We have recently thought using a metal detector around some old homesteads at our farm would be great fun. We have found old glass and pottery pieces as well as snap covers for old Carrhart overalls, a ladie's bra hook/garter belt etc. Any of you be able to tell a few ins and outs about which ones you like and anything to stay away from? Thanks!

-- Catfish (smallfry@hotsheet.com), December 03, 2001

Answers

Bounty Hunter,Fisher,Garrett,White all very good detectors.

Stay away from Radio Shack and related cheapies. Also if your totally new buy from someone that gives FREE classes on use.

Have Fun Let us know how it turns out.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), December 03, 2001.

I like Minelab, but had good luck with a Garrett hunting old homesteads in Montana. It's been a few years since I've been active in it. I agree with Kenneth, stay away from the junk brands. One thing you might consider is getting 2 different sized coils with it. If you look around you could find a good deal on a used or trade-in, lots of them out there. Some of these links might be helpful;

http://www.goldprospectors.org/links/links.cfm

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), December 03, 2001.

A good friend of mine has an older Fisher 1220-X with both the coin shooting and relic hunting coils. He swears that theres no better detector made. However he said that the 2000 model white is about perfect for gold and silver hunting. He's even considering plunking down $399 for one. (Must be a doesy for Dennis to spend money).

My wife has been visiting the locale flea markets looking for a older (simplified version) Bounty Hunter or maybe a Fisher 1220 series.

I've read about people finding some real cool stuff. CSA belt buckels, old bayonets, rings and things.

Tis a interesting hobby.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), December 03, 2001.

DH had wanted a metal detector for a long time, so when we got married in April I got him one for a wedding present. It's a Bounty Hunter and he likes it quite well. Easy to operate for a beginner and I got it on ebay. They have (or had at the time) tons of them on there. You can get some top of the line ones for a pretty good deal. Kim in Indiana :-D

-- Kim in Indiana (kwcountrygirl@aol.com), December 04, 2001.

Kim in Indiana

Has he found any interesting things with it? Which model Bounty Hunter?

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), December 04, 2001.

I currently own 15 different detectors. Name it, and I have it. If you aren't hunting beaches or black sand, bounty hunter or whites are your choice. I currently hunt with a whites xlt and a bounty hunter IV. What the xlt doesn't find the IV will. $800 DIFFERENCE IN THE TWO MACHINES, but they each have outstanding qualities. Don't let the religious whites hip fool you. Are whites good? Yes. Do you have a couples years to play with a machine to work out its oddities? no. The average person wants to spend a couple hours a week finding things. The xlt is a fine machine, but nobody turns it on and finds treasure. It is complicated. I use every name brand you can come up with. They all do certain things well. The bounty hunter and minlabs are readily available. You have to play with dealers for whites products. Buy the best machine you can afford. They all will work well. They all require patience to master. I have seen people use a $150 machine and outhunt a $1000 machine. Time and patience is the key to productivity. They do not make a bad metal detector today or they would be out of business. Buy the best you can afford and listen to what it tells you. The machine is only as good as the operator. Good luck hunting.

DAVE

-- Dave Wyant (daveandcindy@alltel.net), January 24, 2002.