$50 Dollar Metal Detector VS. $400 Metal Detector - This May Shock You!
About 3 weeks ago I did a video on one of Bounty Hunter’s lower-priced metal detectors, the Fast Tracker which was selling for 50.00. Today I thought it would be interesting to do a head-to-head shoot out of the Fast Tracker against Bounty Hunter's most expensive metal detector, the Time Ranger Pro, selling for $399.
Time Ranger Pro: amzn.to/3fmGj2s
FAST TRACKER: amzn.to/3FdC2ts
#metaldetecting #metaldetector #bountyhunter
Пікірлер: 171
That is crazy how well that $50 detector works! Loved the side by side comparison
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
It is quite a capable detector. The Time Ranger Pro will "out-deep" the Fast Tracker once we start getting deeper than 9 inches. But up to 8 inches the Fast Tracker does really well and 8 inches is plenty deep for most coins.
@stephendavidcavuoti6548
Ай бұрын
Nice ‼️🇺🇸🙏🏻
Looks like retailers took your advice and raised the price of Bounty Hunter’s Fast Tracker to $100 plus.
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
I know...During the time of this video there was a retailer that had it priced right at 50.00 then Amazon's algorithm dropped it to 49.00. As soon as that retailer sold out the price jumped up to $100.00.
@stevengleave9241
Жыл бұрын
What detectors in the $100 range would you recommend? Im next to Harbor Freight and they have one at $70 and another at $150. Thanks for the video.
@formarjutt6668
10 ай бұрын
Reply
Wow, impressive how good that $50 detector is! The Time Ranger's noise made me chuckle several times. haha Thanks!
That really was a impressive shoot out!! The Fast Tracker held its own!! I can definitely tell your soil has a lot of Iron to it by the tones on my favorite machine the Time Ranger Pro. Awesome job!!
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Yes you heard that right. Especially over by the quarter it's pretty hot right there for sure. Glad you enjoyed the video.
Interesting real world study... This video can help first time M. detector consumers make an Informed decision on what is best for their needs and budget for their field service detecting needs... Well done video presentation...
@AmericanDetection
4 ай бұрын
Thank you for the kind words and I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Nice comparison between the two, good to see.
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!
I think I am going get the Fast Tracker as a back up to my simplex, and keep it tucked away in my car as a go to for surprise hunts that may occur. Great video!
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Good choice! At 50.00 you can't go wrong with the Fast Tracker.
@grega5059
2 жыл бұрын
@@AmericanDetection I haven't been able to find it for less than $90. Its $93 on amazon. Where can I find it for $50?
Thank you so much for answering a question that Ive had for a while. While I would like to maybe get started in this hobby, I didnt know what machine that I needed to get started without spending a fortune on something that wont give me what I need.... Cheers
@AmericanDetection
11 ай бұрын
You are so welcome! Goos luck!
A really impressive review of both detectors.
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it.
Had a Garrett and a Bounty Hunter and a old gold hunter one tone and light from the seventies. All done well for my hunting. Mainly the display and depth.
@AmericanDetection
10 ай бұрын
Right on! Thanks for stopping by.
Got the Fast Tracker through a program at work where we build up points based on sales of merchandise through participating vendors. So basically, I got it for $0. What I found is that if you learn to listen to the machine, you can tell pretty quick what's under the coil. I put the sensitivity at about 3 o'clock, and the discriminator at about 4 o'clock. I find time and again that a low growl or a growl and a beep are going to be trash or at best, a modern toasted zinc penny. Conversely, I've dug many a clear, strong beep, expecting a coin, only to find a washer, or a brass tarp grommet. You've just got to "practice" for lack of a better word, and dig everything at first until you've learned the ins and outs of your machine. Would it be nice to have a high dollar detector? Sure, but you don't need one in my humble opinion. I've watched tons of videos on the other detector channels where guys and gals using machines that cost $600 or more get all excited over a signal that turns out to be just another piece of round metal.
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
Well said and good luck!
@jonpatterson7211
Жыл бұрын
@@AmericanDetection Thanks Russ. Since I posted the above comment, I've found about $2 in clad change, AND 2 rings, both 14K gold, one white, one yellow. I'm loving my Fast Tracker and ordered the Bounty Hunter pin pointer which has saved me a ton of time locating targets. Thanks for all you do and keep the videos coming. Bounty Hunter fan for life.
I've seen so many review videos of Chinese detectors and I've told them they would be so much better off to buy a Bounty Hunter Hunter which is made in the USA and comes with a warranty!!
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
In your bad ground I'm totally impressed!!! Way to go Fast Tracker!!
