Being a Garrett dealer of course I will tell you the AT Gold is the perfect unit for your price range

http://www.ebay.com/itm/G...ash=item419868314e:gpsAAOSwEeFVCijs

but it really is a good detector and very user friendly

I don't think that will be the UPS girl that will deliver your detector.
lol

LOL Hubby wouldn't mind her delivering it!! I'd get my detector and he'd get some eye candy!

Posted By <a href='http://www.goldprospectors.org/Profile/userid/2865276' class='af-profile-link'>JIM SHANNON</a> on 06 Feb 2016 10:48 AM
Being a Garrett dealer of course I will tell you the AT Gold is the perfect unit for your price range

http://www.ebay.com/itm/G...m419868314e:g<img src='http://www.goldprospectors.org/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_gpaa//emoticons/tongue.gif' align="absmiddle" border="0" class="afEmoticon" />psAAOSwEeFVCijs

but it really is a good detector and very user friendly

At least you're honest about it! Leaning towards the AT Gold, just seeing if there is anything else comparable but maybe a little cheaper!

When we bought ours, we were looking at the Tesoro Lobo and the White MXT.  Ended up with the Mxt because of the three function setup and that the plant was 12 miles away.  Supposedly doesn't give up too much on gold for the other functions, but not much nugget shooting in my area.   Fisher Gold Bug and GBII are probably worth a look as well along with Whites GMT and the new MXT Sport (waterproof version).

Something to consider with the Garrett AT Gold is that it is water proof. Garrett makes good solid detectors.

Mike, here is the advice I gave distilled from some wise old Masters in metal detecting. 1) if at all possible visit a reputable dealer that will let you handle them and ask you the right questions like where are you going to use it. Detecting for relics in fields in the southeast is a lot different than nugget hunting there which is a whole world different from nugget hunting the southwest. Second buy the best model for what are going to use it for your budget will allow. Make sure the dealer is willing to spend time with you to learn to tune it and get used to how it sounds. THe key to detecting is hearing the target. I am told gold has a different tone than iron, I have not had that experience yet. So telling you to buy a ATGold or an MXT without knowing where and for what you are going to use it for does not help you. You want to use it a lot after investing in it. Not just once.

Tim's advise is spot on, and he put it better than I could. 

I just tossed out some other models that are in about the same price  range and capabilites.  Ultimately it is up to you to decide what fits best in your area and use planned for it. 

We chose ours for the other abilities with gold as a side benefit because of our area, and our abilities, and never going to get to areas where you have a good chance to nugget shoot.

Thanks for the information guys. Yeah, we are in Colorado and plan to use the detector here, Arizona and California. The closest dealer in down in Golden Colorado. Guess it's a learning thing for sure. Being the wife, I need one a little on the lighter side also lol

I would say for that price range the Garrett AT Gold or Fisher Gold Bug II. I have the AT Gold and used a friends GB II and they both worked well in AZ.

Here is just my "two cents" thrown in.....
I (we) just purchased a new Makro Gold Racer for the wife. She is very happy with it. They are priced at or below your price-point. It is light weight and it does find gold. Our fist outing with it was to Quartzsite, AZ last week.
I had originally planned to buy a Fisher GB II for myself but when my lady mentioned she would like a detector also, I decided to get her's first. The Gold Racer has pretty simple ground balance procedure, etc...

Maybe worth a look???
I believe they are made by the same outfit as Nokta Fors Gold (?)

p.s. I am still on hold for mine but when the time comes, may decide to go with the Makro also. Time will tell.

Best of luck and happy huntin'

Jim

I have a Gold Bug Pro.  While I have yet to find any gold, I know it works very well.  I've found the tiniest scraps of copper bullet jackets, and bullet fragments.  I just have yet to find the elusive gold!

I was wondering what kind of depth you get with your GB pro? I also have one, but most stuff I find like bullets or pieces seems to be mostly in the first inch. Have not found any gold with it, but thinking that there wont be gold in most surface areas unless it fell outta some ones pocket. Just wondering how large the gold would need to be in order to detect 8 inches down with a GB.?

I have both the Garrett AT Gold and the Fisher Gold Bug. Both come with small coils. I am not the voice of experience for sure. The larger the coil the deeper the target can be found. The Gold Bug comes with a very small coil and the Garrett comes with one somewhat larger. I definitely would like to have larger coils on these for the deeper targets.

Do you have the round coil? I took mine off and replaced it with the elliptical coil and it is a bit larger than the stock round coil on the GB

Mike,

Lets slow it down just a bit. There are a few questions that need to be asked and answered before you go out and make an investment in any detector.

