*Limited Stock* - $15 Metal Detector at Radio Shack

[TheDon]

I was at Radio Shack today (6-01) and they had a metal detector normally priced at $99.99 on clearance for $14.97. It must be an older model because it's not in their current catalog. The RS catalog number is 63-3006.

 

[kbaxter]

Lucky find! Ran over to my local RS and they didn't have that model in stock.

They DID have another at half price, though. It was regularly $99 and was now at $49. I may go back tomorrow and grab one. I think it was 63-3011, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Rally1]

info and pic

 

[BobSnob]

Thanks, I must have a look tomorrow. I find myself strangely drawn to metal detectors for no obvious reason. Maybe it's the thrill of finding a bottle cap!

 

[puppyfriend]

I think this is a store by store thing. I saw one a few months ago in a store in San Francisco. It was $19.95 though. It sat there for months before it was gone.

David

 

[RadioactiveMagpies]

I might hit 3-4 Radioshack stores trying to look for one these tomorrow.
Anyone have stories they wish to share of what they found with metal detectors?

Also.. 3X 9 volt batteries
would these 9v NiMH work?

 

[Terminal Raptor]

Save yourself the money and inverst in a real metal detector (Whites is a highly reputable brand). This thing is most likely worth 15.00 at most. I appologize if it sounds like I'm crapping, but then again I'm speaking from experiance here, I've had nothing but bad experiances with Radio Shack's metal dectors. My favorate was the one we had that would randomly stop detecting metal, sent it in for service and they found "nothing" wrong with it. Never mind the fact that there were occasions were I ran the thing over a manhole cover without it going off, and then ten minutes later it can pick up a nail burried under sand... go figure. Then again, it is only $15 and it might be a nice toy to play around with barring someone from encountering an experiance like mine.


-Raptor

 

[Buz2b]

I agree with Raptor, this is most likely only worth about $20 and you will spend alot of time digging up "trash", instead of treasures. This unit will not enable you to discriminate between high quality metals and useless junk. You will tire of digging the junk real fast and it will sit in your closet longer than sat on Radio Shack's shelves.

 

[ValsalvaYourHeartOut]

Can this find syringes in SoCal beaches?

Valsalva

 

[Flatbroke]

3 - 9v batteries, ouch, you can't even strap a 12v car battery to your back to run this. Will be a good buy for someone though, good find, ignore the people who talk about this model without even ever holding one or trying it out, you found a something cheap, all they do is bitch.

 

[sumrtym]

The metal detectors found at Sears, Radio Shack, and Wal-Mart are junk. Toys at best. If you want a real metal detector, invest in a Whites or Fisher. As a detectorist and secretary for a local club, I can tell you, even with a top-line detector you'll dig junk. If you've never swung a detector, it's an eye-opening experience to the sheer amount of crap people have left in the ground through the years. However, persistance in the hobby has neat rewards. Civil war bullets, old silver coins (my oldest this year is a 1900), neat history of pieces (an old Boy Scout token given out in 1912 by one of the original sponsers of the Boy Scouts, Excelsior Shoes as a good luck charm with a reverse swastika on it which was a Victorian era good luck symbol), etc. It's a fun hobby, but not for everyone. If you're seriously interested, you'll do best to avoid these sort of detectors as you'll just get frustrated and give up.

If you only have a mild interest, find a local dealer who might have a good used unit, or invest in a $150 - $300 beginner unit from one of the previously mentioned manufacturers.

Just some advice. If anyone is seriously interested in learning more about detecting, you can pm me and I'll give you some sources to learn more.

 

[DealyDo]

I'd be happy just to find my car keys

 

[Rally1]

#1 the difference between $15 and $300 is alot.....

#2 dont be too quick to discredit a RadioShack metal detector.

A quick search on google led me to the info that alot of the RS metal detectors are the same as BountyHunters http://www.detecting.com/ . Which are (apparently) half decent.


I would guess that most people on here are not the chapter president of their local scavenge club, and would do quite well with a $15 start up, at least for finding nails inthat wood they are about to cut etc.

On this board that is like saying dont buy a super cheap Duron, when a Pentium 4 is so much better, at 10 times the price! Sometimes you buy something because it is so cheap, not because you actually need one . I think this deal is for those people, not people who actually do this as a hobby.