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah me too...I had to rerecord my ending because I though the Fast Tracker wasn't going to hit those 8 plus inch targets...but it surely did!
@treasurehuntingnewyork5979
2 жыл бұрын
I think that’s where the 6.6 low hrz kicks in and helps in the mineralization
Thanks for sharing!!
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
That is what I liked about the tracker 4 I probably could have started this hobby with the tracker as i never really paid any attention to the meter thing on the IV
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
I don't pay attention to it either.
Hi Russ! I found you...lol. I'm still looking at getting a Metal Detector on a budget. That was so interesting & fun. Lou🤓
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
Welcome aboard!
No matter how good the machine you still have to dig!
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
True story
This was an eye opener!!! I have the Tracker IV (Also the Simplex).
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked the video. Yes the Tracker IV is an excellent detector!
@walterthecat2145
2 жыл бұрын
same i have Tracker 4 and simplex
Great piece of work. Me and my wife just found the fast tracker at a goodwill for a great price of 10 bucks, 20 normally but black Friday deals cut it in half. Any pointers to our son, this will be his first metal detector, usually he likes gems and stones but got to play with a friends metal detector and wanted one so when we saw this we had to get it. Thanks in advance
@AmericanDetection
7 ай бұрын
The best piece of advice is to dig everything so you learn what the detector is telling you. I’d do this for the first 10 hours of detecting. After that your son will understand the subtle target I’d hints.
The only challenge of the Fast Tracker might be when your in an area full of hot rocks. I don't know this for a fact, but just a thought. I'd consider asking questions before buying one.
@jonpatterson7211
Жыл бұрын
Jim, what in the world is a "hot rock"?
Crazy good results from that cheapie. Holy Smoke! 8 inches and solid hits!
@AmericanDetection
11 ай бұрын
Oh yeah!
Are all Bounty Hunter coils interchangeable? Are there third-party coils that work on Bounty Hunter detectors?
"LLLet's get ready to RUMBLE!!!!"
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Right on!
Russ what about the regular Time Ranger? It has a lot of bells and whistles does the "pro" version have all the things on the regular Time Rangers lcd screen? Also how doe's it compare to the Tracker 4 and Land Star ?
I found a fast tracker at a yard sale for $10. Works great and even had batteries in it.
@AmericanDetection
11 ай бұрын
That is the deal of the century!
Enjoyed watching
Would buying a larger coil increase the performance on the $50 detector to do relic hunting instead of spending $300 or more for an upgrade detector?
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Yes a larger coil almost always equates to more depth.
I just bought a Time Ranger PL. Not sure what PL stands for. I read the Pro version is a bit higher frequency and can utilize some pricier coils from Fisher. The PL version seems to be 6.6kHz and said to be unable to use those same coils. My unit comes with a 4" coil for gold, but are there any options for larger coils like Mars, CORS, & Nel?
@AmericanDetection
4 ай бұрын
Correct the PL stands for PLAIN BOX (which means it comes in brown cardboard box instead of the color box) You are 100% correct about frequency as the Time Ranger Pro is a 19kHz unit meaning it will hit harder on the mid conductors like brass and gold, while the Time Ranger is a 6.6 kHz meaning it will hit harder on the higher conductors like silver coins.
It will be interesting to see how Garrett's new Vortex series fares when it becomes available.
The Fast Tracker is a Tracker 4 without a meter or a mode selection
I just came by this this channel and am new at metal detecting. I was wondering if you could tell me if you tested the max depth between the two. I am asking this because were I am there has been a lot of excavation and as a result objects seem to be either right on the surface or they get buried deeper (from the back fill), sometimes two or more feet below the surface. Any suggestions on the type of metal detector I should buy (or build)? By the way, Love your channel! Thank You! J.R.
@mont5584
Жыл бұрын
He says he answers all so, we wait.
@johnrobinson518
Жыл бұрын
@@mont5584 yeah I guess so, I've been waiting for 3 months now.
great comparison, i am looking to buy one for a property in mexico where there are caves on a mountain. durring the revolution the rebels would hide there as well as the gold and jewls they took. which detector would you recomened?
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
I'd recommend the Timer Ranger Pro.
I bought an open box return Bounty Hunter Tracker 4 but it lacked sensitivity and was only hitting coins at 4 inches max. I guess that`s why they returned it. I couldn`t find a way to contact Bounty Hunter about repairing it and gave it to a kid.
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Hello BAN EVERYTHING- You can contact Bounty Hunter via Facebook or you can email Bounty Hunter directly at: info@frsttx.com
A few years back I bought a tracker 4 for 5.00 at a garage sale. I gave it to a freind. I wish I hadn't because he hasn't hardly used it and I made him a few videos so he could learn to operate it...some people....
