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NFT: Metal Detectors - RE: Buying Advice needed

rasbutant : 5/20/2019 8:48 am
Anyone here into Metal Detecting or gone through the research of buying one recently that can offer some advice?

I lost my wedding ring while in the garden so I'm looking into buying a metal detector. Amazon has a million options and there seems to be generally speaking 3 price ranges. Basic $50-$150 Little better than basic $150-$300 and pro $500-$1000+.

I'm looking for something that will find my ring. But also I have always been interested in having one since i was a kid and think it would be something fun for my kids. I don't want to buy junk toy that doesn't work well and get frustrated with it, but i don't want to invest a bunch of money into it either. Where is that sweet spot of quality product but not too expensive???

Metal Detecting  
Jim Bur(n)t : 5/20/2019 9:04 am : link
I have been a metal detectorist for 15 yrs - Awesome hobby.

For your purposes, I would recommend NOT to get the biggest & best. There is a learning curve to MD'ing, and requires patience (you will dig ALOT of trash!!!!). Not everything that beeps is gold.

I would recommend for a newbie - the Garrett Ace 250 (~$200) as a starter machine. LEARN THE MACHINE... Differences in tones, etc... a Ton of youtube vids out there. You will also need a pinpointer (trust me.. you NEED a pinpointer) and a good sturdy shovel.

Once you have a few seasons under your belt, and you have decided that this is (or isnt) the hobby for you... Graduate to a Garrett AT Pro or Max.

Hope that helps & GL!
RE: Metal Detecting  
rasbutant : 5/20/2019 9:12 am : link
In comment 14449550 Jim Bur(n)t said:
Quote:
I have been a metal detectorist for 15 yrs - Awesome hobby.

For your purposes, I would recommend NOT to get the biggest & best. There is a learning curve to MD'ing, and requires patience (you will dig ALOT of trash!!!!). Not everything that beeps is gold.

I would recommend for a newbie - the Garrett Ace 250 (~$200) as a starter machine. LEARN THE MACHINE... Differences in tones, etc... a Ton of youtube vids out there. You will also need a pinpointer (trust me.. you NEED a pinpointer) and a good sturdy shovel.

Once you have a few seasons under your belt, and you have decided that this is (or isnt) the hobby for you... Graduate to a Garrett AT Pro or Max.

Hope that helps & GL!


Very helpful. Thank you.
Another question...  
rasbutant : 5/20/2019 9:23 am : link
do i need the headphones?

Can i use my music headphones i already own?

Ace 250  
Fast Eddie : 5/20/2019 9:39 am : link
Is a good start and you don’t necessarily need the headphones to find your ring. Headphones are great for hearing faint tones or when you don’t want to alert others. You might be able to use your music headphones but probably need an adapter to plug in.
I have the AT Max by Garrett but its not for beginners.

Check out TreasureNet web site for more info on every treasure hunting topic known to man.
Tip  
Fast Eddie : 5/20/2019 10:09 am : link
If your wife’s wedding band is a match to your lost one, scan hers while on the ground. Depending on the machine, the reading you get from hers will be the reading you’re looking for in yours.
If this is going to be a hobby then you will definitely need a pinpointer, digging tool or tools. Many times a target in the ground will be under roots etc, so a digger with serrated edge is key.

The Detectorists  
Giantophile : 5/20/2019 10:34 am : link
the BBC show is an amazing show. I am not a detectorist (and am not interested in becoming one) but what a great little show.
Whatever this guy  
Dirt1 : 5/20/2019 10:47 am : link
is using!

RE: Whatever this guy  
Fast Eddie : 5/20/2019 10:52 am : link
In comment 14449710 Dirt1 said:
Quote:
is using!


That’s Gary Drayton and he’s using a Minelabs detector. Goes for north of 3K...he’s pretty famous and I’m sure he gets his equipment like a golf pro gets clubs
It may be possible to rent a high quality metal detector in your area  
Marty in Albany : 5/20/2019 10:56 am : link
Also, depending on the actual ring and the length of your marriage, it may be a good opportunity to renew your marriage vows by replacing the lost ring.

