THE BEST METAL DETECTORS FOR 2008
What is the BEST metal detector?" This is the most common question I get. The answer is....
There is NO BEST metal detector.
Let Big Valley Metal Detectors help you to choose the best metal detector to meet your personal needs and budget. Since I get this question all the time I've decided to add a Best Detectors page which will help all who visit my site avoid mistakes in choices brought on by the voluminous amount of information and opinion on the internet. Yes, I have my opinions, but they are based on my experience as a detectorist and a multi-line dealer. Below are general purpose metal detectors.
Price Range: up to $160.00
Bounty Hunter Quick Silver: MSRP $159.95
Comments: Four tones of visual discrimination and audio discrimination with one ID bring a lot to the table in terms of performance. You can't go wrong at $159.95, since about five years ago if you tried to match these features you'd have to put down $450.00 (White's Classic ID). A slight lag time over the target center and lacking a pinpoint mode doesn't really diminish the value and performance of this metal detector. Check out the less expensive Tracker Series for less.
Bounty Hunter, Junior: MSRP $59.95
Comments: Weighing in at just over 1 lb it's designed for the 5 to 9 year olds and I was surprised at its sensitivity and depth. You could consider it a toy, but the quality is good and it offers a (limited range) discriminator, battery check and sensitivity control. It was able to just hit my test dime at 6”. It is an ideal detector for parents who want to get the right detector for their child. I can’t tell you how many adults return to the hobby and share fond memories of going out with Mom or Dad with their detector.
Price Range: $101.00 to $350.00
ALERT: Hottest Value and Package Right Now:
********Fisher F2: MSRP $249.95******
Comments: Just out for the latter part of 2007, the Fisher F2 has a lot going for it in terms of performance, selectivity and features. At this price point, the F2 currently dominates, AND for a limited time only during the Christmas season, Fisher is sending out all the F2s which are on back order with an extra lower rod and the 4” loop that tested HOT on small jewelry and 3 grain gold nuggets.
I’m in agreement with Ralph @ Sun Ray Products; the Fisher F2 represents the BEST value in a metal detector under $300.00.
Tesoro Compadre: MSRP $189.00
Comments: There is a good reason this is a popular seller at Big Valley. The Compadre’s 12 kHz circuit will see the smallest fine jewelry deeper than almost any other metal detector on the market. And... it has the quickest target response on the market today thanks to its two filter circuit and 5.75” loop size. You can even use it for electronic prospecting since it’s sensitive to gold nuggets from match head size on up. It boasts excellent audio characteristics. While most other metal detectors play the guessing game as to trash v. good targets, the Compadre, like the rest of the Tesoro line, has analog audio with lightning fast target sampling. A target response that exhibits a smooth, continuous tone is one worth going after. Choppy, sputter or harsh audio responses are almost always trash. I am so confident in the Compadre’s ability to sniff out elusive gold rings, it remains my #1 choice in a rental for lost valuables. One knob operation and the industry’s strongest warranty (lifetime) makes it a very strong detector presence in the under $200.00 range.
White’s Prizm II & III: MSRP $249.95 and $349.95
Comments: The Prizm line up, which includes the Prizm II through the Prizm V, enjoy the same horsepower. You’re paying for the features which are turned on or off in the chip, depending upon which model you purchase. Still, the Prizm II operates at 8.2 kHz and offers an improved target response over the low conductive nickels and jewelry compared to the older technology 6.59 kHz Classic serie,s which were replaced by the Prizm line-up in 2004. Prizm II is starting to get long in the tooth and lacks the features of others in this price range. The Prizm III adds on the fly coin depth. The Prizm IV is far more competitive but at 449.95 it's out of this range.
Garrett Ace 150 and 250: MSRP $179.95 and $249.95
Comments: Since 2004, the White’s Prizms were dominating the lower end of the professional market. Garrett Electronics came out with the Ace 250, which rivaled the White’s Prizm IV in terms of features and performance. The Ace 250 offers more sensitivity and better visual discrimination resolution than the $179.95 Ace 150. My only complaint is the size of the screen… a bit TOO small and hard on the eyes compared to the larger screens of the Prizm and Fisher series. It should be noted that the Ace 150 actually comes with a set of headphones… why not extend it to their more expensive 250?
How about it Garrett Electronics???
Price Range: $400.00 to $900.00
White's Prizm IV and V: MSRP $449.95 and $549.95
Comments: Enjoying the same lightweight feel and balance of the Prizm II and III but with added features such as Tone ID. The Prizm V adds 8 tones and sports the 950 loop for some added area coverage and about 10% more signal on deep coins. But you do lose some sensitivity on smaller targets, so I actually like the 8" loop design. The Prizms also enjoy compatibility with the Jimmy Sierra Bigfoot. You can purchase a Bigfoot Loop through Big Valley Metal Detectors.
