[Chris in Wisconsin]

Greetings Everyone,

I have been "lurking" for quite some time and am now ready to enter the prospecting world on a more active basis and purchase my first gold detector.

I currently live in Wisconsin but get out West at least 4 times of year, and am spending longer periods each time I go. My goal is to eventually spend at least 6 to 8 months a year out West (probably Arizona) and prospect as a hobby.

With that in mind I am getting ready to make my first detector purchase. The problem is limited funds.

Here are my thoughts and I will be anxious to hear your thoughts both pro & con on my strategy.

While I would love to get a 4500, it is just an impossibility money wise at this point.

I am leaning towards buying a new detector (but would be interested to hear others thoughts on used equipment). I have around $1000 saved. My question is this - I can find Minelab Eureka Gold's new for around that amount of money - the 2200's are closer to $2000 which would take me another 6 or more months to save for.

My thoughts are this - Go ahead and buy the New Eureka - do some nugget hunting and prospecting with the goal of re-investing some of my find(s) towards the next step up which at that point would be the 2200 (in a year or so) and then sell the Eureka to help pay for the new machine, with the goal of getting the 4500 (or whatever the newer machine is in a couple of years) and am prospecting more full time.

My question is - should I get the Eureka which I can afford now or wait another 6 - 12 months until I can afford the 2200 ?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

ChrisInWisconsin

[Nuggetslayer]

I would wait until you can afford the 2200. Buy the machine you want the first time or you will end up buying something you don't want lose money on it frustrated. The 2200 is a great machine. I paid mine off in the first month I owned it. With that said don't expect to pay your machine off with gold just cause you buy a expensive detector. I detect for fun and the extra money is a extra to keep the wife off my back and me in the field. Good luck to ya and I hope your poke stays full of nuggets.

[Hawkeye]

I would keep an eye out on the classifieds on these prospecting forums. You can pick up a really good deal on a used 3000, 3500 or 4000, a lot of times for less than what a new 2200 would go for.
Hawkeye.

[Paseclipse]

Maybe try finding a deal on a used SD2100 or 2200 because they're within your budget. Look on the forums, eBay, and Craigslist. Sooner or later you'll find a good deal on one if you're patient. I got lucky and scored an army green SD2100 for only $400 from a guy on Craigslist and it works great.

Del

[hal747gold]

Chris: I agree with Del--a used 2100 in good condition at a bargain price would be an excellent machine to start with--keep your eyes open and check on all the forums in the classified section.

If you find a used machine be careful about jumping on it to quickly, though it make look ok it may function poorly, may need a new battery, new coils etc.

Do your home work and you can come out ok and save a lot of money towards your new (or used 4500) ,

PS: Check the classifieds on this forum frequently, because if a good deal comes up it may not last long.

[Joe Kauffman]

Chris,

I would also vote that you look for a good, used machine. You should be able to find a used SD2100 or SD2200 in your price range. Although a 4500 is the latest and greatest in the gold detector realm, I'm still a big advocate of learning the older technology first which will give you a good ramp up & knowledge base before getting into the GP or GPX line of detectors. Understanding ground balance & threshold is much more important on machines like the SD2100 and having that knowledge will only help your abilities with the power of the GPX detectors. The GP and GPX detectors may be better machines, but that in no way means the SD detectors are junk. After all, just a few years ago they were the cream of the crop.

Get the best you can afford (a used PI machine) and become confident with it. Comfort & confidence with you detector in my book is much more important than the latest & greatest technology.

Joe Kauffman

[Chris in Wisconsin]

WOW!! Thanks so much for everyone who took the time to reply.

I am really getting excited to become a part of this hobby.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Chris In Wisconsin

[Ray4k]

Mate, I reckon you should save your pennies and go with the 2200 (that price is a bit steep isnt it).... I reckon that with the right coil they seem to get more depth then the 4000/4500. I had one and to this day regret selling it. Sure the 4000/4500 has more bells and whistles and can run quiter but with a good 18/20 inch DD coil on board then I know where I would be putting my money. Over here VLF machines just dont seem to have the punch in mineralised soils.

Ray