IMO, your love for each other is what embodies your marriage, not a hunk of metal.
Those hunks of metal  
Fast Eddie : 5/20/2019 10:57 am : link
Tend to last longer than most marriages Marty lol
Martys response  
Fast Eddie : 5/20/2019 11:02 am : link
Made me think about a service called Ring Finders. I believe that they charge to find your ring but better yet contact a local Maine Metal detectorist club. They will have guys who will do it for free....
I’ve found quite a few and I never charged anything. I’ve even found class rings that I traced back to their owners.
has anyone found anything worthwhile?  
BigBlue2112 : 5/20/2019 12:12 pm : link
no knocking the hobby, just interested
RE: has anyone found anything worthwhile?  
rebel yell : 5/20/2019 12:27 pm : link
In comment 14449829 BigBlue2112 said:
Quote:
no knocking the hobby, just interested

That'd be my same question, as well as asking folks to post photos of their loot., which is probably frowned upon in the "detectorist" world. I'm sure it's all about the adventure not the loot.
RE: Metal Detecting  
Diver_Down : 5/20/2019 12:44 pm : link
In comment 14449550 Jim Bur(n)t said:
Quote:
I have been a metal detectorist for 15 yrs - Awesome hobby.

For your purposes, I would recommend NOT to get the biggest & best. There is a learning curve to MD'ing, and requires patience (you will dig ALOT of trash!!!!). Not everything that beeps is gold.

I would recommend for a newbie - the Garrett Ace 250 (~$200) as a starter machine. LEARN THE MACHINE... Differences in tones, etc... a Ton of youtube vids out there. You will also need a pinpointer (trust me.. you NEED a pinpointer) and a good sturdy shovel.

Once you have a few seasons under your belt, and you have decided that this is (or isnt) the hobby for you... Graduate to a Garrett AT Pro or Max.

Hope that helps & GL!


I've been detecting for 20 years. Jim has given you a solid recommendation. The Ace 250 is a solid machine and not just a toy or cheap China import. I would recommend the Ace 350 as it has notch discrimination. The 250 will find your ring, but with the 350 you won't be in such a hurry to graduate to the AT Pro or Max. Check out Kellyco
Personally  
Fast Eddie : 5/20/2019 12:46 pm : link
I have found enough to finance the hobby many times over. There are coins/buttons etc etc worth a lot that are found everyday. Some people specialize in various types of hunting. I’m from upstate ny so I have the opportunity to find rev war relics. I just got back from Georgia near battlefield of chickamauga where we found a bunch of three ringer bullets of various calibers all worth money if you wanted to sell.
RE: Ace 250  
Diver_Down : 5/20/2019 12:47 pm : link
In comment 14449611 Fast Eddie said:
Quote:
Is a good start and you don’t necessarily need the headphones to find your ring. Headphones are great for hearing faint tones or when you don’t want to alert others. You might be able to use your music headphones but probably need an adapter to plug in.
I have the AT Max by Garrett but its not for beginners.

Check out TreasureNet web site for more info on every treasure hunting topic known to man.


Fast Eddie, I've been a member on TNet for over a decade with the same handle as here.
There  
Fast Eddie : 5/20/2019 12:49 pm : link
Are certain George Washington inaugural buttons that are worth six figures to collectors.
The most valuable coin I’ve found is a 1793 Large cent valued between $500 - $1000
RE: Personally  
pjcas18 : 5/20/2019 12:50 pm : link
In comment 14449883 Fast Eddie said:
Quote:
I have found enough to finance the hobby many times over. There are coins/buttons etc etc worth a lot that are found everyday. Some people specialize in various types of hunting. I’m from upstate ny so I have the opportunity to find rev war relics. I just got back from Georgia near battlefield of chickamauga where we found a bunch of three ringer bullets of various calibers all worth money if you wanted to sell.


