I am new , very new to this , only been at it for a few weeks now. But I am not thoroughly satisfied with the performance of the Lone Star and thinking already of another MD. and giving the BH to the wife. She is interested also but not as much as I am and all she has is the Jr. to go with. I am considering getting a Garrett Ace 250. My question from those that know . Will I have better luck with the Garrett than the BH or is the expense of another MD really worth it ? I am having fairly good luck with tabs and cans. But I am after more and know its in the ground here . I have a lot of false signals with the "hot rocks" in Arkansas, will I have the same problem with a Garrett ? Will I be able to do more , find more that is deeper ? The Garrett has more bells and whistles than the BH but is it really worth it ?
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Would like some input please
- Thread starter leesumm
- Start date
Im on the fence with you. I have been useing a cheap detector for over a year now with great succses. One thing that plays on my mind is how much better i could do with a better detector.
Its a big step to go from a $90 detetor to a $600 one. With the new models comming out its hard to decide.
Its a big step to go from a $90 detetor to a $600 one. With the new models comming out its hard to decide.
I steped up from a Discovery 1100 made by BH to a QDII also made by BH. The Discovery 1100 only has three preset modes and 5 or 6 preset sensitivity levels. I paid $20 for it. Used it for a few weeks and found $.06 about a billion pull tabs and pieces of aluminum cans and one bottle I was able to sell for $13. I upgraded to QDII and have $.28 and about a trillion pull tabs and aluminum cans. My take on the situation is that it is more the operator than the machine. Chet Atkins or Marc Knoffler will sound much better on a cheap guitar than I ever will on a Martin or Fender. My suggestion would be to spend more time with the machine you got instead of more money on a new machine. Just my opinion.
BH-LandStar
New member
The 250 is a great beginner machine...I feel it is in the same league with some of the mid range BH machines such as the Sharp Shooter II or Land Star...It has a fixed preset ground balance that has given some folks a hard time in certain soil conditions...for the money, I would consider a Tesoro Compadre, or Cibola...They have lifetime guarantees, and work much better in mineralized soils. This is just my personal opinion...the final decision must be your own...
HH,
BH-LandStar
HH,
BH-LandStar
I am a beginner to by the way
From what i understand is its not what kinda detector you have its the location.
A more expensive metal detector is more sensitive to metal and more complex.
I here all these stories about two people, one with expensive detector finding nothing and the other with a cheep one finding gold ring and coins.
so i guess if you think you need to change, it might not be bad idea to experiment.
From what i understand is its not what kinda detector you have its the location.
A more expensive metal detector is more sensitive to metal and more complex.
I here all these stories about two people, one with expensive detector finding nothing and the other with a cheep one finding gold ring and coins.
so i guess if you think you need to change, it might not be bad idea to experiment.
I think everyone is getting the wrong idea. Its not an upgrade for me . Its another machine . My wife likes using the MD and the little "toy" Junior that came with it just isnt enough for her . She likes mine and I like it also,. I was thinking of another machine for me and give her the BH to go out with me on the "hunts" . I can get the Garrett local here without mail order and I was wanting some input if it was as good or better than the Lone Star Bounty Hunter
GRAY GHOST
New member
hello all, our good friend tabdog on the metal detecting forum, and sometimes here too, lives in arkansas like leesumm does, so im sure he has to contend with hot ground too. the ace 250 handles warm ground well, as does the compadre. both are good step ups without spending a whole lot of money. no matter what machine you have, youre gonna dig pulltabs. if youre not digging pull tabs, or at least picking them up, then you would have your discrimination set too high, and miss out on all the good stuff. good luck, and hh,
Sorry LeeSum I did get the wrong Idea. I was giving advice to a problem you don't have. By the way I think it is wonderful that your wife wants to go with you. Mine doesn't, she doesn't give me a hard time if I go, I just think it would be more fun if she would go. Congratulations on that part. As far as which is better, I dunno I only experience with the two machines I mentioned.
scott charp
New member
Lee go to kellyco.com they have a wide variatey of detectors well everey brand i think and they have write ups on them. I bought a titan 2000, also made by the same company as bounty hunters , and also has the 5 year warrantey, and the best prices ive found ,and bonus or free stuff AND free shipping on new detectors also. im very happy with the titan but the tracker 4 we own also has its place alwayes .good luck my friend!
