Does anyone know if the low model (50$) metal detector at Radio Shack actually works?

[episodic]

I got a kid that wants a metal detector for Christmas. They have a low end model that is like 50$ - I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for something that may see the backside of a closet in a year's time.

Thanks!

 

[BillGates]

beat up an old person on the beach and take theirs

 

[sygyzy]

Yes.

 

[Metron]

Customer Review on Radio Shack site...

 

[Kobota]

Originally posted by: episodic
I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for something that may see the backside of a closet in a year's time.

good idea, i got one as a present and used it <10 times even though i thought i needed it at the time.

 

[episodic]

It seems pretty good. I found 1 today. I passed it over some ground outside, and sure enough found a nickel in the ground about an inch deep.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: episodic
It seems pretty good. I found 1 today. I passed it over some ground outside, and sure enough found a nickel in the ground about an inch deep.

Do that 1200 more times and then it's all PROFIT!!!!

 

[episodic]

Ok, so I've given it to him. He now has a pile of nails, old metal toys, unidentifiable piles of rust, and no less than 3 pennies (one of which was a 1917 penny) sitting in front of my place. The back yard looks like a gopher attacked us.

So yea, it works.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Metal detectors are fun for about 5 minutes.

BTW- make him fill in the holes.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: episodic
Ok, so I've given it to him. He now has a pile of nails, old metal toys, unidentifiable piles of rust, and no less than 3 pennies (one of which was a 1917 penny) sitting in front of my place. The back yard looks like a gopher attacked us.

So yea, it works.

 

[WW]

the more expensive the metal detector, the better the discriminator is (avoid pull tabs, nails etc), and the sensitivity (depth). Some of the better brands are whites, fisher, garrett. Some of the expensive ones are amazing..they tell you what a signal is (nickel, quarter, nail, etc)

But yeah, excellent idea buying a cheap one....you can always upgrade to a better model if he takes a real interest in it. I know everyone laughs at old people with metal detectors, but I know a lady that has a room full of silver coins, gold rings, etc from using one as a hobby. They work...but it's lots of work too, lots of patience required.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: episodic
It seems pretty good. I found 1 today. I passed it over some ground outside, and sure enough found a nickel in the ground about an inch deep.

Cool.....

 

[Parrotheader]

Yes it works great. When I'm setting up soccer fields for our local club I use one to find the metal survey pins we buried when we did the initial layouts of the fields. Over the years, those pins have gotten progressively deeper down (some are now about 4 inches below the surface) and it still has no problem.

I've been using it for at least 8+ years so yeah, for the money it's a good deal.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly
Metal detectors are fun for about 5 minutes.

BTW- make him fill in the holes.

Yea, he did. You can still tell though

 

[episodic]

So now he has found a large pocket knife, an old style razor, an old toy fire truck, about 40 tire weights (the balance weights), 10 dozen beer tabs, over 4.00 in change, and at least 40 pieces of wire.

 

[jonessoda]

Dude... why is all that garbage in your yard? And by old-style razor, do you mean a straight razor or a King Gillette type safety razor?

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: episodic
So now he has found a large pocket knife, an old style razor, an old toy fire truck, about 40 tire weights (the balance weights), 10 dozen beer tabs, over 4.00 in change, and at least 40 pieces of wire.

It will pay for itself in no time.

 

[Leper Messiah]

I always wanted one of those when I was a kid...

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: Leper Messiah
I always wanted one of those when I was a kid...

I'd still love to have one.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: jonessoda
Dude... why is all that garbage in your yard? And by old-style razor, do you mean a straight razor or a King Gillette type safety razor?

A straight razor. Rusted closed thank god.