Sounds like a cool hobby, do you have to pick your locations carefully, or if you're say on Cape Cod Bay, can you just fire up the metal detector and roam the beach? Do you stay on the sand or go in the water? Are these annoying beginner questions I should just google or ask on the forum you mentioned?

Are there any sovereignty laws like with treasure (at least I think there are with treasure)?
RE: RE: Ace 250  
Fast Eddie : 5/20/2019 12:53 pm : link
In comment 14449885 Diver_Down said:
Quote:
In comment 14449611 Fast Eddie said:


Quote:


Is a good start and you don’t necessarily need the headphones to find your ring. Headphones are great for hearing faint tones or when you don’t want to alert others. You might be able to use your music headphones but probably need an adapter to plug in.
I have the AT Max by Garrett but its not for beginners.

Check out TreasureNet web site for more info on every treasure hunting topic known to man.



Fast Eddie, I've been a member on TNet for over a decade with the same handle as here.


I’ll check you out there. Is it possible to send you a pm there? I’m coming to Ft. Lauderdale in June for a family occasion but if I can get it past the wife I’d love to do some shallow water hunting....
RE: RE: Personally  
Fast Eddie : 5/20/2019 12:57 pm : link
In comment 14449892 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
In comment 14449883 Fast Eddie said:


Quote:


I have found enough to finance the hobby many times over. There are coins/buttons etc etc worth a lot that are found everyday. Some people specialize in various types of hunting. I’m from upstate ny so I have the opportunity to find rev war relics. I just got back from Georgia near battlefield of chickamauga where we found a bunch of three ringer bullets of various calibers all worth money if you wanted to sell.



Sounds like a cool hobby, do you have to pick your locations carefully, or if you're say on Cape Cod Bay, can you just fire up the metal detector and roam the beach? Do you stay on the sand or go in the water? Are these annoying beginner questions I should just google or ask on the forum you mentioned?

Are there any sovereignty laws like with treasure (at least I think there are with treasure)?


National seashore beaches are off limits unfortunately. Can’t even bring your detector there...other beaches are ok in the cape. I do both dry sand and shallow water but you need special equipment for salt water as it makes a normal detector go wild and not useable
RE: RE: RE: Ace 250  
Diver_Down : 5/20/2019 1:34 pm : link
In comment 14449895 Fast Eddie said:
Quote:
In comment 14449885 Diver_Down said:


Quote:


In comment 14449611 Fast Eddie said:


Quote:


Is a good start and you don’t necessarily need the headphones to find your ring. Headphones are great for hearing faint tones or when you don’t want to alert others. You might be able to use your music headphones but probably need an adapter to plug in.
I have the AT Max by Garrett but its not for beginners.

Check out TreasureNet web site for more info on every treasure hunting topic known to man.



Fast Eddie, I've been a member on TNet for over a decade with the same handle as here.



I’ll check you out there. Is it possible to send you a pm there? I’m coming to Ft. Lauderdale in June for a family occasion but if I can get it past the wife I’d love to do some shallow water hunting....


You can send a PM there. Although to be fair, Ft. Lauderdale is quite a bit south for me. I'm in St. Augustine.
RE: has anyone found anything worthwhile?  
Jim Bur(n)t : 5/20/2019 4:07 pm : link
In comment 14449829 BigBlue2112 said:
Quote:
no knocking the hobby, just interested


Yes, I have found 1600's , 1700's & 1800's coinage... That alone for the historic value is worth it for me. Musketballs, gold & silver jewelry.. Anything silver or gold just POPS like the day it was dropped - a rush.

