Folks - I'd like to get serious about getting started at coin/jewelry shooting. I did some searching here in the threads and found a Metal Detector Dealer that StGauden658 posted. I was impressed with what I saw. There are three package specials being offered by this dealer that look viable. Mind you, I am a novice, but I don't particularly care about the differential in costs for these three package. Please kindly advise in terms of what you think ! What I think I care about: Primary: Easily identify copper, nickel, silver, & gold coins; jewelry; In-Land Soils; Idiot-proof Display Dashboard for metal types, depth. Secondary: Identify zinc & brass; Beaches; Also - Ability to exclude via settings or easily with tone other metals such as poptops, lead, iron, and other base metals. The first package: Ace 250 Pro-Pointer Package - $339.90 The second package: Ace 250 Metal Detector Deluxe Sport Package - $297.45 + $20 More for the Automax V4 Pinpointer Third Package:White's Classic 5ID Metal Detector with New 9” Pro Spider Search Coil - $359.95 Please see the attached a comparison matrix for each of the specials that I prepared. Again, any thoughts / guidance would be most appreciated! Thanks, CheetahCats
I am prejudiced, but prefer Whites above others. here is a good site, as them for opinions: http://www.detectorsparadise.com
Thanks Treashunt... I noticed that the White's package only included a 9" coil, while another package (ACE 250) included both 6.5 x 9” & 9 x 12" coils. Won't the ACE package offer better versatility for deeper detections?
The Ace 250 is frequently recomended for beginners. A word of caution, the visual target identification is anything but foolproof even on the best of detectors. If you want to find gold and older deeper coins [ though none of the detectors mentioned are real deep ones] you have to set your discrimination low and dig it all. I prefer to use a detector with performance but without the frills, no visual ID, depth indication etc. It is a personal preferance thing though, you will have to find what you like best. Good luck!
Thanks! I understand your guidance correctly, even the ACE package with the two different coils still won't go that deep? Any guesses as far as how deep in common East Coast soil the ACE (that comes with two diff coils) would detect, and how deep the White's would detect?
no guess, but 6 + inches should be deep enough. Try DP, tell them that I referred you. there are many different users there.
I haven't used any of these detector models but have used all of the major brands. Been detecting for almost thirty years and follow the metal detecting forums closely. The Ace 250 is newer technology, the White's Classic line is a bit older. The larger coil will get you deeper, but with a slight loss in sensitivity to smaller items and they are much harder to use in trashy areas, may be covering several targets under the larger coil. I would guess you would be looking at possibly 5 to 8 inches on coin size objects with either detector depending on the soil. Mineralized soil would decrease the depth. Even with the best detectors you would be looking at another 2 to 4 inches. I am sure there will be disagreement with this, it is sort of like "my Ford is faster than your Chevy". Just my take on it. You can't go wrong if you stick with the major brands, Tesoro, Fisher, Garrett, White's, Minelab.
Thanks! From your perspective and almost 3 decades of experience (wow!), do the accessories I listed in the attached matrix that come with the packages make one or another package look better... in terms of startup needs, and best value?
I have an Ace 250 and have been pretty happy with it. I have found mostly clad so far and the deepest coin I dug was a wheat at about 5 inches. Most are no deeper than 3 that I have found. It is a good starter machine with a few quirks. I think my next machine will be a whites As Treashunt suggested. He has dug enough good targets I trust his opinions. My biggest obstacle would not having the depth and target display. Here is what my Ace found in about an hour and a half the other day.
The most important accessories to me are a GOOD set of headphones and a good digger. I see the Garretts come with two different sets of headphones, I am guessing the more expensive package comes with better headphones? I guess if it was me I would opt for the Garrett package with better headphones and buy a good digger. Again, just my opinion, yours may differ. http://forum.treasurenet.com/ is another good one, ask lots of questions and good luck!
cheetah: Good luck. Now check out FMDAC.org join up and come to the convention this fall, @ Niagara, I think.
Cheetah, I've been detecting for about 20 years, and have had good experience with the following detectors: - Garrett 550 (this is an older model, not made any more, newer ones are better). - Minelab Safari, a deep seeking machine, but quite heavy if you detect for > 1 hr at a time as I do. - XP Gmaxx II (a french machine, superb, light and good depth). I also have an ACE 250. Yes, it is good for the price, and good for beginners. BUT, it is necessarily limited in what it can do. Probably a good compromise is to start with the ACE. See if detecting is for you, and if you want to progress get a more advanced machine, and sell the ACE. Whatever you do, I wish you lots of success, and remember: patience (lots of it), and a little research are the key to good finds. Good luck!
The Garrett ACE 250 Spring Special package includes one coil: a 6.5 x 9" ProFormance Search coil. The Garrett ACE 250 Sports Special package includes two coils: 6.5 x 9" and 9 x 12" Factory coils. Are we talking a significant difference here? Wouldn't two coils be better than one, since from what I've read the ProFormance coil touts that it has better depth capability?
Yeah, I see that now. The cheaper package has two coils, not quite sure why. You could call and ask questions, they are usually pretty helpful. Just be careful, they sometimes push their own brands, MPX I think they are called, Chinese stuff. I have dealt with Kellyco before but use Tesoro pretty much exclusively now which they don't sell.
bought the Ace 250 package with the two coils. I really haven't been to an area clean enough to use it much though. The parks close to home are so trashy I use the smaller one and wish I had a sniper coil. I'm sure you could get more depth with the larger one in areas with fewer targets.
Thanks for everyone's help... I decided to pick-up two detectors. Family members expressed interest in going, so I decided to get two instead of one. I didn't want to get 2 of the same brand/specs, as I understand that detectors each have their own individual quirks - both good and bad. First: Garrett ACE 250 Metal Detector Deluxe Sports Package - $317.45 6.5 x 9” & 9 x 12" Factory Coils Garrett Treasure Sound Headphones Composite Digger Automax V4 Pinpointer - (Added for $20) Trailblazer Carry Bag State-by-State Treasure Guide CD Garrett Instructional DVD Kellyco 3 Pocket Coin Pouch Trial Subscription to "Lost Treasure" Magazine Finders Log Garrett All Purpose Backpack Ace Environmental Cover-Up Second: Bounty Hunter Pioneer 501 Pro Metal Detector Package - $269.95 8" Open Search Coil & 4" Closed Search Coil Nippon III Headphones Composite Digger Automax V4 Pinpointer - (Added for $20) Stainless Steel Folding Knife State-by-State Treasure Guide CD Trial Subscription to "Lost Treasure" Magazine BTW - that Kellyco website has a lot on it, but it took a bit to navigate it...
