BUYING NEW METAL DETECTOR

[LADAWG]

Hi all....I am new to this forum and to metal detecting....I really have been looking hard at this mine lab explorer SE.....with money not being a problem.....which detector would you recommend...I'm looking for detecting jewelry and coins(gold,silver) ....How about the weight of this unit...I have read alot about people arms wearing out after awhile.....and people having to sell theirs because of the weight...any suggestion....also I am really not looking to upgrade for awhile...I'm currently flying 35% RC planes....I am looking for a change of hobby.....and I did this when I was kid....but really feel this could be rewarding.....

Thanks

Bill R
Shreveport,La

 

[alton]

Yes, it had a weight/balance problem, but not a big one. The newer SE has improved from the previous models on the weight thing. And yes, there are other medal detectors that are great detectors also. Fisher has a new F-75 that is getting a lot of traffic and initial reports indicate that it will be a phenom. The DFX is getting a little old, but it does a good job.

Chances are that if you get into this hobby big that you will end up with more than one detector and perhaps even have different detectors for different types of hunting. I now have a water detector, relic detector, cache detector, and 3 coin detectors. Some do a better job in different situations.

But, for now my SE is usually what I reach for 1st as it can do a good job in both coin and relic hunting which is what I hunt 90% of the time. It is a great detector for depth and target identification, and does well in trashy areas. I don't get worn out by the weight of it, but I'm a pretty big healthy guy.

Your experience may be different, but I would think that you will have a hard time getting a detector that finds more. And the finds are what it's all about with me.

HH Alton

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

My SE is the best coin and ring detector I have ever used. By far the deepest. Once you learn it things will just click. An 8" Sunray coil or the minelab 8" will help you learn it alot faster. I find it to be the best all around coil for my type of hunting.

Small gold however its not very good. Small rings it picks up great but small jewelry is not its specialty.

The new F75 might be worth waiting a few days to hear some honest reviews from actual consumers not the dealers trying to "hype" the latest and greatest.

HH, Stoops

 

[Dan-Pa.]

I would start out as a newbie with a user friendly lightweight unit..
Definetly if I started with an Explorer would probably be flying model planes or fishing as the learning curve is a bit even for experienced detectorists to get the hang of. Remember many start this hobby but also many detectors end up in the closet as frustration can set in quickly..I realize in learned hands an Explorer is surely one of the best around but certainly not for a newbie...I realize its user friendly if one starts in quickstart, but interpeting the tones, screens and pinpointing etc. could prove a problem for a newbie unless you have a patient mentor...Certainly debateable but just an opinion and think back when you started and you just may agree...

 

[jackintexas]

The 747 is a very good plane no doubt. But if I were to take up flying for the first time I probably would not start out trying to learn the 747 first. I would get a simple metal that would not bust your budget until I learned which detector I would really like to have from experience.

 

[LADAWG]

Well...that line of thinking is great if your flying RC planes...I didn't start off flying my 5000.00 aeroworks extra 260 plane because I knew there would be a 100%chance of me destroying it on take off, but I did buy a top the line JR transmitter and I still use it to this day on my big birds .....I started off flying small planes, because well....the penalty for not knowing how to fly RC planes is a pile of sticks...not to mention the cost of torn up engine,receiver,power expander,regulators,lithium ion batteries and servos and the danger of actually hitting something or worse someone.In flying RC there's alot of safety and skill issues involved...unlike metal detectors.....you can destroy this product and property in a heart beat.... apparently metal detecting has good learning curve as setting up your unit and being able to handle it in the environment that your wanting to look in, but at the end of the day you still have your unit and have plenty of time to actually get used to it and fine tune it...unless I trip in fall on it and crush it..which I doubt I will do..lol.......so I'm not interested in buying some mid end unit to learn how to operate it just to turn right around and sell it......as I said earlier when I was younger I did some metal detecting..and I miss it...and with how detectors have advanced so much I am drooling to get my hands on one of the top of the line units...I just soon go ahead and bite the bullet and by a unit that will really cook....besides.....I have learned that the units especially the explorer se has real good resale value...so it wouldn't be a big deal to lose a few bucks off it if I wanted to sell it......by the way....I couldn't find a used explore se for sale anywhere...especially on on ebay....but I did find some older mine lab units that were going between 700-800 with a few extras...anyone know anyone who has an explorer se for sale...

 

[TNDIGGER]

This forum is quite amazing with the experienced hunters sharing information openly. The Explorer is quite the sophisticated instrument however you don't have to be a pro to start with it. The Explorer has preset programs in it including a "coin/jewelry" program so you can simply turn on and go. Most people start with these programs until they "learn" the detector. Once you have some experience with it then resource this forum for tips and tricks to get the most performance from the unit. It may take a while but you will enjoy the experience! Once you are experienced you will learn ways to adjust for all types of conditions just as the hunters have on this forum. DON'T BE AFRAID, START WITH THE BEST AND EXPECT TO LEARN AS YOU GO. Heck we are all still learning from each other even us experienced hunters. GOOD LUCK!

