If you are just visiting and found the information you were looking for please contribute to the running costs by making a donation.	Forums : : Register : : Log In : : Log Out : : Help : : Calendar : : Search
	My Setup : : Member List : : Contact Admin : : Today's Posts

All Forums >> [Bottle Forums] >> Digging and Finding >> Metal detector advice?

Page: [1]

Login Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>

Metal detector advice? - 4/21/2004 8:11:50 PM    Jules   Posts: 191 Joined: 9/16/2003 From: NE Pennsylvania Status: offline Hi All I'm sure this has been addressed before, but couldn't find it using search. Anyone able to give me some advice? I'm wondering what a good "Starter" metal detector would be? Not necessarily the cheapest, but something easy to work with and accurate, and decent money for the value? Thanks tons in advance, ~Jules Post #: 1

RE: Metal detector advice? - 4/21/2004 9:54:50 PM    Gunsmoke47 Posts: 1160 Joined: 12/29/2003 From: TEXAS Status: offline Hi Julie, I am a Whites man. The XLT is my weapon of choice and it is fairly easy to use. It also has many options once you become familiar with the machine. It sells around $650.00. The Garrett GTX is also a good machine and just as easy to operate. The GTX series comes in the 350, 550, 750, ect. and the prices range depending on which model you choose. I have also owned a Bounty Hunter and they are a good machine for the money but aren't in Whites or Garretts league. I've owned a Minelab as well but I must say they are not for the beginner. Understand, this is strickly MY Opinion Hope this is some help. Happy Diggin, Kelley (in reply to Jules) Post #: 2

RE: Metal detector advice? - 4/21/2004 10:52:10 PM    Guest i also like the whites spectrum xlt. i have had one for about three years now. fairly easy to learn and as good as you need for most casual detecting. _____________________________ Always looking Mint Cola bottles, and local bottles from North Carolina (in reply to Jules)   Post #: 3

RE: Metal detector advice? - 4/22/2004 4:14:17 AM    Kim   Posts: 199 Joined: 2/25/2004 Status: offline Hi Jules If you are going to be serious about it I would recommend the Minelab GP3000 ($5,400)or the Minelab Extreme ($3,000 - 5,000). These are top of the range detectors. Another detector to be recommended would be the SD2000 Or SD2100 Up to ($2,000), I believe the SD2100 to be the better of the two. As everybody, I too have only given my personal recommendation and know what works for me. We bought the latest model detector last year and it would have paid for itself seven times over in twelve months. Regards Kim (in reply to Jules) Post #: 4

RE: Metal detector advice? - 4/22/2004 6:35:01 AM    woody   Posts: 1805 Joined: 10/29/2002 From: Gilmanton, New Hampshire Status: online If you want a good starter detector go to Radio Shack and pick up one of their metal detectors. They don't cost too much and if you don't like it you won't have too much money invested in it. I also use a Whites' Spectrum XLT and never go hunting without it. _____________________________ Woody (in reply to Jules) Post #: 5

RE: Metal detector advice? - 4/22/2004 1:55:53 PM    Maine Digger   Posts: 823 Joined: 2/4/2004 From: Augusta, Maine Status: offline Hey Kim, I hope thats au dollars! _____________________________ Norm Miller (in reply to Jules) Post #: 6

RE: Metal detector advice? - 4/22/2004 2:08:00 PM    Pontiled   Posts: 411 Joined: 8/27/2003 Status: offline My response would be a little biased, since I once dealt in White's metal detector. Of course, I would recommend a White's, but I also had a Garret that was absolutely great! I would NOT buy a cheap metal detector by the other manufacturers. They will bring you a lot of disappointment, wasted hours, and very few items of interest. _____________________________ Mike Russell Author of: The Collector's Guide to Civil War Period Bottles and Jars -- Third Edition (in reply to Jules) Post #: 7

RE: Metal detector advice? - 4/22/2004 2:34:28 PM    Maine Digger   Posts: 823 Joined: 2/4/2004 From: Augusta, Maine Status: offline I bet you're speaking from experience Mike I borrowed a 'Wal Mart Wonder' from one of my friends to scan my property and now have a wonderful collection of nails, rusty cans etc. _____________________________ Norm Miller (in reply to Jules) Post #: 8

RE: Metal detector advice? - 4/22/2004 6:31:49 PM    mysecrets88   Posts: 17 Joined: 4/22/2004 Status: offline Hello, I also use a minelab explorer 2, this is a little tough to start in advance modes but it is set up to click on and start digging, gets great depth, and even my kids 8-10 use it, cost is between 1000.00-1200.00, but they have a lesser version for about 650.00. It pays for itself in about a year unless you hit it early like some do. Good luck Pat (in reply to Jules) Post #: 9

