Metal detector

[shivvy]

A friend of mine wants a metal detector for his 50th birthday. I know nothing about metal detectors so am after some advice. I found this info . . .
http://www.garysdetecting.co.uk/junior.htm
does it sound right?
What I really need to know is what I need to be looking for when buying one and how much is reasonable to spend. Lots of us can club together to buy the present so I'm not too concerned about the price as long as it is a good detector.
Thanks.
PS - I wasn't sure what category to put this question into. Is there another section which might be better than this one?

[Clanad]

Your link looks like generally adequate advice. Here in the U.S., the machine of choice is by White. White's Metal Detectors have been in business for a long time. I don't know if they're available in the U.K. and I'm sure other manufacturer's have good machines. There are about three features you'd want on a machine that won't dissapont the giftee. First is AGB... Automatic Ground Balance, which is circuitry that will enable the detector to balance out the mineral content of the earth giving better penetration. Secondly, VDI Visual Discrimation Indication... this is a series of numbers that are displayed on the screen that assist in discrimating against the bane of all enthusiats, that being the cast off pop-top rings from cans. Lastly, Beach Mode sometimes called water's edge circuitry which greatly enhances beach searching. My White's, which I've had for years, will cost about $550 to $1250 U.S., but again there are adequate beginner models for much less. Go to cheap and it will be a dissapointment and sit in the back of the closet instead of being used. (Be sure to advise the receiver, if unshcooled in metal detecting, to research the laws using such devices. They're all over the place here in the U.S. and one has to be on their toes not to offend). Best of luck!

[shivvy]

Great answer Clanad. Full of very useful info to help me choose which to get for the birthday boy (or the 'giftee' as you so nicely put it!)

I see from your reply that you are US-based but can I deduce from your name that you have irish roots?

[Clanad]

Scottish, actually, shivvy...though I do like the Irish singer, the pseudonym is a play on our Scots sept... Your name certainly must be a play on our venerated Chevrolet automobiles... here in the U.S. they've always been known as Chevvys... Good luck with th emetal detector!

[QueenOfAmber]

Umm I'm sorry but a metal detector? For his 50th? He's just saying this because he wants to find things right? Stuff like money! How about instead of that you get him a ride in a hot air balloon with you or something? I know from experience that when a metal detector goes wrong, it catches on FIRE. It's not that easy making it work either...

[shivvy]

You say you are sorry Queenofamber, but what is it you are sorry about?
Is it because you think you know what he wants better than he does?

[Lil O'lady]

It's worth also getting your 'giftee' some contacts - there will be a local group, possibly associated with your museum, who can give him up-to-date advice about the law (v. important) and maybe be some comapny on expeditions.

[shivvy]

Thanks Lil O'Lady - I will do that.

[shivvy]

Hopefully Clanad or Lil O'Lady will see this post and answer (though I'm happy to receive advice from anyone who knows anything about metal detectors)
I have done a bit of research and I'm thinking of buying a Whites Prizm V metal detector which I can buy locally for �290. Does this seem to be a good machine?

[Clanad]

Alhough not familiar with the Prizm Series, the price seems good, since, here in the U.S., model sells for about $500. Considering the exchange rate you've got a pretty good deal... Here's a a pretty fair review of your machine...
http://metaldetectorreviews.net/detectors/83-1 -whitesprizm5.html ...
And here's a Field Review fromWhite's: http://whiteselectronics.com/content/view/57/8 6/ ...Again, best of luck!

[shivvy]

Thanks again Clanad.

[shivvy]

Hope you see this Clanad. I just wanted to say thanks for your advice re the metal detector. I ended up buying him a Whites Prizm IV which I got for �250 (next day delivery) and with a few extras thrown in. I got talking to someone who knows the White machines and they advised that the main difference between the Prizm IV and V was that the IV had 3 tones and the V was multitonal. They suggested that for someone who was just starting detecting the multitones would hardly matter.
Anyway, to say that he was happy would be a huge understatement! He is now boring his wife and kids by planning detecting excursions for every weekend from now to god knows when!
Thanks so much for your help - it really helped.

Shivvy
(from Northern Ireland!)