is the XP Deus too advanced for me

[GeoJon]

Hi all

I'm looking to buy my first metal detector. I'm a complete novice of course and don't have any permissions or club membership yet (although I've asked Surrey Searchers if I can join them). I was hoping to detect on farmland in the Surrey area.

I really like the look of the XP Deus just based on reviews and youtube vids. Obviously I don't really know what I'm looking at, but it gets good reviews. Do you think it will be too advanced for me?

I've got the budget but I read somewhere that novices buying advanced detectors is a big reason for them giving up on the hobby. Would that be the case?

Thanks for any advice.

Jon

[mrix]

Hello Jon, by using the default XP Deus programs which are still very good pretty much makes it a switch on a go machine and very simple to use, it does have many features where by you can create your own programs and tweak the defaults but that` s up to you and that`s something you may wish to consider at a later date after you have got more used to the basics
Cheers
mrix

[Koala]

Can be used as a simple switch on and go detector for "field" use

[Rift]

Hi Jon

I think you will find there are many more people who buy cheap and then upgrade a few times to something like a Deus, and at each upgrade money is lost in postage, lost value, purchasing of covers, bags, extra coils & batteries so if it's something you want and can afford straight off then why hold back.
The Deus is a "switch on and go" machine that can be programmed and tuned for most types of ground.
It's not great on beaches compared to a Pi machine or an FSB (minelab) machine but it's a fantastic lightweight versatile machine that's great on UK land.

Rift

[manicdev]

I would say no it's not to advanced.
You can use it straight out of the box
And you can alter things and make it as complicated as you like at a later date (once learned).
As long as you can tell the difference between high and low sounding tones and you READ the manual cover to cover (and then read it again ) you should be ok
Keep it simple and don't go changing any settings until you get a grasp of the machine (use the pre-set programs at first).
I basically started with a white's DFX and they are quite a complicated machine
O.K.you will make some mistakes, but don't we all at some stage or another
Try and find a "buddy" in your area to help you, and clubs are good for learning.
One thing I would say is if you buy a "good" machine in the first place and then find you don't like the hobby you wont loose to much if you decide to give up and sell it
Hope this helps.
Dave

[GeoJon]

Wow this is such a responsive forum - I only just posted that!

Thanks all, great advice, I think I'll go and treat myself this weekend. Almost coincides with my birthday so I'll consider it an early present to myself.

I guess I'll be hiding pennies under the rug until I get myself a permission somewhere. I've just started researching.

Thanks again

Jon

[hihosilver]

If you know you will want to follow the metal detecting hobby for many years, I'd say dive in and get a Deus. It can be a basic machine or advanced too so there are lots of things to learn if you would want to. As Dave says above, read the manual, as far as manuals go it's really good.

If you are even slightly unsure then buy a cheaper machine and upgrade later. They usually keep their value well, and the secondhand market is alive and well. Easy enough to get rid of a machine and trade up.

Just be aware that digging all targets with a new machine is a 'rite of passage' and you will end up with a big pile of iron the first few detecting sessions. This is something that puts some off, as they don't instantly find gold treasure, but once you start learning the tones and digging 'good' targets it becomes a lot more enjoyable.

Of course if you choose a deus straight away you will miss out on the experience of using a 'cheaper' detector, which I feel is an important step, as it makes you appreciate a higher value machine more.

[Ironmagnet]

Ultimately its personal preference - as some of the comments have stated the Deus shouldn't be too advanced with the pre-sets, I chose a Garrett Euro-Ace purely as I wanted to try things out before making a larger investment. It has lived up to the reviews.
I will soon be upgrading to the Deus myself as I have secured some nice permissions and will either keep the Euro-Ace as a back-up or sell it as depreciation is minimal in good condition with box etc. HH

[JamieB]

The Deus is a superb machine but then I would say that!!

Its as simple or complicated as you make it - there are at least 3 pre-programmed options (Fast, Basic1 and GMP) that you can use without any experience straight out of the box and then when you get more experienced you can tinker with all the settings

Any detector takes time to learn - I switched from a very basic Garrett 250 to the Deus and it took me a while to get used to it but it's worth it

I'd say that your problem wont be the machine you use but whether you actually like detecting and whether you can get permission - if you're not feeling it or cant get permission then it doesn't matter what machine you take out with you - that's not being pessimistic just real as you need a LOT of patience

if you think that you have patience and can get permissions then a DEUS is a great choice of detector

GL & HH

[GeoJon]

I really appreciate the advice, thanks all. A Deus it is then

I already spend hours wandering the countryside anyway (I do a lot of rambling about mixed with a bit of birdwatching), so I'll enjoy being outdoors even if I don't take to the detecting! I'm sure I will though, I have been playing with the idea for years and I still enjoy the 'whats around the next corner' feeling from fossil hunting, so I think it will be my kind of hobby.

Incidentally, I've been watching a lot of videos of the guy that runs the garrysdetecting site - he just seems to wave handfuls of dirt in front of his detector rather than using a pinpoint probe. It seems to work - are probes just used for the 'tricky to find' finds?

Cheers

Jon

[Nailman]

Go for it all my fellow club members who use them mainly stick to GMP or Deus fast
all machines have a learning curve, once you get used to the pre set turn on and go then you may want to experiment.

A lot of people with a versatile machine such as the Deus mess around to much instead of gaining confidence in what the machine is telling you, you'll never be stuck there are plenty of Deus users on the forum.

[Ironmagnet]

I really appreciate the advice, thanks all. A Deus it is then

I already spend hours wandering the countryside anyway (I do a lot of rambling about mixed with a bit of birdwatching), so I'll enjoy being outdoors even if I don't take to the detecting! I'm sure I will though, I have been playing with the idea for years and I still enjoy the 'whats around the next corner' feeling from fossil hunting, so I think it will be my kind of hobby.

Incidentally, I've been watching a lot of videos of the guy that runs the garrysdetecting site - he just seems to wave handfuls of dirt in front of his detector rather than using a pinpoint probe. It seems to work - are probes just used for the 'tricky to find' finds?

Cheers

Jon

I would invest in a probe, there are a few to choose from but you will save a lot of time recovering your finds

[Koala]

I went a year without a probe with no bother. Having one does help a little though.

[JamieB]

Get a probe for many reasons

1. You can check the ground before digging and often that will save you digging a big hole when the find is very near the surface and just the tip of the spade or trowel will pluck it out
2. Waving soil is ok but try that in really wet conditions when you have a handful of gloop
3. You'll often dig a hole only to find that your pinpointing is out and the find is in the side of the hole
4. When you dig your hole and locate the find with your probe you can be much more accurate with your final spadeful which can be the difference between damaging your find and recovering it without any damage

Hope that helps

[tigtog]

buy the deus will save you upgrading, it really is a great machine good luck