Just Starting; White is local; Prism3 good?

[Slim]

I'm just starting this hobby. This is the first day of looking at what detector to buy. In 1 week I'm taking 2 weeks to go from Binghamton, NY to Va Beach and then down the coast to Miami (Vacation, I'm retired). We only have 1 local dealer that sells White MD (same prices as on internet sites). I'm going to buy a Prism3 because of the price. However, I can probably talk my way into buying a Prism 4 or 5 if they offer some signifcant benefit. I plan to look on beaches (both wet and dry sand I would expect). I like the beach and this gives me a hobby to be at the beach and spend some good time there. Any recommendations you can give me about the adequacy of the Prism 3 and if I should be getting a Prism4 or 5, I would really appreciate. Thanks. Slim.

[Arkwater]

Never owned a Whites but I hear they are good machines. Sorry I can't help you there but I can say "Welcome to TQ."

[anne]

I don't know a lot about the Prizm's, but a few of the members do use them and rate them highly,also talk to the Metal Detector Sponsers on this forum they can steer you in the right direction.

Welcome to TQ and Happy Hunting

[prizm-pal]

Slim I have a prizmIII but only used three months before the freeze I have found 17 dollars clad three rings but I am having trouble pinpointing....finding target without large whole but I am sure I will get better gotta know the machine! The ace 250 very popular here I think around 210 dollars....good luck and welcome here !Chick!

[JCWhite]

The prizm V is about 100 dollars more then the prizm III the last time I ched and the V comes with the 9.5 inch coil which would cost you about 150 dollars if you decided to get it later. Welcome to Treasure Quest and good luck in whatever you buy. JC

[ShawnP]

Originally Posted by Slim

I plan to look on beaches (both wet and dry sand I would expect).

The prizm series of detectors comes with a factory preset ground balance, this will work fine for the dry sand but will give you problems in wet salty sand/water. (If you do decide to go with a Prizm make sure you print out the $50 off coupon from the official site. White's Electronics )

The model I would suggest for what you have said you want is the Whites M6, this detector has auto ground balancing with tracking, or you can lock the GB. It is a turn on and go detector with a beach mode and good discrimination. It is also in a diff price bracket than the prizms so it might be out of the question.

If you do decide to go with a sponsor store such as kellyco or TC metal detectors I would review the Garret Ace 250 and the Fisher F2 both of which will do the same as pretty much the entire prizm line for less money. Alos Tony at TC metal detectors is very helpfull and will field questions and give suggestions over the phone with no pressure to buy, as im sure a kellyco rep would as well

These are just my opinions and I am sure you others will have more info for you as well.

Welcome and Good Luck with your decision.

[bdahunter]

There are some great guys and gals working that beach who will be really friendly and point you in the right direction as far as hunting the beach at its' current state. Just realize that Va. Beach is big time Excalibur territory so it's going to be tough to get the goodies with that type of competition. The dry sand will probably be your best bet with the Prizm, the Pirates tend to leave anything in from the wet sand alone anyways.

Good hunting,

BDA

['E']

Welcome to TQ, Slim, I have the White's Prizm III & absolutely love it, it's very easy to use, take it out of the box & go, very light weight also, I hunt the beaches here & finding tresure is quite easy, a suggestion, buy a sand scoop, makes life a whole lot easier, I have a metal scoop with the long (3 ft) handle, no bending over, scoop up & shake the sand out, keeping your treasure in the scoop, if you can afford the extra $100 I'd get the Prizm IV or V, good luck to you.

[sarge1stone]

Welcome to TQ! Whites are good machines.

[EPC Guy]

Hi Slim - and welcome to TQ! I currently use a Prizm III and have been very pleased with its performance...as other's have said, it's a "turn on and go" machine and is a very good starter machine. I plan to buy an MXT or DFX in the near future -as I'm absolutely addicted to this hobby and want a machine that will lock on deeper targets and has a few more bells and whistles...but I've recovered coins as deep as 8 inches with the Prizm III. If you're thinking you'd like a good "middle of the road" machine to decide if MD'ing is right for you - the Prizm III is a good machine for the money - and you can always upgrade later. Good luck and Happy Hunting!