Minelab X-Terra 305 vs Garrett Ace 250

[Coinguy56]

Hello, I picked this section of the forum and I hopefully didn't mess anything up. Anyways I already have an Ace 250 and its getting kinda old. I mean, I know how to use it, I find clad coins and alot of trash. But I think I am ready for another detector. What do you guys think? I have been looking at the Minelab X-Terra 305. If I wasn't on a budget, I would be looking at a 505 or 705. I was just wondering want ''advantages" the 305 has over the Ace 250. The thing is about the 250, you can pick up a nice and solid coin signal and come to find out it was a large can or something, but still gives out a coin signal. Just like the bottle caps. Some give off a sloppy signal and bounces around (I know not to dig).

 

[Brian(upstateNY)]

In all honesty Id say spend some more time with the Ace and learn to size your targets
A can will be a LARGE halo and lift the coil way off the ground and thats a sure giveaway to size
Use the pinpoint to size you target up more.
Now a can down at 12inches would have a smaller target print then one at 3-4inches so

Now target ID is tricky and sometimes so it is a good idea too dig all you can just in case
Dont always go by the visual ID or the 4 sounds on the ACE250

I have had the Ace a few years and that little unit will find anything as long as it is under the coil and with some practice you can pretty much tell a CAN from a coin..but remember silver dollars are also BIG

But having more then one detector is always a good thing but the first problem is not learning each detectors capabilitys as much as you can!
Have fun tho is most important
The finds are a bonus

OK gotta head back out,thats my cans worth

 

[Leslie(nova scotia)]

From the land of the Bluenose.....be one with your machine which is as good as the other. It's the operator that makes the difference. What is a little bit of dug junk anyway. Good luck!

 

[therick]

Have you set up a coin garden? If not, bury a few coins of different denominations at various depths and learn what each coin sounds like at each depth. Set up a row of pennies at 3,4,5 and 6 inches deep. Then do a row of dimes at the same depths. Keep going up through quarters and eventually you'll be able to tell what the target is before digging. I prefer an ID machine like the Whites series. If you can find an old Whites Eagle 11 SL90 with the black box, that is one crazy coin gettin machine. I bought one of the first ones out and I still use it from time to time. I just saw one sold on the classifieds for about 250.00 (I think). I thought that was a great deal for someone, I wouldn't take that for mine. Anyway, good luck, hunt where old coins are likely to be, and be patient.

therick

 

[Elson(La)]

n/t

 

[Brian(upstateNY)]

n/t

 

[Coinguy56]

I honestly think that the Minelab is a better detector as far as discrimination goes and eliminating trash. It also has more tones, deeper for pull tabs and other trash and a solid high signal for coins. In a trashy field, the Garrett 250 bounces all over the place so much that it even beeps a few times, indicating a coin when its really not. Its a good starter detector for hunting coins but be aware that it is a trash magnet. Atleast for mine. Because of the number identity on the Minelab, you can tell atleast a little better on what your target is. 36-39 is going to be a dime or penny, etc. I saw the new Garrett 350, it looks nice with improved specs and larger coil. But its just me to have more faith in a Minelab. The difference between a 305 and 705 is not much. You can go to KellyCo and compare the two. I understand the sniper coil or a larger coil on the 250 would atleast improve a little but not much. I am hunting for old coins that are buried deep. The older the coin, the deeper it is. he deepest hole I have dug with my 250 is about 6 inches only to find out it was a big piece of trash that sounded just like a coin and had the size. From reviews, I think a Minelab X-Terra is a great step up from a rookie detector like the Garrett 250. Don't get me wrong, I like my 250, but it bounces way too much in trashy places. I can get a iron reading, then pull tab, and then a penny or dime and back to iron. I thinks its a little too confusing and frustrating.

 

[Brian(upstateNY)]

Bells and whistles ...BUT
the problem with some folks is they dont work long with what they have and always want.... well how should I say this.....
The easy way out
There are always tricks to every machine and every place you dig and also tricks too learn your self

 

[Vernon in Virginia~Formerly Alaska]

n/t

 

[DiGGER27]

Check out NeSwiper's earlier videos with the 305 on Youtube. Right after the compadre videos...
There are several, and they might give you an idea about how it works and if you want to switch.

HH

 

[Vernon in Virginia~Formerly Alaska]

n/t