NOTE: The following material was written
in the year 2000 or thereabouts, when I was a detector dealer, and though much
of the information in this article is outdated now there is still a lot of
excellent information here (if I don't say so myself!)
LOW-PRICED METAL DETECTORS: Fisher 1212X, White's Classic II.
The Fisher 1212X is an ideal beginner's detector. Fisher has a reputation for making the deepest metal detectors, and the 1212X is a fine machine with a lifetime warranty. Retail $199, good price $179.
The White's Classic II has an all-metal
case and a pinpointing trigger. A minor complaint is that the armrest
is not as comfortable as most.
MEDIUM-PRICED COIN DETECTORS: Fisher 1225X, White's Classic III. Both these detectors have the capability of using interchangeable loops. (Smaller loops are better for trashy areas; larger loops for faster coverage and better depth).
The Fisher 1225X is probably the deepest medium-priced detector available. It has easy pinpointing and the same spider coil that comes on the more expensive Fisher detectors. Lifetime warranty. Retail $365, good price $295.
White's Classic III SL is similar to the Classic II SL, but it has a larger loop (the same loop that comes on the Spectrum), and a black sand control that helps you work beaches.
MEDIUM-PRICED RELIC DETECTORS:
Fisher 1266X.
Fisher's 1266X has long been the machine of choice for serious relic hunters. It is more difficult to master than the coin machines
above, but with practice you will make many excellent finds.It has two discriminators
that are individually set. Many experienced users feel this detector
has the best depth of any traditional discriminating metal detector and can cover wide areas quickly. Lifetime warranty. Retail $575,
good price $480.
HIGH-PRICED DETECTORS: Fisher CZ-5, White's Spectrum XLT.
These two detectors (and the CZ-5's close cousin, the CZ-70) are used by serious treasure hunters more than all the others combined. And with good reason.
The Fisher CZ-5 is the detector I use myself. It has the best depth of any detector I've ever used, and a meter that tells you what you've found. Unlike other detectors, the level of discrimination has no effect on depth. An easy-to-use machine with no complicated setup, it uses two 9-volt batteries. All Fisher detectors have a lifetime warranty. Two faults: Lumps pennies, dimes, and quarters into "Coins" on the meter, and cannot be used at high speeds (so not a good relic machine if you have a cornfield to cover). I don't like the CZ-7a, which has the same depth and electronics as the CZ-5 but uses an LCD screen and plastic membrane pushpads instead of knobs. It takes longer to set up, and costs a lot more than the CZ-5. Retail price for the CZ-5 is $850; good price is $680.
The White's Spectrum XLT is the most popular detector in the United States. It has a computerized setup system that is extremely versatile. I am in the minority when I say I personally do not like it. For me, it is too heavy, the coil is too big, and the setup procedure is complicated and time-consuming. Plus, its depth is not quite that of the Fisher CZ-5. Nonetheless, many, many seasoned treasure hunters use this machine exclusively and would not think of using anything else.
NOTE: White's does not allow local dealers to sell their detectors by mail order, nor to post prices on the net, which is why I have not listed their prices here.