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Post by gaetzchamp on Mar 7, 2007 13:34:50 GMT -5
OK, I think I'm gonna buy the family a metal detector for the kids to play around w/ while I'm rock hunting. I was hoping to keep the price around $200.00!
I want to buy one that is not a beginner model but not a top of the line one either. Do any of you own one and regularly use it? What are the "Must haves" and "gotchas" when purchasing one???
Thanks in advance for your comments/suggestions.
gaetz
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 7, 2007 13:58:54 GMT -5
I have 2 Bounty Hunters- The QuickDrawII and the LandRanger- The LR is a top of the line- NOT a good begginers machine (and for the $500 clams- not one you want them playing with anyway) The QD2 is a real nice machine- it has Modes of Operation- and is a turn on a go machine (no programming involved) My first year out with it I found over $60 in change- several pieces of Silver Jewlery- and about a bazzilion pulltabs!!!! (that was my own doing as I usually dig every target) It is a bit more than the $200 (I think mine was $239) But well worth it. Oh I also scored some SIlver coins and a 1864 2cent piece! Must have items for me were: GOOD headphones, Rechargable Batteries, and a 4 inch coil (for using in real trashy places) The biggest downfall you get into is the Magazines- They show you all these AWESOME finds that people made with these $1000+ Machines- and all you got is a handful of pennies- So you think- A more expensive machine= betterfinds- But in truth the Better the Person running the machine (the better you research sites, the better you know your machine) the better your finds- Trust me on this- It is not the machine- it's the user!!! Oh and watch out for those discount machines- (Usually under $99) as they are marginal at best-
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Post by pho on Mar 7, 2007 14:04:50 GMT -5
and always use headphones...saves on the batteries....
Pho
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Post by sandsman1 on Mar 7, 2007 14:15:36 GMT -5
good subject gaetz i have a garret infinium LS cost me a grand and its been sittin since i was in fl and yesterday i took it out for a first try and i will have to sit and read the book again everywear i moved it it was sounding so i know i was doin something wrong haha -- so stefan is right about knowing what your doing only reason i grabbed that machine it says it will cancel out the ground minerals that are plentyfull in new mex and az so i gotta sit and do some reading and playing with the machine before i take it out again -- i wanted it for trying to find meteors wile i was out rock hounding haha-- i spent about 45 mins tryin to get it to work but no luck -- so as they say better luck next time haha
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Post by gaetzchamp on Mar 7, 2007 14:17:39 GMT -5
Pho and Steph-
Thanks for the immediate input and suggestions. I was thinking $200 would probably be on the "bubble" but if I have to go up to $250.00 then that's cool. I'd like to get one that will do a good job, last me a few years and offer some advanced features.
thanks again,
gaetz
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 7, 2007 14:25:02 GMT -5
MDing is my Second fav hobby- and I actually got my first tumbler to clean the coins (modern stuff)- Figured I might as well try the rocks that came with it (HUGE MISTAKE!!!) I still have not clean the coins in the tumbler Any time you wanna talk Metal Detecting just ask!!!!
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Post by gaetzchamp on Mar 7, 2007 15:17:40 GMT -5
Sands-
Get that baby back up and running...there's a lot of area to cover down there and a lot of meteorites begging to be found.
gaeter
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spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png)
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Mar 7, 2007 15:20:10 GMT -5
Just because you detector guys might be interested: While talking to the meteor guys a couple of weeks ago, they said that they use pulse detectors, made of pvc pipe, and that they tow them 25 to 30 feet behind the atv's because at 20 feet they pick up the vehicles. Cost on them was three to four thousand each.
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snowdog
fully equipped rock polisher
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RIP David Fildes, aka: snowdog
Member since January 2005
Posts: 1,527
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Post by snowdog on Mar 7, 2007 15:43:32 GMT -5
you might try the pawn shops -- that's where I got the first couple that I owned --- think I only paid 50 /75 for them --- were just like new but was alot more if bought at the store ! -- one of them was an old red bounty hunter -- best machine I've had --- went to a couple coin hunts and outran the big boys ! -- one of the best ways to practice is put some coins outside at different depths ( place a plastic tag where they are ) and then come back with the machine and listen to what they sound like -- doesn't take long to recoginize each coin -- also bury some pull tabs/ foil , etc. -- put an "X" on the tags so you can learn those sounds too --- leave them in the ground as the sounds will change a little over time from oxidation --- then before you go out each time run over the "plants" to renew the tones right now I'm using a mid line garrett but wish I had the old bounty hunter back
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Post by sandsman1 on Mar 7, 2007 17:36:41 GMT -5
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jjckitti
freely admits to licking rocks
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Member since January 2007
Posts: 775
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Post by jjckitti on Mar 8, 2007 16:23:38 GMT -5
Oldfossil is big into his metal detecter too. He just got a new one. You could pm him.
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Post by xenaswolf on Mar 8, 2007 19:21:06 GMT -5
I use the Discovery 3000 by Bounty Hunter, made for Radio Shack. Its pretty easy to learn and a pretty good machine. It's counter part is the bounty hunter Sharpshooter II. I met Stefan on the BH forum, we both tumbled our clad and low and behold I ended up here. I don't detect much anymore but its still a great hobby ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by Cher on Mar 9, 2007 0:26:43 GMT -5
I have a garret too, cost me like $199 and came with a bunch of extras. Carrying case, battery charger and batteries, book, coil cover. Check out their website, they are in CA and were really excellent to work with. UPS screwed up with the shipping on mine, sent it to about six other states, everywhere but Minnesota. I emailed the guy and he sent a different one right away, 2nd day air at no extra charge. When the first one finally got here, I just refused it.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 9, 2007 12:50:09 GMT -5
It is a great hobby--- I used to hunt a lot more than I do now- but I still get out a couple times a year!
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oldfossil
starting to shine!
Member since January 2007
Posts: 25
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Post by oldfossil on Mar 9, 2007 21:13:35 GMT -5
I've had different metal detectors for years. I just bought a Bounty Hunter Prospector DX for 330.00. I still have my old favorite a White's Coinmaster Classic which will probably go to the grave with me. Paid 390.00 for that one 10 years ago. It has also paid for itself many times over. It is great exercise and you will know which leg muscles you haven't used for a while. You never lose the excitement whenever it beeps. Head phones are a must. The noise may be annoying to some and the beeping will invite unwanted guests. Great pastime.
Dale (oldfossil)
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Post by Bikerrandy on Mar 9, 2007 21:18:16 GMT -5
I have a Garret Ace 250, you can get them for right at $200. Ebay has new ones, free shipping.
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Post by LCARS on Mar 10, 2007 19:29:31 GMT -5
Hey Gaeter, Glad to hear you're going to take the plunge into the world of metal detecting! ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) Just make sure you get one capable of finding a burried steel bar with a GPS tag attached to it. ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png)
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Post by gaetzchamp on Mar 11, 2007 13:12:21 GMT -5
LCARS- I think I'm good to go now! Just lemme know where to find 'em.
Randy- I ended up buying the Ace250 at the recommendation of my bro-in-law. They love 'em.
Thanks for all who responded w/ advice.
later, gater
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Post by Bikerrandy on Mar 11, 2007 19:43:48 GMT -5
You're gonna love it Tim!
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 12, 2007 10:18:09 GMT -5
Yea the Ace is a good machine- Garret really did their homework on that machine- I tried one out when they first hit the market- and it was a nice machine- The only trouble I had with it was the buttons- They were a bit awkward for me- but I'm sure with a bit more time I would have gotten used to it (pluss you really don't change the settings too much anyway!) Congrates on a great machine- Your gonna have some fun now!!
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