Gary's Metal Detecting Forum
Gary's Detecting forum => General detecting talk => Topic started by: rabert on December 07, 2016, 08:01 pm
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Hi,
I wonder if someone can advise me re the purchase of metal detectors. I saw on You Tube that someone was beach detecting with an Ace 250 with net tornado coil (? whatever that is). Is this just for beach detecting or can it be used on land too? Do the little hand held 'pin pointer' come with machines, or are they bought separate?
Thanks in anticipation. ;D
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The Coil your referring to is a NEL tornado Coil its made in Russia or the Ukraine .One of those anyway..
The Ace 250 as far as I`m lead to believe, is not that good on wet salt Sand ,but does better on dry sand.But if you ring up Regtons ,I`m sure some one there will confirm if its good on wet sand as well as dry , but from my listening s they are not liking wet sand as they don`t like the salt.
The coil can work better on dry land though, but don`t expect double the depth from it over the stock coil . You might get an extra couple of inches if you get an exceptional lucky break at some point. What the bigger coil will give you, is a bigger footprint of area coverage mainly. You undoubtedly will get some folk who`ll mesmerize you of tales of 6 "- 9 " extra depth, but its very often wishful thinking or its been in the side of the hole when digging and when they`ve missed it and gone deeper they very often through soil disturbance fall into the bottom of the now much deeper hole and are then seen , and the coin is then seen as it has come from the depth they went eventually down to ,when in reality ,it was probably only two inches down at the side of the hole, in the first place .
Unless stated in the sale of a new or second hand Garrett Ace 250 as having one included, the Pinpoint probe you have to buy separate.
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Many Ace 250 owners have bought the Nel Tornado coil, it's what you might call a proven combination judging by the positive feedback. Nel are Ukranian, they have a very good reputation for making additional coils that you can add to your machine. They make many different size coils for many machines. The Tornado is a larger coil, usually bought because it is reputed to go deeper than the one that comes with the machine which is a smaller coil. Most machines are supplied with what are usually referred to as a "regular search coil" and you can add others for more specific search types.
There are several companies that specialise in making coils for various machines.
You can get pinpointers as part of special packages with machines, or "Pro Packages" as they are sometimes called. Unless it's stated that the machine comes with a pinpointer then it won't, and most often they don't. Some are just the machine only, some throw in a pair of headphones, maybe a control box cover. It varies and you need to read the details and see what is included in the package you are thinking of buying.
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http://www.treasurehunting.co.uk/uploads/fieldtests/Test_78.pdf
Here is a field test, the Garrett ace series are good performers but being what is called a VLF
Or very low frequency as are most detectors can be affected by heavy mineralisation in wet sand, meaning they will be "sparky" or unstable.
Be great on the dry.
I realise your new so the coil is the black round thing, it's made up of coils of wire hence the name, Nel make aftermarket coils for various makes of detector, the Tornado is a popular aftermarket coil for the Garrett ace
MINELAB machines use something called FBS which copes better with the wet stuff
And then there is Pulse induction which are pure beach machines, you can use a PI in a field bur with no discrimination you will dig everything small iron etc.
I believe the Minelab Safari is the base model with FBS.
Good luck
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http://www.nel-coils.eu/en/
Her we go Nel coils one day I will work out how to put two links on the I Pad :)) ;)
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Why are you focused on the ACE?
HH
Mike
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Hi everyone,
Many thanks for such useful information for me to read and digest.
Hi Mike, Thanks for your post. It was just that when I looked on You Tube someone was using an Ace 250 and I got the idea it was one of the easier machines to use and handle for a complete novice , that the price was good to start off with and that it was light weight?? I just don't know anything whatsoever about metal detectors, names, companies etc., etc., So, after seeing the machine on You Tube and checking the price I thought I would ask for peoples comments as I realise you all 'know your stuff'! I will of course check out the other details that people have suggested. I don't even think there's a shop I could visit in the north east ???
I appreciate everyone's input/ help.
Regards.
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http://www.treasurehunting.co.uk/uploads/fieldtests/Test_95.pdf
Hi rabert chosing your first detector is a nightmare, but you're going about the task in the right way by asking questions on this forum
Here is another test on the machines that both Mike and me have, both tried and trusted tech just without whistles and bells.
Both made by the same company just differant labels Tesro is mainly the American market and Laser for UK
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Hi Nailman,
Many thanks for the info for me to check out. I don't want to make a costly mistake and you chaps all seem ever so knowledgeable and helpful. I really don't have a clue but it's just something I've wanted to do for such a long, long time. It's a bit different to my other hobby (hobbies)! I am interested in history too and read about it. I'm obviously extremely ignorant, so thank you.
regards.
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Rabert,
The beach detecting you are talking about wanting to do, is this salt water beach or a fresh water beach?
