Starter: ACE 400i or XTerra 705

[Old Fred]

I would suggest that ace will be easier for a beginner. I found the 705 a challenge initially, but it could well be the only detector, that you will ever need.

I found the same at the start but we get along ok now

 

[Issa]

Hi Nugget,

Thanks for the post. The 400i certainly seems to be a very good machine. Especially encouraging that it comes recommended from experienced prospectors. How does the 400i compare to the GPX450 that you owned?

I hope to do quite a lot of beach work as its very close to where I live. But I also will be looking for coins and artefacts around some house sites dating back to 1800's and beyond. Whilst it may take quite a while for me to get up to spec, there will be plenty of time to do so. Hopefully, I will learn to get the best out of the machine! Like Old Fred!

Thanks guys,

Issa

 

[flyrodder]

Hi guys, Once again, thanks very much for the super feedback. I am very reassured that I am on the right track, both with the 705 and 400i. Although, the 705 seems to have the edge at present, especially with its ground balance capability. The beach capabilities are especially attractive. I will check out the Utube clips on it. Have you any comments on the 9 concentric coil which seems to be the standard coil that comes with the detector, which runs at 7.5kHz and is waterproof. The more specialist 18.75kHz Double-D elliptical coil seems to be the choice for gold prospecting, which would not be my application.

Matchimus's comments on the accessories being expensive is a worry! I believe I will not need to upgrade the coil from the standard 9" concentric (still learning about kHz, concentric Vs elliptical coils etc) as they seem to be quite expensive.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Issa

sorry to join in so late but i am a 705 user last 12months and not sorry i bought it it has payed for itself in less than 12 months in parks n on beaches But one thing i did buy was a 18.75khz 10.5 dd coil and havnt looked back it leaves the other coils for dead in finding treasure and it found me a gold nugget searching outside an oval in adelaide hills when i wasnt even looking for gold but also ended up with $16 in coins and oh yes bottle caps n ring pulls now my other coils just collect dust.My main hunt is treasure

 

[PhaseTech]

I much prefer the sound of the 705 compared to any of the ACE series, but then many say I'm a one-eye'd Minelab man

 

[Nuggetbuster]

I much prefer the sound of the 705 compared to any of the ACE series, but then many say I'm a one-eye'd Minelab man

The tones on the Garrett Ace machines are enough to keep me away, no matter how good they might be.

 

[Kai]

I'm fairly new to metal detecting, I picked up a xterra 705 gold pack and am very happy with its performance, I use it alot, because I travel for work, always some place to checkout.
Not so great in the wet sand at the beach, but I'm waiting on a delivery of a minelab sovereign to take care of beach work.