New and confused ...please help - which detector?

Hi all, I am new to fossicking in NSW and wanted some advice from the experienced. As a beginner do I go out and buy the best detector on the market such as the Minelab GPX5000 to increase my chances due to inexperience or do I start with a lower end detector and work my way up?

Please recommend which way to go and what detector I should start with.

Thanks in advance

Hi Moey - being a newbie myself I don't know that my 2 cents will count for much but I reckon your better off starting with something cheaper & fairly easy to use first off. If the hobby sticks & your learning the ropes ok then look to take the step up.
Its a bit like taking up boat fishing - most people start with something small like a tinny, which is relatively easy to operate, before they rush out & buy a $50,000 offshore cruiser.
But in saying that if youv'e got the $$$ & are keen enough go for it. (I would love to get a minelab but the domestic accountant won't have a bar of it _yet )

G'day Moey and To the forum. To answer your question I would suggest you hire one for a weekend or even better if there is someone in your area that does training days and go along on one of those. I know there are quite a few in Vic but not sure of NSW. I am sure there are some other members on here that can help you in this area. I know I love my 5000 but I have been detecting since the early days and started with the Garrets which were the top detector at that time. Hope this helps.

Cheers.

Mike.

Hi buddy well if you are going to really give it a good shot and let this hobby drive you crazy lol, I would suggest if you are going to stick to it just go all out and get a gpx5000 read the manual over and over and a little bit more get out there find plenty of bullets ect... Then the gold will come once you start to find the gold this hobby will take over your life but bottom line gpx4500 -5000 will really be the best option if you want to be in the game maybe other members mite say different but that's my opinion anyway and if you want to spend less just get a gp 3500 and what ever you decide get a booster and speaker .oh if you buy a second hand one make shore it has not been modified by anyone .

Thanks guys for your help. I have done some research and found the cheaper detectors may not pickup what the advanced detectors do, but wanted some experienced users to recommend a detector. I can not currently afford the 5000, but maybe able to get a secondhand or refurbished 2200, 3000 or 3500. Whats your thoughts on those detectors?

Sorry got your message while i was typing. Thanks for you thoughts.

Just find a gp extream my friend has one and he finds plenty of gold with it for a cheaper option or the gp3500 you can't go wrong mate .

Moey wrote:Sorry got your message while i was typing. Thanks for you thoughts.

glad to help mate

hi moey,welcome to the forum bud carn,t go wrong with a good 3500 mate

Hi moey i use a extreme but i have a lot of experience. I would look for a 3500 for a person just starting out they have a few other fetcher over the 3000 and extreme do not buy a modified detector.

I guess it depends on the weight of your wallet. If you have the money, I would get a new 5000 because there so begginer friendly and come with warranty. I would hate to part with 2 or 3 grand for a used machine that may not be far from dying.

Yes I under stand what you are thinking if you buy a second hand one from a dealer they give you warranty it may be 3 or 6 month I find coiltek one of the best dealers to deal with.Another thing you could do is join a club and put the word out the you are look to buy a detector or put a wanted add on the forum.The exreme i purchased last year, it came from the USA ebay and its a real goog extreme in saying that a 3500 would be the best budget entry level detector.

Donkey
There not cars.They have few working parts.Milspec components.Most of the time Minelab will just put a new board in them to overcome problems.Dont forget we are paying for the exclusiveness of the worlds best detectors SD thru to GPX.The components are not dear.
Cheers Dig