Lee, I've seen quite a few favorable reports on your detector that I have considered getting one to try.
I regularly use a different brand, and have discovered all sorts of buried targets. Yet now I'm in a slump. It happens!
How long have you been using yours?
Where are you detecting?
In parks & playgrounds, are you able to find the range of targets from foil, through tabs,nickels, up to dimes?
In turf, or dirt, how deep are you consistently finding targets?
How deep are you regularly finding coins?
If you are digging coins at 5 - 6" every now and then, with most being 2 - 4" deep, I'd say you are doing well for an inexpensive entry level detector and time swinging the coil will get you more than anything. Persistence is second only to location, and blind luck!
As mentioned above, the Tabdog has presented an entertaining collection of down to earth practical tips and evaluations that are posted in the Metal Detecting Forum, and in Tesoro. I call him the Aristotle of Arkansas.
..... If your bride is eyeing your machine, be gracious and present it to her with grand pomp and ceremony!
Advise her of your plans to upgrade and tell her you shall give her the very first gold you find. (They take it all anyway!)
If your wife will participate in your hobbies you are a fortunate fellow.
Welcome to the wonderful world of metal detector upgrades, my friend.
HH
+
hh
I regularly use a different brand, and have discovered all sorts of buried targets. Yet now I'm in a slump. It happens!
How long have you been using yours?
Where are you detecting?
In parks & playgrounds, are you able to find the range of targets from foil, through tabs,nickels, up to dimes?
In turf, or dirt, how deep are you consistently finding targets?
How deep are you regularly finding coins?
If you are digging coins at 5 - 6" every now and then, with most being 2 - 4" deep, I'd say you are doing well for an inexpensive entry level detector and time swinging the coil will get you more than anything. Persistence is second only to location, and blind luck!
As mentioned above, the Tabdog has presented an entertaining collection of down to earth practical tips and evaluations that are posted in the Metal Detecting Forum, and in Tesoro. I call him the Aristotle of Arkansas.
..... If your bride is eyeing your machine, be gracious and present it to her with grand pomp and ceremony!
Advise her of your plans to upgrade and tell her you shall give her the very first gold you find. (They take it all anyway!)
If your wife will participate in your hobbies you are a fortunate fellow.
Welcome to the wonderful world of metal detector upgrades, my friend.
HH
+
hh
jackintexas
New member
In my thirty years of detecting I have owned over 50 detectors-now own 12. Several so called top of the line. I own two 250's a compadre and 9 others.Metal detecting is 20% detector and 80% experience. It is said an experienced detectorist with a cheap detector will out hunt a new detectorist with a high dollar detector. Turn your sensitivity way down to start. Take a penny and turn the discrimination up until you just get the penny. Then all you will detect is high conductivty coins. Hunt that way until you get comfidence . Maybe 30 or 40 hours. Then maybe you will be ready to experiment with the other adjustments....just a thought.....Jack
I guess what I said or posted in the opening forum didnt come out right.
My wife takes her little Junior Bounty Hunter ( it came with the Lone Star as a package) when she gets a signal and sound ,a good one . I come over and run my Lone Star over it and try to confirm she has something possitive. Which most of the time she does, she btw already has it pinpointed just dont know what it is other than metal. Then she digs it up, usually a pop top. We have traded off a few times and she really likes my MD opposed to the Junior . I have mentioned to her about me getting another detector ,giving her the Lone Star , and a gleem comes to her eyes. She is just about as interested as I am in this new sport as I am. I can get the Garrett local , several styles in fact . I just wanted someone with knowledge to tell me how the Garrett works compared to the Lone Star.
My wife takes her little Junior Bounty Hunter ( it came with the Lone Star as a package) when she gets a signal and sound ,a good one . I come over and run my Lone Star over it and try to confirm she has something possitive. Which most of the time she does, she btw already has it pinpointed just dont know what it is other than metal. Then she digs it up, usually a pop top. We have traded off a few times and she really likes my MD opposed to the Junior . I have mentioned to her about me getting another detector ,giving her the Lone Star , and a gleem comes to her eyes. She is just about as interested as I am in this new sport as I am. I can get the Garrett local , several styles in fact . I just wanted someone with knowledge to tell me how the Garrett works compared to the Lone Star.
"Go out and enjoy the snow.
Keep your eye open for the roadside hills where people slide down on snow saucers and inner tubes and cardboard pieces.
