Got my first detector!

[BlackRider]

With all the pondering I have been doing about choosing a detector, this morning I check the local Craigslist and guess what I find just posted: Brand new Garrett Ace 150 with all manuals, headphones, and carrying bag all for $75, and it was only 5 min from my house. I was all over it. I figure even if I go to a different machine later, I could just re-sell it or save it for a back-up at that price.

So I go meet the guy, an elderly gentleman living in a retirement community. I felt so sorry for him, right after he bought the machine he was diagnosed with a back condition that wouldn't let him stand or walk for extended periods of time. I could see he really enjoyed MD'ing, he said he had been doing it the last 30 years and wanted to keep doing it. He gave me a few pointers and I went on my way.

I came home and later in the afternoon took it for a test run in my yard. I learned a valuable lesson: my yard sucks! About four inches down, the ground is just about rock-hard WITH rocks that set off the detector. So I set the sensitivity back and switched it to coin mode, and in about 20 min came up with a few pieces of scrap metal\aluminum, a "Frostie Root Beer" bottle cap, an iron nail and a 6-inch long aluminum nail. No coins or anything of value. Maybe next time!

[MinelabMan]

Originally Posted by BlackRider

Brand new Garrett Ace 150 with all manuals, headphones, and carrying bag all for $75, and it was only 5 min from my house.

I came home and later in the afternoon took it for a test run in my yard. I learned a valuable lesson: my yard sucks! About four inches down, the ground is just about rock-hard WITH rocks that set off the detector. So I set the sensitivity back and switched it to coin mode, and in about 20 min came up with a few pieces of scrap metal\aluminum, a "Frostie Root Beer" bottle cap, an iron nail and a 6-inch long aluminum nail. No coins or anything of value. Maybe next time!

You already got your great find for the day, the detector deal, Congratulations.

The finds will come, just practice and maybe even after making a few other finds, hit your yard again.....you just never know!

[BlackRider]

Originally Posted by MinelabMan

You already got your great find for the day, the detector deal, Congratulations.

The finds will come, just practice and maybe even after making a few other finds, hit your yard again.....you just never know!

Unfortunately, most of my yard was dug up right before I moved in almost 2 years ago, since the house needed a new septic drain field AND a new well pump and lines, so I will be staying away from those areas. There are a couple other corners I will check when I have a chance.

[The TINMAN]

That was a Great Deal & only 5 min. from your house, how cool is that. Just keep practicing and researching different spots. You might want to go visit the old man. He could be a wealth of Info as to places to hunt and you would probably make his day by visiting and letting him talk about his experiences. He could be the Best find yet.

Good Luck & HH.
The TINMAN

[grasshopper]

wow that was a steal!! hope you pull in some great finds soon.

[mlamp20412]

Congrats on the machine! You get some of that trash dug and you may find some keepers under there. I keep thinking my yard is done and bam, out pops a wheatie or whatever. Since I started in January I have dug a 5 gallon bucket of trash from my yard.

HH-

[JCWhite]

Now you are ready to go. Those areas where they dug things up are good for detecting too. HH and looking forward to your finds.

[EPC Guy]

Congratulations on finding such a good deal! Boobie is right - It would be nice if you were able to take the gentleman on a short hunt or two...or even take him to lunch and talk about MD'ing, I'm sure he has a wealth of knowledge. HH!

[anne]

What a great find,like some of the others I think it would be a nice gesture on your part to go visit the old man, I bet it would brighten his days to be able to talk about something that was obviously special to him.

[Steve in PR]

I am sure it gave him some comfort to know that the machine will help you get into the hobby. And, it seems to be working fine. Just have to find a good site to do some digging!