Is this more or less correct?

[9976277]

From what I have been reading about detectors-people often over depend on the accuracy of the 'discrimination' feature-thus possibly passing up on decent/valuable finds;therefore, we should dig everything?--(and why pay 800/900 USD for a more expensive detector when, for example, the 212 USD Ace 250 is just as good?)--and is it true that all detectors-expensive or not-have pretty much the same power as far as depth of finds?--Thank you------

[DirtDigger]

Good questions - I've been wondering the same a lot lately as I've debated on upgrading my equipment and which machine to buy. I think the main feature I'm looking for is some depth indication and to a lesser extent, target identification. I'll be anxiously awaiting others' replies to this.

[pris]

Hey guys, I have an Ace250 and it is true that some of the more expensive units won't be as successful, but I think this is due to several different reasons. It's not ALWAYS true, and there are some OUTSTANDING machines out there. The type of ground you hunt and what type of hunting you will be doing plays a big part in what machine will be best for you. I have a friend who has a Whites MD and he picks up signals that my Ace250 just can't see. Not sure what the difference is, other than about $400

I think that there's a reason that some detectors are more expensive, for sure, but for a beginner, I think the Ace250 is a darn good start. I absolutely love my machine and I know there are a ton of people out there who use them and feel the same way. I would say that if you fall in love with the hobby, as so many have, maybe the Ace250 will pay for an upgrade. Diligence in learning what the machine is telling you will pay off, literally, and you'll also learn about other machines as you go. The more you learn about the science behind MDing, the more you'll understand what the more expensive units can do for you.

I hope this helped. I don't know a lot, except for what I've learned here at TQ.

[9976277]

Very helpful what you said----question; if a person uses an Ace 250 -will getting to know the tones help them when they upgrade to a more pricey detector? or will they become confused with different tones from the different detector?----The only detecting I have every done= in 1994 on Maui-on the beach- used Eagle Whites detector-it was easy because when I had a signal-I scooped up loads of wet sand and tossed it into the air- but from what I now read-it is a whole different hobby when digging in hard soil- around rocks, trees, limbs etc---I think I will stick to wet soil and the beach for detecting until I have more knowledge on different tones--I lived several years in Alaska-have you any knowledge on how effective gold detectors are?-with a 'top of the line' gold detector-if there is such a thing- will you only get a tone when there truly is gold there?-There are known to be a lot of gold nuggets up around Petersburg , Alaska----Thank you----

[pris]

Each MD will have different ways of telling you what is under the surface. For instance, if you have an Ace250, you will get 3 different tones that tell you what a target is. These tones are WAY different than most other machines. My friend's Whites detector sounds pretty cool, but I would be so lost if I didn't read the manual. You would really have to begin to understand each machine's special language.

As far as beach hunting and gold hunting, you would probably want to speak with one of our sponsors here at TQ. I know that they have several years of experience and know their business. The Ace250 wouldn't be the best machine on a salt beach just because of the mineralization of the salt water in the wet sand. The Ace250 has an auto ground balance which mean that it "looks" at the ground and continually tells the computer, "okay, this is normal for this type of soil." If you had a machine that had a manual ground balance, you would be able to have a larger range of soils you could hunt. I hope I'm explaining this the right way. Maybe someone will help a bit more with this explanation.

At any rate, I hope you find the right machine!! I know you'll just love it.

[9976277]

Your help is appreciated--so, you get different tones with the Ace 250? Do you dig everything or do you more often than not depend on the 'tone' telling you there is something of value?--When I had that Whites Eagle back in 1994-I found one mens gold ring and it read 'nickel' on the little screen--and I scooped up the sand-on the beach-expecting another clad-and poof! the mens gold ring appeared-it is obviously easy to dig everything on the soft or even wet sand-but inland in that hard dirt-with all the bottle tops, pull tabs, foil etc-and then having to make the green patches of grass 'nice' before leaving the area-sounds to me like I belong only on plowed wet land and on the beach sand--sounds like the Ace250 will suffice for the wet plowed land--and maybe a different detector for the beach sand because of the high mineral content--

[pris]

Hey again Yeah, the Ace250 has 3 tones. A low tone for iron a short higher tone if the metal is foil, nickel, pull tab, or just below a penny, and a bell tone for a penny, dime, quarter, half dollar, dollar. If you go over a coin, chances are you'll get a strong repeatable tone. Junk will normally jump around all over the place.

I don't usually dig foil or below (iron) because I'm not in a "relic" type of area. If I were, I would probably dig everything. The upside is, if I decide I only want to dig quarters, I can do that...

If you're thinkin' about buying a cheaper detector, I say do it. Especially if $ is an issue (when isn't it???). If it will detect metal, you'll have fun!

[pris]

THANKS CHUCK

[9976277]

I read several times what you wrote-and I understand a lot of it--once I decide where I will return to live in USA-whether it be inland or near the sea-I will ask for your advice on which detector is most practical for the type of hunting -and soil conditions-I will be in ----the only detecting I ever did was on the beach in 1994-with a Whites Eagle-and I found a lot of coins-and I found one gold mens ring with a ruby stone also on the beach--on the little detector screen, it said 'nickel'-and I dug anyway and found that ring--did it say 'nickel' because there was different metal alloys in the ring? ie, some nickel metal?----Thank you for your help-----

[Inspector]

Very good synapsis of the differences in detectors. lets not forget that the prices on some brands are do to low production volume more than any actual technology benefit over another brand. I love the Ace 250 but for me it would be a step backwards, the only thing wrong with mine is sometimes a slow recovery, easy to force though with a button push, what it does do is force my young athletic pace to be slowed therefore, allowing me to find more items. Technology today is such that a $200 machine eighty to ninety percent of the time will match the dug production(notice I did not say performance) of the $800-1000 machine. Just my 2 cents.