Rattlehead

Welcome from Georgia!

I believe the different conclusions we all come to are the result of several different factors. Soil type is a big one. I took my CTX to a few spots in SC where the soil is really mild. I was hitting coins there at extreme depths... much deeper than what I had found them at home in NW GA. On that same note, when I switched over to the Deus 2 and then Manticore, I started finding deeper coins here at home in my not-so-great soil. Found lots of them at places that I had hit hard with the Etrac and CTX. The general experience a detectorist has (understanding how to manipulate a detector for best results), the tone profile he uses, and just how well he or she "jives" with a new detector all play a big roll. Switching to a new detector means stepping away from your comfort zone, and it usually takes a little while to get over the hump. I've purchased new detectors in the past and absolutely hated them at first, only to find that I really liked them after spending more time learning. I'm on my 2nd Manticore. I got my first one right after release, but wasn't blown away by its performance so I sold it. A little over a year later I decided to buy another one and try it again. This time I spent more time learning it, and now it's my favorite machine by far.

I used the CTX and Etrac for years and consider them great detectors. However, in my soil, the Manticore rules the roost when it comes to depth. It’s really not even close. I’d rank them like this: 1) Manticore 2) Deus 2 3) CTX Just my opinion based on my own experience.

I bought a used 340 off of Facebook Market for $100. Agree with the others... they perform really well and make excellent loaner/beater/trunk detectors.

Must be nice! Those are as rare as hens teeth around my area. I've found ONE in nearly 40 years of detecting. Congrats F350!

I purchased a used Vanquish 340 for this purpose. Got it off of FB Market for $100. Just a cheap beater detector with limited features, but it still performs well. Being such a simple machine, it can also double as a loaner for whenever a property owner or guest wants to try metal detecting.

Welcome from NW Georgia!

Welcome from Rome GA!

I agree. Good post. I remember walking through a Radio Shack and seeing a metal detector for the first time. Until then, it had never even crossed my mind. Naturally, visions of digging treasure immediately jumped in my head.... So, I bought the thing. I had no idea how to use it, so I just turned it on and started digging anything that beeped. After digging a pocket full of nails, bottlecaps and pull-tabs, I got frustrated and chunked it in the closet. Didn't try it again until seeing someone else use one about a year later. Not only does the hobby get a lot more exposure nowadays, but there's tons of resources (forums, YouTube, etc) to teach folks how to use the machine. All helping to boost popularity of the hobby.

I've owned a bunch of DJI drones over the years and all were easy to fly, very stable and no real worries of fly-aways. I'm sure the Mini 4k is no exception.

I'll jump in with some more M9 love. I purchased a Manticore when they were first released. While it was very good, it just didn't WOW me, so I sold it and kept my Deus 2. About a year later, Minelab released the M9 coil. Like Daniel, I figured it was just a smaller version of the M11 with no other real differences. I was wrong. My hunting buddy purchased one and loaned me his Manticore to try it out. After using it just once, I immediately went out and bought another Manticore & M9. I love it for all the same reasons Daniel mentioned. Deep, light, sensitive & good in iron. It changes the whole feel of the Manticore in a good way. The Manticore w/M9 has now replaced my Deus 2 as my primary detector. Such an awesome combo.

It sure can. I use mine regularly for scouting.

Note that there's a few different versions of the mini 3, which vary in features and price. Mini 3 - Entry level. Mini 3 Pro - Has improved camera, obstacle avoidance, and better range. Mini 3 Pro DJI RC - Same as above, but has a built in screen on the remote.

Yep. Some authorized dealers still get in small shipments of the Mavic 4 occasionally, but they sell out fast, and with the import fees they’re still fairly high. I believe Adorama has another shipment coming in September.

I have a Mini 3 Pro which is great. Compact, quiet, great image/video quality, and less than 249g as GotAU? mentioned. I’m sure the Mini 4K is very similar. It sucks that DJI drones are no longer being sold by DJI in the US… at least not for a while. I do understand their reasoning though, since they may or may not get through customs. I was lucky enough to score a Mavic 4 Pro Creator Combo from Adorama before they sold out.