It's not that inexpensive, but a Tesoro Compadre is a fun little machine, super easy to use, does a great job, and will cost about $100+/- used. I have one as my second machine for quick hunts.
I have a Minelab X-Terra 305. Haven't had a lot of luck, just found around a dollar's worth of change on Ocean City Maryland beach. A little frustrated when I see the hauls some of these folks get!
Try looking for a slightly used machine that someone bought, then didn't catch the bug, or use it like they hoped. But only buy a good one - don't look for super bargains.
Do you dig all targets? That was almost the rule 50 years ago. Machines have came a long way over the years. I'm thinking your machine saves on the digging time.
There are certain signals that I always check. 12-08 on my CTX3030 most of the time is an old pulltab or 14K White Gold! I love that signal.. This was my best 12-08 signal at 4" deep -
Oh wow!!! How can something be so far down in the ground? Like it was there for 20 years or something. Unbelievable.
I got a low end detector for $60 brand new. Not a lot of bells and whistles. Clear hi tones means it's diggable, weird tones means it's aluminum and not worth digging. But I did throw down a hundred bucks for a Garrett carrot. Makes target recovery SOOO much more efficient.
I have 2 detectors. First was a Pioneer 202 (also know as a Bounty Hunter something or other). Recently purchased a Eurotek w/DD coil that I like much better. Still have trouble identifying digs before I dig and can't pull them out of the ground as so many hunters seem to be able to do with such ease. I think unless you are willing to spend mucho dollars on a high end model you're stuck playing hit or miss. That's been my experience at least. I have little patience when digging too and I suppose that's a big part of my lack of success. Good luck though and let us know what you buy and your successes. I'll be jealous but I'll be interested in your finds.
two weeks ago, with a Whites machine. Man's wedding band, 14 KT the small heart is silver with a small gold in the O of LOVE
Yup. I'm jealous. Never found gold of any sort here. Congrats. Just curious. Did your machine give the same kind of reading as say, iron,junk,nickels as it did for this?
And if the coat hanger thing doesn't work out as a metal detector, you can send it to your favorite Senator to use in an upcoming confirmation hearing.
The gold ring rang as a pull tab, normal reading that is why you dig all pulltabs & bottle caps. The small silver heart rang as a zinc cent. Fell thru the scoop sever times
I got a signal on a beer can and while digging it up I uncovered a small gold necklace. Sometimes you dig any signal just in case.