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Oh wow what a deal 5.00 for a Tracker IV you can't beat that!
@Kevin-rw4yw
2 жыл бұрын
Buy it back!
Looks like the cheap one was just as good as the expensive one
Hey thank you for the "feel good about buying the low end detector, but I noticed you avoided silver and or gold. Mostly gold as AZ where I live without panning you can detect for gold here.
@AmericanDetection
5 ай бұрын
I don't have Gold or Silver in my test garden. Sorry baout that.
Awesome video bro! Yup you definitely persuaded me on my $35 Craigslist purchase of the fast tracker.🎉❤ I can't wait. I got permission to metal detect on a friend's property in downtown Wilmington nc, House has a plaque on it that states built in 1830! I only got two weeks👀,, who knows what the big bad fast tracker's going to find for me out there🤞l o l ❤❤❤
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
What a great deal! Good luck!
I have the Gc-1028 cost me 70-80$ only metall it struggles whit is gold kind of a shame. But all in all works great on large items it can actually reach 20" in depth.
If one is interested primarily in history, iron is a desirable find.
I need a metal detector that can find screws, nails, metals you'd find when installing wooden fences and other stuff related to it. I just bought a house and I have a dog that loves to run full speed. My biggest worry is my dog or I would unfortunately step on them while playing. I found some after the rain and strong winds blowing the surface dirt away. The nails I find are extremely rusted and corroded thus making it very bad if it breaks through skin and flesh. I also want a detector so that I can use it to find stuff out in the desert in Mojave. What detector would be best for what's mentioned above?
Great video! I am retired and disabled, so looking for a new hobby. I see some slightly more expensive metal detectors claim to be able to identify the object, a quarter, dime, ring and so forth. Is it worth paying the extra for this feature? Budget is tight.
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Hello Raymond- I'd go with the Tracker IV all day long. It's made in America and has an industry leading 5 year warranty. You can always start with the Tracker IV and use the money you find to purchase a detector with more features if you feel the need. But I am a big fan of the Tracker IV and I don't think you'll go wrong with it.
@reds1325
2 жыл бұрын
Get a minelab vanquish for $200. U won't regret it.
@baneverything5580
2 жыл бұрын
@@reds1325 I went over my sister`s yard with my Bounty Hunter Pioneer 202. I found several coins very easy including a silver half dollar. A Minelab Vanquish 340 I got goes crazy in the same yard. It beeps on very small 4 to 5 inch deep pieces of foil, tiny pieces of copper, deep nails, and targets the size of sardine can over two feet deep. I suppose I can learn the machine eventually and work through all the endless beeping to find coins, especially deep ones, but the Bounty Hunter is SO much easier to use successfully in a trashy yard. If the target ID on the Bounty hunter 202 says 25c...95% of the time it`s a quarter. This makes detecting fun for a beginner. I love the Vanquish and know that in less trashy areas it can find small gold targets far better, and hit deep silver or gold better, but don`t hand it to a beginner in a trashy area. They will become frustrated and give up. I would suggest a Bounty Hunter as a beginner machine for general use and the Vanquish and Simplex (both inexpensive but high tech) if you want to go deep for silver or hunt beaches for jewelry. The Simplex is fully waterproof. The Vanquish is an amazing multi frequency beach machine. My best day EVER was with a unit similar to the 202 in 1996 except it used manual ground balance and had an all metal threshold mode....two HUGE heavy 14k rings, a smaller 14 diamond ring, 18k gold rime glasses, and a 14k earring, all in under one hour on a freshwater beach when Toledo Bend Lake was low. I also found several watches and a lot of coins that day. I found a lot of gold and silver rings with that machine and thousands of coins and cool artifacts.
@toddbowen9078
Жыл бұрын
Go with the Minelab vanquish 340 it's $199.00 and in my opinion way better than the Bounty Hunter.
Looks and sounds like my old Teknetics Omega 8000.
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
The Time Ranger Pro is very much like the Teknetics G2+
Now three times the price. Bummer. Any other good starter deals?
Online it’s advertised this machine will only hit coins at down to 6 inches I think they need to update that
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Bounty Hunter was being conservative. Better to under promise and over deliver.
hey you made the fast tracker more expensive
Boss, what about the battery life? Is the expensive one less battery life?
nice video thanks
@AmericanDetection
7 ай бұрын
Thank you too!
What about the water proofing capabilities?
