An Untypical Question

[Golfnpreacher]

Okay, like any newbee, I’m posting a question about which detector, but it is more to gather information that to pick a brand. Here, let me give you some information and my question(s).

I’ve been researching this hobby for the past month or so. I’ve read a few books, several articles, visited a few forum. (and on that note I enjoy this one the best for information) But now that I’m at the point of purchase, if “Santa” doesn’t beat me to it. I’ve got some last minutes questions.

First – What is the best recent breakthrough technology that has improved the performance of metal detectors? For example a detector of a few years ago used to require a dozen batteries to operate, most of today’s detectors only require a few 9 volt or “AA” batteries. The MD’s of yesteryear had analogy meters, today they are LCD display’s. So, how far back would you go in buying a used detector? How would you rate a machine that was “top of the line” 15-20 years ago to an entry-level machine today? Both in ease of use and ability to detect.

Second – How important is a visual display? I’ve read countless times the need for a good set of earphones so you can here the “tone” when you find something. For you “old timers” here, do you even use the display screen, or is it more of a crutch for us newbees? Is the LCD a product of “turn on and go” sales or is it really needed? What are actual benefit of a visual readout and why is LCD better than an analog one?

Third – Along with the screen question are the “depth scales” on these LCD both accurate and necessary? In some of my reading of an older model, the depth could be estimated by how high the detector was off the ground when it lost the signal with the object in question. If that is all that is needed to “guess” the depth am I paying money for a “depth feature” that is really not necessary? What features are a “must have” after you have a SENSITIVEY, DESCRIMINATION, and VOLUME (for earphone or speaker)

Thanks

Golfnpreacher….

...three very good questions, but they also raise the confusion factor too!

First: for a beginner, "keeping it simple" is not a bad thing. A turn on and go detector that is reliable, has a very fast response time, and is physically easy on your arm and wrist should be high on your priority list. Today's detectors are heads and shoulders over those of even 10 years ago, so look to the modern instruments. Don't purchase a mistake.

Second: meters, whether they be analog or digital should be your secondary means of ID, with quality of tone being your first method of discrimination. The newbe detectorist who researches his hunt site, then goes SLOW with his swing and steps, and listens carefully to what his machine is telling him will be more successful.

Third: Digital has definitely replaced analog in meters, and discrimination circuitry. Features like depth, and visual pinpoint are nice, but not necessary. You are paying a premium for features that can and will confuse at first. I believe that you will find most all brands of Visual ID (LCD) machines will be accurate as to your find, only about 60% - 70% of the time.

Do yourself a huge favor, and buy that reliable, lightning fast, machine to begin with. Develope your audio discrimination skills and teach yourself to listen carefully. You will dig trash at first, but as you become more familiar with the language your machine speaks, and have mastered the slow down step and swing, your rate of success will climb quickly.

My suggestion for a beginning machine for you is the Tesoro Vaquero if you look to find relics, and the Tesoro Golden uMax if you lean towards coins and jewelry. Both machines have a lifetime warranty, are built as well as any made, and maintain a good resale value should you wish to trade up in the future.

I hope this has been of help to you, and if I can answer any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

[John's Detectors]

Hello GP, this is John at John's Detectors and Chuck pretty well got you fixed up. I will also add that with the advent of surface mount technology became a boon to metal detectors and has provided a much more reliable and stable platform to design circuits with. It also has allowed much physical downsizing of the detector package. So we have almost featherlight detectors to swing and less strain on the ole shoulder.
So I believe that Minelabs Xterra series of detectors is also a very good choice and are geared for easy but serious detecting. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to you. I also carry the Tesoro line and if you like twisting knobs they are a great detector also.
Ok GP I hope to be of service to you and get you started in a great hobby that is very rewarding and quite addicting. God Bless and Merry Christmas to you and your family. I hope to hear from you.

John Tomlinson,CET
John's Detectors
Blackwell,Tx.
Best Little Detector Shop in Texas!

[Golfnpreacher]

Okay, maybe I didn't express my point or maybe I didn't understand your response.

For you experienced junkies out there. How do you detect, by the TONE or by the METER? Or does the meter simply confirm the tone and accelerate the learning process? If I blindfolded you so that you could not see a meter would you be able to make an educated guess on the type and depth of an object by the tone, quality of tone? If a meter simply speeds up the learning curve that is one thing, if it is a necessity that is another. do how much do YOU, not me the newbee, rely on the meter?

BTW... I'm looking for something to use on the beach and the water's edge as well as dry ground.

[bill(de)]

Golfnpreacher,
Since you did so much research and put so much thought into your purchase decision I hope i don't bore you with some personal experiences.

I'm what most would call a junkie and experimented with about 15 different detectors over the past 6 yrs. I bought large coils, small coils and did everything i could to learn what the detector was telling me. There are some detectors that seem to fit and some that just don't, and whats best for some may not not best for you depending on your hunting objectives and desire to learn, research and work at it.

It's a great hobby but there are no absolutes and many opinions abound on what is best and if i knew what i know now my first detector would be a Whites M6 with 7 tone ID, there is little imagination as to what segment the target resides, you have the optional single tone, it has a depth readout and target VDI which is the same as the XLT or DFX. The coil selection is the same as the MXT and DFX which is unbelievable.

I look forward to using the M6 and can't believe a detector with only 2 knobs and 2 toggle switches can be so productive. I'm not a dealer, just a junkie user . Good luck with your decision and you will always have someone willing to answer your questions on this forum. HH Bill

[l38ranger]

i haven't used but two to three MD, the last is a BH 3300 discovery from radio shack not the best but not the worst, and with 4 different tones and a scale of 0-199 you have to get used to what number shows up to what tone it gives to figure about whats under the ground nothings perfect,but i can almost tell whats there about 60% of the time...working fulltime i don't have alot of time with this MD in about a years time but what ever you get you will have to go play for a while to get to know the mechine and probly dig just about everything you come across to get to know the MD.....but good luck and happy hunting....

[Sly]

I've been detecing for 2 weeks with an old Radioshack, and today got to try my buddys Bounty Hunter. They are totally different. Different sweep styles, tones, depth detection and more. I believe start with something I can learn on, then advance.

[Dave44]

I have an xlt and Really liked the digital readout that says(see whats in the ground). It really did help my learning curve,, But experience with it has taught me to turn off the neat pictures it sends(slows it down), and listen. If I have a decent signal I do look at the graph to see where it hits, anything positive I dig(and sometimes above -30).
The depth meter is great though not always accurate it is on target 90% of the time. Pinpointing is great too.I HATE to dig unnecesarily, or deeper than I need to. One more thing this detector has modulation that helps you tell depth by the volume of signal, but i dont hear that well so I turn it off, makes the depth indicator important to me, I also use only 2 tones but it has many, and anything with the higher pitch I dig. Good luck!!