1st detector

[Davent]

Gday, looking to buy my 1st detector, looking at the fisher 44, garrett ace 250 and considering the gold bug 11.
Gold bug 11 is at the very top of my budget.
Will be working the pine creek area, over old mines, and maybe try some newish areas, all pretty hot ground.
Any advice appreciated. Think the gold bug too hard to tune for a begginer?
Ok , just read about the minelab xterra gold pack.....is it worth going for that over say the fisher 44

 

[pprogers]

As a bit of a newbie with an Ace 250, I can say that it is a great value entry level machine...except if you are after gold. It pings hard on gold coins (and gold foil ), but I can't see it picking up any realistic sized nuggets.

 

[ozziii]

Only new to detecting myself.
If you want to chase gold, specially on hot ground then you are better of with a Pulse Induction detector, they will do much better than a VLF on highly mineralized ground as thats what they are made for. I looked at a few different VLF detectors but ended up going with the Whites SPP as its a decent detector, cheap for a P.I machine & its light & pretty easy to learn how to use.
Comes with a 12" coil but from what I'm told & have read its not the best for small gold so a Minor Johns or Razorback coil is a good upgrade.
One VLF that I understand is reasonably good & will handle a little bit of mineralized ground is the Whites MXT, never used or seen one used though.

 

[Davent]

Thanks guys, put a bid on a MXT, e bay.
Wait and see now.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Thanks guys, put a bid on a MXT, e bay.
Wait and see now.

Well the are a great all rounder, I might change my other machines but the MXT is A Keeper it will handle 90 to 95% of places in OZ but some of the real wild ground will give it a hard time but it will still work just the same, They are hot on small gold down to about 0.03 grams with the standard coil and the small 5.3 (6 inch) coil or the shooter 4x6 coil will see smaller bits and it is great for finding the black sand if your setting up a dry washer, and there are over 25 Coils made for it, So you can use it for just about anything,

Good luck with your bidding,,

john