Is The Garrett Ace 250 A Good Machine ?

[E-Trac-Ohio]

My Wife is looking for a light weight metal detector - that's easy to learn how to use - is able to hit deeper targets - has good target ID and is not very expensive.

I've heard a lot of great things about the Garrett Ace 250 over the last few years - do you think the Ace 250 is what she's looking for or would you suggest a different machine?

Thanks in advance for your opinions !

HH --- Mark

 

[Justin E]

I, personally, have never used one. You might look at the Ace 350 or the AT Pro. They're about the same in ease of use and weight, but I think they get a little better depth. I have used an earlier ATP and was fairly impressed. I never pulled the trigger due to this was when there were still some issues with leaking, falsing coils, and shaft issues. Might also want to look at some of the Teknetics/Fisher line up. The Teknetics Greek series, especially the Omega, have quite a few followers. I've heard people claim they get better depth with an Omega with the right coil on that they can with an ETRAC. Don't know if this is hooey or not.

If you get any of these, I believe she will be happy. If you think she'll get really interested in it, I would get something a little higher she can grow into. That's my .02. Good luck!

 

[widebody]

[size=large]i agree with justin e. i found the 250 was a great learning machine but it was a short time before i grew tired of guessing what it was saying. at least there is much less guessing with an atp. it fit up til you said it had to be cheap. well the atp isn't really cheap but you are getting more for your buck. once again tho if she don't get hooked you would get most of your money on re-selling the ace.

HH[/size]

 

[Justin E]

There is another benefit of buying a higher level detector. If she doesn't like metal detecting, you can always "sacrifice" yourself and use it as a back up. ;-)

 

[slingshot]

I've had mine 10 years. It was a good machine when I used the standard coil-and became a great one when I got the sniper coil. Whatever Garrett you decide on, try to get this coil in a pkg. deal. I found some quarters at 6", but that's about as deep as anything I've found-even with more expensive machines. In a schoolyard here, I doublechecked many signals with different detectors, and the Ace was about neck and neck with the Tesoro Silver umax.

 

[Oak]

n/t

 

[dabbie1]

Dont let anyone tell you the Ace 250 doesnt get deep,Would you say 14 inches is pretty good.Im 65 years old and the 250 is my main detector.When you put on the 10 by 14 excellsior coil it is a excellent detector. Would you say over 52 barber quarters is good? Some 12 inches or more.I use a Whites as my back-up.The 250 is very easy to use,If some people are saying they can only get 6 inches out of a 250,I suggest they learn to read and learn to use the detector properly. thats why manuals come with them when purchased.You have to learn what the 250 is telling you.In answer to your question,the 250 would be a great choice for your wife.To go a little further,some people on here commented that the 250 was not good in wet sand at the beach.Thats because they did not set the mode,sense ,and discrim properly. Like I said you have got to learn the machine Ive had way more expensive machines in my 35years plus of detecting,and none have been easier to learn, and have been so relieable,and dependable Happy hunting ,Wayne in Delaware

 

[Salida]

I have had mine for seven years and never a problem with it.
It IS easy to use but pin pointing can be a proplem for some people; it's
easy once you get the hang of it.

I recommend you get the Garrett Pro-pointer for locating your target
when digging as sometimes the target is difficult to find. Several times,
while digging, I just could not locate my target and thought perhaps I had
a false signal; that was not the case. Once I had a decent pin pointer I
found ALL targets. Many times they are in the "side" of the hole you dug;
other times the target blends in with the color of the dirt, or the target is so
small and dirty you just can't see it. The pin-pointer saved me many hours
in the field.

Once you get the Ace 250 you might want to get the Sniper coil for very
trashy ground. My only complaint with the 250 is the slow recovery time.

I have paid for the Ace 250 many times over.

Having said that another fine detector is the Teknitics Delta 4000. It is easy to
pin point the target, lighter to handle, and a fast recovery time. You can find the forum
here on Fine Mall.

