newbie needs a little help

[awm]

Hello everyone! This is my first post. I've been doing a lot of reading on your site, and it has a lot of great information. I have an old (early 80's) Bounty Hunter TR550-D detector that has worked well over the years. I'm looking for a new (up to date) detector. My price range is $150- $300. It will be used mainly for coin shooting , and the ground is clay / sand stone (not a lot of mineral problems) After doing a lot of research, I have it narrowed to three choices: Tesoro Silver U-Max, Whites Prizm II or the Garrett Ace 250. (They all have a lot of good reviews). I was originally looking at a Bounty Hunter Land Star or a Fisher F-2, but I'm leaning toward the first three mentioned. My question for you guys...Does anyone have any of these detectors or have compared any one of them? Which one do you suggest ?
Any information, comments, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You. AWM in PA

[EBCIII]

Welcome to the site AWM! Glad you dropped by! You have got your choices down to 3 good machines. Two are VID, and the Silver is a beep/dig.

Lots of Ace users on the site. They are a very nice unit with lot of features for the money. The Prizm does not get as much written about it. That may just be because it is older? It is still a good machine. Between those 2 I like the Ace.

The Silver is a very good machine. The lifetime warranty is hard to beat. It has a very loyal fan base also. I know that we have at least one member with one. I really like the Silver, it would be a good choice.

IMHO I would go with the Silver. I dunno just to be different? If you are wanting a VID then get the Ace. Both will do you well, Beale.

['E']

Hello & welcome to TQ, I have the White's Prizm III & love it, however I now wish I would have gotten the Prizm V, if you want the Prizm, get a Prizm III vs the II, it has a depth gauge, the II doesn't, best of luck to you.

[Buster]

Welcome to TQ...AWM...A lot of folks use the Ace here on this site...From what I have heard it is a good machine...As for what "E" said about her Whites machine , that is a good machine also..I have personally seen her pull a lot of coins and jewelry out of the ground with that one...I would check out the sponsors and get more info on all three machines..What ever you decide to get you will find it most enjoyable...Welcome again...Buster...

[MinelabMan]

Hi awm and welcome to TQ! Sounds like you got alot of good advice already. I can only add that I've had a White's and Garrett and currently have a Tesoro.......no complaints with any of them. The ACE is very popular on here and at a great price. Good Luck in whatever you decide!

[Steve in PR]

Welcome to TQ! I am going to steer you to our Metal Detector Review Forum wher eyou can find reviews from members about their thoughts on these very detectors. Just click here: Metal Detector Resource - Home

[ERnurse]

I've used both the Prizm III and the Ace 250. The Ace has a few more features. But I have found good stuff and deep stuff with both and would have to say that just finding treasure they are equal. I would steer towards the Ace for the features, and for the budget you have add the 4.5" sniper coil and you have a deadly combination.

[anne]

Welcome to TQ

[grasshopper]

welcome!! i have heard lots about the ace 250 and the prizm(never used one). not sure which would fit you best, but good lucK!!

[Bryan Jon]

Welcome to TQ. The Ace 250 would be my choice. This is the detector I will be getting for my Dad. I am getting it for his birthday in May. I looked at a few machines for him and decided on the Ace, as it has the visual display. The Tesoro is good machine too, from what I have read. Good luck and welcome again.