Suggestions for a metal detector?

[Antiquity]

Any one has any experience with these? Have been pondering grabbing one to help me have a reason to get out of the house a bit more and hopefully find some cool stuff!

Luckily I live about 5 minutes from old Ft Leavenworth which was founded in 1827, so maybe there are some hidden gems laying around. Would appreciate any feedback on the subject.

Thanks as always,

[liveandievarieties]

Whites and Garretts are supposed to be good.

I'd suggest trying the front yards of older houses (late at night)...

[digitect]

I got a Garrett 350 for some fun with the kids and a possible shot at some old coins. But you can't find anything that hasn't been lost previously. So the trick is to go searching somewhere that has been there 100+ years or else you'll just find a bunch of 1990's dimes.

Often the best places are illegal to go metal detecting or dig on. State, Federal, county, and city properties usually forbid digging. Private property is also a problem unless you have written permission from the land owner.

We live in a small city that was just a few houses 100 years ago, basically pure suburbia. At some point, we're going to try at some 200 year old family properties counties away. Until then, our metal detector seems to only find lots of cans, foil, wire, screws, pens, and other trash that modern civilization has lost. Pretty unexciting. Remember that coins that have been in moist soil for years won't end up more than about a G-4 grade, either!

[Maineman750]

I'd get a used one to start. I got my White's for about $250. The reason I say used is to give yourself a chance to really try it ...turns out to be lot of work to find a lot of junk. I have a friend that finds a lot of good stuff,but he spends way more time and effort than I was able to muster.

[lineop3]

I have the VLF and it's not very good because all the beeps sound alike...but I did find a war bullet in my mom's back yard.
Like most of what's been said...finding a legal place to search could be a problem.
Try asking people you know if can you search on their property.

Aisha

[willbrooks]

This is bringing back some funny memories for me. Our motto was always that we'd rather apologize than ask for permission.

[Chugly]

I have a mine lab x-terra 70 and I really love it. I got it two years ago for $400 shipped (it was a used machine) and it has definitely paid for itself in the finds I have made. The only bad thing is that I got it to find old coins and have only found 4 wheat cents and no silver coins yet. Location and age of your hunting area is key. I have found 4 gold rings, 23 silver rings and a really nice almost 1 Ounce man's sterling necklace. Oh yea, and $177.56 in clad change. Man that's a lot of holes dug!

[lineop3]

I guess I have to pay more for a nicer model to get the best results.
Chugly, you found some nice items!

Aisha

[Magers]

I've always wanted one... something to add to my Christmas list!

[Chugly]

I guess I have to pay more for a nicer model to get the best results.
Chugly, you found some nice items!

Aisha

When I get back home, I will post a pic of my trash pile (I do try to clean up as I go). Needless to say, whenever a screw works loose in my head, I have a well used replacement.

[DSallee]

....Luckily I live about 5 minutes from old Ft Leavenworth which was founded in 1827, so maybe there are some hidden gems laying around. Would appreciate any feedback on the subject.

Thanks as always,

Hey, we are practically neighbors!! Be cool to go searching sometime! I'm also looking to get a detector. I had one YEARS ago and went searching around my home town, Carthage Mo, and found all kinds of civil war bullets... I miss doing that!

[badredbrd89]

I have a Garrett Ace 250 and I adore it. Truth be told though, I'm in love with the AT Pro that Garrett offers. Its about $600 new, so you could get a good deal on CL or possibly ebay. I love the activity and the finds are really cool too!

-Chris

[Antiquity]

Well I finally got one for my birthday last month (it's only been about a year from my original post), weather is starting to improve, so hopefully I will get a chance to use it soon. I plan on being a real life Indiana Jones each time I take it out.

[admrose]

Lucky you. We still need explosives to get through the ground up here.

[Magers]

I also got one for Christmas last year... lots of foil, pull tabs, and cans so far.... but I'm optimistic!