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Well, I've never had a top-of-the-line detector before. I have the money. What should I get?
lordmarcovan
Posts: 43,198 ✭✭✭✭✭
I want a top of the line detector.
I thought about the Garrett GTI-2500, but having used one of those for a while (I borrowed Steve's when I was briefly detectorless), I don't think it's that huge of a step up from the middle-of-the-line Garrett I already have. Well, maybe. It's still one of my options, but not one of the foremost.
I will be using the machine for coinshooting primarily, but also relic hunting and night hunting, plus the occassional beach hunt.
The features I need are:
-clean discrimination with good iron rejection
-a backlit meter
-salt sand capability
A chest/body mount capability would also be nice. A friend of mine had a chest harness for his old XLT, as I recall- not sure how that worked or if it was a custom-made thing. Of all the machines I am considering, it looks like the Fisher is the only one with chest mount capability. several detectors have hipmount capability, but in the case of the Garretts, that just puts the battery pack on your belt- it reduces the weight a little, but changes the balance of the detector. I very seldom use the belt mount on my Garrett. I want a chest mount that allows me to have the display right there in front of me. But I might have to do without this feature, unless I get a Fisher.
I thought about the Garrett GTI-2500, but having used one of those for a while (I borrowed Steve's when I was briefly detectorless), I don't think it's that huge of a step up from the middle-of-the-line Garrett I already have. Well, maybe. It's still one of my options, but not one of the foremost.
I will be using the machine for coinshooting primarily, but also relic hunting and night hunting, plus the occassional beach hunt.
The features I need are:
-clean discrimination with good iron rejection
-a backlit meter
-salt sand capability
A chest/body mount capability would also be nice. A friend of mine had a chest harness for his old XLT, as I recall- not sure how that worked or if it was a custom-made thing. Of all the machines I am considering, it looks like the Fisher is the only one with chest mount capability. several detectors have hipmount capability, but in the case of the Garretts, that just puts the battery pack on your belt- it reduces the weight a little, but changes the balance of the detector. I very seldom use the belt mount on my Garrett. I want a chest mount that allows me to have the display right there in front of me. But I might have to do without this feature, unless I get a Fisher.
0
Comments
Plus:
Well balanced
Goes from woods to low tide beach with a minor tweak to sensativity
Waterproof coil
Not many bells and whistles makes it easy to use from the start
Cheap, lightweight headphones work great
Rugged
Minus:
A bit heavy for the long days out
Not backlit (DFX may be)
Foam handle lasted only 1 year of rough use
Good luck Rob. Say hi to L and V for me.
-a backlit meter
-salt sand capability<<
Yes
Yes
Yes
I use ONE program from the waters edge to to the soil.
Coil: I use the BigFOOT coil 99% of the time. In trash I tip the coil up on end__---
Battery: I use Ni-MH 2000mAh
I use the DX-1 In Line Probe--Sound goes thru headphones = same sound and readings as main coil !!!
DFX: Used for $670.00
BigFoot: New $200.00
DX-1: New $160.00
Good Luck
Jerry
Though it has many positives, I feel that the depth is not as good as I wish. You can manually change the sensitivity very easily from the factory preset, but then the object identification is not as good. That said I have had the Quattro since December and may just need more practice. Funny thing about the Quattro is you can find some of the smallest pieces of metal in the 1"-4" range and I mean small, but coin depths greater than 6" are just not that good. Some say the pinpoint mode of the Quattro is also easy to use, but I would just rate it average.
When I made my purchase, my decision was between the DFX and Quattro. I have used White's equipment before, but I just wanted to try something different and that is why I went with the Quattro.
I am sure once I find a super coin, I will quickly forget any of the negatives with the detector.
<< <i>I thought about the Garrett GTI-2500, but having used one of those for a while (I borrowed Steve's when I was briefly detectorless), I don't think it's that huge of a step up from the middle-of-the-line Garrett I already have. >>
If you only used it briefly, I doubt you even scratched the surface of the performance the machine offers. I've had mine a little over a year, and am just now seeing the great things it is capable of. Overall it has a huge learning curve, but set it on coin mode and go coinshooting it's easy as can be. At least it was for me.
1. I'm a Garrett man. The learning curve won't be so bad, since I already use a middle-of-the-line Garrett machine.
2. The coils might be interchangeable with the machine I already have. (Not the "imaging" coil, but the smaller sniper coil and others).
3. The GTI-2500 has a surface rejection setting (I think Bounty Hunter calls it a "blanker"), which allows one to ignore shallower targets- it can be set from one to four inches, as I recall. While I am sure this feature has its imperfections, I might use it in some of the trashier coinshooting parks- who knows- it might be handy. Of course I would never use it on relic sites or bulldozed areas, where the targets could be at any depth.
So I might do that. I'm still undecided.
<< <i>I use the DX-1 In Line Probe--Sound goes thru headphones = same sound and readings as main coil !!! >>
Jerry- I've always thought those inline probes were cool, but haven't seen any in a long time. I suppose that is something brand specific, i.e. it will only work on your particular brand of detector?
Look at this: http://www.sunraydetector.com/sun_ray_invader_gi-1_field_test_by_gabe.htm
http://www.sunraydetector.com/
Good Luck
Jerry
Just my opinion.
<< <i>3. The GTI-2500 has a surface rejection setting (I think Bounty Hunter calls it a "blanker"), which allows one to ignore shallower targets- it can be set from one to four inches, as I recall. While I am sure this feature has its imperfections, I might use it in some of the trashier coinshooting parks- who knows- it might be handy. Of course I would never use it on relic sites or bulldozed areas, where the targets could be at any depth. >>
I've been running this feature at a local park which is littered with shallow can slaw and other nasties.
While in the surface elimination mode if you watch the meter it will ID many of the shallow targets but you won't hear them. I was in this mode at 4"(max) on my last hunt and dug a quarter at 2 inches because I caught sight of it on the meter. I did manage to get a few wheaties at 6-7". One had a sliver of can slaw laying above it at 2" as I found it when I went to cut the plug.
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