Metal Detectors - Where Do We Start?

I suppose the best place to start is a quick discussion of metal detectors for beginners. I'm not going to get into a discussion of specific metal detectors and what you should or should not buy. That's like trying to tell you to drink Pepsi instead of Coke, or drive a Ford instead of a Chevrolet.

In all honesty, if you are a beginner, I recommend going to a site that sells many different types of detectors, Kellycodetectors.com for example, and reading the reviews for the various detectors. Sites like this do not tend to 'play favorites', as they want to maintain their relationship with ALL their suppliers. Yes, you will get a wide array of opinions from the readership, but you eventually begin to see a 'trend' among those offering advise.

You are going to pay somewhere between $150.00 and $250.00 for a good, basic detector. Don't get sucked in by all the many features. (Use the KISS principle... Keep it Simple Stupid) Your first detector doesn't need all the bells and whistles, since you don't know what features you REALLY need and which ones you can live without. What IS important is that you buy a detector that will find treasure and has a quick learning curve. You don't want to go out your first few times and not have a clue what you're doing. That's a sure-fire way to become discouraged before you experience the joys of discovery. 

Look for a 'name' brand metal detector - something like a White's Coinmaster or a Garrett Ace 250 in the price range I mentioned.  I speak from experience. The reviews for both of these detectors are consistently good. Also consider Tesoro, Bounty Hunter, Fisher, and Technetics.   

Oh, there's always the odd sort who thinks that any detector less than $500.00 is junk, but you can ignore their diatribe.   With ground balancing preset at the factory, you can literally cut the unit on.. and start detecting immediately. You'll discern the fine points as you go along, but you'll have a blast in the meanwhile.

Although I'm not putting down or ignoring other brands, White's and Garrett, by virtue of their many years in the industry, tend to have a higher resell value if you decide you want to upgrade. But, like most serious detectorist's, you'll most likely keep your unit as a back-up, as you and your detector will have shared many a finds.

One last 'rule of thumb'... instead of trying to see how cheaply you can purchase your first detector, buy as expensive a unit as you can comfortably afford. As I said, this will probably become your back-up unit if you decide to upgrade. But, then again, this unit may prove to be all you need....