Latest Obsession...
Metal Detectors!!!
DEPTHMASTER AUDIOPHONES II HEADPHONES
Metal Detectors!!!
Okay, it's time that I finally admit my 'geekhood' and accept it. I'm a geek.
So what have I done this time to bring on a sudden onslaught of 'geeky' guilt?
I've succumed to my childhood desire to have a metal detector. But that's not all, the girl that I am needed to accessorize...
Of course, I thought long and hard about my decision. It's been almost a month of debating. Agonizing over costs, researching the right machine - reading reviews, help forums, contacting suppliers - and asking myself the question, "Will I use this and is it worth the money?"
Technically speaking, after just finding out that getting health and dental insurance through the university (something I've been waiting 5 months for!) is not going to happen due to administration muck-ups (thank you once again U of O for the pleasure of doing business with you - please do note the sarcasm...) this might have been my version of "retail therapy". I suppose that finally led to the melt down which helped my index finger press the "enter" button on PayPal!
So moving on to the whole "online buying" experience when it comes to metal detectors, I have learned a few lessons which I will pass on to you!
1. Research your gear! Sometimes a price looks great but what do you know about the product? For some things, generic products are A-okay, but apparently that's not the case for metal detectors! After reading at more than 100 reviews, they all seem to agree - stick to name brands.
2. Know your limits. How much can you afford? Is it better to buy the cheapest product or something on sale or wait until you can afford a higher priced model? Moreover, can you handle the most expensive model or will you soon be over-whelmed with all the bells and whistles? It's all fine and good to get the "best-of-the-best". Maybe your like me - assuming that eventually you will grow into your new toy - but what happens if your new toy leads to so many headaches that eventually it gets buried in a closet never to see the light of day? That's not fun.
3. Thinking about buying 'used'? Maybe it's a good idea but maybe not. In my humble opinion, unless you really know what you are doing, buying used electronics is never a good idea. I'm all for a good garage sale, Value Village, vintage items, and "big item" garbage day hunting ;) Nevertheless, I've not had a lot of luck with electronics so these days, I stick to new items with the assurance of a valid warranty and the option to return if the product is defective.
4. Where will you be using your metal detector? Will you be using it at the beach? Salt water or fresh water? Is there a high mineral content in the soil? Will you be taking it to the dump? What depths are you hoping to search in? Make sure to find out if the detector you are looking at will meet your needs so you don't get stuck with something that you can't use!
5. When looking at prices don't forget the little extras such as shipping costs, taxes, customs fees and brokerage fees. Trust you me, these things add up! While you might think you are getting a bargain by online shopping overseas or across the border, once all the extras are tallied up you might be surprised at how much cheaper it would have been to buy in Canada.
6. SHOP AROUND! I made a "wish list" which you will see below. Naturally, I was not able to purchase everything on my wish list. However, I did research them all! I could have purchased everything from one supplier. However, while they might have had the best rates for some things, they didn't have the best rates for everything on my wish list! By shopping around, I was able to shave almost $200 off the total price of my wish list (including the cost of shipping). It takes some leg work, a few phone calls and a lot of research but it's worth it to shop around once you've determined which brand and model is best for you!
Click on any of the suppliers for more information :)
So what have I done this time to bring on a sudden onslaught of 'geeky' guilt?
I've succumed to my childhood desire to have a metal detector. But that's not all, the girl that I am needed to accessorize...
Of course, I thought long and hard about my decision. It's been almost a month of debating. Agonizing over costs, researching the right machine - reading reviews, help forums, contacting suppliers - and asking myself the question, "Will I use this and is it worth the money?"
Technically speaking, after just finding out that getting health and dental insurance through the university (something I've been waiting 5 months for!) is not going to happen due to administration muck-ups (thank you once again U of O for the pleasure of doing business with you - please do note the sarcasm...) this might have been my version of "retail therapy". I suppose that finally led to the melt down which helped my index finger press the "enter" button on PayPal!
So moving on to the whole "online buying" experience when it comes to metal detectors, I have learned a few lessons which I will pass on to you!
