Would like actual users of metal detectors to give their opinions and recommendations of brands and models. Am thinking about purchasing a decent one at a reasonable price. Need recommendations on online and brick and mortar stores who are good to deal with.
Thank you in advance.

Garett is a good one. All my officers carry one. But, I prefer to pat down. My officers are trained to pat down. It simple works. Detectors only pick up metal, sharpened plastic and such it will not. Sarge

Brands are limited since Whites went out of business. Garrett, Minelab, Tesoro, Fisher. You have to decide what you want to use it for. All purpose?, water?, gold? etc. Prices will vary from $ > $$$$. There are several good MD'ing sites on the web and one EXCELLENT magazine : Western & Eastern Treasures: https://www.wetreasures.com/. Kellyco is good to deal with online. I have a few:

Minelab Excal II - Land & Water - waterproof to 200 feet
Minelab E-Trac - Land - All phases
Whites V3i - Land - All phases
Whites Coinmaster Pro - Land - All phases
Tesoro Silver Umax - Land - All phases
Troy Shadow X2 - land - All phases

I agree 2X

I would also like to add , even though I am a Minelab owner , do not get one as your first machine. Very expensive but excellent machine. Kinda like the Ferrari of metal detectors. Get a more modest machine then later after you have used one for a while then upgrade to the Minelab. A bit much for a first time hobbyist.

Very true^^^

I don't know your budget but minelab equinox series is the best bang for you buck right now.

If you’re considering a used one, you can pick up an Xterra 705 pretty cheap. Otherwise like said above , people seem to be enjoying their Equinox models. Online stores would be KellyCo. or Serious Detecting.

You can get a new minelab vanquish which runs multi freq. like its big brothers for very little money. New comes with a three yr. warranty. It is a very good coinshooter on grass and it has a jewelry and relic mode. I have two of them. Also, check out the nokta makro simplex. A lot of machine for the money. For a good deal check out TheHunterGT. He is a dealer and can do you better deals than most. Great hobby, but do your homework on the Garretts before you buy. They're playing catch up right now.

If budget is a consideration, check out the Nokta Makro Simplex Plus.

been happy with my garrett ace 250
got it online at kellyco.

I've got a Garrett 250 now but I started with a Bounty Hunter IV.Two knobs on it makes it simple and I found enough to open a small museum.I've actually thought about buying another one.I wore that first one out!

I'm far from a pro of any kind. Currently have the Minelab Excalibur and it's a water machine. Like every one else has said it really depends on what you want to spend and use the machine for. Being I have bought my machines for use in water I started years ago with Fisher. I feel the Minelab was a step up form that unit. I haven't kept up on what is new and considered latest greatest. I have considered getting the above mentioned Minelab Equinox. Mostly because it's a better land machine than the Excal and can do go in water to a point.
If your like me really do have to shop based on budget.

Mac

I have an old White's MXT for land and a DetectorPro Headhunter Underwater for water, beach and tot lots. Both were in the $6-700 range.

Research the Nokta Simplex Plus. I think you will come to the same conclusion that I did. There is a youtube channel called Paystreak Superfreak. The guy is a bit strange but he is a product tester for all the major brands and seems to give unbiased reviews. Give his channel a look.

Here is where I would recommend you purchase from. Great prices and excellent to deal with!

https://highplainsprospectors.com/c...ess-headphones-and-pulsedive-pin-pointer

ol'dad

Ol Dad you almost had me until,

Sorry! This product is currently out of stock.

So dang many models it's confusing.


Great thread guys.

I would call them. I bet they will still honor it. I can confirm that is not a scam price. I bought that package from them in January of this year.

Ol' dad

I have 3 detectors: Minelab Excalibur, Fisher CZ, and a Fisher Aquanaut.
The Excalibur and Aquanaut are both water detectors.
I mostly use the Excalibur on land and water, the Aquanaut is more of a backup. I've never had any problems with any of them.
Kelly Co. is a good place to go for a detector.
For just starting out, I would go with a cheaper Garrett. They're a decent detector for the money.

Well, I suppose I'd better watch this thread.

Moosetrot

Garret at pro is what I got. Ilove it.

And I have an equinox 600, a simplex and a Garrett 400 a teknetics patriot (a fisher f70), along withe the two vanquish detectors. And I've had all the explorers, deus, f75 ,tesoros. One thing I can say is, there is really no one that will do it all great. Like others have said, what kind of hunting you'll do the most of will dictate which detector will work best for you. Or dive in like I do and have more than one for your mood.