First Metal Detector - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 4,585
spaceace Pillar of the Community United States 797 Posts	Posted 03/13/2014 7:57 pm I am in the market for a metal detector for my dad (66 years old). I am giving this to him as a gift in a few months and wanted your input. I want to get him a nice detector, but it does not need to have all the bells and whistles and such. I just don't want it be a low-end piece that doesn't work well, is cumbersome, or is a waste of money. Basically: 1) nothing too bulky or heavy 2) He will mainly be doing some wooded areas of ours and our neighbors (along with some odd and end parks; he is aware of most of the rules and laws around our town regarding metal detecting now that he is hoping to get into the hobby) 3) He owns lake property that includes an old beach area. It is a sandy bottom with some rocky areas in about 2-3 foot of water, so something that would be usable in and around shallow water would be a great bonus. 4) Something that is fairly easy to use and has nice features, so he won't have to upgrade quickly if he gets into the hobby...but it does not need to have all the fancy extras 5) Hoping to stay under $500 Any info/help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance! Report this Post to the Staff

AlbumAccumulator Pillar of the Community United States 649 Posts	Posted 03/13/2014 9:01 pm I use a Garrett AT Pro and love it. Pretty much can go anywhere including up to 10 ft of water. It has standard and pro modes and good instructions and a bunch of video tutorials. This would run on the high end of your budget $500 $600. There are some other good models under this price range, but I don't believe any can be used in water. You might want to look at the Garrett Ace 250 & 350 and the Whites MX5. Report this Post to the Staff
spaceace Pillar of the Community United States 797 Posts	Posted 03/13/2014 11:14 pm Thanks for the input. I was actually looking at the ACE250 online this evening. It does mention that the coil that comes with it is submersible. I am not sure to what extent, but it did say it was submersible. It comes in at $200-250 so the price is good and it seems like it has favorable reviews. Anybody have experience with the ACE250 detector? Report this Post to the Staff
fistfulladirt Pillar of the Community United States 4333 Posts	Posted 03/16/2014 12:45 pm The AT Pro is developing a reputation as being leaky, according to members of other forums. I'm not impressed with Garretts lower-end machines, and I've owned their's, White's, and Minelab. White's DFX comes to mind, bells n whistles yes, very lightweight, not difficult to master. Might find used for $5-$600 US. Or, the White's MXT, $3-$500 used. When I listen to LED ZEPPELIN...so do my neighbors... Roll hunting since '77 Dirt fishing since '72 Report this Post to the Staff
Joe Texas New Member United States 8 Posts	Posted 11/11/2014 9:23 pm SpaceAce....did you ever get your dad a metal detector?....If you did?...What detector did you wind up buying?...Have you a had any adventures treasure hunting with your dad yet?....My dad and I shared our first detector....we would take turns ..one doing the digging and the other would be operating the detector...after a while we would switch......Joe Report this Post to the Staff
cash555 Valued Member Australia 51 Posts	Posted 12/15/2014 10:48 pm I use the Mine lab 305 it is ok but I am yet to try it near water. Report this Post to the Staff
chzman Pillar of the Community United States 1137 Posts	Posted 12/30/2014 11:54 am AT Pro all the way. Look at all other metal detectors and their resale values, AT Pro holds value. I use it and have found some nice coins, the oldest being an 1832 large cent, at about 4" and a 1943 Walker at about 5"-6". Get the smaller DD coil 5*8, the thing is a coin shark. Report this Post to the Staff
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