Hi! New to the hobby, w/questions

[NexusX]

Hi everybody, I am from Eldersburg, Maryland. I just found this forum and it is full of information. I have a couple questions that I couldn't find answers to.
I have my Dad's old White's 4900/D (circa 1984) and it seems to work. Is it still worth using ? How does it compare with the equipment that is being used now?
I am going down to Sanibel/Captiva Island in May and want to buy a new detector for the beach. I have some gift cards for Bass Pro Shops. I see they sell Bounty Hunter brand. Are some of the units made just for Bass Pro? I can't find them at the Bounty Hunter web site. I was looking at the
Prospector DX. Is it an upgraded Sharpshooter II ? Should I buy a different model?
Thanks

[Hank McMauser]

Welcome th TQ you'll love it here,just like a big family.
As to the old whites,I'm using a 6000 di of nearly the same vintage,there is some of a learning curve to the older machines,if you just use the knobs at thew pre-sets you should do O.K.
I'm new to this myself ,been at it about a month,and the kids and I are having a ball we've got nearly $7 in clad right now,and some costume kids jewelry from the local tot-lotand surrounding park. everytime we go out I learn more about my machine,have just started twisting the knobs to other settings and learning how the machine reacts.
Hope you find lotsa loot
Hank

[EBCIII]

Welcome to the site NexusX! Glad to have you on the site. IMO I would hold off on the Bass Pro detector. If you ever need service it would be hard to get.

I would look at the Ace 250, and the Fisher F2. Both very good units ant reasonable prices. Good luck to you, Beale.

[NexusX]

Thanks for the quick response guys. I have read some about the Ace 250 and it sounds like a great unit. I will have to do some research on the Fisher. How does the Sharpshooter compare to these two? Should I hold on to the 4900?

[SandSkimmer]

Welcome to the TQ site... looking forward to seeing your finds

jT

[EBCIII]

Originally Posted by NexusX

Thanks for the quick response guys. I have read some about the Ace 250 and it sounds like a great unit. I will have to do some research on the Fisher. How does the Sharpshooter compare to these two? Should I hold on to the 4900?

IMO both the Acse 250 and the Fisher F2 are better bang for the buck. The Ace is a known good unit that does very well for a bunch of folks on this site. If you decide to get one get the sniper coil, and you will have a sweet unit.

The F2 is a newer model. Not as much info on it as yet. I have heard good things though. Very quick response time, and is a good deal, in that it comes with a small coil.

Give one of our sponsors a buzz and see what they say. Good luck to you, Beale.

[Buster]

Welcome to the site NexusX, I am from the Rockville area of Maryland...Long time ago...I would check out the sponsors like Beale said to see if you can get some info ...Also I would keep your old unit as a backup or just use it..It should still work and I am sure you can get it running and get used to it ..Happy Hunting and welcome to TQ...Buster....

[NexusX]

EBCIII - I am a little confused. I thought a bigger coil was better. Is the sniper coil a small one and what is advantage of a smaller coil? I have read a lot of good things about the ace. I found a lot of neg. reviews for the Fisher and one really good one. What did impress them was target separation and response time. The 250 didn't do as well in that area. What I did notice was a lot of comparing to the Ace 250 and the Tesoro Silver UMax. There was 28 reviews with an average score of 4.9 out of 5. The Fisher F2 had 5 reviews with a score of 1.8. The Ace 250 had 86 reviews and score 4.3. What do you guys think of the Silver UMax and is it any good at the beach.
Thanks

[bdahunter]

The ACE 250 is a very versatile, starter machine and you will get all of your money out if it in fun and finds.

Cheers,

BDA

[The TINMAN]

HI NexusX and WELCOME to TQ !!! Keep The Older model for a backup and even older model Detectors make great finds, Ya just have to learn it like any other detector. Lots of folks with the 250 here and they Rave about it also that would give ya that more many folks to get Info From. The F2 is New and as far as The Reviews You are talking about.. I don't Hold them to Highly as I noticed that some folks will Post multible Reviews sometimes on a detector so in my opinion that is Not a true Rating. I have heard Good things on the F2. You can Surf other Sites and go to their Fisher forums and get a better Feel for what you hope to find or whatever brand forum you want to check out. I don't think the F2 has been out long enough to really go by a few reviews but that is My Own Opinion. Talk to The Sponsors here as they can help Ya alot and if Ya buy from them you know they will be there if Ya have a problem whereas places like in the case of Cabellas and such, you may run into alot of headaches down the road. There are a few folks here with the U-MaX and I hear very Good Things on them. Others will Chime in so Ask All the questions Ya want and Research as much as Ya Can. Be lookin forward to your posts and finds ! Whatever Ya get.. Read and Reread your manual and Practice , Practice and Practice somemore. Check out our Virtual treasure hunts. There is one starting the 10th of this month and I believe 1rst prize is an F2. If nothing else you'll have alot of laughs. Whatever Ya get just remember to have Fun.

Good Luck & HH
Th TINMN