With all the spills, and snowball fights!!! GREAT place to find rings, jewelry, and coins.
Enjoy the slippy sliding fun while the snow is there, MD as it begins to melt off."
hh
ROFLMAO
Evidently you dont know Arkansas !!!!!!! at least this area. Sure we have hills ,roadside hills etc. But the trees are up to the grader ditches here . If there isnt a tree to hit on the way down there surely is a boulder there instead. It is more than difficult to get down the hill less getting up it . Even with the 6 to 10 inches thru the county it was gone by midafternoon. Without mentioning there was 6 inches of rain just 10 hours pryor to the snow the ground is saturated to the point it squishes when walking on it , kinda like walking on a big sponge. I will stick to the old home sites, parks, playgrounds , fair grounds next week when it dries out enough to walk on without hip waders
Keep your eye open for the roadside hills where people slide down on snow saucers and inner tubes and cardboard pieces.
With all the spills, and snowball fights!!! GREAT place to find rings, jewelry, and coins.
Enjoy the slippy sliding fun while the snow is there, MD as it begins to melt off."
hh
ROFLMAO
Evidently you dont know Arkansas !!!!!!! at least this area. Sure we have hills ,roadside hills etc. But the trees are up to the grader ditches here . If there isnt a tree to hit on the way down there surely is a boulder there instead. It is more than difficult to get down the hill less getting up it . Even with the 6 to 10 inches thru the county it was gone by midafternoon. Without mentioning there was 6 inches of rain just 10 hours pryor to the snow the ground is saturated to the point it squishes when walking on it , kinda like walking on a big sponge. I will stick to the old home sites, parks, playgrounds , fair grounds next week when it dries out enough to walk on without hip waders
High Leesumm,
I don't know how bad your ground is.
How far are you from LR? I forgot.
The 250 is a good machine.
What I do like about it.
1. Depth is OK. I'm not a depth hound.
2. ID is dependable for the price.
3. Good sensativity.
What I don't like about it.
1. Response too slow. Peeps after coil passes target. Confusing in trash.
2. Recovery is slow. Won't detune well.
3. Response doesn't have charector. Tones not expressive.
I think it's an OK up-grade.
Not as good as a Tesoro.
Do you know where Arkadelphia is? I took two Tesoro's there today.
See if you think the Silver would be an up-grade.
I went by a park I discovered. It's with in walking distance of two state colleges.
It's an old park and it's the first I've been there.
When I drove up I was surprised to see a play ground with all the playground
equipment totally ripped out and gone.
This play ground has a variety of different materials. Some of it is shredded tires.
Some is sand and there is some funky pea gravel. Some is natural ground. Some
of the natural ground was black like it was in a fire. The black dirt was real nasty.
I used my Euro Sabre for a while which is though but I needed more speed.
My time was limited. I don't know how long it will be here.
I ended up doing most of the hunting with my Silver. It was great at handling
the different conditions and was not bothered by the steel in the tires, the pea
gravel or the burnt ground. It was much faster than the Euro.
I was surprised to find a lot of old things. No old coins how ever. I found eleven
very old bullets. Some old clock parts, suspender snaps, some poetry pieces,
I found three cheep rings. One has a smiley face. I found some coins and a
head light off some old toy.
Best find is my 1951 dog tag.
Here is part of the new playground they are constructing. You can see
some college housing in the back ground.
I'm not suggesting that you would have the same results. That's just how they
do for me. I did expect to find jewelry though. Maby next time.
I paid about $180 for the Silver and $300 for the Euro.
I still like my $70 Compadre as much as any of them.
But it's only about as deep as the 250.
But you have to decide to buy one or not. And what. Hope I help.
Best of luck in your persuit,
HH,
HH,
I don't know how bad your ground is.
How far are you from LR? I forgot.
The 250 is a good machine.
What I do like about it.
1. Depth is OK. I'm not a depth hound.
2. ID is dependable for the price.
3. Good sensativity.
What I don't like about it.
1. Response too slow. Peeps after coil passes target. Confusing in trash.
2. Recovery is slow. Won't detune well.
3. Response doesn't have charector. Tones not expressive.
I think it's an OK up-grade.
Not as good as a Tesoro.
Do you know where Arkadelphia is? I took two Tesoro's there today.
See if you think the Silver would be an up-grade.
I went by a park I discovered. It's with in walking distance of two state colleges.