Of course I know nothing about metal detectors... but I do know $15 is cheap!

 

[TheDon]

Thanks Rally1, I actually bought one for my nephew as a gift. I guess he won't become a millionaire by finding El Dorado, but he should have fun with it at the park.

Originally posted by: Rally1
#1 the difference between $15 and $300 is alot.....

#2 dont be too quick to discredit a RadioShack metal detector.

A quick search on google led me to the info that alot of the RS metal detectors are the same as BountyHunters http://www.detecting.com/ . Which are (apparently) half decent.


I would guess that most people on here are not the chapter president of their local scavenge club, and would do quite well with a $15 start up, at least for finding nails inthat wood they are about to cut etc.

On this board that is like saying dont buy a super cheap Duron, when a Pentium 4 is so much better, at 10 times the price! Sometimes you buy something because it is so cheap, not because you actually need one . I think this deal is for those people, not people who actually do this as a hobby.

Of course I know nothing about metal detectors... but I do know $15 is cheap!

 

[chrisjor]

There is one available at the Erlanger, Ky store.....for those in the Cincinnati- N. Kentucky area.

 

[adams73533]

Originally posted by: sumrtym
The metal detectors found at Sears, Radio Shack, and Wal-Mart are junk. Toys at best. If you want a real metal detector, invest in a Whites or Fisher. As a detectorist and secretary for a local club, I can tell you, even with a top-line detector you'll dig junk. If you've never swung a detector, it's an eye-opening experience to the sheer amount of crap people have left in the ground through the years. However, persistance in the hobby has neat rewards. Civil war bullets, old silver coins (my oldest this year is a 1900), neat history of pieces (an old Boy Scout token given out in 1912 by one of the original sponsers of the Boy Scouts, Excelsior Shoes as a good luck charm with a reverse swastika on it which was a Victorian era good luck symbol), etc. It's a fun hobby, but not for everyone. If you're seriously interested, you'll do best to avoid these sort of detectors as you'll just get frustrated and give up.

If you only have a mild interest, find a local dealer who might have a good used unit, or invest in a $150 - $300 beginner unit from one of the previously mentioned manufacturers.

Just some advice. If anyone is seriously interested in learning more about detecting, you can pm me and I'll give you some sources to learn more.

Radioshack and Walmart detectors are both made by Bounty Hunter which is a well known brand. The $200 and up detectors are really good. I can say this because I bout the Quick Draw II which is the same as the walmart pioneer 202 and the $200 one at radioshack. It registers everything and tells you how deep it is. It is very accurate. Found a 44 wheat penny this weekend with it at about 5" in highly mineralized soil.

 

[Relayer]

Can this find syringes in SoCal beaches?

ValsalvaYourHeartOut

You should really use new ones. Find someone who is diabetic and get them from them.

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: ValsalvaYourHeartOut
Can this find syringes in SoCal beaches?

How about New Jersey beaches?

 

[Jack159]

I got one! Had to call a ton of stores to find one, though. If you do find a store with one, ask em if its new before you go, or you might end up with a display model or something. For 15.00 its not bad. Definitely not for a pro, but for someone thinking about getting a good one, this is a start! (mine was actually 14.97 )

BUMP!



Jack159

 

[Rally1]

important link

 

[sumrtym]

Actually, Bounty Hunter is not a respected brand. That's like saying the Yugo was a respected car. Respected brands include White's, Fisher, Garrett, Tesoro, Minelab. Those are the big five.

I just hate to see someone get something as a "bargain" and give up on the hobby. That happens way too much because of those detectors. That's all I'm saying. You can get a decent detector for $150 - $300, and don't forget....it's a hobby that does pay for itself.

 

[adams73533]

Yes and i've got a $200 bounty hunter Quick Draw II and it is not a piece of junk. I hate to see people put down bounty hunters that have never tried them. Everyone that has them loves them or at least the people that is willing to learn how to use them.

 

[Alphacow]

Originally posted by: Rally1
important link

He hee, I saw the dilbert in the link and thought "I hope this is the metal detector one"

Anyways, couldnt you buy like 10 of these $15 ones for the same cost as a good one then duct tape them together to make one Super Metal Detector?