I have now bounty hunter quick draw pro, i wonder how much i need to spend more for detector which go much deeper and has higher frequency for gold. 1200 dollar? 3000 dollar? or should i directly go minelab 7000 which cost about 7000 dollars. Is there much difference between 1200 dollar and 7000 dollar machine? I want to dig coins and relics which other people could not.
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
The detector you mentioned is a gold detector, mostly for gold nuggets.
The 50 bucks has doubled in price thanks to this video lol
@mont5584
Жыл бұрын
I hope it wasn't because of video. People shouldn't say it should cost more. Jeez
I need some information on those metal detectors with a wireless coil setup. What info do you have for me? I'm in a wheelchair, and I want to drag the coil around behind an RC car. I can do it the other way but I must have the Bluetooth headphones. I just like the idea of having the control box strapped to my arm.
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
Hello MAx- Bounty Hunter does not have any wireless units at the moment. I don't know much about other brands, sorry.
Thanks never metal detected before just thought it would be fun while walking you never know it might be a nice hobby
@AmericanDetection
10 ай бұрын
It's a great hobby that gets you outside and keeps you moving. Hope to see you out there sometime!
I would to see how deep the cheap one will pick up vs the $400 one
I just purchased my first. It is a ReeHM X-100. The description on Amazon stated that it would find, however, the machine itself does not have a setting for gold,. Nor does the literature that it came with. Will it still detect gold ? This model came with headphones but no pinpointer. The batteries were pretty much dead out-of-the-box and are not rechargeable and I did not even take that into consideration. Your advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
Hello Lisa- I don't know this detector. Unfortunately, there are a ton of Chinese knock-offs and junk out there. I would suggest getting a quality American-made detector like Bounty Hunter or some other recognized American brand. I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful to you.
@lisasimonson5051
Жыл бұрын
@@AmericanDetection Thank you
Will it find small gold/silver ring?..fast tracker.
Well that test absolutely blew me away. I cannot believe a $50 machine can keep up with the $400 machine. Let's hope sales don't drop on the $400 machines and pick up on the $50 machines. Lol. Or that $50 machines going to be $200.
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Hey Danny- You know this because you've been in the hobby for so long but for the people who are newer, there are some huge benefits to the Time Ranger Pro, (Target ID, Target Depth Indicator, Pinpoint Mode, DD coil, etc.) but for someone who wants a great detector at a low cost that Fast Tracker isn't a bad option. I will say that you can no longer find the Fast Tracker is now $99 dollars. lol.
@dannywilliams3516
2 жыл бұрын
@@AmericanDetection I'm very familiar with the time Ranger Pro from Bounty Hunter great machine I'm a huge fan of Bounty Hunter metal detectors.
@mont5584
Жыл бұрын
Price already went up. Makes it hard for the little guy just trying to start.
What is the best metal detector to buy To find gold
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
I'd go with the Time Ranger Pro. 19 kHz is perfect for find the mid conductors like gold.
Fast Tracker is now over 100$
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
I saw that. This unit is well worth $100. but does fluctuate in price. I guess just keep an eye out for it. Good luck!
I would like to invest on a water proof medal detector a decent prize what would u suggest
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Hello Elizabeth- I guess I would ask if you REALLY planned on going into the water with this detector or you were more looking for something that could hunt in the rain and wet weather. Fully submersible units can get quite expensive. But, if you want something weatherproof, the Fisher F22 is a great detector at a great price.
@elizabethchapa1369
2 жыл бұрын
Not so much in the deep water but in shallow water. I live in the coast how heavy are they
@baneverything5580
2 жыл бұрын
@@elizabethchapa1369 Simplex detector. Inexpensive and waterproof to 10 feet.
@baneverything5580
2 жыл бұрын
@@elizabethchapa1369 If you plan to hunt the wet sand and not go in the water see the Minelab Vanquish 340.
What do u recommend for 500us .....gold detector...
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
Time Ranger Pro with a 5"DD coil.
@barrymohammed8420
Жыл бұрын
@@AmericanDetection reason why i asked is because i was looking at minelab xterra 705....but it dont have any in stock.......thanks for what u recommend....and this is my first time going to try this ..
Hello Sir ..what is the Brand of detector are cheaper.. And how to by it
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Hello- They are both Bounty Hunter. You can purchase the unit via amazon. Time Ranger Pro: amzn.to/3fmGj2s FAST TRACKER: amzn.to/3FdC2ts
Both are relatively low end machines but some of my best finds 30 years back were with the Radio Shack Discovery-1000 made by Bounty Hunter, then I went to a White's Treasure;master and moved up to the minelab nox800, and now the Xp Deus-2, once you get into something like a Minelab the big box store detectors like Bounty Hunter feel like little kids toys, you can get a Minelab vanquish 340 for $199.00 or a Nokta Makro simplex-+ and it will out perform anything Bounty Hunter has to offer, I'm not knocking Bounty Hunter just saying there's way better options for the money.
