Im lookin to buy a metal detector 200$ tops i need something simple that can discriminate between gold silver i have a lot of places to look and i will need a waterproof coil.i did some research and the garrett 250 comes up a lot.But id really like to hear from a pro firsthand .and the does and donts TIA

I have two metal detectors: a Garret Ace 250 and a White's DFX.    I think the Ace 250 is the best bang-for-the-buck detector out there, and an outstanding choice for a first unit.  

 

Tight lines,

Bob

I own quite a few machines and hunt 4/5 days a week. Honestly at that price point on a new machine with a few exceptions you will be wasting $200 IMO.. Alot of them have little to no depth beyond 3"/4" on a coin, lack adjustability for different dirt, etc. Kind of like buying a $50 baitcaster, if your series about fishing you'll be better served just spending a bit more initially than buying something lacking AND upgrading. Not trying to dishearten you just trying to look out for ya. Speaking for myself as well as Ive heard a few buddy's say wish we hadn't wasted money initially.

The ace series are popular and folks certainly find stuff with them. I personally don't like the bell tone audio, (it sounds like an elavator before the doors open and there is a delay on targets). If it were me I'd strongly suggest you look at the teknetics eurotek pro- the model that comes packaged w/the 11" DD coil (not the concentric coil). I ran that machine and was very impressed. Great separation in trash, deep, and fast audio.

You may not be aware but the manufacturers restrict what units can be listed at online. Talk to a dealer and ask for his best price, the $300 eurotek may be closer to $200. Also don't overlook a gently used model, you'll get a much better machine for the money.

I will be mostly shooting through sand and maybe loomy soil nothing like clay or rock.95% beaches and the other will be ball feilds,old house foundations ,around barns

Saltwater or fresh water beaches? Any machine can handle fresh water but the conductive salt beaches, especially when you get towards the wet sand cause MOST detectors to go nuts. Generally a multi frequency rig does much better. I can tell you the ace's and euroteks will have trouble.

Salt i live by point lookout maryland lots of spanish ships wrecked here most had gold and silver coins amoung a lot of civil war pieces around same area

If you're going to detect near salt water you need a pulse induction type machine.  But you will not get one for $200.  The best one for the money is the Tesoro Sand Shark, around $600.

 

If you're going to stick to dry sand, you can get away with a standard single frequency VLF machine, like the Garrett 250.  But it is useless in wet sand (where most of the good stuff is).

Yeah if your going to hunt alot of schools and houses also like he said he'll need the target ID and disc of a vlf. On the salt beaches you need a multi frequency vlf unit like a used explorer, dfx, or CZ. Though you only can get the coil wet. You can get all those used for CLOSE to 300 if you shop around.

Really tough to find a do it all unit.

Thanks yall

Tesoro Compadre or Tesoro Silver U max. They have lifetime warranties , made in the USA , take only one 9 volt battery to run and super lightweight . . Though they dont have a digital display which some people insist on having ,   . They discriminate great , I think all modern detectors discriminate ..I have a Tesoro Vaquero 460 dollars and have found lots of good stuff. Gold rings , Numerous 1800's coins and one from the 1700's . Relics , civil war buttons and pins . That lifetime warranty is for real. Other companies have 1 or 2 year warranties. I had to send mine is this year after five years and it was repaired for free.

 

The Tesoros have knobs not push buttons  . The sound is analog and gives a lot of info by their tone  . Theres a lot to like .

This is my 3rd detector the others being older Garrett and Whites . 

 

As far as salt water beaches go , I dont know a thing about hunting them .