 

[mattockman]

From what I have read from you and the responses you got...I would say yes get an Explorer SE. You sound like you can afford it and maybe even a few others. If money is not an issue then get it! I started with a radio shock special and used it a few years. I got clad clad clad. I was not big into detecting (so you knowing this) I researched longtime for a good one and it was the Explorer XS I was sold on. I almost settled for a fisher cz 7A until I found Minelab. I was so nervous about buying it and blowing lots of cash but OMG I started learning it fast cause I was determined to master it. It was so freaky sounding I laughed but I am so glad I stuck to it.It is not really a long learning curve if you experiment with it in your house with coins and rings. Keep reading these forums and in no time you will be pulling silver and gold and relics out of the ground. I was a newby you might as well say to metal detecting and I mastered it....at least I feel like I did cause I know how to handle the beast without even thinking about it. I still love the learn and edit features it has when I get lazy and just want good targets....but when I am ambitious I open her wide open and dig all plus the iffys Then I find great stuff. It is so versatile you will never get bored with it. I wish it had the 3rd generation processor the SE has ggrrrrrrrrrr someday I will have the SE and a wot and a sunray x-1 probe. I am still crazy about this hobby and it because of the Explorer....Thanks MINELAB!! BUY ONE!

 

[NH Bob]

If you're reaching an age that the weight is going to become a problem. I might think of an alternative machine. The X-Terra70 a superior Minelab product also would be worth looking into.
The name of the game is to enjoy the hobby.
Good luck.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

It appears you can afford it and why not have the best..Do me a favor and use Quickstart until you get the hang of the unit..sort of crawl till you run in theory..Looks like your determined but believe me detectors have changed over the years so be prepared..As far as used SE units they are going high so buy new with a full warranty as I feel
your going to stay with it.....In any case good luck in your new venture and join the gang...

 

[LADAWG]

Thanks for the good advice.....I know I'm going to need help and looks like I am in the right spot.....My wife says I can get one if I sell some of my plane stuff..lol...In fact I thinks she wants me to switch hobbies completely because she thinks it will take up less room but what she doesn't know is there alot of little stuff that I can buy that would fill that same area....

 

[digitrich]

Get the SE, it is simply the most advanced detector for coins there is right now and get the Sun Ray x-1 probe, also an eight inch Sun Ray coil, lighter than the stock ten inch it comes with, and way easier to get the hang of the machine with. The stock ten inch is just to big to use in parks with trash and such, on the beach is the only place I've used mine effectively. If weight is an issue you can get some third party hip or shoulder mounts that make swinging the Explorers allot easier, I would try it without such things first and if it still seems heavy than get one of those helpers. If you buy your SE from Sun Ray then they can put the X-1 probe on it for you, instead of buying the detector from someone else and shipping back and forth crap. I bought mine from Ralph at Sun Ray here in Iowa and he put on the probe, put it all together and showed me how to use it, has always taken my phone calls and answered all my ignorant questions, in fact, I called him today with at least four more. Nice guy. Anyway, if you don't buy the SE, you will probably always wish you had and after you have it you will eventually get the Sun Ray x-1 probe for it, You either have to buy an upper shaft from them or send them your's so they can put on the probe, it's way simpler to buy the whole deal together, from one company. By the way, I lost three inches off my waste in the first three months after I started this addiction: I mean "hobby", if you liked it when you were using that Radio shack cheese, You are going to be blown away by that SE. Deep learning curve, buy it from someone who will help afterwards, very, very important. Oh, and if you live near me, buy that Whites DFX instead. Good luck to you.

 

[digitrich]

Nothing for nothing Jack but before I got my SE, I bought a Bounty Hunter Land star for like 400 bucks, all I learned was that I just brought a knife to a gun fight. I'd gladly trade that 400 dollar piece of plastic Bounty Hunter wish in one hand and blank in the other for some coils to my SE. If my ultimate plan was to transport a whole mess of people, learning to fly a hang glider my just leave me a little short.

 

[osros]

I agree there I just started the hobby. I was given a Bounty Hunter Sharpshooter II. I used it, got the MD bug alright but was getting clad and junk. I just new that doing this type thing the BH was not going to get me anywhere or at least have to dig everything and get lucky. I soon ordered my SE and I will have it TODAY!! Sure it will be heck to learn but thats part of the fun!

 

[osros]

Yup I sold some of my top of the line SW Radio gear to get my SE. I wanted to have an SE right way for this years digging. I can always save up a few months and get that gear back but no rush. This new MD hobby is going to keep be busy.

 

[osros]

Agree, I went for it. New to MD myself and only 10+ hours on a BountyHunter SS II. But I new I had to get the best. I felt if I dont find anything it will be the poor Spot or ME but its not going to be because of the detector. Go for the SE or any top of the line unit.