Reasonably priced metal detector recommendations

[Boiler74]

Hi all. I was hoping the wisdom of the board would help me out. I would like to buy a metal detector, but of course don't want to spend a bundle. All I want to use it for is finding the buried rebar posts that were set to define land boundaries and corners around my property. I'm not going to be sweeping beaches for lost treasure or anything. So I was hoping some of you would have experience with these things, as I have none. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Josh

 

[pappy19]

This outfit has the best prices for any metal detector made and they can assist you in buying the right one for you. I have purchased 2 from them in the past. Good folks.

Metal Detector Super Store - Kellyco Metal Detectors

 

[moeh1]

You don't need much of one for the task at hand. I have a very expensive underwater unit that the kids wanted to try. I ended up picking up a couple garage sale units for them and they work pretty well for being so inexpensive. One was an old radio shack unit and they had a blast looking for old farm parts. We still use it occasionally looking for lost parts in highgrass and weeds.
A smaller coil size is able to look "deeper" and is easier to push thru weeds, but its tougher to cover a lot of ground with it. If you know roughly where the rebar would be, might be worth this avenue.
You may find it to be a fun hobby!

 

[coobie]

My lovely wife wanted a metal dectector for her birthday I ended buying a Tesoro brand,life time warranty to boot.coobie

 

[Redbug]

Pappy's advise is right on. I also have purchased through Kellyco. I have detected off and on over the years, (beaches, farmsteads, etc). My latest one is a Garrett.

 

[MrJimi]

I also have an expensive underwater unit made by Fisher.
Go to your local rental store and rent on and consider that you are looking for a nickel item, standing straight up is all it will show
Turn all the knobs up and have fun and consult with your survey papers

 

[Foozle]

Garrett is also a reputable company. I'm looking to get a handheld portable detector for finding metal in trees before chainsawing them and found this for $140. I haven't used, but once I get some feedback from others who have I might get.

Metal Detector Review - Garrett Handheld Metal Detector

 

[Redbug]

Hi Foozle,

I went to the website you listed as well as Garrett's website about the Super Scanner. I would be tempted to get it for that price. The advertising looks good on the Review website. Looking at Garrett's website, however, it really does not say much about the sensitivity, etc. other than a small piece of jewelry. Mainly used for the LEO community.

Before I would order one though, I would either call or email Garrett directly and ask them about your application for their detector. Will it be sensitive enough to alert on a small piece of fence wire buried in 3 inches, (or deeper), of tree trunk. What are it's limits?

One good thing about trees and metal...the longer the metal is in the tree, the more the metal will have leached into the wood. Which would make it a better target for a detector. Soil is the same way... a small piece of new metal in wood would be harder to find if the detector is not very sensitive.

If you contact Garrett, I am interested to know what they say...

 

[Boiler74]

Thanks everyone, and sorry for the delay in responding to the good advice. Country dial-up usually has me waiting until I get to a faster connection to do much. I'll look into your recommendations, and try to make a decision.

Josh

 

[Foozle]

Hi Foozle,

I went to the website you listed as well as Garrett's website about the Super Scanner. I would be tempted to get it for that price. The advertising looks good on the Review website. Looking at Garrett's website, however, it really does not say much about the sensitivity, etc. other than a small piece of jewelry. Mainly used for the LEO community.

Before I would order one though, I would either call or email Garrett directly and ask them about your application for their detector. Will it be sensitive enough to alert on a small piece of fence wire buried in 3 inches, (or deeper), of tree trunk. What are it's limits?

One good thing about trees and metal...the longer the metal is in the tree, the more the metal will have leached into the wood. Which would make it a better target for a detector. Soil is the same way... a small piece of new metal in wood would be harder to find if the detector is not very sensitive.

If you contact Garrett, I am interested to know what they say...

I spoke with Garrett directly and they confirmed that their hand held Super Scanner is being used widely by loggers. She said that it can detect a nail as small as a pin to a depth of about 4" within the wood. So, I'm assuming a larger nail or fencing would be detectable even deeper than 4", but would like to test that out before saying reliably. She also said to be aware that there is an older and newer version of the same scanner and that the newer version is more sensitive than the older version. The only way to tell them apart is by serial number, so you'd have to get the serial number and call Garrett directly and ask to make sure. I'm assuming some of the lower priced models I'm seeing on the internet are probably the older version, explaining the difference in price (I've seen prices from $100 to $200).

 

[Redbug]

Thanks for replying Foozle! That's very interesting. I believe the newer one is the one to get. Even if it's a few dollars more. So...if you order one you would ask for a serial number before they ship and call Garrett. Or have Garrett give the beginning serial number of the new enhanced units.

If you do get one, let us know your results.

Thanks!

 

[Foozle]

Thanks for replying Foozle! That's very interesting. I believe the newer one is the one to get. Even if it's a few dollars more. So...if you order one you would ask for a serial number before they ship and call Garrett. Or have Garrett give the beginning serial number of the new enhanced units.

If you do get one, let us know your results.

Thanks!

I found a new version Garrett for $135 plus shipping so am going with that. I confirmed the serial number with the Garrett people. Basically, they started making the new version in 2007, so anything starting with a "37" or "38" indicates it was made in 2007 or 2008. The older model serial numbers start with "97" or "98" for example, meaning they were made in 1997 or 1998. There isn't a perfect scheme for the numbers, so if you are buying a used one you are best off calling Garrett and confirming.

Once I get I will do some testing and report my results.

Dave

 

[Redbug]

That's great Foozle! Lucky you called Garrett and got the scoop before ordering. Let us know how well it works. You may even use it to moonlight checking people for weapons at the movies with that thing. Spread 'em and book 'em Danno!

 

[Foozle]

I received the Garrett super scanner and did some testing. Was somewhat disappointed by the range. The sensitivity seems good at close range, but couldn't detect anything beyond 3 inches away, unless it was extremely large. I plan to call Garrett to ask if this is the norm, and if so, will likely try to return in. I suppose you could scan the first 3 inches, cut into the tree and then scan again after taking out a wedge, but seems pretty inefficient.

 

[Redbug]

I'm sorry about that Foozle. A regular detector, (which costs more, too), will do much better. I can turn mine into the VLF mode, turn up the sensitivity and it will detect things a foot or more down. Some things...like large objects several feet down. That's good and bad...deeper means more digging. Maybe you should look at the regular type of detectors...

 

[tony123]

I used the $50 walmart variety (a toy basically). It found my rebar pins.