I'm looking for a detector that I can use as a backup. Also, one that I can keep in my vehicle for scouting targets of opportunity that I run across. From what I have read the Ace 250 appears to be a decent detector for the money. I don't expect a $200 detector to replace my Explorer, but I don't want to buy a piece of junk either. Have any of you Explorer owners used one? If so, I'd like to hear your impression of it.
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Has anyone in here used a Garrett ACE 250?
- Thread starter Nimrod
- Start date
Frank in NH
Active member
n/t
Without a doubt the best backup for an Explorer is perhaps an Earlier model Explorer....but indeed Garrett has a winner in the yeller feller
and would work well as its a competent unit in its own right. Certainly not junk and has features of many higher priced units..
Swing over to the Garrett forum where your question would be more applicable and you will get a lot more info...
and would work well as its a competent unit in its own right. Certainly not junk and has features of many higher priced units..
Swing over to the Garrett forum where your question would be more applicable and you will get a lot more info...
Almost all of the reviews on the Ace 250 were from new users, or from people who have never used a high end detector. I know it's a great detector ... for the money. But I'd like a comparison between the two models from Explorer users who have used the Ace 250. I know it's an apples and oranges comparison, but I'd like to get an idea of just how far apart the two are.
Just curious on your purpose for purchasing the 250. I'm deciding between the Garrett Ace 250 and the Garrett GTI 1500 for a backup. I had a 1500 before and it served me very well. The 1500 costs over $400 more than the 250. I hate to waste my money, but I don't want to buy something I'll regret either.
Of course its miles apart but considering an Explorer costs five or six times more competent little unit and probably best buy for the bucks in the industry. Actually I wish they had a like low priced unit when I started out. Certainly not an Explorer but a nice little unit for the local parks for clad or perhaps an old yard when digging deep holes is not advised and does give good ID...
DetectorDummy
New member
Hi I have A ACE 250 i use as a backup it is a ok detector for the money it is well worth it. i have always used a white's eagle then upgraded to the eagle spectrum and i think the ace250 is a equal machine to the eagle spectrum. as for comparing it to the Exlporers i could not say since i just purched my first Explorer xs and just waiting for it to come in the mail.
william king
New member
I bought one for my wife. It is lighter than the Explorer and she feels it is a lot easier to learn. For the price it is a very good detector. It gets descent depth and very accurate ID. My wife only goes about 1/20th the times I go detecting and she still produces silver. So I would not hesitate to purchase the ACE 250 if I were you. JMHO good luck.
Clifford Powell
New member
I have read where comparing the two machines is like comparing apples to oranges. So with even that said I will try to tell you my impressions of the two machines.
When I considered getting back into this hobby I decided to purchase a 250 because of positives I had read about it on all of the forums. I wanted to see if I would like doing this again after a 20 year absence and the 250 was relatively inexpensive plus it was supposed to be very easy to learn. I used the Ace for 6 weeks and enjoyed the detecting as much as I had in years past.
During the 6 weeks I owned the Ace I found a fair amount of targets and during that time I read a lot of the postings on all of the other machines on these forums. Consequently I ordered the EXP II based on what I had read and sold the Ace to a friend. Big differences in the machines
When I considered getting back into this hobby I decided to purchase a 250 because of positives I had read about it on all of the forums. I wanted to see if I would like doing this again after a 20 year absence and the 250 was relatively inexpensive plus it was supposed to be very easy to learn. I used the Ace for 6 weeks and enjoyed the detecting as much as I had in years past.
During the 6 weeks I owned the Ace I found a fair amount of targets and during that time I read a lot of the postings on all of the other machines on these forums. Consequently I ordered the EXP II based on what I had read and sold the Ace to a friend. Big differences in the machines
I have been an avid Explorer user since it came out back 1999. It was my first detector back then, obviously by now I feel that I know the Explorer very well. Although I have owned some other detectors, my Explorer has always been my main detector. I just wanted an opinion from someone who has used both machines to help me determine if the ACE 250 has the capabilities to be a viable backup if my Explorer went down for a short period. Or, if I should spend the extra $400 and buy a GTI 1500.
Clifford Powell
New member
re:
Or, if I should spend the extra $400 and buy a GTI 1500.
