Metal detecting for cheapskates

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Tank circuit:
Hi. I'm Dan, and this is my first post.
I have always tried to find the cheapest alternatives for all my hobbies, metal detecting included.
It didn't take long to see how expensive this hobby can be. We all hope to find a cache of gold coins, but we'll settle for enough to offset the cost of the gas to get to the next hunt.

In the mid-70s, I was introduced to the hobby while in Hawaii when I met a Whites sales representative on one of the beaches. I was hooked but couldn't afford an expensive detector. Since I was starting my electronics career I bought a Heath Kit BFO Metal detector. It was a great learning experience and since it didn't have any discrimination it was great for cleaning all of the buried trash in every park I ever hunted. It also was the only new detector I have ever owned. Every detector since has been found used and most were broken. Battery acid spills and moisture damage has been the reason I now own so many detectors.
I have fixed every one of them so far, and each one has been better than the last. As a result, I have torn most of them apart and reverse-engineered the circuitry. Sometimes a universal component is all that is needed, other times I needed to purchase a part developed for metal detectors only.
Add the words "Metal Detecting" to the description of a product and the price skyrockets, so I have usually been able to find cheaper alternatives.
Between eBay, searching garden supplies, construction sources, and Chinese parts suppliers I have been able to keep my costs down to something that resembles reasonable costs.
A good detector is only part of the equipment we need. We all need digging tools, pouches, pinpointers, headphones, and comfortable clothing for all seasons.

What money-saving ideas have you implemented in your metal detecting arsenal?

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nickel_n:
welcome to the form
if you are in to electronics you will know the parts value of the detector,any detector, its not anywhere near to what you pay for it.
attach to it gold,treasure, cash,and then name your price.
but often you buy what you pay.
Chinese knock off will never be of the quality of an original.
i normally buy last year's original.
the last two where a DFX and then an MXT.
i do most of my detecting at the beach.nothing beat my DFX on salty,iron stone,wet-sand beach
From Melbourne Australia

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ArfieBoy:
Welcome to the forum from Oregon.  I know little about electronics, I'm just a metal detector user and hobbyist.  Look forward to your input. 

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