It's an old park and it's the first I've been there.
When I drove up I was surprised to see a play ground with all the playground
equipment totally ripped out and gone.
This play ground has a variety of different materials. Some of it is shredded tires.
Some is sand and there is some funky pea gravel. Some is natural ground. Some
of the natural ground was black like it was in a fire. The black dirt was real nasty.
I used my Euro Sabre for a while which is though but I needed more speed.
My time was limited. I don't know how long it will be here.
I ended up doing most of the hunting with my Silver. It was great at handling
the different conditions and was not bothered by the steel in the tires, the pea
gravel or the burnt ground. It was much faster than the Euro.
I was surprised to find a lot of old things. No old coins how ever. I found eleven
very old bullets. Some old clock parts, suspender snaps, some poetry pieces,
I found three cheep rings. One has a smiley face. I found some coins and a
head light off some old toy.
Best find is my 1951 dog tag.
Here is part of the new playground they are constructing. You can see
some college housing in the back ground.
I'm not suggesting that you would have the same results. That's just how they
do for me. I did expect to find jewelry though. Maby next time.
I paid about $180 for the Silver and $300 for the Euro.
I still like my $70 Compadre as much as any of them.
But it's only about as deep as the 250.
But you have to decide to buy one or not. And what. Hope I help.
Best of luck in your persuit,
HH,
HH,
Tabdog,
Little Rock is about 150 miles from me, Arkadelphia is about 90 miles. I am about half way between Ft. Smith and Texarkanna and about 15 miles from Oklahoma. Its very rocky here , red dirt. Lots of forest areas, some private ground to the south all National forest to the north , east and west of me. I am covered in trees and rocks . I am finding a lot of old CCA projects in the area . But with the last snow of 10 inches here on top of 6 inches of rain its super wet . And its supposed to rain today turning to snow this afternoon, rain tomorrow and Friday. Will it ever stop? I went out yesterday in the neighbors pasture and wading water standing. But, found all sorts of junk metal nothing even close to valuable. But when digging if it wasnt under water, one spade and it was and inch below ground level and I only dug gobs of muddy rocks. Just for the fun of it we are going south a little ways to an old CCA camp area where there is supposed to be an old magnesium mine also . Hunters usually camp there during deer season so if its high enough maybe the water isnt there. Hope to find maybe pocket change , maybe a knife . I know there will some shell casings there (usually is at those places ) then there is supposed to be an old forest watch tower the CCA built at the turn of the century in the 1800/1900 might be interesting there .
Little Rock is about 150 miles from me, Arkadelphia is about 90 miles. I am about half way between Ft. Smith and Texarkanna and about 15 miles from Oklahoma. Its very rocky here , red dirt. Lots of forest areas, some private ground to the south all National forest to the north , east and west of me. I am covered in trees and rocks . I am finding a lot of old CCA projects in the area . But with the last snow of 10 inches here on top of 6 inches of rain its super wet . And its supposed to rain today turning to snow this afternoon, rain tomorrow and Friday. Will it ever stop? I went out yesterday in the neighbors pasture and wading water standing. But, found all sorts of junk metal nothing even close to valuable. But when digging if it wasnt under water, one spade and it was and inch below ground level and I only dug gobs of muddy rocks. Just for the fun of it we are going south a little ways to an old CCA camp area where there is supposed to be an old magnesium mine also . Hunters usually camp there during deer season so if its high enough maybe the water isnt there. Hope to find maybe pocket change , maybe a knife . I know there will some shell casings there (usually is at those places ) then there is supposed to be an old forest watch tower the CCA built at the turn of the century in the 1800/1900 might be interesting there .
I would like to drive up there but I have two boys and can not get enough time to go that
far. I find that about one hour of driving one way is as far as I can go and have time to hunt.
If we could meet around Hot Springs some time I could let you try out my 3 machines and
headphones.
I found a diamond ring at a swim beach around Hot Springs.
HH,
far. I find that about one hour of driving one way is as far as I can go and have time to hunt.
If we could meet around Hot Springs some time I could let you try out my 3 machines and
headphones.
I found a diamond ring at a swim beach around Hot Springs.
