Ace150/Ace250 Question

[DiggerJohnPA]

I've got a comparison question about the Garrett Ace 150 and Ace 250 detectors.
I know that the 250 has an extra "segment" on the LCD display for depth up to 8+" whereas the 150 only has 3 segments that go up to 6+". And I also understand that Garrett isn't going to sell themselves short by saying that the 150 is capable of the same depth as the 250 but that is my question. Are these two detectors capable of finding targets at identical depths?
If I had a 150, would I be missing coins that are a little deeper, yet the 250 would be able to detect them?

[Hightone]

The 250 has a lot more that is worth the few extra bucks.

It has pinpointing.(to zero in on the exact location)

It has 12 segments rather than 5, of IDing.

It has the Relic and Custom Mode choices.

It has the accept/reject notch feature (to fine tune discrimination.)

The sensitivity has 7 segments instead of 4.(to have a better stability to depth ratio)

You can sell it a lot easier if you don't like it.

Do yourself a favor, go for the 250, unless all you want to do is turn on the machine and find some coins at 6 inches.

[didijim]

High tone, thanks for the info, I have been asking myself the same question. I have a little bh fast track, 1st one. I have been trying to decide on these two for my next one- I am glad someone asked the question. I too will go the extra $ and get the 250

thanks and good hunting to all

Good choice. I always try to get the better model of whatever I was considering.
Its better to step up one notch if it is within the price range.

[Hightone]

Most people like the Ace 250. Many use it as a backup and many use it as their main detector.

I have never heard people talk about great depth, and I can attest that my own experiences with mine is, it's not real deep. Most of my finds come at 6" and sometimes 8". but not that often. The Ace's are great shallow coinshooters. Don't expect a lot from the relic or jewelry mode, as all that does is add pulltabs and iron into the equation.

If I had it to do over, I would have gotten the Tesoro Silver uMax for about the same price. But the Ace 250 does have a lot of display info for new comers to get used to how to use a MD. But once you learn a little, the Ace is quickly outgrown as you want more depth and less confussion.

What I have found out in the past few months:

I like sound over LCD display. VDI numbers are nice, but sound is true. Plus it seems that sound only detectors go deeper. This must be because the drain of power to run a LCD plus ID processing must pull power from somewhere. I'd hate to think it's the coil. But Fisher 1236, 1270, 1266, Tesoro MicroMax, Minelab Advantage + Sovereign, all boast great(est) depth. One thing in common? No Display.

I could be wrong, but that's the way I see it.

[DiggerJohnPA]

Originally Posted by Hightone

What I have found out in the past few months:

I like sound over LCD display. VDI numbers are nice, but sound is true. Plus it seems that sound only detectors go deeper. This must be because the drain of power to run a LCD plus ID processing must pull power from somewhere. I'd hate to think it's the coil. But Fisher 1236, 1270, 1266, Tesoro MicroMax, Minelab Advantage + Sovereign, all boast great(est) depth. One thing in common? No Display.

I could be wrong, but that's the way I see it.

You really hit the right chord for me Hightone. Who knows if the display thing is at all related but I have been thinking that I want a tone only detector for my next one as well, because I want to rely more on my ears and dig more stuff. I have found that I rely so much on the display on my BH that I don't dig anything except what looks like silver.... it's usually wrong, and I am missing out on nickels, jewelery and all kinds of good stuff. That is mostly my own fault, but I really want to try a tone only detector.

[Hightone]

I concur, John. The manufacturers try hard to give you a visible window of whats below the ground. And I will admit, it is easier to learn, and it will produce results. But once you learn to hear what the field is detecting, you are now an experienced detectorist. The road seems longer, but the results seems more gratifying in that your minds eye is better than any LCD.

Garrett has done a great job of making things easy, but in most treasure magazines, the authors of great finds don't usually boast Garretts as first choice. BH is a low cost machine and will find metal, but I have never heard about great depth on any of them, even though the Time Ranger says they will go several feet for a 50 gallon drum ( I'll remember that when I go drum hunting).

In the end, it's what you like and learn to use. Learn to be the best at whatever detector you buy. I, personally, am learning the Tesoro. It boasts great depth, and once you learn the conrols, it has the ability of detectors costing much more. But there is a learning curve, so you have to ask yourself, "Am I willing to put in the time and effort?".

I am, so the adventure begins.