Reddit mentions of Tesoro Silver uMax Metal Detector

This thing is great!

I don't know how long it will last, but mine's been going strong for a few years now. Last thing I found with it was a buried wire in our yard. Worked well.

http://www.amazon.com/Tesoro-Silver-uMax-Metal-Detector/dp/B000COHGPQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_misc_2/179-1372802-8952860

> I bet all the people that rushed out and bought detectors because of Diggers will be selling!!!

Hey I missed it, I didn't know there was a show out! It's so much more fun watching others do the work!

That goes for the hobby in general. People do not realize that it's real work (and that the parks are really hunted out). It's time intensive for the return, and the US simply does not have the millennia of stuff falling to the ground that Europe has. So you often see these practically new machines show up in the classifieds for quite a discount from new.

>Tesoro Compadre, $160 new, harder to find used.

Very rare used - I think it's because of their killer warranty that it's hard to beat. They service machines for the cost of shipping. I would suggest the [next step up the Tesoro Silver] (http://www.amazon.com/Tesoro-Silver-uMax-Metal-Detector/dp/B000COHGPQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1369234919&sr=1-2&keywords=tesoro) as it has better discrimination along with all metal mode (see below). Everyone that owns one falls in love with it. (I haven't used one, just know the stories).

You didn't mention Garret's Ace 350 that gets good reports.

But people should not underestimate the value of good warranty. Detectors seem to fail a lot more than traditional electronics because they get bumped around so much. I speak from experience.

One detector that holds it's value, has a basic readout, and has good functionality is the Bounty Hunter Quick Silver and comes with a pinpointer, comes with what I consider beefy five year limited warranty for less than $100. Walmart has the same deal with free ship to store.

My big problem with the low end machines with LCD is that people rely on the LCD more than what sound the machine is making. Plus they do not know how to discriminate with VLF (like what the tracker IV forces you to do). Here is an interesting thread about that.. Also, there is an advanced "reverse" discrimination you can use with some vlfs that have an "all metal" mode..

Whatever he gets, he should get something light, and something on the low end (i.e. not more than $300). He will thank me for that advice.

There used to be a day that all the small detectors really were not trustworthy or very good and more of a toy. If you wanted to get something decent it meant $1200. This is simply not the case anymore.

You may also want to check out the Tesoro Compadre for $160 and Tesoro Silver uMax for $250.