$200 for an Ace + $400 for a GTI 1500. If my math is correct that's a $600 budget. Why not buy a used EXP II for just a few dollars more or less? I see them in that price range all the time. All your extra coils will work with that choice and so will your X-1 probe (if that's a probe you use) Plus you already know how to use an EXP.
CGP
Or, if I should spend the extra $400 and buy a GTI 1500.
$200 for an Ace + $400 for a GTI 1500. If my math is correct that's a $600 budget. Why not buy a used EXP II for just a few dollars more or less? I see them in that price range all the time. All your extra coils will work with that choice and so will your X-1 probe (if that's a probe you use) Plus you already know how to use an EXP.
CGP
But I am also looking to have a different detector. I have owned a Garrett 1250 and a 1500, I really liked their simplicity. Boing! Means a coin. Plus, they were both deadly on nickles, a skill I've never developed on my Explorer. So I'd like to get a Garrett just for a change of pace, and to occasionally go on a nickle hunt as well.
Pete in MI
New member
I have the ACE 250 and also had a Garrett GTAx 1250. Both have lots of similarities and some differences. A used GTAx 1250 would be my choice if I were buying one for a back up for the Explorer. Though the 250 is good it comes with a smaller coil than what I had on the GTAx 1250 (I bought the PROformance - larger coil for the 1250 separately).
Disadvantage of the 1250: Weighs more and uses more batteries
Disadvantage of the 250: Doesn't have the same number of 'notches' so when notching out an item it takes more with it than the same notching on the 1250.
The larger proformance coil will give more depth and coverage on sweeps.
The GTAx 1250 doesn't give an image to tell what is in the ground but does have pretty much the same info the 250 offers. The 1250 will be cheaper than buying a GTI.
I miss my 1250 (traded it to my detecting buddy) and got the 250 as a replacement for the 1250. BTW we both were able to detect a double aught (00) buck shot ball at 9 inches - he used the 1250 and I was using the 250. Imagine having the larger proformance coil on the 250..which would be another option and still be loads cheaper than a GTI.
I just got an Exp II this winter so the ACE will be snoozing for awhile when the good weather gets here. Anyway my choice - if I had the cash would be to get the 1250 but the 250 and a larger coil will be lighter in weight and deeper - plus newer technology than the 1250.
JMHO
God bless you and yours and Happy Detecting
Pete
Disadvantage of the 1250: Weighs more and uses more batteries
Disadvantage of the 250: Doesn't have the same number of 'notches' so when notching out an item it takes more with it than the same notching on the 1250.
The larger proformance coil will give more depth and coverage on sweeps.
The GTAx 1250 doesn't give an image to tell what is in the ground but does have pretty much the same info the 250 offers. The 1250 will be cheaper than buying a GTI.
I miss my 1250 (traded it to my detecting buddy) and got the 250 as a replacement for the 1250. BTW we both were able to detect a double aught (00) buck shot ball at 9 inches - he used the 1250 and I was using the 250. Imagine having the larger proformance coil on the 250..which would be another option and still be loads cheaper than a GTI.
I just got an Exp II this winter so the ACE will be snoozing for awhile when the good weather gets here. Anyway my choice - if I had the cash would be to get the 1250 but the 250 and a larger coil will be lighter in weight and deeper - plus newer technology than the 1250.
JMHO
God bless you and yours and Happy Detecting
Pete
Brian(upstateNY)
New member
n/t
Great Republic
Active member
Had one for a short time and thougt it was a nice detector for the money.
Depth max is about 6" but it sounds out great on coins.
First day I found a 1953 dime in the woods.
Depth max is about 6" but it sounds out great on coins.
First day I found a 1953 dime in the woods.
I have the Explorer-II / and
Garrett ACE 250
Tesoro Tejon
Tesoro Cibola
And 7 other machines collecting dust. My main team is the four listed above - but the Tesoro's have been getting the most work this year - as they are my newest machines. I see nothing wrong with the ACE 250 for the money. It was a backup to my explorer - now its just a team of 4 machines.
Garrett ACE 250
Tesoro Tejon
Tesoro Cibola
And 7 other machines collecting dust. My main team is the four listed above - but the Tesoro's have been getting the most work this year - as they are my newest machines. I see nothing wrong with the ACE 250 for the money. It was a backup to my explorer - now its just a team of 4 machines.