Some Advice on Detectors Please

So I was outbid on the FT16000 but am looking at some more detectors to try to get started.
These are all Minelabs: Goldseeker 15000, X-Terra 70 & Ex-Terra 705.
Hopefully one of these might fit into my budget & not be too difficult to learn how to use.
Any & all advice greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Keith.

Funny enough, All can be hard to master if you don't no what settings are for what. I enjoyed helping a mate out 6 months ago with his 705, but the comparison to a GPX is null and void. I thought for a moment his 705 was so cool with the descrim and all, until he couldn't get a signal from my .6 gram bit of gold "At All" We tried every which way, No Signal.
As everyone has stated, if your going for gold at least aim for a second hand SD. White's in my opinion could be a very good option. My opinion only!

Hi G.K
This is a difficult question as each detector has its own merits.As someday said try an SD its usually a good way to go as at least they are a proven gold finder.
The most common gold found now is small gold.Finding small gold is worthwhile and can be accomplished with say a gold bug or goldmaster etc there are many small machines that will do this for a good price just search on this forum.
An SD will be used for larger gold and deeper gold.With patience this can also be accomplished and is still certainly possible.This is your introduction to P.I machines.
In order to find both with 1 machine the price goes up and these are the latest detectors.
Remember that once gold is found you can use it to upgrade to a better machine.
Be careful when purchasing older detectors as they can have a multitude of problems that may ruin your experience with prospecting.
Steve

Thanks Fellers.
The speed with which members of this forum reply is very encouraging to a newcomer.
At this stage I havean't found any club here to seek local advice so I am finding the forum very beneficial.
Like any 2nd hand item, "you pays your money & you takes your chances."

Just to clear up my .6 test gram bit of gold. It's 24 Cue cumbers about 5 mm round and about 3mm thick and will easily air test at 12 inch's thanks to MineLabs no touch
And Yep we hate seeing anyone in pain!

''It's 24 Cue cumbers '' Someday

Ok Someday, I'll bight, what's '' 24 Cue cumbers '' ??

I think it relates to purity.....ie. 24 carrots

Of course it does Sandy, how silly of me . I'm learning to speak detectorish, but I'm not quite there yet, thanks for the translation.
And a Happy birthday to you.

shiraz.......thanks for publicly ackknowleging my greatness ( Modesty in the young is as excellent as is rare)....
Thanks also for the B'Day wishes.......tonight I'm having crayfish with a mornay sauce and a bottle of white.
71 Times around the Sun is quite obscene......I've always advocated compulsory euthanasia at 65......Ho Hum !

hey settle down sandy 2010 im just passed 64 what happens next ?????? 00000000 00years gone bye but no brithdays ex kiwi123

What no pension

Hi malcolm mclean....
An insurance company sent me some statistics stating that 40% of men do not live to see their 65th B'day............so look on the bright side, you have a 6/4 chance in your favour of getting there.
Another interesting fact (by the same insurance company).....The longer you stay in the workforce the shorter your life expetancy ........ If you retire at 55 your life expetancy is 82 years........Hence the Government wanting everyone to work longer..................!

Be lucky.

One thing is for sure tho If you get an Minelab PI it will hold its value and in some cases folks have actually made $ on the resale.

If your looking at a used VLF then stay with a Minelab 17000 or newer. For a Whites stick with the GMT, Fisher the GBll. Proven units and good resell value.

I am eagerly awaiting delivery of a 17000 as we write.
Weather ( & the Postal Gods) permitting I hope to be taking it up to the New England for a few days to get acquainted with gold fever.
Oh, & veg out a bit with some camping, cooking, 4WDing, trout fishing, drinking & cosying up with my bride.

Gk, This is exactly what I'd be doing on my honeymoon

it is every detectorist's duty to leave no hole unfilled....says so on my coil.....Hoo Roo

Jeez Larry, It must be true what they say about the Heathcote water

The term " bride" is one I use for the woman I married in 1983. A man who used to be the Milkman at Walgett taught me: Call the woman that & treat her the same way!"
Our honeymoon is long over but the attachment grows.

Hi Sandy,
I read in a Men's Health brochure written by a specialist on Men's Health that having sex twice a week maintains a healthy mind and a healthy body and referred to mature aged men. So this refers to a lot of us "mature aged gentlemen"

Heres to a healthy mind and a healthy body !!!

regards

darylr

.....and does it still count if your on your own?......