Recommend a Metal Detector?

[sbpebbles]

I have been toying with the idea of buying a metal detector--probably a used one..What's a good price to pay for one? And are they really worth the money? My DD7 would be the one mainly using it since she is really into finding things..I know our local walmart had a kids one on sale for like $8 but I want something that will actually detect items, not waste my money..Also are there any areas that it's illegal to use them? she'd probably use it at the park, the beach, nearby local fields, etc..thanks!

 

[ChrisinNJ]

My husband loves to metal detect & he always uses Whites brand. He says the rest are just junk and don't work.

 

[Jockaroo]

My husband enjoys metal detecting and has several detectors. I've found a link that reviews detectors and has a link to a metal detector's forum. The main page has some recommended detectors for beginners.

http://metaldetectorreviews.net/

Know that this is a hobby that can get obsessive. You must have permission to detect on private property. You should check your county's ordinances about detecting. Some rules of etiquette include always filling in your holes and leaving the area cleaner than you found it. We always take a trash bag with us since we end up finding lots of old soda/beer cans, nails and other garbage.

You can spend several thousand on a detector, but should be able to get an entry level for a couple of hundred. One of our detectors is a $50 one found at Big Lots a few years ago. It is very simple to use. You want a fairly simple detector for your daughter. If it is too complicated she will lose interest. You could also check area pawn shops since detectors can end up here used but at decent prices.

It won't make much sense right now, but the detectors have various sensitivity levels. What do you think she would like to search for--coins, jewelry, gold, etc. The detectors work by eliminating various ground minerals and focusing on a specific "target". And then you have the depth range. Obviously, the models that detect deeper can cost more. And you mentioned the beach. Some models can be used in the water, some can't.

Other things your daughter will need to detect: heavy gloves, digging trowel, treasure bag. It is a fun hobby--and I say this as someone who's only found soda cans.

Links to detectors:
http://www.garrett.com/hobby/hbby_division.htm
http://whiteselectronics.com/?gclid=CJb5hbfUtp8CFQUhnAodI1tx0g
http://www.tesoro.com/
http://www.minelab.com/

for idea of pricing:
http://www.kellycodetectors.com/detectors.htm

 

[Jockaroo]

I asked my husband his opinions on the detector. He said you could start with a $50 Bounty Hunter that is a piece of crap. We have one of these (our detector from Big Lots) and you can find stuff and it is easy to use. If you think she will be interested in detecting, a good entry level detector is the Garrett Ace 250.

http://metaldetectorreviews.net/detectors/105-1-garrettace250.html

We also have one of these. It can find things deeper, can distinguish between items you are hunting (identifies what may be in the ground--coins vs jewelry, type of metal). It has a pinpointer. Here are the specs. from their website:

http://www.garrett.com/hobby/hbby_ace_250_key.htm

Good luck with your search for the detector. I hope she has lots of fun.