Fisher F4: MSRP $499.95
Comments: Fisher, acquired last year by First Texas, who during the previous year hired one of the industry's BEST engineers, Dave Johnson, has hit yet another homerun with the Fisher F4. Excellent visual discriminator, easy to read and lightning fast target sampling. Seems to have the same horsepower as the F2 but with more bells and whistles to supplement an excellent circuit, including manual or auto position ground balance and an all metal mode with auto tune position for prospecting. Visual target ID scale adorns the top portion of the display with target pointer and large digital numbers. Comes with the F75 10" wide scan loop AND the 8" concentric for trashy areas. Big Valley considers the Fisher F4 a BEST BUY and BEST performer in its category.
Garrett 1350 GTAx: MSRP $699.95
Comments: Since 2004, the Garrett 1350 GTAx came on the scene, replacing the GTAx 1250 and adding a sizing feature callined target profiling, which placed the target into one of three size categories; A, B, C. The GTAx has a well balanced feel and is light enough for most folks. Digital tone, including Garrett's bell tone response. Full featured. Depth is above average, as well as Garrett's visual discrimination and electronic pinpointing. The rear battery compartment can pull off and hip mount, decreasing the weight on your arm.
Minelab X-Terra 30, 50, 70: MSRP $399.95 to $799.95
Comments: Since 2005. The X-Terra series have an extremely light feel and operate at a standard frequency of 7.5 kHz with an ultra quiet digital circuit. My first time out with the X-Terra 50 and first target at Montara Beach was a white gold earring at about 7", easily heard with the X-Terra's loud alert target response and wonderful tone ID. The digital number display is about as easy as the Fisher F4's to read, although the X-Terras are not quite as quick as the Tesoros or Fishers on target sampling, The X-Terra 50, like the flagship X-Terra 70, can change frequency by changing the loops. The X-Terra 50 can switch to 18+ kHz loop for superior audio response on small gold targets and nuggets. X-Terra 50 has manual ground balance control while the 30's ground balance point has been preset by the factory to handle most conditions. The X-Terra 70 offers sophisticated automatic ground tracking and additional programming AND a 10" loop that changes the frequency to 3 kHz for outstanding target response on high conductive silver targets.
Tesoro Vaquero: MSRP $525.00
Comments: Tesoro's Vaquero operates at just under 15 kHz with a 3 position frequency shifter to further avoid noisy cross talk from other detectorists or powerlines. These are Umax detectors, which makes them about the lightest in their performance class. The Vaquero has a manual 3 3/4 ground balance, which works the all metal and discrimination mode. The Vaquero's circuit is also found in the Cibola, which has its ground balance point set internally by Tesoro.
Tesoro's DeLeon, Tejon, and Cortes, & Tejon: MSRP $599.95 to $850.00
Comments: All three share Tesoro's lightning fast discriminator target sampling and lifetime warranty. The DeLeon and Cortes (top dog in Tesoro's line-up) have visual target ID, but the display is very small compared to other visual discriminators. The Cortes also has a feature similar to White's Signagraph system, but again, the visual lacks resolution, so dimes, quarters, halves, and dollars read as 'COINS'. Tesoro's real strong point as always been its analog audio response. Smooth targets that are coin size are always worth digging and broken and/or harsh sounding targets are worth avoiding.
The Tesoro Tejon is Tesoro's deepest detector, operating at a 17.5 kHz. This is a bit on the high side for silver hunting, but reports from the field say that the Tejon is bringing in a lot of silver normally masked by trash targets and unseen by the competition. The Tejon uses a twin level discriminator that can be set in a variety of ways. I set the higher level to barely pop on a zinc penny so I don't have to dig them. Last time out with the Tejon, my associate dealer, Greg @ Trans Bay Metal Detectors, scored a beautiful white gold wedding band in the bark and is one of my favorites. Because of its higher frequency, the Tejon is a bit more reactive over the small iron, but that can be a positive as far as seeing through the nails etc. The all metal modes on both the Vaquero and Tejon have a preset gain level, so the sensitivity is really a stability gain control in the discrimination mode.
White's M6 and MXT: MSRP $699.95 and $799.95
Comments: With its 14.7 kHz frequency, and sharing the same horsepower as MXT, the M6 adds seven tones of target ID in addition to the highest visual resolution you can find in a metal detector, 190 segments. The MXT, considered by many as the BEST HYBRID for serious electronic prospecting, relic hunting or coin and jewelry hunting, offers additional features like separate programs that change the visual display. The 3rd generation Dave Johnson engineered ground tracking system is considered by many to be the best on the market. My buddy Greg was given the assignment to test the prototype MXT with various prototype chips in cooperation with White's technical engineering staff. This culminated in a ground tracking system that set the standard from 2004 to date. White's MXT continues to be one of the most popular sellers at Big Valley Metal Detectors because of its ability to tackle virtually ever surf and turf situation. The only drawback is that it isn't is submersible, like some of the specialty detectors.
