Metal Detecting- What Detector do you use?

I do a little metal detecting. I like to keep it a hobbie. I just go when I get bored and have time on my hands. I dont like to think of it as I got to get out and go as the equipment can be expensive. I recently got me a ctx3030 definitely a great machine. I was lucky and traded up to it from buying cheaper machines on craigslist for pennies on the dollars people who didnt know what they had. I then sold or traded them till I was able to trade for a ctx.

 

I have an older White's Surfmaster when we did some water searching in lakes and surf years ago. We have other Whites and a Garrett in the family. The Surfmaster still manages to find targets.

 

I've got a couple, one was a RadioShack cheapo and the other was a garage sale buy. Was really handy when I lost my cutters in two foot of attic insulation back when I rewired the house.

 

Here is a pic of my detector.

 

Ive always been interested in getting a metal detector. What would you recommend for a decent cheap to mid grade detector for the casual weekend hunter?

 

Alot of people like the Garrett ATPro. It has a beginners mode then a Pro mode when you get advanced. It also is water proof down to 10 feet if you want to hunt in water like some do but I dont do that.

Here is a video on it:

 

I used to love it, but have kind of strayed, I used a fisher cz-5 & a fisher F-75.

 

I have a bare bones Bounty Hunter from a few years ago. Pretty basic, but has helped me find a set of keys or two in the yard . I do plan on using it on the parents farm a little this spring.

 

I got a Garrett AT-Pro, as pictured above

It can go under water, good for beach and stream hunting, or in the rain.

 

I've got an old White. I was finding lots of foil gum wrappers and rail road spikes!! I was just starting to figure out how to tune it when I loaned it to a boy scout troop and they lost the owners manual. I guess i could find a new manual online,,I might have to look into that. The father in law had paid several hundred dollars for it in the late 90's.

 

I have a Relco I built in the early 1970's, used an AM transistor radio. Still have it in a box, but haven't used it in almost 40 years.

 

I had a Jetco when I was a kid. Anyone remember that brand? Was good on Junk.

 

Just moseying through the hobbies forum, late to the party (as usual) but I have a Garrett AT Pro. It has performed great for me and I would recommend it to anyone.

 

yes nice machine , good for beginners then switch to pro mode for the advanced user.

 

Its cool when a very practical use pops up for it. I have hunted a few back yards and such, found 2 silver rings from the 1920's and a ton of wheat pennies. Found the remains of an old pocket watch once, and a very old wheel bearing.

 

These guys use the kind of detector I have and make the best videos out there: