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lvtreasurelv

New member
Hey guys,

I am very interested in buying a metal detector. I have been researching for the past couple of weeks and I have come across this site. I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me any recommendations on buying a metal detector. I think that I would like to buy a MINELAB because I have been reading great reviews about them and I think there corporate office is here in Vegas......

I have never used a real nice metal detector before
When purchasing a metal detector does the type of ground matter? I live in Las Vegas where there is a lot of sand so would this be a factor? The place where I would like to hunt does have a lot of sand.
Would you recommend buying a used metal detector for a first timer and then upgrading?
I went to one of the stores here in Vegas to buy one but the person didn't really help me very much and if I am going to make a big purchase like this I would just like some more information.
Has anyone hunted in Vegas?

I am sorry if these questions are vague and again, I am new to this. I came across this site last night and thought that someone here would be able to help me!

-JAY
 
I'm sure many folks would be glad to help you on what machine could be good for you, but the main question is what do you plan on looking for the most. Is it Gold or Coins or Relics, just to name a few. Minelabs are awesome machines, I own several, but some machines are better suited for certain types of hunting, so let us know what you are going to be hunting for.
 
If you live in Vegas go see DOC's detectors. Small place but he knows his coils and detectors. I been there a couple times.... if Gus is there he knows the explorers and whats out there you can hunt. I know hes hunted meteors, but said the coin hunting wasnt that good. check up out.

Dew
 
I would definitely visit Doc if you could. The hands on experience could make the difference in which machine is right for you. I love my Explorers for coins and relics, but would not use them to hunt for gold, b/c there are better machines for that. Anyway, good luck and happy hunting!
 
Ive hunted around Vegas you have some pretty nice parks but the towns not that old..... now relics and whats-its might be interesting. especially in the desert area where gold was hunted. They used to give out lots of silver dollars you just never know what you might find. Do some research on the surrounding area, you have a LOT of interesting sites around you. Also do some research about where you CANT hunt. When i was there i talked to a few of the local hunters, go on some of the froums and leave a hunting buddy needed. Im sure GUS knows a few. The whites dealer had a great set up with lots of books and a machine to produce large TOPO maps. When i was there there were several prospectors coming and going. If it were me... id pick up a used gold bug and do some gold hunting. The Explorers are NOT effective gold machines. Now the whites MXT isnt bad it will find gold and has a lot of power..... down side it likes hot rocks.

Dew
 
LVtreasure-lv, you didn't answer the question, except to say "all of the above", essentially. When we ask you "what type hunting do you intend to do?", It's because there are certain machines that do certain things better than others. It would be like this: If you said "what's the best motor vehicle for me to drive?" A person responding may ask: "What do you want? best gas mileage? (consider a compact) fastest from 0 to 60 mph? (consider a corvette) Are you intending to pull stumps out of the ground? (consider a low-geared truck) Want to take kids to soccer practice? (consider a mini-van), etc... You see: if you'd answered that motor vehicle question "I want to do all those things", then you'd get odd answers, at the least.

The explorer is a very popular and versatile machine, but in the hands of a beginner, with no one to show him the sounds, tones, etc... over flagged targets, you might end up hating it indeed. It's very sound-specific, and if no one is showing you things over flagged targets (the way he isolates, the things he'd passs, the things he'd chase, etc....). Also, as good as it is for most-types hunting, I can guarantee you that I know of a few machines that would out-hunt it in a nail-riddled ghost town (where iron and nails usually litter the surface).

A good easy to learn beginner machine would be the Musketeer. Is it the deepest seeking? no. Is it the best in the TID dept, no. But for just goofing around with no particular venue or specific type-hunting, it's a fair compromise.
 
Hot Rocks are normally hemitite or magnatite. They will make most hot machines sound off like a good coin from wrap around. I hunted mostly around the Vegas area. Me and a couple of guys hit some of the ole ghost towns. There are some great ole mine areas and towns around you. If you are like most people starting out you really dont know what you want to hunt for.... unless you have an interest in coins, history, or gold. Toms right about trying to match the machine to the task and AREA. There is NO substitute for going out with an experienced hunter no matter what you are hunting. Get yourself a splitter at radio shack and you can plug in to his machine with your headphones. Also, dont forget you really need a good pair of headphones.

Dew
 
I would like to search the LAKES and OLD GHOST TOWNS.
I bet I could find a lot of cool things.
I am not that interested in finding GOLD NUGGETS. If I do, that would be great but I am mostly interested in Relics. I have heard that Whites Machines are really hard to figure out the different sounds. I dint mind spending the money on a good machine. I dint want to get a machine that is average and then wish I spent the extra $500 on a better one. This is my biggest concern. I know that certain machines are good for certain things but if I really invest the money in a great machine wont it find almost anything in the ground? If there is one that fits this description then I want it.
I have searched craigslist and the classifieds forum to find a used one also. I dint mind buying a used one at all.
I have even found a couple of clubs around here that I could probably find someone to go hunting with. I have just been researching so much about this stuff and everyone says something different about coils/machines/strategies.
I remember I had a $15 metal detector from Kmart when I was a little kid and I found a mason jar filled with a bunch of old coins in my own backyard and it was the biggest thrill ever! It was pretty deep in the ground too!
It seems like a really fun hobbie....

Dew- Did you find anything when you were searching in Vegas?
 
I started out with a top of the line White's. Did a one year tour with it, not hard to learn at all. Dug a thousand coins the first year easily. My buddy swung a Minelab, and would dig the oldies that I was walking over. I ended up buying his detector and was amazed at the amount of old silver and others that I had missed in all my hunting spots. I can honestly say that ML is a great detector and I was digging oldies immediately, I never read the manual until a couple months later.

amc
 
You really can't go wrong with any of the Minelabs, if I had it to do over I would bust the door down on a good pristine condition Ex-II. Just go out for awhile and have fun. Don't try to dig to China and don't try to get rich. Just enjoy it, and if you have the money/inclanation, try the Se or the E-trac if the II doesn't strike your fancy, all are fantastic machines. If I lived in Nevada I would check out the ghost towns, and watch those old desert roads for the old adobe mounds left from old homesteads. I lived in Arizona for 2 years. You know the climate, so watch yourself, I've walked up on some really prime snakes. My biggest fear though were the hornets in the ground.........no warning from these........no rattles, no buzzing just pain. You could turn over a rock and be staring at a nest as big as your head. We used to hit the White Mountains for the weekends and I wish I had done some gold hunting now. Good luck and you have already found the "motherload" when it comes to advice from these guys, they know their equipment and are happy to help. P.S. If you want you can send me your first great find!:rofl:
 
When you go hunting in the desert are you supposed to wear pants for if the snakes sneak up on you? I have read a lot about hunters finding a huge snake pit with no warning. Might be really hot to wear pants out there in the summer but I bet it is worth it! I wonder how many times hunters have come across bees or snakes around here....
 
This forum is great about having a ton of people who can offer advice. Be a littlle more specific with your question and I'm sure you'll get some more info.
 
I feel the same bud. Any minelab is a good one. I have 3 of them now and just cant part with any of them. One for tjhe truck. 1 for the car. 1 hidden at a buddies in case the lady boots me out...lol.
 
n/t
 
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