But yes, for the money, the Ace 250 is a great machine.
Subscribe to the Garrett News Letter (It's free) and see some of the great finds
made with the Ace 250. The Ace 350 is ok I am told and has a slight higher
frequency for relic hunting. I do not believe the recovery speend is any better
than the Ace 250.

Good luck.

Salida

 

[SPONNIE73]

I will never get rid of mine. My primary is F75 LTD but I still pick up the ACE on occasion. It really comes in handy when someone wants to go with me that has never detected before. Only takes several minutes of instructions and they

 

[metalfun]

I found my three oldest coins with an ace 250 1905 ih 1889 dime and a 1832 half dime with the standard coil. It is the best for the buck.HH

 

[fishercz20]

Have had my Ace250 for at least 10 years now. Its truly a coin magnet. So easy to use and for a first timer such as your wife, I think it would be great. I think I paid $212.00 for mine back then and I easily average that in found coins each year here in minnesota. Last year I found $425.00 for the year along with many rings and assorted other things. We also worked a civil war camp and found many artifacts with it. I also agree with what the other person said on here. Get yourself a Garrett Propointer. I dont know how I made it without one of those for the 38 years Ive been detecting. They are a must have. Good luck with your decision.

 

[greenwoodhunter1]

look up daddydigger on youtube he got a lot of videos of his finds on youtube then think about the ace 250 i have an ace 250 and love it i found gold rings silver coins and a lot of good stuff

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Thanks for all of your replies to my questions !

I think what we will do is get my Wife a Ace 250 to use this season - then possibly upgrade to a AT Pro sometime in the future if she gets real serious about the hobby.

Happy Hunting ! --- Mark

 

[Justin E]

Cool, don't think you'll regret it, unless she finds more than you do. J/k

 

[Fabio]

My deepest good solid signals have always turned up great old coins. Whenever the signals jump, there's usually other objects underneath. The ACE 250 is VERY EASY to get used to, and responds extremely fast when swaying. Using lightweight earphones makes it easier to listen to the signals. Go for it. The more costly MD's would have to prove their betterness to cover for their costs. I'd try Minelab as a next improvement, but not now.

 

[fishcatch]

I have owned mine for about 6 years. Yes, you have to learn what it is telling you. I love mine, but I am thinking about stepping up a grade or two. One that id with a numerical number.

 

[outdoors]

fishercz20 and slingshot.... dont think the ace 250 has been out for ten years ... I have the Garrett 2003 catalog and the only ace detector is the ace 300 and the ace 100 ...?

 

[slingshot]

fishercz20 and slingshot.... dont think the ace 250 has been out for ten years ... I have the Garrett 2003 catalog and the only ace detector is the ace 300 and the ace 100 ...?

That would be awesome! That means I'm not getting as old as fast as I think I am! It's been NEARLY ten years. At first, I wanted to get rid of it. Fortunately, I learned the machine and I don't see any way I'm gonna get rid of it. It is a highly versatile machine and I can hunt with it in places I CAN'T with other machines. I have posted this many times, but most pass over it without realizing what I'm saying.

 

[JimCVA]

I been useing the ACE250 for about five years it is easy to use price right does a great job of coin, relic and beach detecting I found a nice 14Kgold wedding band wth mine at the beach 7/20/12 JimCVA

 

[Salida]

I've had my Ace 250 going on 8 years now and never a problem. It's paid for itself several times over.
You will want the sniper coil however, to get around in trashy areas. I used it the last couple days here early in the morning before the heat started.
Picked up an extra $3 in clad. Hahahaha. Barely paid for the gas but it was nice getting out.

You might want to consider the Ace 350 because the of the 8.2 kHz. Very helpful and the double D coils would be an asset.
A lot of people have asked if you can use the Ace 350 coils on the 250. And you CAN but you won't get the 8 kHz; they will give you the same 6 kHz
you get on the Ace 250 because that is what the 250 coils were designed for.
Salida