'Fortune Hunter' model?

I have never owned nor ever used a metal detector and am shopping around for an entry level detector.  I found where Big 5 Sporting Goods has a Bounty Hunter 'Fortune Hunter' on sale for $140, down from $240.  But, I can't find a Bounty Hunter detector with the same model name anywhere else.

So if anyone has heard of this model or has time to look at Big 5's site to see if they recognize it, I would appreciate any feedback.  The Big 5 site has no manual to download and the picture of the detector doesn't mean anything to a noob like me.

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,4490.msg29095.html#msg29095

Yes, for the price it is tempting.  I just want to learn a little about its capabilities first.  From the price it would seem to fall in the range of a Land Star model.  Well, the sale lasts another 6 days so I have time to research.

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,4490.msg29098.html#msg29098

After a lot more reading I found some odd and ends about BH models.  Apparently BH retails detectors through outlets like Big 5 under different model names than its own.  I went to Big 5 and looked at what they had and as best as I can tell the  'Fortune Hunter' is probably the same as the Land Star, but I do not really know.  They also had the BH Elite 2200, which was also selling for $139.  The Elite had no knobs, while the Fortune Hunter did.

One thing I am not sure about either of these models, or any other BH models, is whether they have automatic ground balance.  Anyone know for certain whether they do?  I would like to use a MD to look for gold still in the vein in an area that has been know to produce large masses of it.  But, I am worried there are a lot of hot rocks that would interfere (volcanics).

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,4490.msg29307.html#msg29307

Hi Bill
             Ive got a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV it was pretty cheap but it does have a Discriminator  high /low knob a Sensitivity knob and a Disriminator switch  . I think you need at least one knob to turn on/off Discriminator but not necessary as I found that mine would read coins at about 5 inches so I would dig everything anyway trash and all .  The first day I used mine down at the park found $50 worth of coins .  went down same park with my $1700 detector and found $4 of coins so keep it simple 
            Had a quick look at the Lone Star detector , Id say go for it ! the Tracker IV is a couple models lower down the line and Im impressed with that one for the price so you cant miss with the one youre looking at . yes yours have touch buttons and auto ground balance

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,4490.msg29340.html#msg29340

Bill
            If you do get the Bounty Hunter , I found with mine ,when panning the detector ,as it is  called a motion detector, I find that when you cross a coin it will give a crisp clear( blip )sound ,  when you cross trash it will give (static,  blip ,static) with experience you will pick-up the distinct difference in the sounds.
 
           With the dearer detectors their are a lot more settings to deal with some you can hear different sounds for different metals and all sorts of variations with your settings , the only problem is it takes a lot more practice to be able to read these detectors . with the Bounty Hunter  you could easily walk out the shop with the detector in your hand and find a coin as you step out the door its that simple to work. They may not be as sensitive as dedicated Gold detectors in looking for fine gold but its worth a try .

           The dedicated Gold detectors are a lot more expensive they are generaly called PI detectors they are not designed to go coin hunting but they can do it .  I have a Minelab GP Extreme and I find it is sensitive enough to pick-up a piece of fuse-wire smaller than a matchhead at 2 inches depth .
                Maybe later after youre hooked into to the detectorists hypnotic -trance with "GOLD FEVER" you will upgrade to a more complicated model like we all seem to do eventually.   

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,4490.msg29421.html#msg29421