New Noob

[ADHD_ITCH]

Hi Guys,

My name is Phil, yes as per my username I have ADHD and my latest itch, well one that I have had for a long long time is the desire to get out detecting. I have finally convinced my wife to allow me to buy one. So now am in to the process of trying to find a detector. 

I am torn between a good Gold detector and also one that is good for hunting rings and stuff on the beach, as I will have more time for beach combing then prospecting for Gold. I have been eying off the Minelab Manticore.

[JCR]

Welcome from East Texas.

[Joe D.]

  Hello Phil,

   The Manticore is a great choice for most anything you would like to hunt! Including natural gold, as has been stated by some of our most experienced prospectors on the forum! And does a fine job with beaches and relics too! (I'm about 95% beach hunter, so others will be better suited for alternative advice)!

    Only "downside" is it's a bit pricey, if this is your first detector! (also consider used) Many other's to choose from, if your new to the hobby, and want to see if its a good fit for you! Otherwise, it's great even with stock programs!

    More information can be found in the detector reviews, and as far as more advice, you will have to give us more information as to areas/ terrains you will be hunting, etc. No exact locations needed, but general information helpful!

   Detecting edicate, permissions for private property, and rules for public property use, also need to be considered! Joining a club, and/ or dealing with a good detector shop, will help get you acclimated, and avoid some possible frustrations!

   And yes, you will dig plenty of trash, to get the good stuff, no matter where you hunt, it's just part of the hobby! Knowledge of this will ultimately help you decide if you will stick with the hobby long term! Finds are only one of the rewards of detecting!🍀👍👍

[Ridge Runner]

The best to you from south Texas.

 Chuck 

[ADHD_ITCH]

Hi Joe

Thank you for the advice. I love hiking and being outdoors. I used to be a horticulturalist. So, digging random pointless holes may feel like home to me lol. 

1 hour ago, Joe D. said:

 Detecting edicate, permissions for private property, and rules for public property use, also need to be considered!

Sounds like similar etiquette to hiking in Australia.

 

1 hour ago, Joe D. said:

   And yes, you will dig plenty of trash, to get the good stuff, no matter where you hunt, it's just part of the hobby! Knowledge of this will ultimately help you decide if you will stick with the hobby long term! Finds are only one of the rewards of detecting!🍀👍👍

So kind of like my fishing ability. More snags than fish. The main joy is being outdoors with the random excitement of "oh I got something BIG", nope just another snag.

[Erik Oostra]

4 hours ago, ADHD_ITCH said:

I am torn between a good Gold detector and also one that is good for hunting rings and stuff on the beach, as I will have more time for beach combing then prospecting for Gold.

Welcome! A much cheaper option than the Manti is the Equinox 800.. It's awesome on the beach and has excellent gold capabilities.. It also has a huge range of coils to chose from.. But whatever you end up choosing, your approach to enjoying the outdoors combined with another challenge like fishing or hiking will serve you well as a metal detectorist.. If you stick with it long enough you'll find it hugely rewarding.. Happy hunting!   

[xlbsa]

Hello! Playing on the beach for 800  is a good choice! It's cheap and has a low failure rate! Apart from short battery life! Everything else is great!

[Chase Goldman]

1 hour ago, xlbsa said:

has a low failure rate

I guess if you keep it high and dry, that's true.

 

1 hour ago, xlbsa said:

Apart from short battery life!

The Nox has great battery life, especially compared to Manticore, which has trouble lasting all day long.

[Chase Goldman]

16 hours ago, ADHD_ITCH said:

Hi Guys,

My name is Phil, yes as per my username I have ADHD and my latest itch, well one that I have had for a long long time is the desire to get out detecting. I have finally convinced my wife to allow me to buy one. So now am in to the process of trying to find a detector. 

I am torn between a good Gold detector and also one that is good for hunting rings and stuff on the beach, as I will have more time for beach combing then prospecting for Gold. I have been eying off the Minelab Manticore.

Manticore checks all your boxes provided it fits within your budget and you are OK with the possibility of detecting not being all you envisioned it to be after making that significan investment.  Setting your expectations at a realistic level, you are not going to find anything better performance wise and the ergonomics are great.  I recommend getting the M9 coil which you can swing all day and will slice thru the water should you decide to take your Manticore to the beach for a dip.  M8 is optimal for gold (though the M9 has nearly identical sensitivity to small gold, so you could get away with not having to purchase the M8). 

As others have mentioned, the Nox 800 or 900 are great as well at their price point, if you want to spend a little less.  You lose a few advanced features that you might never miss.

GL on whatever you chose and Happy Hunting.