Garrett Ace 250
Price: $250
Avg. Score: 
4.2
Based on 260 reviews
4.2Based on 260 reviews
Avg. Durability:
4.05
Avg. Ease of use:
4.50
Easy to Use
March 10, 2009
Well, let me first say that this is my very first metal detector, and I am
impressed with its ease of use. I was able to use it within the first 15
minutes, and found an old toy car in my backyard from the 1960s. I then
went back and watched the instructional video and found out how to fine
tune and use the pinpoint feature. I have nothing to compare this to as
this is my first metal detector, but I don't think that I will need upgrade
anytime soon, as this is only a part time hobby. Some of the other
features that I found very useful are that it is very lightweight, the
pinpoint feature is very useful, it has long battery life, you're able to
set the discrimination mode to avoid on wanted things, it has a varying
tones depending on the object, its own built and speaker and it has a
headphone jack for noisy areas. Some of the things that are not good about
it are that it has no volume adjustment so when you use headphones it is
very loud on your ear, and that the strap was unnecessary because you will
be putting the metal detector down many times to dig.I would make a recommendation on the digging utensil, as I live in Georgia and the soil is very hard from all the clay in it, that you find a tool that will not destroy your hand when digging. And remember that you will be doing a lot of bending over and time on your knees digging those treasures out. Also plan on getting your hands very dirty so an option may be to wear gloves and a pouch to put all of your junk and treasures in.
All in all this is a well rounded and easy to use device. I would recommend it for a beginner, it seems that you get a lot of bang for your buck and before you go hunting to watch the video on how to use the device before you start using it, if for nothing else it shows you the proper use of the pinpoint feature, but some of the pluses in watching it are that it will show you how to set the device properly.
Overall Rating
Patrick J from
Georgia
45111
My neighbor thanks you!
February 01, 2009
Having purchased the Garrett 250 late last fall, I haven't spent a extreme
amount of time with the unit. I believe we have found about $1.75 in
change, a muzzle loader shot, and old a button from a WWII jacket, nothing
old, but it has been fun digging for our treasures. But the unit showed
its value when our neighbor lost his wedding ring in the snow while
building an igloo with our son. Figuring the ring was either in our yard or
along his driveway, we started at our location. My 15 year old son fired up
the detector and was able to locate the ring in about 5 minutes. My
neighbor was so relieved that he didn't have to go out and replace a $2,000
wedding band. For the price you can't go wrong.
Overall Rating
Doug Aldridge from
Indianapolis, IN
3182
Ace 250 its amazing
January 27, 2009
i can't explain this any simpler it is an amazing machine it pays for it
self literally 250.00 +the free accessories. this machine will find you
what those 500.00+ machines will find but for a fraction of the price. dude
i got this one based on the reviews and the amount of money i had to spend.
the ace 250 is amazing at finding coins and jewelry in no time you will
have found more than 250.00 worth of stuff. the only problem with the
machine is the pinpoint feature which isn't 100%accurate but with practice
and the pinpoint video on youtube.com less digging more finding. i will
never buy another machine this is the only one i have tried couldn't be
more happy just turn it on and your ready to hunt set the settings you want
which takes like 30seconds with the push of a few buttons.if you go to the beach you can use it on dry sand really well with the wet sand you have to lower the sensitivity or you will get false signals
its amazing lightweight weighs like 1lb and 250.00 makes you much more its like buying it for free those really expensive machines don't make you money because you have to find the money that coasted over 600.00 to buy all i can say is buy it read the manual get familiar with the sounds a great first detector i know people who use it
Overall Rating
Jon gauliger from
NY
4387
GREAT LITTLE DETECTOR, BUT TAKE TIME TO LEARN ITS WAYS!
January 25, 2009
Well, I have found plenty. It is easy to use. What I would say is, I often
get a 'coin' bell signal, only for it to change to an iron signal, either
straightaway or once I start digging. This will generally be trash - it
happens a lot. 'Coin' bleeps will also be lumps of lead and larger iron
objects. The iron discrimate often does not shut out iron. BUT You can
still use jewellery mode while at the same time having a visual iron icon
light up. This is a great feature when you want to avoid being pestered by
iron bleeps all day. Generally, if you get a short, tight bleep in both
sweep directions, dig it up! As for the depth display, if 6 inches is lit
up, the target will be 6 inches or more (from the coil). 2" and 4" depth
displays are pretty accurate. It's all relative. It is a GREAT little machine for parks, woodland etc. It's knocked by serious detectorists, but I've found stuff when they've blanked with their £800 Minelabs! If you are after English hammered coins on farmland, you might not reach them if they're deep - but if you're on ploughed land, you have every chance. Also, use headphones with a volume control. One more thing - someone said it can bleep madly - if so, turn down the sensitivity. Practise, practise, practise. Slow down the swing. Be patient. I enjoy using it. Sure, if I had more spending power, I'd maybe get a Fisher F75 or Whites DFX etc. But for £175, it's a fine little fella - and you can often get it cheaper on e-Bay etc.
Overall Rating
Ace Nige from
Surrey, England
3381
Over Rated/Over Hyped
January 24, 2009
This detector is so over rated and over hyped its unreal.I am so disappointed in this detector its unreal. My old beginner Bounty Hunter Tracker IV out performed the Ace 250.
I did not get the fancy graphic displays and I had to turn some knobs myself, but the BH went deeper and found better targets then The 250. Do not plan on digging anything besides large iron pieces deeper then four inches.
The 250 is a beginner detector with zero learning curve. The only people that will tell you that this machine compares to the high end machines are people who have not owned or used high end machines.
Overall Rating
Andrew from
Iowa
12477
Half groat of elizabeth 1st and charles first shilling
January 15, 2009
Half groat found around 8" deep in ploughed soil and Charles first shilling
2" deep on pasture, fantastic for the money nothing much more can be said
for a detector on a budget.
Overall Rating
Dave from
England u.k.
2192
Diamond ring first day
December 16, 2008
I am happy with my detector. The first day I used it I found a diamond ring
on the beach. My wife was very happy and my 9 year old son who went
treasure hunting with me was estatic. This was the most I could afford, and
it has already paid off for itself, and the bonding with my son is
priceless.
Overall Rating
Y. Mcconnell from
Fort Lauderdale
42120
Bell tone sound is normal for this Detector.. Get over it!
November 25, 2008
Okay Bill in OH. I did not mean you! I read about "jungle bells" and other
comments which are way off. That is just how this machine sounds work to
find coins. The Garrett Beachhunter and freedom 3 worked the same way, with
a bell sound. Anyway, Enjoy!
Overall Rating
Will from
TN
11109
Ace 250 pinpointing
November 22, 2008
Tried to use this detector .... finally gave up... pinpointing is terrible,
I went back to a whites. Pinpointing right on every time.
Overall Rating
Steve from
St louis mo.
47105
Wil in TN
November 21, 2008
Hey Wil in TN - I've been detecting for years and know what I'm doing. My
statement that I didn't like the belltone was a reference to the fact that
I prefer a standard "beep". It had nothing to do with me not being able to
"read" the machine. I can find plenty with the 250, I just don't like the
stupid belltone.
Overall Rating
Bill from
OH
2393