If you are going to metal detect on salt water beaches you will need to up the game a little and use more specialized equipment. None of these inexpensive units is going to hunt wet salt beaches very well at all. However they will all hunt fresh water beaches and 'dry' salt water beach sand fine and the link nailman sent is a good read.
So...if you are going to hunt wet salt water beaches with discrimination then you need to focus on units that can do that. Whites DFX, V3, V3X. Fisher CZ models. Minelab Sovereigns, Excaliburs, Explorers. There are not many that can do it well. If money is an issue, the Whites DFX used market is very good right now and would be my first recomendation for you.
Good luck.
HH
Mike
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Hi Mike,
Thanks ever so for your detailed reply. I guess I'm thinking of salt water beaches - probably dry ish. Do you know what a Minelab G0 40 would do for me? I am told they sell them at Maplins?? I was just thinking, that as I am totally new to this, then I didn't want to spend too much on something when I am not sure whether I would take to metal detecting or not, so I was thinking I should be sensible and err on the side of caution ??
I shall certainly check out all the information etc., that you are sharing with me.
You've all been so helpful to me and it is appreciated.
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The Minelab 40 are cheap and cheerful there are plenty of Garrett 250 on the second hand market and if you don't take up this fantastic hobby and decide to sell the Garrett or Whites or one of the better built Minelabs will hold its value :)
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Hi Rabert,
Don't start off with something that does'nt perform that well like the go40 or you will get frustrated pretty quickly.
Look on staffordshire metal detectors,they have an ex demo whites m6 on there for £275,for that price you are on to a winner.The m6 is one of the only single frequency detectors that do an excellent job on the wet sand,and it is brilliant inland too.There is a large selection of coils for the machine and it is about as simple to operate as you can get.
It would serve you well for as long as you wanted to keep it,the m6 performs the same as a lot of the top machines.
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I took a Go-Find 60 out of the box in Maplins out of pure curiosity. It was extremely stiff to slide open and came apart in 2 exposing the wires. Very flimsy units and the sand would get everywhere inside those plastic tubes IMHO.
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Hi Rabert,
Don't start off with something that does'nt perform that well like the go40 or you will get frustrated pretty quickly.
Look on staffordshire metal detectors,they have an ex demo whites m6 on there for £275,for that price you are on to a winner.The m6 is one of the only single frequency detectors that do an excellent job on the wet sand,and it is brilliant inland too.There is a large selection of coils for the machine and it is about as simple to operate as you can get.
It would serve you well for as long as you wanted to keep it,the m6 performs the same as a lot of the top machines.
Good advice Kev at Staffs is good to deal with.
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Kevin sells good quality secondhand detectors usually with warranty he can also offer you good advice, be prepared to as him for extras in with your deal headphones, covers, maybe a trowel or scoop possibly a finds pouch, remember shy bairns get nowt and if you don't get the extra's as part of your deal then you will need to buy them anyway so try and save your self a bit of cash his web site is
http://staffsmetaldetectorsonlineshop.co.uk/index.asp?secondhand1.htm
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Hi there,
Thanks once again for all your kind info. I'm 'getting there' a little bit - I think :) We went to Maplins today . As I've never even seen a metal detector, I thought we may chat to someone and I may be able to look at one and it's weight etc., They had one or two on the shelves, bound up in boxes - but nothing on display, but never mind.
I've been looking on You Tube also and it makes me more confused than ever!! Some of the chaps seem great and so encouraging - as they do on this forum. And yet ...... new thread ...... for comments please.
ttfn
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No more commehts from me im afraid.......im more confused than you. :o
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Gonzo,
That's impossible !! :)
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Lol......you'll get there in the end bud,just enjoy the learning process. :)
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Hi Gonzo,
Yes, it's all new to me and everyone seems so helpful and polite. Just received a book from E bay - Reading Beaches. (I hope that's not 'Redding' beach - lol). I am enjoying finding out things as I haven't the foggiest - literally! I will do a bit of reading and checking later on today. I suppose I shouldn't rush just cos it's going to be a prezzy as I probably won't use it until the Spring. I would prefer land to beaches but it's just the permission bit that really puts me off.
ttfn chaps.
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Quote rabert ,....." I would prefer land to beaches but it's just the permission bit that really puts me off.".
Well ,that`s unfortunately part n partial of the "game". Sadly ,nothing is handed down to you on a plate , you have to be prepared to swallow the bitter pill and start door knocking, we all have to do it or have gone through doing it .
Of course ,no one likes a refusal, but that`s the way it goes ,some will give you permission, some won`t. You just have to take the bull by the horns and ask.
I`m sure every guy who ever asked his chosen girl at the time for a date would love a ,......." yes of course" but it never always turns out that way does it, and its the same with asking permissions to go on farmers land.
