New member says "Hello"

[DiggerJohnPA]

Hello everyone.
I am a new TQ member and I just wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself. As you may have guessed by my username, my name is John and I live in PA. I have been detecting for about 3 years. I am still using my first detector which my dad bought for me as a Christmas gift. It is a BH Discovery 3300 from Radio Shack. I must admit that I have been pretty disappointed with my finds so far and I am considering upgrading to a Minelab Sovereign GT. Any opinions on that machine?
My best finds to date are 4 silver dimes: 1906 Barber, 1929-S & 1944 Mercs, and a 1960-D Rosie.
I have read alot of stories from people who make silver and gold finds on a daily basis and I must admit that I have been very skeptical when I read those stories. Are these stories for real? Is it just me, my detector, my location?
I have detected lots of old farm sites and dug up plenty of old junk (horse shoes, crottle bells, axe heads, etc.) and lot of wheaties which leads me to believe that these sites have not yet been detected. But if that is true... where's the silver? Also, everything is usually within the first 4 to 6 inches.
I hope to have a good year when the snow melts. Especially if I get my Minelab.

[cchughs]

Welcome to TQ Digger. Sounds like you have found some pretty neat stuff already. Good luck on the new detector search.

[KenPa]

Welcome digger john and good luck. I think location is probably the most important thing. It sounds like the area you are hunting has the potential for old coins. The finds you have so far are proof of that. Sometimes I go out and find stuff everyday and then more often I go and get nothing but junk. Patience and research are probably more important than anything. You have to go where people gathered to find the items they lost. I don't know where in Pa you are but you would be welcome to hunt with us also, I'm in eastern Pa. Between Easton and Allentown if you are familliar with the area.

[l38ranger]

welcome to TQ, i also have a discovery 3300 and it does what it should...with it's four tone...and scale#...and pin point is accurate to say the least...but i am not in a very good location, so i have to venture off a way's...parks and beaches... I to if i had the money would upgrade to a white myself... but at this time i don't...but i am satisfied with my 3300 for the time being...good luck and hope to see some of your finds...

[Dick from IA]

Hi DiggerJohnPA & Welcome to TQ, a most friendly place, as you can tell.

I'll echo Chuck's recommendation about the XTerra70 series;
Light weight, not a long learning curve, and something I personally like-the tones are pleasant on the ears!

And if ya ever get to NW Iowa, I'll hunt with ya, too

[PABill]

Hi DiggerJohn and welcome to TQ. Your silver finds will come. This hobby takes time, patience and practice but it is also very addictive. Where are you in PA? I am on the East side. Lots of great people here with alot of years of experience to answer any and all questions. Bill

[DiggerJohnPA]

Thanks everyone for the overwhelming response and welcome. I am in Meadville, PA; which is about 40 miles south of Erie. (Boobie - I am originally from Pittsburgh and actually am down there quite a bit visiting family)
Chuck, I actually looked at the X-Terra models but the GT seems to be the only detector under $800 that uses multiple frequencies simultaniously. How do the X-Terra models compare? I wouldn't mind saving $300 and getting an X-Terra 30, but I would hate to end up with another machine so similar to the one I am already using.

[TonyinCT]

First off the 3300 is a starter unit with low quality of workmanship. Some like it some don't . Your finds are reflecting its performance. The GT is a powerful detector that can be used in many circumstances that others cannot such as salt water beach areas with no problems. There is a wide array of coils to choose from also. To get the max performance out of a Xterra 70 you would have to get the other coils and once you're done you would have paid quite a bit just to get different frequencies. Don't get me wrong ; I think that the Xterra's are great detectors but not in the league of the GT. Although you don't have target ID with a GT you can get a meter to use as a target ID. All in all if you can afford the Gt you won't be sorry. You'll never look back at the 3300 again. Let me know if I can help you with any more information or your purchase.

[INDY]

Hello and Welcome to TQ

[didijim]

welcome, lots of good people, to become good friends, and great info, ask anything, someone will have the answer, probably two or three, it is great

best hunting