Not really about todays hunt, but more of a question.

[Roscue2]

The question is, for all you old timers (no offense meant), how long have you kept and continuosly used the same detector?

The reason I ask is because after we had finished our hunt today I asked my dad how long had he been hunting. Since 1989, he said. Well, that got me to thinking about how many detectors he had gone through. After a few minutes of looking back into my distant memory, I could only recall him only ever owning two detectors, but only ever using one, which is the one he uses today. As I continued to look back into my memory I was able to remember him taking us to parks way back in the late 1990s so that he could detect for a few hours. I also remember him telling me to stop hovering over the area he was about to dig into ( I eventually learned my lesson). I doubt I even knew what he was doing back then. Anyway, after thinking for a while I asked him how long had he used his current detector. 1992 was his reply. What really astounds me about his answer is that he has been able to keep his detector in the great shape that it is in today. Other than the dirt stains in certain areas it looks pretty dang new. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that he says he has never had to replace any of its parts and that he can easily beat me with 18 year old technology hunt after hunt.

So once again, how long have you kept and continuosly used the same detector?

Todays finds: ( It wasn't one of our normal hunting spots and we were out for less than an hour)

Dad: 12 cents

Me: 54 cents

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

I've been in the hobby for around 7 years now and I've bought 9 detectors. I currently own 4. I'll almost certainly buy more, but I'm starting to slow down on that now. There is a detectorist in town here that has had the same detector for 18 years. It still serves him well and although he has thought about buying the latest version of the same detector, I think that he will continue to use the same one for a few more years.
detecting successfully, is more about knowing your detector well than having the latest gadget. I like having the latest gadgets, bit of a sucker for them, but the older detectors still hold there own with the more modern units. There are some real world improvements in the later model units, but nothing earth shattering.
Mick Evans.

 

[jackinaustin]

n/t

 

[Cupajo]

There's an old saying about never getting into a shooting match with a man that only owns one well worn old gun!!

The equipment almost becomes a part of you after hundreds of hours of using it.

Of course there are some folks that are unable to ever reach that level of performance as it is just not in their nature to do so.

Often they will stop trying from lack of interest and that's OK as there is surely some other place in life where they can shine.

Once in a while too a star comes on the scene who is able to almost psychically sense where to find stuff with his machine and he will lead the pack without even trying no matter what machine he/she uses! (I know a few fishermen like that of both sexes).

I have two old Garrett XL500 PI machines from back in the '80s that still can do a great job out in the water where they were designed to be used, and the only reason I haven't used them recently is because they are heavy and a little more awkward to use than my newer machines.

I still have confidence that I can run rings around many Hunters using those machines, because of the many hours I have used them and the great finds they have allowed me to bring home.

GL&HH Friends,

CJ

 

[metalhead]

Hey Roscue2, I still use my original Grand Master Hunter from time to time. It works as well as when I bought it brand new in 1989. Most of the time I use my GTI 2500 which I've had for over ten years. I have several older detectors that I use periodically. My Scorpion is about twenty years old and works superbly.
Your Ace 250 will still be goin' strong many years from now, although you may have as many machines in your collection as I do by thenHappy Hunting!

 

[John-Edmonton]

Mmmmmm, that's a great question too.

Radio Shack...8 months-It took that period of time to realize how bad a detector could really be.

GTA 500- 4 years. Is/was a great machine. Found thousands of coins and rings with it.

GTI 1500- 4 Years Is/was a great machine. Deeper then the GTA 500. Loved the Imaging :thumbup Also found thousands of coins with it.

Bounty Hunter - I won it.....fun to use, but missed way too many good targets.

Whites Surfmaster II - water Machine.....Don't use it any more. I use it for a backup or lender

Detector Pro Wader - Water Machine 2 years. Haven't really used it for 4-5 years. Prefer Infinium and Beach Hunter AT3

GTI 2500 6+ years and still use it today. Again, loved the imaging Used the true all metal mode to get plenty of deep silver coins.

GTP 1350 2 years. Still use it today. Great for sizing targets. Got lots of clad, silver coins and rings

ACE 250 ACE 150 - Used to be my favorite sports field hunter using the large coil. My favorite for snow hunting. Used the ACE 150 as a converted water machine. Worked great in the water. Use the ACE 250/sniper coil presently to compliment my relic hunts and tot lots.

Master Hunter CX plus - About 4 years. ( actually owned two) Still use it for sports fields and woods hunts using true all metal mode

Sea Hunter Mark II 1 year. Replaced it with the Infinium

Infinium 4 years and currently. Fantastic deep water machine to get DEEP rings.....down to 14+ inches

Scorpion - 3 years and currently. My best land machine for getting rings and modern clad in parks and sports fields. I could have probably bought another 8 Scorpions with the amount of clad, silver and gold I dug.

Beach Hunter AT3 - Going on to my second year. A Great machine for shallow water hunting with a lot of trash. It too has found gold, silver rings + old silver coins and lots of clad.

I think that the longer you use a machine, the better you get with it, and you would probably beat someone with a really high end machine who is just learning it. Having said that, certain detectors will work better in certain environments, searching for certain targets. Our job (the users) is to find out which machine works the best for us in our own type of soil and specific targets.

 

[Uncle Willy]

I think the longest I have kept and used any one detector is about 15 years. I've had a couple of my Garretts for 13-14 years. Have a buddy who has an old Compass that he has used for 38 years. Don't hunt with him as he'll clean your plow.

Bill