New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

Have you also looked at the Minelab Go Find Detectors? I llooked very closely at the F2 and F4 but settled on a euroace as a first detector because of the cheaper batteries. The GoFind range came out a bit after that.
I like the Euro Ace and it paid itself off in coins in no time at all.
I have seen a gold bug in action and it was very impressive on grass for coins and silver.
One thing to remember is the Ace detectors suck at the beach on wet saltwater sand you have to dial the sensitivity down to a few bars but in the dry sand they are awesome . Can't comment on the other detectors on wet saltwater sand as I haven't seen them in action at the beach.
Leave some money in the budget for a pinpointer. ....

Thanks for the replys. I only really wanna spend up to 500 and get the best bang for my buck (no pun intended) that's why I was thinking if I got a good condition second hand one I could get something that covered the beach as well thanks for the tips. Anyone got a good deal going for a beginner?

Edited by user Thursday, 27 August 2015 9:52:24 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Personally I would go with a Fisher F2 - Absolutely the best pick for someone starting out -

Nice big VDI which breaks down targets via the TDI - Its certainly deep enough, sensitive, well constructed and comes with a 5 year warranty - Unlike the Go Find units you can change out the coils of which there is a good selection to choose from - There is also a NZ agent who will make sure you are looked after -

I started with an F2 and sold it after a few months thinking I needed to upgrade - I didn't really as I did not know how good the F2 actually was until I started testing and reviewing other units -

If there was a Teknetics agent here in NZ then I would recommend the Eurotek Pro otherwise if you can pay a little more check out the Fisher F44 as its coil compatible with so many other detectors currently on the market & finally to strengthen the argument for the F2 -

The language - once you learn the F series language it can be easily transferred over to Teknetics machines as well as the Turkish Makro/Nokta units so not only are you getting a great introductory detector with the F2 but you are learning an important language which is easily recognized amongst many popular machines.

Good luck with whatever you decide

Sorry I sincerely apologize to creamer and will rephrase that
"my euroace detector sucks at manukau harbour beaches on wet saltwater sand with high ironsand content"
I was mislead by YouTube videos of people using aces on beaches in the USA as I did not realize that they were showing detecting at fresh water lakes beaches so when I first got my euroace I was initially disappointed with the falsing at the beach.
I now know that if I drop the sensitivity to a few bars and then ground balance by turning it off and back on while on the wet saltwater sand I can achieve good results but with a significant loss of depth compared to the performance on dry sand or grassed areas.
Interestingly central auckland volcanic soil when completly saturated by weeks of rain sometimes causes similar problems for the ace but that's only if its been pouring down for days on end .
Edit whatever machine you choose if its a well rreviewed model you will find enough coins to pay it off reasonably soon and you will be addicted.

Edited by user Thursday, 27 August 2015 7:23:04 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

fisher also has their new line of detectors that are basicly up graded versions of the F2 and F4 etc they are the F22 and F44 and well worth a look at!

Hi Jonny don't wast your money on a cheap pointer ( I tried a cheapy one before I got the Pro Pointer and it was useless at best)
Spend a little more on a good one and you won't regret it. By the sounds of it the X pointer is pretty good and well priced although I haven't tried one myself. I'm more than happy with the GPP and Minelab make one as well.
If you can get out for quick wee hunt with one of the locals up there I am sure they will steer you in the right direction. One thing to watch in the peak of summer is the dry ground conditions.....you may leave a plug looking mint only to return a week later and find a dead patch of grass.
Good luck out there with the new Minelab
Iggy

did they not have any decent retrieval tools & pointers where you got your detector from?

my recommendations are a Lesche - from local dealer

X-Pointer - from where ever

military web belt to carry the gear and youtube - trapdoor or flap plugs when cutting a plug in conjunction with soil conditions - Good luck with the Go Find 60 as it would be great to get some real life feedback on those detectors by kiwi's

OK - even though you don't yet posses the knowledge, your posts are as valuable as the next persons - I myself enjoy reading posts by those just starting out - They tend to be unbiased and honest as well as reliving what it was like for me starting out -

I hope you really do end up enjoying this rewarding hobby and good luck with your hunts oh & please keep posting