This guide is to help educate the beginning detectorist on how and where to purchase a good and correct machine at a great price.

Believe it or not, I have been detecting for over 40 years. As a family we were very involved in the hobby starting in the Mid 1960's. We have home movies of myself detecting at the beach with my Dad when I was only Five year old.

Needles to say, I have seen the progression of all the detectors from the early years to now. The early BFO and TR machines were very difficult to use in comparison to the machines of today.

My greatest suggestion on purchasing you first machine is to stay with the top manufactures which are: Whites, Tesoro, Garrett, Fisher and Minelab. This list may not be complete but if you purchase one of these brands, you will not be disappointed.

For you first machine, I suggest you (stay with the above brands) and purchase the lowest price detector but with the Pinpoint feature. Unless you will be hunting the Beach only, you need the Pinpoint feature.

Pinpointing and extracting the target is by far the most frustrating part of detecting (especially for the beginner).

Most of the latest detectors pinpoint option are actually narrowing. Which mean, you have a target, push the pinpoint button and move the loop to the loudest point, you then let up the button and push it again and it narrows even further.

Except for Minelab, you can purchase a new detector as described well under $200.00. You can even purchase a used one as hunters move to a higher model.

If there is a Detector shop close to you. By all means, go and talk to them and ask them what they think. This  is a really fun hobby and full of people that love to talk.

If you follow the above info you will be very pleased and make lots of great finds.

If you are looking for further info. I do have a couple of Detecting E-books up on ebay.

I hope this info Helps.

Mr.CustomerService