iv'e been looking into metal detectors and wondered what the best metal detectors are for coins, i don't really have a price range. thanks! :thumb:
For your first metal detector, I would reccomend something in Garret's ACE series. I have the 250, and it works extremely well on dry land. I have found things ranging from pull tabs to a half dime. It all depends on where you detect.
I have owned Garret, Whites, Tesoro, Bounty Hunter and Fischer. From experience, I have had really good luck with White's. They have excellent customer service. 2nd best? Probably Garret, but they don't make anything that Rivals the Technology that White's has. White's has a Detector with a color display and wireless headphones, cost is around $1700. Don't get scared by the technology...all Whites Detectors are "Turn on and go" simply turn it on and use it. Once you get used to detecting you can fiddle around with stuff. Get the "Garret Propointer". Its a WONDERFUL device. No more sifting through the dirt, it's a little handheld detector that is waterproof, has vibration, and is very durable. Another invaluable tool is the Lesche digger. Made in USA! Very tough and durable. Lifetime warranty. Don't let the $40 price tag scare ya, it's a **** of a tool.. Whatever detector you get, be sure to get those tools. They will run you around $180 for the two, but worth every penny. Feel free to PM me with any questions, I can give a lot of advice on getting you going.
Ok, so I'm tracking this thread and am very interested. Detecto.......Is there a White's you would recommend that doesn't cost 1909 VDB-S money? I'm personally looking around $500 and for that money the Garrett 350 (plus the two toys above) looks and sounds like a heck of a deal.
The absolute best detector for the money is the Garrett ATPro. Want proof? Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDC3SUK3axM&list=FLB6zVHPkiS19Wt1y7Y_1Bug&index=12&feature=plpp_video This will make up your mind pretty quick, it did to me and I ended up with one really nice machine. I had a ACE 350 before.
The Garret ATpro is the best for the money, with the propointer. Metal Detecting is all about the research work you put in. You could hit a few beaches and old parks, or walk through woods and look for rock walls and foundations. Overlaying old maps with new ones is fun. Anybody live in Maine? I have tons of great spots
I have a Bounty Hunter Quick Draw 2 and am rather happy with it. I got it for about $200 with a pinpointer and carrying case. I have used it on the beach as well as dry land. It is very easy to use, and you can discriminate iron and such out if you want.
Old civil war sites and other places with a history I heard were good places to detect. If you want to take a road trip, I would highly reccomend doing some research and finding a very small town in the middle of the desert which was founded pre-1900. They are especially nice because not only will you find some really cool relics (I found old levi jeans buttons, a very old peace of jewlery, a mystery key, and a pocket knife), but you might stumble upon some very nice old coins. The place I went to was Benton hot springs in california, but there are many more places just like it.
If you are going to go with the 250 I'd recommend tossing in 100 extra bucks and getting the Garrett Ace 350. You can swipe back and forth as fast as possible and it will never miss a beat. Youtube Garret Ace 350 for sure.
Garrett Ace 250 Great machine Ace 350 is a step upwards with better Ground Balance ATPro best all around-can take water up to 10 feet deep if you like surf hunting Mr Garrett holds so many patents they are hard to count. He is active and has written many books. He knows Metal Detectors better than anyone alive. His machines are solid. I have owned over 20 metal detectors of all sorts. I even started with a Whites in 1970. Mr White retired many years ago. They are not the same cutting edge company of years past. Garrett on the other hand also makes the best security detectors as well as the best Pro pointer in the world. On the forums there are paid reviewers for all brands. Also, if two people go side by side hunting with two different brands the one who luckily walked nearer the treasure will swear to his/her dying day that their detector is the best. Thus choosing gets confusing. In choosing look for the solid built detector with the best technology. Garrett wins this battle. You can't go wrong with entry level Ace 250 if this is your fist machine.
Get a used Whites XLT. They were the "flagship" for quite some time. A used can can be had for around $300. Very nice machine. I've pulled coins 8" plus with it. Which is good for the soil here.
You can always take a drive to where I live and check out the Forbes trail with me. Within 2 miles of my house, theere is 2 old fort sites and a bread oven where George Washington stopped at on his way to Fort Dusquene.
I'd be very serious, but the one large fort sat in the middle of what is now a middle school football field. The other one is in a guys yard, but I might be able to convince him to let me on since him and my dad are good friends. Fort Stony Creek (1758 - 1763), Kantner (Stoystown Station) A British redoubt and supply camp on the Forbes Road. Also known as Stony Creek Post. Abandoned during Pontiac's War. A stone monument is located at the North Star Elementary School. Stone bake ovens associated with the camp were located on Oven Run east of town, and still remained until the 1870's. The oven that they speak of is the one that I spoke of. I have permission from the owner of the property to metal detect there, I just haven't made it there yet.
i've decided on the garrett 250 its inexpensive and i can always upgrade later, i'm also gonna get the garrett pin pointer and a few other tools. just saying because i can! :yes: