Anybody know metal detectors?

[Wee Hooker]

35+ years ago my dad had a real basic metal detector that we played around with here and there around town and at the beach. Dad always dreamed of finding Spanish treasure but fell short (unless you feel $1.57 and a couple of odd ear rings count.) Beyond the lack of booty, the detector itself had its shortfalls and eventually it was given away to another family member to struggle with . Still I remember our hunting was not without its own fun and certain level of anticipation.
Fast forward to the present and I'm getting ready to retire. As part of my "staying off the couch plan" I'd like to dabble in some relic hunting/ exploring of my own. ( A guy can only shoot and fish so much!) Of interest to me are some old abandoned dumps, homestead sights, Civil/revolutionary war encampments, WW II fortifications, etc. Also of interest are the beds of multiple knee deep streams in the area that are the sites of long ago mills , farms and such. What is not of interest to me is to scavenge the local beach's for coins and trinkets the tourists leave behind. Living in a history rich section of SE New England, I think I have allot of good prospective areas to keep me interested. (BTW. Yes, I know not to go digging up the countryside without permission.) My expectations are not to find anything of monitory value, only of stir enough interest to keep me exercising my mind and body on these expeditions. ( OK, the occasional jewel encrusted golden Viking shield would not be disappointing either.

So first, let me ask, are my expectations of searching for relics in these environments in line with what I could expect for performance out of a $250-$500 machine? If so, what features do I need to look for?
Second, I'd appreciate recommendations for a good "do all" detector model that will not take a lifetime to master and have some flexibility in environments. ( Again, mostly used in the woods but will see occasional use in streams and on salt water beaches/marsh's.)
Lastly, any additional advice on other needed gear, links, "must reads", etc. would always be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[billwill]

I'd be interested in some comments also. Anybody find anything really good?

 

[chaparrito]

Me too. Youtube is full of metal detecting videos and equipment reviews.

 

[jughed440]

I use a Minelab E-trac, or a Garrett AT Gold, but there are many other capable detectors out there, and they all have their pros and cons. Not sure about detectors at that price level that you are interested in.
I hunt 1800s era farm sites, and knowing where they once were is the key to good hunts. Forget about over-hunted public parks, schools, etc., unless you are looking for clad coins and aluminum tabs, which most detectors can skip over (discriminate).

Here is an older pic of some of the silver i have recovered at some of the old home sites.

 

[Kinman]

I know a guy that is a real "gold-bug". He got me started quite a few years ago by selling me his older unit while he upgraded to a newer one with all the bells and whistles. You pay your money and you takes your chances just like anything. I'd try to find a good used one if your just experimenting with a new hobby, it seems your price range should get you off on the right foot.
Just start with your own yard, in an afternoon I found all kinds of loose change and old metal cars that were buried under a foot of dirt. Depends on the age of your house but most houses have at least a couple of bucks worth of loose change.
You definitely want one that gives you good tone differential between junk and precious metal, unless your artifact hunting then you dig everything. I was working around alot of nails and such and tuned them out so that the machine only recognized precious metals, a higher ping for silver and a deep pong for gold.
That buddy of mine used his in creek beds and found quite a bit of gold, I was using mine in a creek bed while staying at my cabin in Canada and had headphones on to really zone in on the noise and almost walked up on a small brown bear fishing for spawned out Kokanee...you can get real intent on what your doing, I learned to keep my head on a swivel and check around from time to time because you can't hear anything but the tone of the detector with good headphones on.
Be prepared to dig...I found a modified dandelion tool was great in yards. Always be sure to ask permission if at all possible before you even think about looking around any houses. I always offered to split anything I found with the owner, most times they just laughed and said "Keep it, you worked for it."
Its alot of fun but eventually started boring me, I never found any real treasure and the gold required more work than I was willing to put out, you really need a small suction unit to make that system work. Nuggets aren't laying around for the picking.
My uncle did it for years and the best "treasure" he found was what he used to refer to as a "robbers cache". Supposedly petty thieves would rob a citizen, then go hide the goods somewhere and wait until everything cooled off before going back to claim their swag. Often they either forgot where they hid it, got themselves whacked or for whatever reason never picked up the goods. My uncle got a real good tone at the base of a tree in one of the municipal parks, he went back early the following morning and had to do some digging into the roots and found a rotted burlap sack containing a good load of mid-to late 1800's coins, mostly silver but their was one-one dollar gold coin. I had never seen a gold coin that small, it was the size of your little fingernail or smaller. He made it into a pinky ring, very cool.

 

[Oldiron]

I have bought a couple from Kellyco. They have some serious folks when it comes to detecting and can help you narrow down what type and what coil you may want. Lots of variables to running a metal detector, one of them being the soil in the area you want to hunt, do you want to be able to keep it silent until it hits a target or can you stand the constant tone in your ear??
We use a couple of the mid line Bounty Hunters. Finds a good bit of stuff without costing an arm and a leg. Buy something and start playing with it. Set out some known targets and get a feel for the differences in tone, then just have at it. You also need to accept the fact that there were some secret govt projects to scatter pop-tops all over the country. There had to be some projects since you will find the pop-top where there has never been a person or beer drinking animal...
Larry

 

[kaaskop49]

Sounds like an interesting project, but ask yourself if you think you'll be able to find enough coins to break even and pay for the device. And then, how much (many) more to make it even a little bit profitable.

This couldn't work out here in the desert. The ground is harder than a miser's heart and very few folks carry or use coins in Vegas. I don't.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[sierra255]

I purchased my detector from White's Electronics in Sweet Home, Oregon which is about 45 miles from my house. They have distributors all over the USA, and a wide range of prices to fit your needs. White's detectors rate high by many consumer evaluations, and the replacement warranty on parts is outstanding. Their website is good, and most of questions can be answered there.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Sounds like an interesting project, but ask yourself if you think you'll be able to find enough coins to break even and pay for the device. And then, how much (many) more to make it even a little bit profitable.

This couldn't work out here in the desert. The ground is harder than a miser's heart and very few folks carry or use coins in Vegas. I don't.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

It's got nothing to do with breaking even. Most hobbies are a not. If it gets me out of the house for some exercise and keeps me off a bar stool, then its money well spent .

 

[kaaskop49]

It's got nothing to do with breaking even.

No offense, friend. Just shows how much time I spend in casinos. That's one hobby where breaking even is a fond desire! Happy holidays.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Coldshooter]

I would second a Whites. A friend is a dealer and spent quite a bit of time on research as he only wanted to carry one brand. I have seen his samples in use and they work quite well including finding some nuggets in gravel. I think one model can be tuned to the sensitivity of what you are seeking.

 

[srsmyth]

I have two Fisher detectors that I use, mine are both for underwater but several companies make land, land/wader, under water detectors. You will have to spend some time looking at them as there many from which to choose. Maybe you could find a local club for some test runs with different equipment. I hunt mostly in the water. BTW, 4 of the rings shown were recovery challenges and were returned to the people that lost them.
Steve

 

[M&P Freak]

The ground where I live is loaded with things that set 'em off, making it very difficult to find anything. I learned the hard way that cheap detectors aren't worth a spit here. Bought a Whites "Coinmaster Pro" for my wife (she wanted to hunt for relics) and it would probably work great for finding coins on the beach but it is worthless when the soil has a lot of mineral content. Turns out I need one with ground balancing capabilities that adjust for changes in mineralization in the soil. This of course costs a lot more. The difference is $300 for the Whites vs $800 for a decent Tesoro with ground balancing. I recommend you find a detector club in your area and check out what they are using. Had I done some homework, I would have saved $300.

 

[msinc]

Suggest you have a serious look at the Garrett Ace 250...at about $220.00 and having features only found on models costing 4 times that amount, it is a very good starter detector. If you really like doing it you can always use this one for bringing a kid along, finding things quickly that don't require a hi dollar type and loaning it to all your buddies when they find out you have a metal detector...everyone has lost something. I find it a lot better to hand them mine and say, "here, you do it!!!"
All B.S. aside it is a very nice working little detector that you easily can break even with, but don't have to either. Wouldn't trade mine for one costing 4 times as much. All the big name ones do is get more complicated and expansive and cause you to have to sit down and read, absorb and learn a whole new volume of stuff when what you really want to do is go detecting!!!!! Good luck.

 

[johnnyflake]

I am 74 years young now and I have been into Metal Detection for over 40 years. I have owned all sorts of machines, land, water, underwater, VF Machines & Pulse Machines and so on. Believe it or not, you can find tons of stuff with very simple machines, at a $100 or less and then you can do it even better & deeper, with machines costing $1000, $2000 and more.
For what it’s worth, I have owned at least 20 different detectors over the years. For the last couple of years, I have downsized to 3 machines. My favorite for Neighborhood Parks, School & Church Areas and Picnic Areas, and is a simple to use, old Fisher 1212X. You will not find one now days, unless your very lucky on eBay, etc. But, my other favorite for the same areas, is a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV Metal Detector. These are readily available, online, in the area of $120 – Note you can sometimes get one from Hobby Lobby online with a 40% or even 50% discount. I got mine from them, for $72.00 delivered to my home. It’s a great, simple machine and you can find a dime size objects down to about 6” in common soil. I found a small 3” pocket knife this past summer at about 8”.

