Choosing a Metal Detector
If you are looking to buy your first metal detector, it can be challenging to decide which of the many metal detectors to purchase. The following suggestions are based on experience working with many but not all metal detectors. As a result, some good models of metal detectors may be left out.
Beginner Metal Detectors:
If I were to choose a beginner level coin and jewelry metal detector or recommend a metal detector to someone interested in learning about metal detecting, I would suggest the Garret Ace 250 due to its ease of use, limited drain on batteries (AA instead of 9volts), quality build, as well as their overall performance for an entry level machine. I would opt for the 250 over the 150 because for a small difference in price, you get a significant increase in features and performance.
Intermediate Metal Detectors:
Honestly, if someone decided that they really liked metal detecting and wanted to get a better metal detector, I would recommend that they skip the mid-level metal detectors and choose a high-end metal detector that they can grow into. If money is an issue, then still look for a high end metal detector and buy one used. My personal favorite is the Minelab Explorer Series for all around coin and jewelry hunting. I know that there are die hard metal detectorists using other manufacturers' models but I have found the explorers to work exceptionally well in mineralization. In good soil there are other models that will go as deep as the Explorer, but in high mineralization areas the explorer is king.
For example, on a field test on the shores of the Great Salt Lake (a lake that has more salt content than the ocean), my explorer was not that noisy and actually got more depth than I would have expected. I was finding targets 8 to 10 inches deep and did not have to turn down the sensitivity too much. In contrast, some other leading brands' top detectors could not handle the mineralization and were very limited in depth. I will admit that the explorer takes some getting used to, but it is a great machine. For those that don't like two sets of number readings, you might choose the Minelab Safari. It seems to have depth and sensitivity comparable the Explorers, just not as many options to customize.
Advanced Metal Detectors:
The Explorer or Safari of course. I have not tried the Etrac, but I am not yet convinced that the few extra features justify the extra price.
Water Hunting Metal Detectors:
The Minelab Excalibur and Whites PI are both great machines and are frequently seen out on the beach. White's Beach Hunter also gets good reviews for freshwater lakes but according to some veteran's suffers on some of California's salty and heavily mineralized beaches. In trashy areas, some detectorists choose a VLF such as the Minelab Excalibur or White's Beach Hunter because of their ability to discriminate out the trash. Whereas, White's PI would be a good choice and for general surf detecting where there isn't a ton of trash.
Beach Hunting Metal Detectors:
If you won't venture into the water, I recommend the Minelab Sovereign or Explorer. I personally am not a fan of the tones on the Sovereign. The reason for this is not that the Sovereign is bad, its just that I am used to the Explorer, which is different. An advantage of the Sovereign is the ability to chest mount the controls as well as the ability to have a longer cable. This means that you can venture into a shallow water. Just remember that neither the Sovereign nor the Explorer are fully submersible. Don't get the housing wet. Both will do an excellent job with the salty beaches.
Nugget Hunting Metal Detectors:
The White's Goldmaster 4b or GMT are excellent vlf machines. They are easy to use and can really pick up the small gold. The Eureka is a good machine but you can usually find a used Goldmaster for much less than the Eureka. For example, I picked up a used but in like new condition Goldmaster 4b a few years ago for $250 off the internet. At that price it is a great entry machine for a beginner and a trusty machine for an advanced user.
If I lived closer to the gold fields, I would choose a Minelab sd 2100 or 2200 metal detector. They are powerful machines and you can sometimes find them used for under $1000 online. Unless I was retired and could go prospecting every day, I wouldn't pay the extra thousands of dollars for the latest Minelab gold detectors. Especially, when the sd 2100 or 2200 can find most of the gold that the more expensive models find. Yeah, you will miss some gold, but you won't have to front as much money either.
Ideally, I would want both the Goldmaster and a Minelab pi gold detector because they each have their place in prospecting. Hopefully, these thoughts will help you in choosing a metal detector that will work for your situation. Every one has different goals, places to detect, and finances so don't just go with what someone else says. In fact, there may be reasons to not follow my suggestions. One last tip, sometimes less is more. By that I mean that having all the accessories available may not be as helpful as spending more time learning one machine with one or two coils. Happy Hunting!