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 Replies: 12 / Views: 4,586 |
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Valued Member
United States
116 Posts |
first off I need to figure out a metal detector thats right for me (relatively cheap but good (no more than 100 dollars  )) and second I need some ideas on where to hunt to find coins I live around central michigan thanks in advance |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1118 Posts |
Play grounds! DO you have any train tracks where you live? I find train spikes, doggles and even once a glass insulator walking and hunting the tracks.
I know goods in America tend to be cheap then north of the 49th but I doubt 100 bucks would do ya, prepare to shell out 275 MINIMUM.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4333 Posts |
When I started detecting over five years ago, I jumped right in with a brand new $1k White's DFX. It was OK, but something was lacking (certainly not the bells- n-whistles). I found coins and my first silver on day two.
I soon purchased a used Minelab Explorer II, and later a Minelab Etrac. So, I had just under $3k in detectors alone. Yes, they are higher-end, but not entirely necessary to dig old coins. I did discover that the Explorer was able to punch a few inches deeper than the Whites, which made all the difference in the world.
I had several spots I thought "virgin", then found out later these spots had been dug by others over the years. I did well, a few hundred silvers, 1,000+ wheats, dozens of IH's, silver dimes quarters and halves, silver dollars etc, all in spots that I was told were cleaned out. My favorite places to detect are old fairgrounds, and old rural ballfields. Next would be older county parks. Front yards of old homes and farmhouses are the final frontier and my first choice for old finds.
I'm not a beach or tot-lot hunter, but nice finds can also be made at these places.
My recommendation would to save up a couple hundred dollars and buy a mid-end used detector, more bang for the buck. Read reviews on the forum and make your decision, if you decide you like the hobby, you can always upgrade, and not have a large initial investment. Good luck.
When I listen to LED ZEPPELIN...so do my neighbors...
Roll hunting since '77
Dirt fishing since '72
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Valued Member
 United States
116 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4333 Posts |
@rupp16
How close to Lansing are you? I'm about 35 miles away.
When I listen to LED ZEPPELIN...so do my neighbors...
Roll hunting since '77
Dirt fishing since '72
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1132 Posts |
"Good" & "under $100" isn't going to happen. Unfortunately any detector you get for less than $100 is gonna be a child's toy (Like those department store telescopes). You'll find pop tabs & nails, have zero pinpointing accuracy & won't find anything below a couple inches...after you dig a 10" wide hole, if you're lucky. Do yourself a favor, Save $150 & get a Garrett Ace 150, or better yet save $212 and get the 250 (which is ranked as a top 10 detector by KellyCo). Happy Hunting  Edited by CopperCastle
09/01/2014 9:41 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1563 Posts |
I hate to be the one to say this, ..... again..... but don't go for the 150 or 250, these are both as close to tesco crump as you can find. I know 'detectorists' on this forum will swear by them but please do as FFOD said and read real reviews and get something half decent. As always, this is only my opinion and as I have only been using machines for nearly 30 years, I can only suggest you try before you buy.
You will never soar like an eagle if you hang around with turkeys.....
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Valued Member
United States
274 Posts |
I took the plunge and bought my first detector in April. I looked at the Ace 150 and 250 and also a Fisher model in the same price range. In the end, I went with the Garrett AT Pro. It was more expensive, but I haven't been disappointed. I think if I had gone with a less expensive model, I may not have enjoyed it as much. My rationale with jumping in with both feet was that, if it turned out to not be something I enjoyed, I was confident that I could resell a nice detector and make most of my money back.
Another thing to consider is the pinpointer. Don't get the $20 pinpointer. My brother has one and it is painful even to watch him use it. A good pinpointer is going to end up costing another $100 or more, but your experience with it will be completely different. A real cheap one compared to a nicer one is like the difference between a handsaw and powersaw.
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Valued Member
United States
116 Posts |
okay
@fistfulladirt I live I the battle creek area
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4333 Posts |
Quote:
@fistfulladirt I live I the battle creek area Then you're not far from me...I and couple others hit a fairground nearby this spring, we dug a couple large cents, IH's, tokens, Barber dimes, some good stuff. When I listen to LED ZEPPELIN...so do my neighbors...
Roll hunting since '77
Dirt fishing since '72
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Valued Member
United States
116 Posts |
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Valued Member
New Zealand
72 Posts |
In my country I have found the best sites to detect are house sites, they have a large variety of finds and being smaller you can take your time to methodically search every bit. My first detector was a cheap Chinese thing, was ok for the price, do your research and check reviews in the net before purchasing anything and you should be fine
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
...Your best bet is to join your local Metal Detecting Club.....make friends...most members are very friendly and will show you how their detector works and why they like it!!.....but remember it is like comparing Fords to Chevy's....you need to make up your own mind on what you want!!..While you are deciding what brand detector that you want....do the research...read as much about the detectors that you are interested in...ask questions to anyone who will reply back...see if anyone will let you tag along on a hunt and let you use a detector so you can get some hands on experience....go to a local dealer and let him give you some demonstrations....his input is worth the extra money spent on buying a detector from him.....order some books on metal detecting....just some ideas to get started....I have been hunting for over 40 years so kinda been there and done that.....Good Luck...Joe
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Replies: 12 / Views: 4,586 |
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Posted 09/01/2014 5:47 pm
