Find's Treasure Forums

Welcome to Find's Treasure Forums, Guests!

You are viewing this forums as a guest which limits you to read only status.

Only registered members may post stories, questions, classifieds, reply to other posts, contact other members using built in messaging and use many other features found on these forums.

Why not register and join us today? It's free! (We don't share your email addresses with anyone.) We keep email addresses of our users to protect them and others from bad people posting things they shouldn't.

Click here to register!



Need Support Help?

Cannot log in?, click here to have new password emailed to you

Changed email? Forgot to update your account with new email address? Need assistance with something else?, click here to go to Find's Support Form and fill out the form.

trying to decide on my first detector

yogaguy

New member
Hi everyone. I'm writing to find out which brand and type of metal detector would be most suitable for me. I have always rented metal detectors in the past, and have had some success with them. I just recently rented a Whites Prizm 2 about a month ago, and went looking around up on a farm my uncle owns in Wisconsin. He has alot of large open plowed fields, but I was only there for 2 days so I stayed by 2 old homes he has on his land. I found mostly old jar lids, and rusty nails, but this I believe was mainly because of my experience with metal detectors (I'm still an amateur with them). But I did eventually get the hang of using it on my 2nd. day up there and I found an old "tootsie toy" truck, and a 1987 quarter, so in all it was'nt too shabby for me. But needless to say this really "hooked me" to the hobby. So I have decided that I would like to purchase a higher-end detector at this time. This is not because of any problems I had with the Whites Prizm 2. The Prizm 2 was a nice easy to use unit. I guess after all the reading I've done, and all the things I've heard from people and forums and all kinds of dealers, I feel I'd like to move up to a more sophisticated detector. I would really like to purchase a good "all-around" detector, with good depth. I have read alot on the forums that depth really isn't the most important thing. But I guess after reading stories about how other deeper seeking detectors have found things that other detectors hav'nt, this kinda' got me thinking in this way about depth. I will mainly be using the detector in large open plowed fields, like the ones my uncle owns in Wisconsin. So I'm assuming I will run in to highly mineralized soil there. So I would like to find a detector that automatically adjusts itself to the present soil conditions. I've narrowed my choices down to either the Garrett GTI 2500, the Whites MXT, or the Minelab quattro. I have heard "alot" of differeing views on all of these machines. I know the Minelab Quattro using multiple frequencies ranging from 1.5 all the way up to 100 khz. I was told that this offers a wider range of targets to seek "simultaneously" from small to large at "way deep" levels. But on the other hand, I've also been told that the multiple frequency "hype", (as I was told it was), is...and I quote this from the detectorist i spoke with..."a bunch of bunk!" So as you can guess I'm pretty lost in the whole thing. I know the models I mentioned have a large learnng curve to them, but I'm in this for the long haul. So I'm not scared off by that so much. I really just want that good "all-around" detector that will do well in, most likely, highly mineralized grounds, that adjusts to this automatically, with the ability to hunt old home sites every now and then. Thank's for any advice or info. anyone can send. Randy
 
I like a quick to set up detector and that is whay I use the XL PRO.
Some of us like the computer type of detectors etc.
I would say try A XLT or XL PRO you won't go wrong.
Check a detector Club and you will find tons of help.
I have the XLT,PRizm and XL PRO but i love my XL PRO the best.
GO to firstontop.com to see some of my finds and info on making a pinpointer.
Hope this helps:yikes
 
I am a believer in multi-frequency machine because my finds are alot more consistant and I rarely have a problem get a multi-frequency machine to settle down because of mineralization. When I used single frequency machine I had more problems with getting them stable as I can my multi-frequency machine. Two frequencies are better than one frequency but as to whether 28 frequencies is 'better' than 2 frequencies I don't know. My Fisher CZ-3D (2 freq.) seems about as consistant as my Minelab Explorer (28 freq.).

As far as my picks for a detector it would be a Fisher CZ-70Pro, CZ-3D, Minelab Quattro or Minelab Explorer. I like to give you options... :) The two Fisher's are very close to each other in depth and price. Both are good machines. The CZ-70Pro is splashproof and gets great depth. The CZ-3D is more geared for pre-1950's sites with a minimal of aluminum trash. The notch points on the 3D are 'wider' than your typical detector. With the wider notch points you get more trash but are less likely to leave a coin that isn't hitting slightly out of the accepted range for coins. One small thing I do love about the 3D is how high of a pitch the coins sound is. It's an attention getter... I can be clipping along in a trash area and that high pitch just grabs you. The CZ-70Pro has more 'typical' notch points. The Minelab's are both good machines too. The Minelabs are better in iron in my opinion and experience out hunting. Of the two Minelabs the Explorer has the most potenial to grow with experience and you learning the machine. I haven't used the Quattro but have hear alot of good comments about it. It should be slightly easier to learn than the Explorer. But, if you have the money I would go with the Explorer. I have the original Explorer and can say it's very good machine especially in iron.

-Bill
 
I mite make a reminder about the minelab 11---I have known quite a few people who have said it it two heavy--not balanced good---I just loaned my MXT to a person in my club who said his arm hurt for hours after using it in our clubs 4 hr. hunt---He bought a new MXT after trying it --1 reason was because it would pick up his wifes jewerly and the minelab would not---I cant make a recomdation because for 43 years I have used nothing but WHITES---I know there all good machines--The thing is will the detector you choose be the one you like---You just have to get the one you (THINK) like and GO AHEAD ON IT---Many have traded for a different detector after getting their first one--I have done that--I perfer the MXT over the DFX---But thats me---What you need to do is Get a detectorand get out into that field----DeathWind1
 
hello,try a id-excel i love mine so much its so simple to operate and it has awsome depth and target seperation .so if you dont want to spend a fortune and still run with the big boys get a id-excel you wont go wrong.thank you paul
 
Fisher 70 pro very easy to use but great depth and four tones. It is like a DFX but it works way better.
 
For those large plowed fields go with the XL Pro, it will handle the mineralization very well. Coins and other goodies will be at all depths in plowed fields. The multi freq's might get a little better depth but they aren't gonna consistently go below the plow line unless you hunt real slow and even then its doubtful. Get a couple of smaller coils for hunting in the iron/trash near the homesites and if there turns out to be a lot of goodies in those spots which is NOT always the case, you can always hit them later on with a "slow motion" detector.

Large plowed fields and US coins = XL Pro. It should put a big :D on your face.

HH Tom
 
Tom,

I would say with a 15 inch WOT tied on the end of an Explorer you can afford to go a little bit slower than if you were using a 10.5 inch coil or a 9.5 that comes on most White's machines. And with the WOT it isn't going to miss much of anything in a farm field with low trash levels.

-Bill
 
Get a swingy thingy and have at it. :D

How's the 3D with the 10.5" coil working out for you? I loved that coil on the CZ5!

I haven't been out with the Advantage lately, been spending what time I have hitting the water for the remnants from last years swimming season.

HH and good finds!
Tom
 
I love the 10.5 on the 3D. It hasn't been off since I put it on. I got to take it off sometime because I bought the Sun Ray 12.5 too... :) It has some serious depth and great ID abilities for deepies in my neck of the woods. I found a Type I SLQ today with it. Can't complain about that. Have a good holiday!

-Bill
 
n/t
 
Top