Minelab Sovereign GT: MSRP $850.00
Comments: In 1990, Minelab, an Australian based metal detecting company specializing in mine detecting technology, came out with the first multi-frequency detector, the Sovereign. Rather than a more traditional ground balance control, the Sovereign used BBS or broad band multi-frequencies to filter out the ground reactivity noise including hot rocks that could mimic targets. The Sovereign enjoyed improvements in the Sovereign XS, the XSII, XS2a and Sovereign Elite. In 2005, the Sovereign GT was introduced. It incorporated an all metal mode with auto tune assist to extend deeper into the ground when prospecting for gold nuggets. The Sovereign GT's active frequency is approx. 7 kHz and is designed like the top of the line Explorer to be capable of being swept ultra-slow without losing any of its maximum depth potential. A visual 3 digit numerical display is a $100.00 option and compliments the subtle target tone ID. Note: The submersible variant is the Excalibur 1000/II @ $1399.95.
White's XLT: MSRP $899.95
Comments: The XLT operates at White's traditional 6.59 kHz for very good response on silver conductive targets and good response on most gold jewelry but it is not up to the performance of the MXT on the lower conductors. The XLT shines in its Signagraph technology and smooth operation as it is a full filtered detector. On a dime at 8" the XLT can deliver a better target signal than the MXT or M6, but it requires a faster sweep speed to do so. The Signagraph technology will not only read out the target ID but it will deliver 1 bar up on round targets within 6" to surface. The XLT has been in the White's line-up for over 10 years and was preceded by the Eagle Spectrum and Eagle series (White's first digital detectors).No matter what you own, the XLT can complement your collection.
Price Range from about $1000.00
Fisher F75: MSRP $1199.95
Comments: The Fisher F75, like the F4 and F2, has outstanding features and performance. Operating at over 13 kHz, and with oodles of sensitivity, it can deliver on both high and low conductors (Silver and Gold). This detector is like a 327 Chevy engine with a hot cam and just street legal due to its high gain circuit. Its automatic back light system for night time hunting is the BEST I've experienced. Its depth is exceptional, but requires proper tuning to ensure stable hunting. Great light weight and well balanced feell in its category.
Minelab Quattro and Explorer SE: MSRP $995.00 and $1395.00
Comments: Both are known as Silver magnets. Both use FBS circuits or full band frequencies (28 actually), Minelab's unique way to filter out negative ground and magnetic interference. The active frequency may be about 3kHz and the other harmonics act in concert to sample and neutralize ground noise and power lines. When the noise is neutralized, your ability to hear the deeper targets is enhanced. The 3 kHz will double the signal on deep silver vs other frequencies. The output is digital, and although it the Explorer and Quattros make it easier to hear that deep silver without having to tweak, your lower conductors, gold and nickels and other jewelry, are usually ignored by most of the Explorer-Quattro users. Foil, shards of aluminum and crown caps sound a little to good, where competitor's circuits chop those targets up. The Explorer has a tad bit more gain over the Quattro and a smart find screen. I really like the Quattro's audio and visual pinpointing system. They are lacking in the SE, which uses a more conventional VCO pinpoint. Andy Sabisch has said that the Quattro seems to sniff out the good targets better amongst the trash. Now this was when the top of the line Explorer was the Explorer II, so my guess is that any advantage the Quattro enjoyed became a part of the Explorer SE, which is said to do better in trashy areas over the Explorer II. The Explorer Series began with the XS in 2000, then the II several years later and toward the end of 2005, the SE. All are great Silver shooters.
White's E Series DFX: MSRP $1099.95
Comments: When it comes to a do it all detector, the DFX is top dog. Not only is it a multi-frequency detector with 3 and 15 kHz, along with 18 other harmonic frequencies, but you can select to operate in 3 kHz for silver or 15 kHz for gold. Along with 55 basic and pro options you're in total control. The DFX, like the XLT, offers Signagraph technology but in addition to that you can adjust the sweep speeds, filters etc. The DFX comes standard with the 950 concentric loop, but my advice is to buy the optional 6x10" Eclipse wide scan, which significantly improves visual target ID in all ground conditions and gives improved target separation.
Garrett GTI 2500: MSRP $1099.95
Comments: Bells and whistles, good depth but long in the tooth and on the heavy side. Garrett GTI 2500 offers a wide screen and although not as sophisticated as the other big dog competition, it does offer sizing technology A through E. Most coins and jewelry fall out in the B, with man hole covers in the E size along with some caches, I guess. This detector actually can be programmed to talk to you using a female voice. A poster on one of the the forums, who is a single bachelor, actually put it on voice mode and slept with his GTI 2500... now that's love. Depth is above average for a single frequency detector at approximately 7 kHz and seems sensitive enough for gold rings. Ground tracks in the all metal mode. I suspect that the discrimination mode and ground balance point is automated in the chipand cannot be manually manipulated.
Questions?
Call Larry at (916) 225-9150
"Site to Site, Season to Season"
Big Valley never sleeps while its customers are awake!
Located in Citrus Heights, California, we are an easy drive from Sacramento, Fair Oaks, Roseville, Rocklin, Orangevale, Folsom, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Loomis, Placerville, Woodland, Davis, Granite Bay, Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Auburn, Marysville, Dixon, Yuba City, Lodi, Stockton, Galt and many more places. Call for directions!
Last updated March 9, 2008