• Is this your first detector?
• Where will most of your detecting be done (area state desert so on)
• How is your hearing
• How long have you been prospecting
• Finally what are your expectations from a metal detector.

I know it sounds like a laundry list but each question offers me a bit of insight into how you are going to end up detecting and how to recommend a couple of detectors that meet your needs and wants.

You mentioned using a nugget to get used to the sound, Please do not do that. Gold in the hand is different than gold that has been in the ground for millions of years. Halo's, ground minerals and dozens of other "things" will have you walking over good targets if you are just listening for that one sound.You do not need VDI's VCO's and every thing under the sink. To find gold you have to have a detector that will ground balance and punch through highly mineralized ground, has a fine tuning of the sensitivity,  a solid threshold circuity and a headphone jack. after that it is up to you to swing it over gold.

Here to help you in any way I can. 

Regards,

Kevin

 

 

Any input on metal detectors would be great. I am looking at buying one this year (this is the wife) I've been looking at the Garrett AT Gold, any opinions on it? Any others I should be looking at in the same price range? We are looking at spending about $700-$800 on one. I want one that will find gold! I know they won't find the fine stuff, but we have nuggets to use with it to learn what the sound on the detector is for gold. Thanks for any help.

Posted By <a href='http://www.goldprospectors.org/Profile/userid/2861981' class='af-profile-link'>KEVIN HOAGLAND</a> on 16 Mar 2016 05:35 PM

<p>
</p>
<p>Mike, </p>
<p>Lets slow it down just a bit. There are a few questions that need to be asked and answered before you go out and make an investment in any detector. </p>
<ul>
<li>Is this your first detector? </li>
<li>Where will most of your detecting be done (area state desert so on) </li>
<li>How is your hearing</li>
<li>How long have you been prospecting </li>
<li>Finally what are your expectations from a metal detector. </li>
</ul>
<p>I know it sounds like a laundry list but each question offers me a bit of insight into how you are going to end up detecting and how to recommend a couple of detectors that meet your needs and wants. </p>
<p>You mentioned using a nugget to get used to the sound, Please do not do that. Gold in the hand is different than gold that has been in the ground for millions of years. Halo's, ground minerals and dozens of other "things" will have you walking over good targets if you are just listening for that one sound.You do not need VDI's VCO's and every thing under the sink. To find gold you have to have a detector that will ground balance and punch through highly mineralized ground, has a fine tuning of the sensitivity,  a solid threshold circuity and a headphone jack. after that it is up to you to swing it over gold. </p>
<p>Here to help you in any way I can. </p>
<p>Regards, </p>
<p>Kevin </p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Any input on metal detectors would be great. I am looking at buying one this year (this is the wife) I've been looking at the Garrett AT Gold, any opinions on it? Any others I should be looking at in the same price range? We are looking at spending about $700-$800 on one. I want one that will find gold! I know they won't find the fine stuff, but we have nuggets to use with it to learn what the sound on the detector is for gold. Thanks for any help.

Thanks for the help Kevin.
This is Betty, the wife, I'm the one who is getting the medal detector.

Is this your first detector? Yes it is

Where will most of your detecting be done (area state desert so on)

How is your hearing : My hearing is good, planned on using earphones as needed

How long have you been prospecting : We have been prospecting for years, sluice and pans

Finally what are your expectations from a metal detector. I know they won't find fine gold, mainly looking for nuggets (I know that's luck also!) (or Jewelry like in parks during down time)

We live in Northern Colorado and plan on using it around Boulders on dry land and in water. Also plan on making trips to Calif and Arizona and using it on dry land and in creeks/rivers. So I want one that is water proof, but I won't be diving with it lol

If I could get something for less then $500 , we'd be happy! I was looking at the Garrett AT gold, it runs about $700
Thanks, Betty

Look on Craig's list for used detector around $500.00 and I would try to find a Gold Bug or a Whites Gold master.
I would stay away from the AT gold tried it and don't like it.

Betty,
The AT Gold set up properly is a great detector with just a few limitations in highly mineralized ground. As your first detector it is a good choice but I would also like for you to look at the Gold Bug Pro and the Minelab Xterra 705. The 705 new is a little out of the pricing you were mentioning but it is a detector to grow into over growing out of.
Since you do know about gold it does make a difference in the sense that I feel like you will go to areas that you know are the right areas over swinging for dollars in unproductive spots.
Headphones are a must at all times.
Another Detector I will toss into the mix is the Minelab Eureka Gold. You might be able to find a good used one in the $600-$700 range.
I'm at Stanton in the middle of an outing give me a few days and I will expand on my thoughts and questions in more detail.