RE: Metal detector advice? - 4/22/2004 6:58:23 PM    woody   Posts: 1805 Joined: 10/29/2002 From: Gilmanton, New Hampshire Status: online I suppose it boils down to what you want to use your metal detector for. If all you want to do is find the trash dump, then you don't need one with all the bells and whistles that can cost close to $1,000.00. or more. If all you're looking for are old bottles, then you just need one that will detect metal, not one that will tell you what denomination of coin is in the ground in a LCD display. You just need to find the metal from rusted cans, iron hoops, tins, etc.... Then, if you decide to upgrade, you can get more involved with detecting for coins and gold, etc....... To start out, there isn't really a need to spend alot of money just to detect metal. _____________________________ Woody (in reply to Jules) Post #: 10

RE: Metal detector advice? - 4/22/2004 9:31:04 PM    sunshine4me   Posts: 31 Joined: 4/22/2004 Status: offline I just started bottle finding. Would a metal detector be of great help? I have found alot of nice bottles, by just digging with a shovel in certain places by the river. I have fun just finding a bottle. I just had ankle surgery last week. I cant do much as of now. My kids have been doing the finding for me. They have found alot of old bottles. (in reply to Jules) Post #: 11

RE: Metal detector advice? - 4/23/2004 9:21:09 AM    Jules   Posts: 191 Joined: 9/16/2003 From: NE Pennsylvania Status: offline Hi all! Woody, I'm planning on using it to find bottles and other "dump" areas on the property, yes, but also in times when I can't dig bottles or in the fall when the fields harvest, would love to incorporate excercise with treasure hunting. Thats why I said "good and easy to use for beginners, but not necessarily the cheapest". I already know where the largest part of the "dump" is on the property. Unfortunately it's in wetlands (which is likely why they chose it to dump), so have to wait till nearer to summer to dig bottles, it's still mucky there at the moment. With an 1860's farmstead that was occupied by native americans prior to that, rather hoping to find something interesting (other than the arrowheads I've already found) in 30+ acres of field. (and I don't even need permissions!) Thank you all so much for your input and advice! I've been checking out websites and EBay for a quality used machine. Cant wait to start hunting! ~Julie (in reply to Jules) Post #: 12

Bottle finds - 4/23/2004 10:22:54 AM    sunshine4me   Posts: 31 Joined: 4/22/2004 Status: offline Hi, I found a pretty cool bottle a couple of days ago. The color is brown, not to big, It has embossed on it Father John's Medicine, Lowell, Mass. It is in good shape for being in the mud by the river a long time. I was impressed by the great shape it was in. My husband cant get over how many bottles we have find in the last couple of weeks. All are in good shape, a couple still had the stopper in the top of the bottle. What is the best way to preserve them, to keep them looking good? I have them on my nick nack stand right now. Thanks _____________________________ cynthia seeley (in reply to Jules) Post #: 13

RE: Metal detector advice? - 4/23/2004 11:06:51 AM    Harry Pristis   Posts: 495 Joined: 7/24/2003 From: Northcentral Florida Status: offline The best way to preserve your bottles and to keep them looking good, Cynthia, is to avoid knocking them off your knick-knack stand. Sorry, couldn't resist that one. Seriously, there is little you can do for Father John except clean it thoroughly. If desired, you can use a little mineral oil to clear up cloudiness on the surface. Don't oil a bottle you intend to sell. Good hunting! ---------Harry Pristis _____________________________ ______________________________________________ Visit The Demijohn Page at: http://members.aol.com/pristis/index.html (in reply to Jules) Post #: 14

RE: Metal detector advice? - 4/23/2004 5:40:22 PM    sunshine4me   Posts: 31 Joined: 4/22/2004 Status: offline Hi Harry, Thank you for the nick nack stand joke. They are pretty safe there. I have bee washing them in water and dish cleaner. Some are pretty well clean up. Some are still somewhat dirty. I think i am going to keep them, just to talk about when company comes over. Thanks (in reply to Harry Pristis) Post #: 15

Bottle find - 4/23/2004 7:27:44 PM    sunshine4me   Posts: 31 Joined: 4/22/2004 Status: offline I just had a question about a bottle i found. It's a clear bottle, about 6 an one half inches long.The sides are kind of indented like, with big letters of Old Witch on it.The bottom has 620 bottle patent 1636174 7. I was thinking it was witch hazel bottle. Not sure. I looked in couple of books. I could not find something close. _____________________________ cynthia seeley (in reply to Jules) Post #: 16

RE: Metal detector advice? - 4/25/2004 2:44:20 AM    WhiteLighting Posts: 485 Joined: 1/21/2004 From: The Electric City,Upstate NY Status: offline Jules, From my experience,if your gonna get a detector go for one in the range of $400-1200 US,dont spend any less cause your gonna get a toy... me i went from a 200 dollar Bounty Hunter to a Minelab XS,and its defenitly worth it.also you can find bottles with a detector,Hutchison's and codds are 2 bottle types that have metal stoppers "certin codds dont have a metal stopper though".... but go for a minelab or a Whites (in reply to Jules) Post #: 17

All Forums >> [Bottle Forums] >> Digging and Finding >> Metal detector advice?

Page: [1]

New Messages No New Messages Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages

Post New Thread  Reply to Message  Post New Poll  Submit Vote  Delete My Own Post  Delete My Own Thread  Rate Posts