newbie needing advice

['E']

Welcome to TQ, be careful with some detectors, you can get the coil wet just not the control box, it will totally ruin it, a lot of submersible machines are very expensive, good luck.

[MinelabMan]

Hi lando and welcome to TQ, and also thank you for your service to our country.

That sounds like a great choice for an anniversary gift for the wife, Happy Anniversary, I'd get shot if I bought my wife one, just has no interest . Is it going to be a surprise?

I agree with the choices already given for your price range, but like 'E' said, be very careful not to get the control box wet while hunting in the surf, with a detector that's not waterproof, I'd wrap the control box in plastic and tightly secure it on the shaft below the control box, and still wouldn't go in very far depending on the wave height.

Good luck on which ever you decide on, looking forward to your posts!

[bdahunter]

For drysand, wetsand and shallow water you just can't beat the Garrett ACE250 in your price range. Submersible detectors start at around $500 unless they are Made in China junk detectors but an American made ACE250 will do your wife proud. Just make sure she drops the sensitivity when she gets into the wetsand and shallow water, there are some good videos on Youtube about beach hunting with the ACE250, just do a search for 'ACE250'. Lightweight, easy to use and hard hitting for the $$'s, you won't disappoint her with an ACE250. I own one and still use it even though I have an Excalibur 1000, top of the line underwater detector from Minelab. The ACE is just a whole lot of Fun in a box.

Happy Anniversary,

BDA

[anne]

Hello Lando and Welcome to TQ
You are going to love it here, good luck in finding a detector as others have said talk to the sponsers and they can point out the pluses and minus's of each unit for the kind of mding you want to do.

[Steve in PR]

Hi, Lando and welcome to TQ! You have already received more great advice than I could possibly offer so I will just invite you to look around our forum and look at our many features!

[The TINMAN]

HI Lando659 and WELCOME to TQ ! I to would like to say " THANK YOU " for your Service. Can't say much more than everyone else so Talk to the Sponsors here and they will dial ya in on your needs.
Lots of Great Folks & Info here at TQ so make yourself at Home. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ! Be sure to check out all the different forums on the Home Page as There is Much that you will like . Glad to have Ya aboard !
Be lookin forward to your Posts & Finds.

Good Luck & HH
Th TINMN

[gordiesgirl]

hello and welcome to TQ, so glad you have joined us, Happy hunting

[Joker]

Welcome to TQ and Id say the Ace250 for what you have to spend.. Have fun!!

[EPC Guy]

Welcome, lando! As Steve said...you probably have all the advice you'll need - so I'll just say "hello" and "welcome" as well...Happy Anniversary to you and your wife - and a big "THANKS" for all you do to help keep all of us safe and free!

[Buster]

Welcome, lando, first..Thank you for you service to our country... Second. all the advice so far is right on...You can also check the past posts for the type of detector you might want to get...Whatever you get you all will enjoy it for sure....Buster....