Metal detector hobbyist

[alph]

What’s a good metal detector??  I’ve seen the “whites” metal detectors advertised on TV, but that only proves they’ve got a better add department.  Who all else out there has used other brands of metal detectors, and what should a person look for when shopping for one. 

Basically, I want to use a metal detector to find lost jewelry and coins.  Something that can get wet, or at least work in a foot deep water, if that’s possible.

Al.

[Thunderbolt]

I did about 15 years ago.  It is called the White's Eagle Spectrum.  Dated now, but the new ones are lighther and probably have better programs.  My friend bought a Garrett and he liked it too. 

[tank_post142]

most good detectors will work in water as long as you keep the control box dry. BUT you won't! trust me i know. after many years i bought a Minelab Excalibur and would never consider any other machine for working in or near water. the minelab sovereign is the same machine but not built to dive with. the cost a bit more, but, finding a diamond ring at 20" makes it worth it every time!!   

[fudgie]

Dad still uses his garret from the early 80's.

[musclehead]

I bought my whites at the factory in Oregon, I asked the salesguy if he ever found anything with his.

he pulled out a lump of gold the thing had to weigh several ounces.

thats one heck of a sales aid, we bought one.

[Jess Tolbirt]

I have a Whites spectrum that I use when I get serious and a Bounty Hunter ( a cheap one),, funny how the bounty hunter finds more,,,
keep in mind you dont need a detector that will go three feet deep,, if you was to get a hit at 3 feet would you want to did it up? i have never dug deeper than about a foot or so,,,
after you get into it you will find things that you would have thrown away before,,,like the old square nails i found once,, about 20 of then beside an old barn,, for grins and giggles i put em on ebay,,,they went for 20 bucs each,,,now also keep this in mind,,,its VERY habit forming,,,,

[alph]

you will find things that you would have thrown away before,,,like the old square nails i found once,, about 20 of then beside an old barn,, for grins and giggles i put em on ebay,,,they went for 20 bucs each,,,now also keep this in mind,,,its VERY habit forming,,,,

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!  $20 EACH!!  my father use to have an old coffee can full of square nails!!  he would use them in cement cause they were so strong!!  thanks for all the advice, i'm hoping to sell my old yamaha cycle and using that money to get a detector.  there's some old barns and houses out in the woods of my parents old house, my dream would to find some old coins, that would be neat!!

[Stanley Steamer]

I'm not sure if those metal detectors work or not, BUT I was banned from walking down the aisles with the "Stud" detectors in all three of the local hardware stores!!!!!......

[Jess Tolbirt]

hey Alph,
search around old barns and out in the front yard of the old houses around and under the front porch and out around the big tree in the front yard where they all would gather on a hot day,,,
yep 20 bucs each,,,,