Metal detectors enquiry.

[Creepy]

I am hoping to purchase a Metal Detector for general purpose beach combing etc. I am bewildered at the choice anybody got some advice as I can't afford much. Also any horror stories ? Whats the second hand market like ?

[SaxyJag]

Don't expect to make friends with any archaeologists, will you. They don't like metal detectorists, on beaches or anywhere else for that matter, the problem being that mds rarely bother to record where they find stuff. If they do, they don't record it properly - what around it, state of soil etc etc., so beyond being a nice trophy, it can't tell us very much about itself at all.

Whatever you end up getting, please take some advice from your local archaeology group before you go out and use it.

[heathfield]

Best advice on buying would probably be from members of a local detector club. Ask to go along to one of their meetings - they'll be very happy to demonstrate their machines! (Also ask about insurance, and contacting land-owners, etc.)

As to archaeologists - huh! Our local club keeps offering their services to them but meets with point-blank refusal. Can you figure out why? Usually, an area of ground is stripped back to a depth of several inches by a JCB before a dig starts. (As on Time Team).Why do the archaeologists refuse permission for the detectorists to help them by going over the undisturbed ground first? It's senseless bloodymindedness, that's all !

[soldierblue]

The best metal detector for the first time buyer for land and beach is the Garrett ace 250 at around £170 or a good second hand one for £100 i started on a Garrett ace 250 and moved up to a mine lab
soldierblue57

[soldierblue]

The Garrett ace 250 is a good choice for the beginner i started with this model witch is one of the best starter detector for around £170 second hand £100.
i have moved on to a mine lab
soldierblue