how a detector works. These over $1000 units offer a degree of sophistication and settings that can be best utilized by knowing basic theory of how these work and understanding ground exclusion balance. The Fisher F75 Ltd -Se seems user friendly but I Can't expand more due to inexperience with it. I read where new users seem to take to it after a shorter learning curve.
Price over 1000+ dollars
Beach/Water Detector Water proof till 10 feet a least
I like the Excalibur 2
Price over 1000+ dollars
Land Detector
My experience is with the Whites V3i. I like the ability to configue the V for the task at hand. it does take greater time to set it up in unfamiliar conditions. The learning curve is too steep for some folks. i come from 26+ years of using :usaflag:ship Whites detectors so it was a more natural prgression. I also prefer the audio qualities of the V3i. Consider the Minelabs - explorer, Etrac or CTX3030. The Minelabs are proven performers but my field use experience is zero.
Best gold detector over 1000+
Again Mr. McMullen is better equipped to advise you.
Best All around over 1000+ Dollars
Land and Water
The CTX 3030 is worthy of consideration. I have not used one. Feature set is impressive and water proof to 10'.
And why you chose that detector. You can chose 3 in every category and give them a rating from 1 to 3.
I prefer descriptives, a numerical 1 to 3 rating doesn't fit in my overloaded brain. I like detail. My comments contain my reasons why.
The more info you leave on every choice the better.
The more people that leave answers the better. We can use this to show every newbee. And maybe give some hints for the trained to.