AS far as the detector goes you really could do with making a firm decision whether you want a beach detector or a land detector. Very few detectors do a great job on both situations, and the ones that do ,can weigh heavy to carry for long stretches of time. My suggestion to you would not to buy cheap ! Because if you do that, you only get what you pay for and next minute you`ll be put off that much because you will be so frustrated at your lack of good finds and digging rubbish ,you`ll jack it in anyway before long . If you pay upwards of £300 ,you start to get into the " half decent " detector range,and your then in with a chance of being increasingly interested ,and your momentum will be steadily encouraged ,but try listening to the guys on here who`ve had multi years of experience before buying as they can steer you in the right direction but only IF you take their advise ,but if you carry on frequenting Maplins and such crap places to see whats available you will surely waste your money, because the guys selling the few they do sell , have 99% of the time no experience themselves in using one.
So why ask some one who knows as much as you do what to buy ?
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Hi Peter,
Thanks for your interesting post. I 'dig' what your saying about land permission. Maybe if I smile sweetly I will receive a positive reply, but it just seems rather daunting to me at the moment.
Yes, as soon as hubby and I went into Maplins (never been in before) we quickly realized it was certainly the wrong venue. Staff around didn't approach us etc., and we quickly realized it wasn't the right place, but I was just hoping to see one on display to feel the weight of etc., We then decided if they did that, then their stock could be damaged in a store situation. There doesn't seem to be anywhere in the North East where you can even get the feel of a detector but I would imagine they are not too heavy to handle. The price isn't an issue per se but I just didn't want to be possibly wasteful. Hubby says I should just have one - get it out of my system and hopefully enjoy it - as I've wanted one for donkeys years but never really had the time. I suppose I don't want to make the wrong decision on my purchase, but thank you all for pointing so much out to me. (things I didn't have a clue about. You all seem so helpful and knowledgeable).
ttfn
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Hi Peter,
Thanks for your interesting post. I 'dig' what your saying about land permission. Maybe if I smile sweetly I will receive a positive reply, but it just seems rather daunting to me at the moment.
Yes, as soon as hubby and I went into Maplins (never been in before) we quickly realized it was certainly the wrong venue. Staff around didn't approach us etc., and we quickly realized it wasn't the right place, but I was just hoping to see one on display to feel the weight of etc., We then decided if they did that, then their stock could be damaged in a store situation. There doesn't seem to be anywhere in the North East where you can even get the feel of a detector but I would imagine they are not too heavy to handle. The price isn't an issue per se but I just didn't want to be possibly wasteful. Hubby says I should just have one - get it out of my system and hopefully enjoy it - as I've wanted one for donkeys years but never really had the time. I suppose I don't want to make the wrong decision on my purchase, but thank you all for pointing so much out to me. (things I didn't have a clue about. You all seem so helpful and knowledgeable).
ttfn
We`ve all been in the same boat as you you won`t be surprised to hear.
I am fully aware of the pro`s n cons of the first detector decision that needs to be considered. All I can say is you do really need to make a decision one way or the other if its a beach or land detector you would like to go towards buying. THEN, we have a starting point more defined.
If you don`t live within close proximity to beaches then your going to be at a disadvantage straight away, so that needs to be taken into consideration too.
If you decide its land you would prefer to search then , try looking into joining a local Metal detecting Club up your way , there will be some somewhere . Where is it you come from ?
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Hi Peter,
We're quite close to empty beaches - few rivers, some seaside places - the North Yorkshire Moors are just a few miles away so I have plenty of choice. I do prefer the country but just thought beaches were an easier start; not having to do door knocking. I do understand your guidance and appreciate the points you make.
I was thinking (wrongly it seems), I could sort of practice easily on a beach and when my confidence grew then I could start looking to countryside. (which may be back achingly harder)?? This seems to be not the right thinking?
Re joining a Club. I imagine the clubs would be mainly men members so I may feel 'awkward'. Having said that, I worked with a preponderance of men. I suppose my next job is to check out where the clubs are etc., etc.,
Thanks and I hope I'm not wasting your time. I just need to know so much.
ttfn
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We have plenty of female detectorists in our club, there are a few digs cropping up on Facebook
You say you're in the North East North Yorks moors area there is a group called down to earth digs that operate in the Pickering area
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Thanks Nailman, (are you called Rusty)?
I've e mailed a club with a few questions, so just waiting for a reply sometime. Thanks, as ever.
ttfn
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Thanks Nailman, (are you called Rusty)?
I've e mailed a club with a few questions, so just waiting for a reply sometime. Thanks, as ever.
ttfn
No Nailman is just a nickname I picked up once found a box full of Nails so it was a fitting name.
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:) :) :) :) :) Very apt.
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https://www.crawfordsmd.com/
Hi this dealer is on the outskirts of Scunthorpe proberly you're nearest proper dealer
Good people to deal with