Reccomend me a Metal Detector! < $1000

wilkes

wilkes

Member
Hey guys,

Looking to get into the Metal Detector game. Looking to spend under $1000.

Intended use: Fun! But in a broader sense.... I would like it to be able to detect coins and jewellery in parks and beaches AND be able to find alluvial gold in the goldfields of Victoria.

I realise that is a big ask for a cheaper machine. I have done alot of research with regard to spending more and picking up a Minelab GPX series machine and "getting more for my money". While that may be the case, I can't justify an investment of that size into something that will be much more of an occasional hobby. It will be the kind of hobby I will do on an off weekend or occasional week night.

Any help, thoughts, tips are appreciated.

Wilkes
 
Just wanted to mention a beach / park / gold fields detector 'all in one' for under $1000 will be a difficult ask.

Those environments are rather different and finding 'one size fits all' on a budget like that will be no easy task.

That said, I'd lean towards something like a 'gold pack' version of the Minelabs Xterra 705 or similar which will do most of what you want, but not the best.

Just be aware that beach / park detectors for under 1k is perfectly reasonable, but getting one to do gold fields as well (especially with so much old ground already scoured out there) will be difficult for a machine in this price range.

If fun is your first motivation, I'd stick with the beach and park option first and take it from there. A decent quality gold machine (even 2nd hand) will set you back over your budget.

The people who specialise in Gold specific detectors can tell you more I'd wager. I specialise more in the park / recreational ground scene and for that, you'd be looking at a minelabs xterra variant or Garret series machine.
 
^^^ auspm is spot on.

Gold specific detectors are not good all-rounders because of lousy discrimination.

You should get a good VLF setup for under $1000. Under $500 and you will either be getting a no frills basic "toy" or an outdated machine. Around $1000 is a good amount to spend.

You can get out and about and have a go without breaking the bank. Lots of things you can learn detecting parks and beaches that also applies to gold detecting so if you get a gold detector in the future you will not be starting from complete scratch.

Good to see you Wilkes. :)

Now hit the report button and move this thread to the prestigeous area that now exists for it. :D
 
I bought a Fisher Gold bug pro for the kids to use on the beach, and it's a fantastic ,easy to use machine that works well for parks and beaches. Super light weight, no battery pack to lug around, and it will pick up every bloody bobby pin on the beach . I'm pretty sure I paid aroud $1000 ,maybe a bit less. Google it.

Now hit the report button and move this thread to the prestigeous area that now exists for it. :o
 
Thanks guys!

A bit of research has brought me to a machine that appears to be perfect.

The Garrett Inifnium LS!

It fits the price point perfectly at roughly $1000. All reviews are positive. Some reviews say this is beats most beach detectors straight up and can be used in much deeper water. (While that wasn't originally a consideration, I have been looking into diving and this could turn out to be a huge plus.) It also has amazing reviews as being a great replacement for a GPX type gold locating machine too. It's also Pulse Induction.

This little guy has ticked all my boxes and more for the right price. Might have me a winner

Hey mate! Will get this reported, cheers!

Wilkes
 
I have an xterra 705 that i want to sell
I am in Melbourne if interested
Give me a PM and i can offer you a good deal
Cheers
REDBACK
 
I suggest buying from an Australian supplier unless you have no need for a warranty. Aus dealers will not provide warranty service for machines purchased o/s.

Costs a fair penny to send o/s and back for any repairs or servicing.
 
IMHO there is no do it all detector i have used many machines for park and beach like 20 or more and have settled on 4 keepers. none of them are garrets.

some have cross over uses but all have there main purpose.

and for gold fields the main detector is a minelab and a fisher.

don't get to the gold fields much ( hoping that is going to change soon) so my main experience is beach an parks.

but also from my experience opinions differ greatly and what works for me may not work for you, having said that some of the machines that are keepers i didn't like at 1st so it takes time with a machine to learn its little idiosyncrasies and less than 100hrs with a machine is not giving it a fair go and more like 500hrs to really start getting a handle on it.

so its a hobby and like any hobby i get out of it what i put into it.
 
Eureka Moments said:
I suggest buying from an Australian supplier unless you have no need for a warranty. Aus dealers will not provide warranty service for machines purchased o/s.

Costs a fair penny to send o/s and back for any repairs or servicing.
Click to expand...

Agree, but at that price it like buying second hand anyway.

Just as a comparison -

Local Price $780 approx say $750
Ebay with freight - $594
Difference - $156

That is a lot of fuel or accessories you can add, pick, pan, scoop etc... even get a Garret Pro Pointer included for under the Aus price.

I don't agree with buying overseas for everything, but some of these variations in price have to be looked at. Unfortunately it is a predicament for local businesses across the board. It will get worst, it won't get any better.
 
don't forget the 1K threshold when buying overseas and if close to it they will add the postage charge to make it up to the 1K.
 
uuuuuuuumm said:
don't forget the 1K threshold when buying overseas and if close to it they will add the postage charge to make it up to the 1K.
Click to expand...
They always add postage. The $1000 aud limit is including the postage cost . :mad:
 
uuuuuuuumm said:
wont be much chop in the park though.
Click to expand...
Yeah? Just watched a video of a guy pulling coins out of a corn field all day.

$1,000 threshold is good to note too, cheers.
 
wilkes said:
uuuuuuuumm said:
wont be much chop in the park though.
Click to expand...
Yeah? Just watched a video of a guy pulling coins out of a corn field all day.

$1,000 threshold is good to note too, cheers.
Click to expand...

Were there any powerlines close by?

EMI = electro-magnetic interference. An absolute pain.
 
Eureka Moments said:
wilkes said:
uuuuuuuumm said:
wont be much chop in the park though.
Click to expand...
Yeah? Just watched a video of a guy pulling coins out of a corn field all day.

$1,000 threshold is good to note too, cheers.
Click to expand...

Were there any powerlines close by?

EMI = electro-magnetic interference. An absolute pain.
Click to expand...

Good to note :)

.. makes sense
 
wilkes said:
Thanks guys!

A bit of research has brought me to a machine that appears to be perfect.

The Garrett Inifnium LS!

It fits the price point perfectly at roughly $1000. All reviews are positive. Some reviews say this is beats most beach detectors straight up and can be used in much deeper water. (While that wasn't originally a consideration, I have been looking into diving and this could turn out to be a huge plus.) It also has amazing reviews as being a great replacement for a GPX type gold locating machine too. It's also Pulse Induction.

This little guy has ticked all my boxes and more for the right price. Might have me a winner

Hey mate! Will get this reported, cheers!

Wilkes
Click to expand...

I was considering getting a Garrett Infinium LS very recently, but after speaking with one the guys from Garrett decided to go with the AT-GOLD. The main reasons is the learning curve with the LS and slather of useful features built into the AT-GOLD, plus it's lighter. The only thing with the AT-GOLD is it's not suited for salt water use but for me thats no big deal.

My detector should arrive next week, I can't wait to test it out :)
 
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