HH,
Tabdog in Arkie Land
I went ahead and splurged on my self ( with the wifes blessings of course, knowing she is getting the BH), I got the Ace 250 and really do like it . I was talking to the guy who sold it to me who is from NM. He has been detecting for nearly 50 years he says. He was telling me at Hot Springs they drained the lake to rework the damn and gave people 2 weeks to go in and do as they pleased on the dock area. He said they were digging all kinds of stuff, fishing lures, coins , jewelery , metals everything. But that was about a month ago. He gave me an open invitation to join a group here is starting. Anyone and everyone interested in MD is to meet at a motel / restaurant here in town and sign up and get acquainted and exchange stories. He said he and his co builders of this group are going to lease some land in the area here somewhere when it warms up and going to have a group hunt sort of like that TV show on Cash and Treasures. He said intentions were to make 3 different colored coins and hide them .Those finding em will win one of 3 New Md's I cant remember the names one was a Ace 150 I think and maybe another was the 250 along with a high end make . This might be interesting . Fees for the group he was telling me was 10 $ per year . If interested send me a message and I will get some more info from him about the deal or any one else in the area if interested , please send a message and I will get the details for ya .
I went ahead and splurged on my self ( with the wifes blessings of course, knowing she is getting the BH), I got the Ace 250 and really do like it . I was talking to the guy who sold it to me who is from NM. He has been detecting for nearly 50 years he says. He was telling me at Hot Springs they drained the lake to rework the damn and gave people 2 weeks to go in and do as they pleased on the dock area. He said they were digging all kinds of stuff, fishing lures, coins , jewelery , metals everything. But that was about a month ago. He gave me an open invitation to join a group here is starting. Anyone and everyone interested in MD is to meet at a motel / restaurant here in town and sign up and get acquainted and exchange stories. He said he and his co builders of this group are going to lease some land in the area here somewhere when it warms up and going to have a group hunt sort of like that TV show on Cash and Treasures. He said intentions were to make 3 different colored coins and hide them .Those finding em will win one of 3 New Md's I cant remember the names one was a Ace 150 I think and maybe another was the 250 along with a high end make . This might be interesting . Fees for the group he was telling me was 10 $ per year . If interested send me a message and I will get some more info from him about the deal or any one else in the area if interested , please send a message and I will get the details for ya .
I have both the Ace 250 and the BH 202 which is the same machine as the BH QD II. I have had and used both for over two years and after that time I can tell you that the Ace 250 is NOT better than the BH 202 despite all the hype that the Ace 250 gets. The Ace 250 pre-set GB has been mentioned and it may do OK if your ground conditions are perfect for the pre-set. If not, you are going to have problems. In fact, my BH 202 seeks deeper than my Ace 250. It also runs smoother. The Ace has to be really turned down or all you get is a lot of false signals. This only makes the depth even less. The BH 202 is much smoother and can discriminate much better than the Ace 250.
The Ace gets a lot of hype on the forums. So much so that I don't recognize my 250 that I have owned and used for over two years!
The Ace 250 is not a piece of junk. Not saying that. But it is not the ALL-IN-ONE, SUPER DUPER machine that many on the forums try to make it out to be, no matter how much the users of the yellow fellow want it to be.
Bottom line, if I had to choose between the BH 202 and the Ace 250 I would choose the BH 202 hands down.
The Ace gets a lot of hype on the forums. So much so that I don't recognize my 250 that I have owned and used for over two years!
The Ace 250 is not a piece of junk. Not saying that. But it is not the ALL-IN-ONE, SUPER DUPER machine that many on the forums try to make it out to be, no matter how much the users of the yellow fellow want it to be.
Bottom line, if I had to choose between the BH 202 and the Ace 250 I would choose the BH 202 hands down.
I used the Ace 250 last night in a water soaked pasture where the land owner said there was a metal detector used a few years ago. I got about 5 hits and dug 5 items standing in water . Although just as leaving I got a hit . the machine said 6 inches in all metal mode.I dug to 8 inches and nothing ,but still a signal . I almost appeared as the object was moving . When pin pointing it I got a full bar saying it was there but nothing everytime I dug it was pinpointing in another yet location just inches of my dig. I ended up digging about a foot diam. hole about 10 inches down and still a signal but nothing I never did get that . I raked all the water and mud back in and went on back the P/U. on the way I got another signal and the same thing . Twice in a row I dug big holes deep and didnt find anything in the all metal mode right after hitting 5 consective signals and getting 5 items exactly where the pin point came in at the depth it said they were . I never did figure it out