I also have found what seems to be a zillion beaver tail pulltabs (from the 70's... I hate those F-in things... lol.
RE: RE: RE: RE: Ace 250  
Jim Bur(n)t : 5/20/2019 4:10 pm : link
In comment 14449963 Diver_Down said:
Quote:
In comment 14449895 Fast Eddie said:


Quote:


In comment 14449885 Diver_Down said:


Quote:


In comment 14449611 Fast Eddie said:


Quote:


Is a good start and you don’t necessarily need the headphones to find your ring. Headphones are great for hearing faint tones or when you don’t want to alert others. You might be able to use your music headphones but probably need an adapter to plug in.
I have the AT Max by Garrett but its not for beginners.

Check out TreasureNet web site for more info on every treasure hunting topic known to man.



Fast Eddie, I've been a member on TNet for over a decade with the same handle as here.



I’ll check you out there. Is it possible to send you a pm there? I’m coming to Ft. Lauderdale in June for a family occasion but if I can get it past the wife I’d love to do some shallow water hunting....



You can send a PM there. Although to be fair, Ft. Lauderdale is quite a bit south for me. I'm in St. Augustine.


Also on Tnet.. Thigh66 is the handle! :)
Lol  
Fast Eddie : 5/20/2019 4:14 pm : link
I’m fast ed talk about being creative
RE: RE: has anyone found anything worthwhile?  
Greg from LI : 5/20/2019 4:25 pm : link
In comment 14450145 Jim Bur(n)t said:
Quote:
I also have found what seems to be a zillion beaver tail pulltabs (from the 70's... I hate those F-in things... lol.


Not that it's the case, but I'm picturing some guy in 1974 ripping the pop top off a can of Schlitz, tossing it on the ground, and laughing "Have fun digging that one up!"
Greg  
Fast Eddie : 5/20/2019 4:41 pm : link
The whole problem is pull tabs and gold have almost the same readings. So if you aren’t digging pull tabs you aren’t finding gold either lol
Schlitz drinkers never did have any class
RE: RE: has anyone found anything worthwhile?  
pjcas18 : 5/20/2019 4:44 pm : link
In comment 14450145 Jim Bur(n)t said:
Quote:
In comment 14449829 BigBlue2112 said:


Quote:


no knocking the hobby, just interested



Yes, I have found 1600's , 1700's & 1800's coinage... That alone for the historic value is worth it for me. Musketballs, gold & silver jewelry.. Anything silver or gold just POPS like the day it was dropped - a rush.

I also have found what seems to be a zillion beaver tail pulltabs (from the 70's... I hate those F-in things... lol.


Do you find things mostly by oceans/bodies of water or do you go to historical/specific locations where you think maybe you have a better chance of finding something?
RE: RE: has anyone found anything worthwhile?  
Diver_Down : 5/20/2019 4:50 pm : link
In comment 14450145 Jim Bur(n)t said:
Quote:
In comment 14449829 BigBlue2112 said:


Quote:


no knocking the hobby, just interested



Yes, I have found 1600's , 1700's & 1800's coinage... That alone for the historic value is worth it for me. Musketballs, gold & silver jewelry.. Anything silver or gold just POPS like the day it was dropped - a rush.

I also have found what seems to be a zillion beaver tail pulltabs (from the 70's... I hate those F-in things... lol.


I love finding the beaver tails. As you know, every find tells a story. Hitting a site where old pull tabs are present let's you know that the site hasn't been hunted. And if it was, it was done by a novice as the pull tab is in the same frequency as gold. Let all the amateurs discriminate out the pull tabs (and gold) while cleaning out the clad.
RE: Greg  
Diver_Down : 5/20/2019 4:52 pm : link
In comment 14450224 Fast Eddie said:
Quote:
The whole problem is pull tabs and gold have almost the same readings. So if you aren’t digging pull tabs you aren’t finding gold either lol
Schlitz drinkers never did have any class


I just replied to Jim's response above and then continued scrolling to see your response that reiterates what I just said.
Great minds  
Fast Eddie : 5/20/2019 10:39 pm : link
Lol
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