New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

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buying a metal detector

zimbo		Posted : Sunday, 17 April 2011 11:21:55 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 22/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 72 Thanks: 5 times Was thanked: 29 time(s) in 18 post(s)		hi guy i was just wondering if any one owns one of those cheap Chinese detectors found on trademe, are there any good or a waste of money? Does any one have any advice on a good detector under $1000 cheers eddie

kiwijw		Posted : Sunday, 17 April 2011 2:52:31 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 28/03/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,152 Thanks: 92 times Was thanked: 658 time(s) in 324 post(s)		G'day Eddie, Depends what it is you are wanting to detect for, gold, coins, relics ?? JW :)

zimbo		Posted : Sunday, 17 April 2011 4:33:36 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 22/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 72 Thanks: 5 times Was thanked: 29 time(s) in 18 post(s)		hi john gold mostly, i have got my eye on the minelab x-terra 705 but there cost around $1800 will need to save up for that.these look tempting http://www.trademe.co.nz...r/auction-368019597.htm. but $300 seems too cheap. the guy selling them seems to have sold quiet a few

kiwijw		Posted : Sunday, 17 April 2011 5:27:07 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 28/03/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,152 Thanks: 92 times Was thanked: 658 time(s) in 324 post(s)		G'day Eddie, The X Terra 705 is a good all round detector for both gold & coins. I would give that one on trademe a miss if you are serious about finding gold with a detector. Gold detectors are usually a specialty machine just for gold. The Minelab Pulse induction machines being the best but also the most costly. There are a few FLF (very low frequency) detectors that are reasonable at both gold & coins. One being the X Terra. The other being the Whites MXT. Whites gold detector is the GMT & they also make a Pulse induction detector called the TDI Pro. Fisher make the Gold bug & a few other veriations for gold detecting. There F 75 is also a good all round detector. Do a bit of a google search to swat up on them. The VLF detectors & Whited Pulse Induction machine are all cheaper than the minelabs. I would give the cheap Chinese ones a big miss. If you want to find some gold you may have to spend a bit more than $1000

zimbo		Posted : Monday, 18 April 2011 1:01:55 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 22/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 72 Thanks: 5 times Was thanked: 29 time(s) in 18 post(s)		thanks for the info john i think i will have to save up for the xterra cheers eddie

kiwijw		Posted : Monday, 18 April 2011 1:44:48 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 28/03/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,152 Thanks: 92 times Was thanked: 658 time(s) in 324 post(s)		Hi Eddie, Yes you wont be sorry you did. Sure any detector can find gold but the gold isnt there like it used to be so you need the latest & greatest to be in with a chance. There are a lot of people into it these days & every piece that comes out of the ground is one piece less for you to find. It isnt as easy as it sounds or looks either. It involves a huge learning curve both in using a detector & getting your head around just where to look for the gold. Plus of coarse having land owners permission to be on their land ....that is also if there isnt a claim on the area all ready. Other wise it is all good fun if you like a challenge. Regards John :)

Maverick		Posted : Tuesday, 7 June 2011 8:30:18 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 7/06/2011(UTC) Posts: 78 Location: ChCh Thanks: 2 times Was thanked: 9 time(s) in 9 post(s)		Cheapy chinese can be good or bad, i got one a few years ago. a complete flop, yet i have seen another guy use exactly the same machine pulling handfuls of coins out of the ground using it. I went back to basic, I now have a Garret treasure ace 100 and are soon to take possession of a treasure ace 300. I only do beach and parks (so far) so have got a good detector for under $500. A mate who has done some fossicking on the coast has bought a couple of specialised units, and he worked his way up from cheapy chinese, says it's worth paying more for the specialised units.