Suggestions for Beginner Metal Detector?

jfloomis3

Hi all,

I would like to take up metal detecting as a new hobby, and am exploring how best to "get in the game." I imagine it will start off as a fairly casual hobby (until I learn the ropes, at least), so am not ready to spend a fortune on a detector, but I am prepared to spend enough for a decent, entry-level unit (I am still in graduate school so am on a budget!). I have read that the Fisher F22 and Garrett ACE 300 are good beginner detectors, but would appreciate any advice on what might be a good buy. I would also be open to buying a used beginner model, so long as it still gets the job done!

I would also be eager for any advice on getting started in the hobby. Everything from how best to practice and good beginner sites. I am learning from scratch!

Thanks a lot!!!

Barberian

I'm getting back into MD'ing after a 30-year layoff and purchased a used Minelab Excaliber ($860) for underwater detecting as well as dry land hunting. It's a nice, simple machine with notably greater depth than my 32 yo Garrett MH7 ADS.
However, I wouldn't recommend it to someone starting out unless they're beach hunting because it has no visual display and one has to do a lot of digging to learn to interpret what the changing tones mean when it detects metal. In other words, a beginner probably would like a detector with visual display to help them more easily interpret what they're finding.

I also bought my gf's father a Fisher 22 as a Xmas present ($200). Of course, I had to try it out first so I could show him how to operate it. It's quite different from the old analog machines I had but I was impressed the first time I tried it out! From what I see over 43 years, detectors have come a long way in terms of depth and discrimination ability. For an inexpensive machine, it's lightweight, worked very well, and I was digging coins up to at least 6 inches deep. I've just 'planted' a coin garden so I'll have to test it further when my gf's father comes over. I expect it will go deeper than 6-inches for a copper cent, and 8 inches for a quarter.

Bayard1908

Nokta Simplex if money is an issue, otherwise Minelab Equinox 600.

ricko

@jfloomis3 ... Welcome to the hobby... well, almost anyway... first step is the equipment... you need a detector, a pinpointer and a digging tool... Read some other threads here on equipment... some good stuff out there. Cheers, RickO

1630Boston

@jfloomis3
I have the Bounty Hunter Discovery 2200,[mine is about 20 years old], a cheap detector compared to the best but good enough for the few times that I get out.
about $160 on Amazon
https://search.aol.com/click/_ylt=AwrE19jZnTJfWBAAphRpCWVH;_ylu=X3oDMTBybGY3bmpvBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg--/RV=2/RE=1597181530/RO=10/RU=https://www.amazon.com/Bounty-Hunter-Discovery-Detector-Pinpointer/dp/B07JX678K5/RK=0/RS=ibEgvJGJYgtFKzgp9p5VQ9gQJM8-

This is what I found with it last month

Best of luck whatever you decide and remember, the folks here on this forum have hundreds of years of experience between them and are always willing to help and offer advice.
Boston