Woodreau,
Based on my experience in owning a number of metal detectors since 1976 when I bought my first machine - a Bounty Hunter. I would recomment that you stick with either a White's Electronics or Garrett metal detector. The model you pick would depend on what types of items you plan to hunt for and in what type of soils plus how much you want to spend. Here are a couple of suggestions on White's detectors and you can explore their web sites for more models:
White's Electornics
http://www.whiteselectronics.com/homepagew.html
1. Prisim IV ($400) Medium priced detector for coin, jewelry, and relic hunting. Lightweight and easy to use. Good all around entry level detector.
2. E-Series XLT ($900): High performance machine that you can custom program numerous settings or use factory preset programs for coin, jewelry, and relic hunting. Good identification of targets and their depths. White's claims the machine can be used for gold prospecting which it can do to some degree. Detector operates at 15khz, but specialized gold machine operate at higher frequencies for depth and ability to handle heavy mineralized ground. I currently own this machine and would give it a thumbs up.
3. E-Series DFX ($1100): White's newest top end detector. Operates at either 15khz or 3khz or both together. Lots of features and can be programed in lots of ways. Also advertized to be a prospecting machine. Get it only if you want to get good at playing with the machine settings and customizing your detector.
4. Goldmaster - GMT ($800): A gold only prospecting machine. Operates at 48khz and has very few settings compared to the E-Series. Emphasis is on depth, gold detection, and ability to handle heavily mineralized ground. I owned an earlier version of this machine when I lived in AZ and hunted an number of claims that the Superstition Mtn Treasure Hunting Club in Apache Junction gave members access to such as North of Carefree, South of Prescott, near Globe/Miami, and Quartzsite. It's a very good machine and easy to use.
Garrett has a similar priced line of detectors. I owned an earier GEB model in the 1980's but am not that familiar with their current models. Garrett is a good line with a solid reputation. Charles Garrett is an ex-Texas Instuments engineer (I also worked there in the 1970's) that started a hobby of building metal detectors and grew it into one of the top detector companies today. His plant is in Garland, TX, a Dallas suburb. Here is their web site:
http://www.garrett.com/hobby/home.htm
On any new detector you choose, search the web for pricing - discounts are easy to find. You can also get used machines at e-Bay, but buyer beware on condition. If you can find a metal detector dealer in your area, many of them carry used machines or do consignment on used detectors.
Good luck with buying a metal detector. Detecting is a great hobby and I have enjoyed it for 30yrs. It will get you outdoors for some exercise!!
Roger
