A little informal research b/f buying new detector

[DirtDigger]

Hi everyone - I just wanted to get a couple quick opinions on buying a new detector. Right now I'm using a very low-end Bounty Hunter with no depth gauges or any way to identify what it is the detector is detecting. I'm thinking about upgrading in the next month or two and I think I'm comfortable bumping up into the $200-$300 range. One detector that I've seen mentioned on here countless times is the Garret Ace250 and it appears to have everything I'm looking for at this point in time. On the contrary, I've always heard White's Metal Detectors are really good also so I was looking at the Prizm II (I think about same price as the Ace) and Prizm III (I think about $80-$100 more than the Ace). Anybody have any thoughts on this? Or perhaps I should be looking at others also?

[COMMANDR]

Think Minelab X Terra 30 or 50. I been researching them for a while and they seem to be solid machines. Maybe the 50 is a little outside your price range.

Gary

[sheriobailey]

Hey Dirt I am new to the hobby as well but I use the PrizmIII and I love it. It is very easy to use, when it reads a coin it is a coin, and light if that is a factor. Happy Hunting...

[FinalLastDays]

DirtDigger - I own both an Ace 250 and a Minelab Explorer SE. The SE costs only a mere $1200.00 and is definately technologically advantaged. However as I was letting my buddy borrow the Ace 250 the other day, I was telling him how great a detector it is. What I told my buddy, I am telling you as well - IF anything were to happen to my Ace 250 and I was without a working unit, I would immediately go out and buy another one in a heartbeat. That is just how I feel about the Ace 250 - it is quite a machine for the price one pays for it. It has many features that higher end machines have at only a fraction of the price. I cannot comment on any other machines in the price range you are looking into, because I have not handled any other machines than the two I mentioned above. I am planning on purchasing the larger coil for the Ace 250 as well as the rain/dust cover for it as well. It is not a machine I am planning on keeping in the closet now that I own a more expensive model. Its "turn on and go" feature is excellent and the weight issue is not even an issue with this machine. Good luck on whatever detector you do wind up getting. The most important thing is how well you learn "that" machine.

[bigbillinsc]

Originally Posted by sheriobailey

Hey Dirt I am new to the hobby as well but I use the PrizmIII and I love it. It is very easy to use, when it reads a coin it is a coin, and light if that is a factor. Happy Hunting...

the detector she is referring to was at one point mine. but being the good husband that i am (she confiscated it) i let her have it. you cant go wrong with either the ace or the prizm. the prizm 3 has depth indication(which i like) as weighs almost nothing. my 4 year old can swing this machine. i now use a whites coinmaster 6000DI. its old school but it does tha job. this machine feels like carrying a brick compared to the prizm.

yes i am partial to the whites machines but is only because they have been good to me. hope this helps some

good luck with yer machine choice and happy huntin when ya decide

[Kentfb]

I bought the Ace 250 3 months ago. I wasn't sure I'd like this hobby and didn't want to spent no more than $250 to get started. I can;t compare it to anything else but since I received it I found $195 in clad a few silvers and a nice diamond ring. I love it.

[DirtDigger]

Thanks everyone!
Chuck - I've checked your site quite a few times over the past couple weeks - especially when researching a new machine. When I'm ready to make a purchase, I'll definitely give you a call. I appreciate you being so helpful!
Thanks!

[Corteser]

Just for the sake of confusion I would like to suggest one more - the Tesoro Cibola. It is an analog machine, but is a fantastic detector. I started with an Ace 250 and it is a great detector but in the long run I think the Cibola is the better machine.

Good Luck!!

[nbkDigger]

Listen man, my father had. and excuse me for not having the correct names for each of the dectors but it was a long time ago, he had a Garret worth 600 to 800 dollars and a White's worth about a 1000. Both machine's worked great but one would work better in different searches. One was better at finding coins and jewelry and the other better at finding relics. So I would suggest that you find out what kind of hunting you are most interested in and go with it. Myself I have a Garret ace150 got it for about $180 at a metal detecting shop in Gastonia N. C. The guy tried to push the ace250 and the more expensive models on me but by going with my dad for several years I know it's not the cost it's how well you know your dector. I just have recently picked back up the hobby since my dad passed so I could have my own collection to add to his so I could put some of our finds together and donate them to the Camden Museum so both of our names could be together on the same exibit.So far I have found 8 musket balls down at a site yards away from the Buford Massacare in south carolina and also good finds from an old house place close to Buford including some mecury dimes some weaties and a 1915 commerative coin from the opening of the panama canal (looked on ebay and a guy had the exact same commerative coin for sale for $500). Just letting you know alot of times it's how much you know your dector raher than just spending the cash. Good luck on what ever dector you choose. Hope you find lots.

[johnnyboy]

look for a used minelab sovereign,they can be had for $300-$350 range.see what others think of this machine and others at.
good luck