JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
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Post by JR8675309 on Aug 27, 2023 9:55:01 GMT -5
Anyone using a metal detector they like? I'm considering one to look for metal minerals. Tx!
Idk if there's a forum specifically designed for this topic.
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 27, 2023 10:20:34 GMT -5
Here's what I know about metal detectors:
My wife wanted one. I bought her a really nice one along with a really nice pinpointer. She turned it on the morning I gave it to her. She turned it off. It has been sitting in the back room collecting dust ever since.
SMH!!!
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JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
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Post by JR8675309 on Aug 27, 2023 10:23:00 GMT -5
jasoninsd ha, that's fantastic! I'm worried I will do the same.... let me know if you need to sell it to get it off her hands...  I don't know anything about MD except that they op at different frequencies and that these are based on the material one plans to recover. I thought it would be fun to use when I got places without rocks lol.
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 27, 2023 12:23:53 GMT -5
jasoninsd ha, that's fantastic! I'm worried I will do the same.... let me know if you need to sell it to get it off her hands... I don't know anything about MD except that they op at different frequencies and that these are based on the material one plans to recover. I thought it would be fun to use when I got places without rocks lol. Oh no. That detector is going anywhere by my hands. Either she ends up using it for its intended purpose...or I will continue to have it tucked away as "ammunition" should she ever say anything about my ever increasing rock piles! At least I'm doing something with mine! LOL |
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gunsil
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2023
Posts: 345
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Post by gunsil on Aug 27, 2023 13:02:03 GMT -5
I've been detecting for over 50 years and detectors have come a long ways. A good mid range detector costs about $1,000 new these days. Almost all of my detectors were purchased used, there are a lot of people like Jason's wife who quickly lose interest so you can often find good deals on the used ones. Minelab makes about the best detector these days, their new Equinox 900 is one of the best all around machines with five frequencies to choose from or you can use all at once. Only multi frequency machines are any good in mineralized soil. Minelab also makes the Vanquish which is an entry lever machine that sill has the multi frequency. If you plan to hunt heavily mineralized soil stay away from the single frequency VLF detectors, you will be disappointed. There are also PI detectors which will penetrate mineralized soil. Stay away from the Garrett multi frequency machine, they have terrible reviews.
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JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
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Post by JR8675309 on Aug 27, 2023 13:06:14 GMT -5
gunsil thanks for the info. Of course the one I located locally is a used Garrett ace 250. I’ve been driving the owner crazy with questions . For 130 w extras I was planning to pull the trigger. Your reference to mineralized soils has me thinking more about that.
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gunsil
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2023
Posts: 345
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Post by gunsil on Aug 27, 2023 13:23:10 GMT -5
Ace 250 is a good single frequency entry level detector although a little outdated. It will be good for finding coins in yards and any metal as long as the soil isn't too "hot". There is some red soil in VA that is almost impossible to hunt with a single frequency detector and the single frequency ones do poorly around black sand. I think you can get a new Vanquish for about $400, less for a used one. Minelab just updated their Equinox 600 and 800 to a model 700 and 900, a lot of the 600 and 800 machines are now on the market at good discounts as people sell them to buy the latest model. If you waant to hunt gold nuggets you will need a dedicated gold machine like the Minelab Goldmonster or the Fisher Gold Bug. No cheap way to efficiently find valuable objects. The Equinox 800 and 900 do have gold programs and are good, but not as good as a dedicated gold machine. Top of the line Minelab PI gold machines run $2500-6000 new!
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JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
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Post by JR8675309 on Aug 27, 2023 14:18:45 GMT -5
[mention]gunsil [/mention] that is so much for sharing your expertise. I will be hounding in the pacific NW mostly in central or eastern oregon. May be a better option for me to get a dedicated gold finder and I'm inclined to agree. Was being a cheapskate, but can see how one could easily think something doesn't work bc it isn't the right tool for the job.
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gunsil
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2023
Posts: 345
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Post by gunsil on Aug 27, 2023 15:13:27 GMT -5
Yup, any detector will find gold if it's big enough and close enough to the surface. Most natural gold is pretty small and many machines will not find it. There is a metal detecting forum called TreasureNet, you might want to sign up there, there are a lot of OR, CA, and WA gold hunters on there and lots of knowledge. Some good videos about detecting for gold on youtube also.
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JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
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Post by JR8675309 on Aug 27, 2023 15:17:00 GMT -5
[mention]gunsil [/mention] great suggestion, I will check out the forum. I didn't think I had a vacancy for another hobby, but I guess this is happening lol. Ty.
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