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
You may be right in the $200 range but for under $100 there isn't anything that competes with the Bounty Hunter line.
I have both of those detectors.
What do you think of harbor freight Gordon metal detector
@AmericanDetection
11 ай бұрын
I haven't used it or have any experience with it.
Can I ask where you got the 50$ one
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
It was on Amazon, however the price has recently gone up.
Sucks that the fast tracker is over 100 bucks now. Still looks like a great buy though considering the price to performance ratio.
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
It still is a decemt buy. But at that price point, check out the Fast Tracker's big brother, the Tracker IV.
@royhancock1817
Жыл бұрын
Well, if they raised the price, when they were making a decent profit b4, then they are stealing from people just because this guy here have a good demonstration is no excuse for them to raise the price. I was thinking about getting one, but the price increase turned me away.
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
@@royhancock1817 it actually is neither. There was a glitch on Amazon when I was looking and apparently was one of the few lucky ones who got it at $50 but only because I had been watching it for weeks. I thought it was a price change but apparently it was not.
@malenimarkosm4383
8 ай бұрын
@@AmericanDetectionwht is diferent Bounty Hunter and Teknetics or Fisher??
But you know approximately how deep to dig with the TR pro
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
That's true. Thanks for the comment.
So why don't they list how deep they're supposed to go?
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Sometimes manufacturers do but depth os very subjective and results very on many different things, such as size of the object, soil mineralization, soil moisture, electrical magnetic interference, etc.
Dam now its 100 dollars
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
Yes. It actually went up to $100 a week after this video was released. 😟
Well I see the the tracker is 99.00, their intermediate one is cheaper at 84.00
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
I saw that too! Can't beat that price on the Tracker IV.
I'll stick with the vanquish 540 it'll actually detect raw nuggets on jewelry mode
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Alright, Tony.
Where in the world are you finding the Fast Tracker for $50???
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
It turned out to be a special deal that was on when I was filming this piece.
What do you guys recommend from aliexpress? It has cheap stuff, dont wanna get my first detector like its not even useable, but for a first one, a cheaper one would be good for a starter, dont even have money for the expensive ones😂
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
Hello Drake. I don't recommend anything from AliExpress. Buy from a real, reputable company like Bounty Hunter.
@drakeblackk
Жыл бұрын
@@AmericanDetection hello! Thank you for the fast anwser! Problem is rn 3d Printing is not really active so it would be really hard for me to even gather 50 bucks in my country, and that one has increased price now too... So that stuff worth nothing? I have seen test videos "in the air" so it was nothing between the machine and the coin, and it detected the coin from around 5cm, but with sand etc it will be even smaller area. This is why these stuff are trash, i guess :/
I lost my wedding ring with in a block of my house I rented a cheap metal detector and still did not find any suggestions
though I had some problem with sea water It also kzread.infoUgkxa-FNYUOM93a388gi9a4brtSCEVmrHgJH land for finding any things very easily. (thought it would work as normal due to it being water proof within certain parts of the detector), on dry land and sand worked well. My first one, so still have lots to learn
@AmericanDetection
11 ай бұрын
Oh, 100%.
Are meteors worth any thing
@AmericanDetection
2 жыл бұрын
Yes. Sometimes more than gold.
@johnybull7256
2 жыл бұрын
@@AmericanDetection problem is how to tell for shure what you have and thanks for reply
So nice sir good metal detector...how to order sir..from Philippines
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
Hello. I'm not sure where in the Philippines, however I do have an amazon link below.
Bounty Hunter Time Ranger Pro looks like Teknetic's G2? their both 19 KHZ,..... a company of clones. And its like Bounty hunter is trying to loose the toy reputation.
Not saying you were a contributing factor, but just say well worth the money. Now can't afford it. 😕 Consider the consumer (the little guy)
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
Understood
It's not $50 anymore.... Thanks pal
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
Welcome!
Does bounty hunter make one that's good for salt water..........
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
Hello Del- To be truly good in saltwater you need a multi-frequency. However, the Time Ranger Pro with it's 19kHz runs fairly stable on the saltwater beaches. The coil is waterproof but not the control box.
That is so cap it is 99 bucks not 50. boi stop the cap right now!
@AmericanDetection
Жыл бұрын
At the time it was 49.95 no cap.