Anyone here watch 'Diggers'? Or know much about their equipment?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Dougmeister

Senior member
Sep 15, 2004
568
2
81
I only have a medium-quality detector I got on clearance at Radio Shack (okay, so maybe it's junk), but the kids and I have fun with it.

What is that "little" rod-shaped metal detector (12" long? 1" thick?) that the guys use once they dig the dirt out of the hole? It's like some sort of specialized detector that is more sensitive... for "narrowing in" on the precise location...
 

slag

Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
10,473
81
101
They use Garrett AT Pro and AT Gold detectors. The little pinpointer they use is a Garrett pro pointer.

I detect as well, feel free to ask any questions.

May I also direct you to http://metaldetectingforum.com/ It's a great place to learn more about the hobby, what works, what doesn't, and just have a great time.
 
Last edited:

WT

Diamond Member
Sep 21, 2000
4,816
59
91
Slag, whats your opinion on the show ?? I DVR'd a few episodes but it annoys me when they jump around, bashing into small saplings and falling over themselves after they find a button. I know these shows depend on the drama and overreaction to keep the viewer tuned in, but in some cases it tunes me out.

Same deal with the other 'digger' show, 'American Digger'. Dude was a wrestler, so he knows how to ham it up for the camera.
 

slag

Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
10,473
81
101
Slag, whats your opinion on the show ?? I DVR'd a few episodes but it annoys me when they jump around, bashing into small saplings and falling over themselves after they find a button. I know these shows depend on the drama and overreaction to keep the viewer tuned in, but in some cases it tunes me out.

Same deal with the other 'digger' show, 'American Digger'. Dude was a wrestler, so he knows how to ham it up for the camera.

I agree with you and realize that it is all fake. They try to make it entertaining, but go over the top. I mean, who jumps up, rips limbs off a tree, climbs through a doghouse, etc. I think they find the items, but for the show they just try too hard, because, lets face it, who really wants to watch a guy dig up 20 pop tabs in a row. The sound is superimposed also and doesn't really sound like that with the garrett line.

It can be very exciting to find items, especially jewelry or old coins, which is what draws me to it, but not many of us have the resources or know of places where we can detect and hope to find civil war or earlier artifacts and coins. I mainly hunt playgrounds, church areas, some homes, etc. Just last week I found a couple 925 silver rings along with about 5 bucks of clad on Saturday in about 2 hours worth of detecting.

I go detecting with my sons, specifically, my 12 yr old as he has a good time doing it. My first detector was a bounty hunter pioneer 202 I bought off craigslist last spring for $100.00. It got me hooked. I then got a Fisher F2 which is, hands down, the best entry level detector. My 12 yr old still uses it. My current detectors are an AT Pro and a Minelab Etrac and I have a Whites coinmaster lying around somewhere also but its an old one.

I forgot to add, another valuable tool is a good digger. To dig a good plug, I have found the lesche digging tool to be invaluable.
 

Dougmeister

Senior member
Sep 15, 2004
568
2
81
thanks for all the info. Now I know what to put on my birthday wish list!

I will post later what model I have from Radio Shack. Then you can tell me how bad it is... ;-)
 

slag

Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
10,473
81
101
As long as you are out having fun and finding stuff, who cares, right? If you lived close to me, I'd go detecting with you and let you try out my gear.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
48,704
5,456
136
I only have a medium-quality detector I got on clearance at Radio Shack (okay, so maybe it's junk), but the kids and I have fun with it.

What is that "little" rod-shaped metal detector (12" long? 1" thick?) that the guys use once they dig the dirt out of the hole? It's like some sort of specialized detector that is more sensitive... for "narrowing in" on the precise location...

When I lived in Florida, a lot of people had metal detectors at the beach. When I was a kid, I always thought it as to find buried treasure, but as I got older I realized that people would lose wedding rings & other expensive jewelry that you could get money for at the pawn shop, so it was a nice little income stream for the retirees :biggrin:
 

Dougmeister

Senior member
Sep 15, 2004
568
2
81
They use Garrett AT Pro and AT Gold detectors. The little pinpointer they use is a Garrett pro pointer.

I detect as well, feel free to ask any questions.

May I also direct you to http://metaldetectingforum.com/ It's a great place to learn more about the hobby, what works, what doesn't, and just have a great time.

Thanks again! I haven't had time to check out that forum yet, but I will.

I have a "Discovery 3300" metal detector that I got on clearance at Radio Shack a few years ago. Can you guys tell me how good/bad it is? The only other "tool" I own is a metal sand scoop.

Just last night for the first time I used my wife's garden trowels with my kids in the back yard and a nearby football field. We found a quarter, a soda tab, a piece of copper wire, and an old tin can ;-)

I guess my bottom-line question is this:

I *want* the Pro-Pointer... very badly. But should I take the money and invest in better metal detector?

Edit: and I guess I should just go ahead and get a Lesche digging tool as well? If so, is $45 shipped a decent price (on Amazon)?
 
Last edited:

slag

Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
10,473
81
101
Thanks again! I haven't had time to check out that forum yet, but I will.

I have a "Discovery 3300" metal detector that I got on clearance at Radio Shack a few years ago. Can you guys tell me how good/bad it is? The only other "tool" I own is a metal sand scoop.

Just last night for the first time I used my wife's garden trowels with my kids in the back yard and a nearby football field. We found a quarter, a soda tab, a piece of copper wire, and an old tin can ;-)

I guess my bottom-line question is this:

I *want* the Pro-Pointer... very badly. But should I take the money and invest in better metal detector?

Edit: and I guess I should just go ahead and get a Lesche digging tool as well? If so, is $45 shipped a decent price (on Amazon)?

My opinion, and take it at that. Invest in the pro pointer. You will use it forever and Garrett stands behing their gear, even after warranty, should you need to get it replaced. If you are having fun with your detector, then stick with it, but a nice but still inexpensive upgrade would be the F2. Personally, I don't think you will find better prices than at www.bigboyshobbies.net. I'm not affiliated with them nor have I ever met the owner, but he answers his phone personally and ships same day. Also, tell him you are member of treasurenet or friendlymetaldetectingforum and then ask him for prices and he will give a huge discount over list price.

Newenglanddetectors.com is decent also. They sometimes run a good deal on a pinpointer/lesche combo where the lesche is basically free.

As for your 3300, its not horrible by any means. If you want some pointers on it, check out this thread: http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=4991&highlight=discovery+3300
 

Dougmeister

Senior member
Sep 15, 2004
568
2
81
Thanks.

And "the F2" is the Fisher F2, I guess? Any idea how it would compare to the one I have?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.