1. Research your gear! Sometimes a price looks great but what do you know about the product? For some things, generic products are A-okay, but apparently that's not the case for metal detectors! After reading at more than 100 reviews, they all seem to agree - stick to name brands.
2. Know your limits. How much can you afford? Is it better to buy the cheapest product or something on sale or wait until you can afford a higher priced model? Moreover, can you handle the most expensive model or will you soon be over-whelmed with all the bells and whistles? It's all fine and good to get the "best-of-the-best". Maybe your like me - assuming that eventually you will grow into your new toy - but what happens if your new toy leads to so many headaches that eventually it gets buried in a closet never to see the light of day? That's not fun.
3. Thinking about buying 'used'? Maybe it's a good idea but maybe not. In my humble opinion, unless you really know what you are doing, buying used electronics is never a good idea. I'm all for a good garage sale, Value Village, vintage items, and "big item" garbage day hunting ;) Nevertheless, I've not had a lot of luck with electronics so these days, I stick to new items with the assurance of a valid warranty and the option to return if the product is defective.
4. Where will you be using your metal detector? Will you be using it at the beach? Salt water or fresh water? Is there a high mineral content in the soil? Will you be taking it to the dump? What depths are you hoping to search in? Make sure to find out if the detector you are looking at will meet your needs so you don't get stuck with something that you can't use!
5. When looking at prices don't forget the little extras such as shipping costs, taxes, customs fees and brokerage fees. Trust you me, these things add up! While you might think you are getting a bargain by online shopping overseas or across the border, once all the extras are tallied up you might be surprised at how much cheaper it would have been to buy in Canada.
6. SHOP AROUND! I made a "wish list" which you will see below. Naturally, I was not able to purchase everything on my wish list. However, I did research them all! I could have purchased everything from one supplier. However, while they might have had the best rates for some things, they didn't have the best rates for everything on my wish list! By shopping around, I was able to shave almost $200 off the total price of my wish list (including the cost of shipping). It takes some leg work, a few phone calls and a lot of research but it's worth it to shop around once you've determined which brand and model is best for you!
Click on any of the suppliers for more information :)
Supplier | Cost | Shipping | Total |
$49.95 | free | $49.95 | |
$39.95 | $29.27 | $69.22 |
BOUNTY HUNTER CARRY BAG
Supplier | Cost | Shipping | Total |
$44.95 | Free | $44.95 | |
$39.95 | $20 flat | ||
$23.20 | |||
$34.95 | $8.95 | $43.90 |
| Tech Depot | $33.22 | ||
$30.83 | |||
$29.99 | |||
$16.47 | $39.00 | $55.47 | |
$45.99 | pick up | $45.00 |
SAND SIFTER - GARRETT GALVANIZED METAL –
METAL
$54.95 | free | $54.95 | |
$43.95 | dob | ||
$43.95 | email |
BOUNTY HUNTER TRACKER IV
$159.95 | free | $159.95 | |
$99 | $50 | $149. | |
$104.00 | $39 | $143.99 | |
$129 | pick up | ||
$144.95 | |||
$135.82 |
POUCH & DIGGING TOOL
$39.99 | free | $39.95 | |
$39.99 | - | $39.99 | |
$20.47 | $10.00 | $30.47 | |
$24.99 | $8.95 | $33.94 |
GERMAN ARMY FIELD SHOVEL AND PICK COMBO
$44.95 | free | $44.95 | |
$24.99 | |||
$30.00 | $18 | $48.00 |
Garret Pro Pointer
Hmmmm..... now I'm thinking about a Garret Pro Pointer. Finding my little treasures - or maybe narrowing down their location is a better way to say it - was a lot harder than I expected!
What do you think? Is the Pro Pointer essential??? Thanks!
Still on the wish list:
BOUNTY HUNTER 4" GOLD NUGGET COIL
$54.95 | Free | $54.95 | |
$31.77 | |||
$31.80 | |||
$39.95 | $20 flat | 59.95 | |
$39.17 |
SAND SIFTER - RTG #755 PRIVATEER
$79.95 | free | $79.95 | |
$43.95 | email |
- Tara, Treasure Trunk Designs
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