My top, do it all, suggestion, except for in and/or underwater, is a Tesoro Outlaw with 3 Coils Metal Detector. This machine comes with 3 different size coils, which will allow you to do any type of hunting, in all types of soil. It has the electronics to do it all. They are not cheap but they are not crazy in price either at around $550 delivered to your door.

You will get many, many different opinions, from various people, but I can tell you for sure, that the Bounty Hunter and the Tesoro I mentioned are excellent machines and well worth the cost.

Here is an excellent site to check out any type of metal detector.

Top Metal Detector Manufacturers

 

[Wee Hooker]

No offense, friend. Just shows how much time I spend in casinos. That's one hobby where breaking even is a fond desire! Happy holidays.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

None taken at all. We all have our hobbies, fortunately I've never had one ounce of luck in my bones so I learned early in life that gambling of any kind was just a reminder of how unlucky I am. I've since found many other ways to squander my sheckles. This is likely the next

 

[Wee Hooker]

I am 74 years young now and I have been into Metal Detection for over 40 years. I have owned all sorts of machines, land, water, underwater, VF Machines & Pulse Machines and so on. Believe it or not, you can find tons of stuff with very simple machines, at a $100 or less and then you can do it even better & deeper, with machines costing $1000, $2000 and more.
For what it’s worth, I have owned at least 20 different detectors over the years. For the last couple of years, I have downsized to 3 machines. My favorite for Neighborhood Parks, School & Church Areas and Picnic Areas, and is a simple to use, old Fisher 1212X. You will not find one now days, unless your very lucky on eBay, etc. But, my other favorite for the same areas, is a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV Metal Detector. These are readily available, online, in the area of $120 – Note you can sometimes get one from Hobby Lobby online with a 40% or even 50% discount. I got mine from them, for $72.00 delivered to my home. It’s a great, simple machine and you can find a dime size objects down to about 6” in common soil. I found a small 3” pocket knife this past summer at about 8”.

My top, do it all, suggestion, except for in and/or underwater, is a Tesoro Outlaw with 3 Coils Metal Detector. This machine comes with 3 different size coils, which will allow you to do any type of hunting, in all types of soil. It has the electronics to do it all. They are not cheap but they are not crazy in price either at around $550 delivered to your door.

You will get many, many different opinions, from various people, but I can tell you for sure, that the Bounty Hunter and the Tesoro I mentioned are excellent machines and well worth the cost.

Here is an excellent site to check out any type of metal detector.

Top Metal Detector Manufacturers

Thank you, very helpful! I will be sure to check those models out.
I've actually been talking to the company in the link. They were steering me toward a Garret ATPro since I have thoughts of hitting some local shallow streams and rivers. A little expensive but I do like the 100% waterproof feature.

 

[corey823]

Hi,
I just started this hobby and I bought a Fisher F22. It is a brand new model and cost $229. I bought it from Kellyco. You will need some additional items, so budget for that as well. One essential is a "pointer". They can run from $75 and up for something decent. Check out some of the forums on treasure hunting. Anyone is very helpful. Also there is probably a local club in your area. Happy hunting.
Corey

 

[johnnyflake]

Hi,
I just started this hobby and I bought a Fisher F22. It is a brand new model and cost $229. I bought it from Kellyco. You will need some additional items, so budget for that as well. One essential is a "pointer". They can run from $75 and up for something decent. Check out some of the forums on treasure hunting. Anyone is very helpful. Also there is probably a local club in your area. Happy hunting.
Corey

Yes, a quality electronic pointer is a great tool to have. They can be pricey, but well worth the expense. I have used several costing from about $60 to about $150. I hate to say it but the cheaper ones do not work that well. I find the biggest problem to be with sound volume and the vibration features. I eventually settled with a Garrett Pro Pointer.

You will also need a good strong digging tool. Do not carry a shovel a round, as it will quickly get you thrown out of many areas. My preferred digging tools are inexpensive bayonet knock offs, which are strong and cheap, about $20 for a good one, with a 5" or 6" blade.

 

[johnnyflake]

Thank you, very helpful! I will be sure to check those models out.
I've actually been talking to the company in the link. They were steering me toward a Garret ATPro since I have thoughts of hitting some local shallow streams and rivers. A little expensive but I do like the 100% waterproof feature.

The 100% waterproof feature is very nice, but you can still detect in shallow water, a foot or two, with almost any detector, as the coils are all sealed and waterproof. The key is to not get the control box wet! I use my Tesoro Outlaw in shallow water all the time.