Beginner

[cmarshall]

I am from Pittsburgh and I am thinking of purchasing a metal detector. I am a beginner but take everything I do very seriously. I have identified the price range that I am comfortable with at this time….$200.00 - $250.00. Some of the detectors I have identified are the White Prizm II, Tesoro Compadre, Fisher 1225 X and the bounty Hunter quick Draw II. Any suggestions or advice on which detector mentioned or any other that would be a good fit? I am looking for a good, Quality product.

[JoAnne]

In that price range the Garrett Ace 250 has gotten rave reviews. I do not own one but hopefully someone who does will give you the information you need. Good luck and welcome to the TQ family. JoAnne

[INDY]

Welcome to TQ cmarshall

[FinalLastDays]

Hi and Welcome

I do happen to own a Garrett Ace 250, and do recommend that you look into it as well as the other ones you posted. The Ace 250 is the only metal detector I have owned, and I did a lot of research for the same price range you are searching in. It does seem that a lot of other owners of the Ace 250 are happy with it and a lot of people with higher-tech detectors buy an Ace 250 as a backup second detector. Since I am unable to personally compare this one with any others, I will tell you what I have experienced with the Ace. You definately will find coins with this detector, as well as other things, no doubt. I find that pinpointing with the standard coil is very accurate. It has a Discrimination & an Elimation Pushbutton. As mentioned, it does have a Pinpoint Pushbutton. The Ace has 5 Search Mode options: 1)All-Metal 2)Jewelry 3)Custom 4)Relics 5)Coins
The Ace 250 has 4 Coin Depth indicators and 8 Sensitivity settings. It has Tone ID and an earphone jack for optional headphones. It is very lightweight as well. The searchcoil is waterproof, for use in shallow water. It is very easy to learn. I do put forth a word of caution ... Metal Detecting can become seriously addicting!!!

Good luck with your purchase. I hope I have been of help. I'm sure any of TQ's sponsors will have great suggestions as well!

[Dugday]

Welcome,
I wont tell you what I would choose. but me I am a White's person myself. You are the one to do the hard part in choosing your new detector. Take into account what everyone tells you, also check with some of the online sponscer that we have in the community here. Maybe they can even get you a better deal on the one you choose. Good luck and again Welcome

Doug

[TonyinCT]

Ditto on the Ace250. The others you mentioned are good but not as good as the Ace250 once you know it. I sell them and have used them. let me know if I can be of any help to you in your purchase.

[John's Detectors]

Hi Marshall and welcome to TQ. Very nice to meet you and you have chosen a very rewarding hobby. You will enjoy the hunt and making many friends. There is much information to be had here at TQ. Yes the Ace 250 is your best deal in the price range you have and the Ace 250 is a cool little machine!

If I can be of assistance in getting you setup with an Ace 250 just give a call or email Marshall. I would be glad to have ya as a customer. So God Bless ya Marshall and hope to hear about you becoming a part of the hobby.

John Tomlinson, CET
John's Detectors
Blackwell,Tx.
Land of the Mighty Diamondback!

[bill(de)]

The Ace 250 is probably the easiest detector for anyone to recommend because it is good,but since you investigated enough to include the Fisher 1225x i would like to recommend the 1236x2. I had a 1236x2 over 3 yrs and sold it and just got a like new used one for $175 shipped. I think the 1236x2 is one of the better iron discriminators i've used and is a very good detector and the performance with the 5" coil in iron contaminated areas is excellent . HH Bill

[tomkat83]

"The searchcoil is waterproof, for use in shallow water."


how waterproof is the ace 250?

[PAPPY]

Waterproof all the way up to the control box. Do not get the control box or the cable hook-up on the control box wet.