Garrett ACE 250 (how good is it compared to other detectors)

The 250 is a good detector, actually all detectors  (with few exceptions=specialty detectors), but for general run of the mill everyday hobbiest detecting,  the 250 is just as good as anything, for depth, ID, whatever. they don't cost a whole lot, easy on batteries, and the service-should you need any is of the best,, actually it's probably good enough detector for about anyone, at least that's what this Geezer thinks, at least since I been detecting since 75, theyr'e allright, unless you just like the gimmicks and pushtabs to  poke and push.

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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,10939.msg69871.html#msg69871

You should be able to get good results with just about any decent metal detector.  Most of the meteorites you'll be searching for have a high enough iron content that if you can pick up rusty nails on your detector, you should be able to pick up the meteorite also.   (and I haven't found a detector yet that didn't like rusty nails--at least when it is operating in all metal or relic mode)

BA

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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,10939.msg69888.html#msg69888

Karharmon, I'm a newbie and I bought an ACE 150 just to get started. I've worked with it about 40 hours now and I haven't mastered it yet. I have tried a ACE 250 and the extra depth resolution and discrimination settings are well worth the money. Both of these machines are shallow coin shooters and work well in dry sandy soil like we have in Florida. In heavy mineralized soils, salty soils, thick clays, junky terrain they don't work so well. If you really want to compare the 250 with other detectors as to ability to detect at depth go to

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  they compare the 250 with some more expensive machines. I did the same test with my 150 and found I got slightly worse sensitivity results. (14 gram lead ball at 5 inches) but there are a lot of variables. The real eye opener is how much more sensitive the more expensive machines are.  Check out this site before upgrading. Remember, sensitivity at depth is only part of it. discrimination is in my opinion more important for coin shooters. In my experience discrimination improves with practice.

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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,10939.msg69955.html#msg69955

The Ace 250 has a learning curve and once you master it, it becomes a great machine. I started out some twenty years ago with a Fisher 1265x and still have and use it for a deep shooting machine, its heaver than the 250 but still very good. This machine will work well to get started and then some, i don't agree that it is just for beginners, it has its place in many fields. I don't think you will be disappointed. Two things to remember if you purchase it, is to run the cable straight up the shaft to the first extension then coil to the top  plug in, then hold the on/off button down and listen for the two beeps, this resets the unit and after that it works well, good luck.

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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,10939.msg70836.html#msg70836

I just traveled to the west coast to use my Ace 250 on the beach, i had heard that it didn't like wet sand or water but not the case, i lowered the sensitivity one notch and pulled out twenty one coins several were in wet sand and two were submerged in water, this unit is a coin hound. Can't wait  to go out again.

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