TESORO COMPADRE METAL DETECTOR : Many consider the Tesoro Compadre Metal Detector to be the best entry level choice when purchasing a metal detector. Why? The Compadre has the same discrimination technology as some of the proven, higher end Tesoro models, without all the knobs many users do not need. For example: In most soils and sands, the factory ground balance setting is more than ample to get good depth on small targets. Secondly, one doesn't need a pinpoint function with a small coil. Third, we do not need a sensitivity adjustment, when we are going to have it in the same spot on the dial every time. The internal factory sensitivity setting will dig six inch deep coins reliably.
The mark of a good metal detector is it's ability to detect small targets as deep as the coil is wide. For example, a six inch coil should dig six inch deep coins and other popular targets. The Tesoro Compadre exceeds this benchmark in detector depth.
Tesoro Compadre 12khz Frequency Operation - Compadre's 12khz operation (lower medium high frequency) makes it very sensitive to common gold jewelry. This frequency is going to be more sensitive to typical small jewelry items, both gold and silver. Frequency of operation of a VLF metal detector has more to do with it's performance on desired targets than any other variable The Compadre's 12khz frequency operation makes it coin and jewelry detector, with a bit more sensitivity on small jewelry and popular gold items. One could even use the Tesoro Compadre for some light gold nugget hunting, getting rice sized nuggets up to a couple inches deep.
Weight - The Tesoro Compadre weighs next to nothing. At under two pounds, it's like swinging air. Considering the ergonomics and physics of use when swinging, weight on the arm is likely less than a couple small hamburgers.
So as you see, you are getting a $350 metal detector with a bunch of knobs missing. The power of a $350 dollar unit for $150 low price.
I chose the Tesoro Compadre over the Garrett ACE 250. Why? - The ID jumps around quite a bit on the Ace 250, making things the same guessing game as analog audio. One needs to spend at least $400 for a metal detector to obtain solid target ID on coins at depth. If you are after the jewelry and digging lots of trash to find it, display ID takes a back seat to "solid audio" on any metal detector on the market, no matter what the cost., no matter how many bell's and whistles it has.
The more expensive the metal detector, the better it can ID coins, not jewelry. Until science creates a reliable "gold detector", Tesoro Compadre users will have the same chance to find a gold ring as a $1500 metal detector user. Perhaps even a better chance, as Tesoro Compadre audio tends to break up on wrinkled can shred and other gold range trash. Trash signals that produce broken audio on a Tesoro, often sound solid on expensive, digital metal detectors. In this department, the mighty Tesoro Compadre has an advantage over expensive metal detectors. Compadre users are well known for digging lots of jewelry.
