Garrett Predator Series
Price: $250
Avg. Score: 
1.6
Based on 5 reviews
1.6Based on 5 reviews
Avg. Durability:
5.00
Avg. Ease of use:
3.00
Predator iii
June 18, 2014
I did some research on the predator III, and found that it is just about a
clone of the treasure ace 300, that was made for kellyco. I then check
reviews for both. Strange that the treasure ace 300 had more good reviews
than bad, and the predator III had nothing but bad. So, I took mine out to
test it. I dug 3 progressive holes and inserted 3, 50 euro cent pieces into
them, then covered them up. The holes were at 2",4",6" and a coin on the
surface. I adjusted the depth knob all the way to the right (deepest), and
scanned.
I intermittently got a signal from the 6" coin, but just enough signal that it would entice someone to dig. The 4" and 2" holes had very strong readings. The surface, it gave me the intermittent signal at the 6" coin.
So to me, it worked perfectly fine and I would presume to think that about 5" in normal soil would be its max effective depth. I even pinpointed it with great accuracy, once I figured out how to do it(i am using a GTAx DD coil btw, not the stock con. Coil).
Now, when I read the reviews about how insensitive this thing is, I can't help but wonder if people understand what is happening. A metal detector is very similar to an NDT inspection process called eddy current ( I am NDI in USAF stationed in Germany) With eddy current, the higher the frequency you use, the less depth of penetration but more intense surface to near surface sensitivity, which was proven by my personal field test.
The lower the frequency, the greater the depth and less surface sensitivity. The dial that dictates the depth on this machine shows that. The more I crank the 'depth' dial to the right it in turn lowers the frequency( no indication of it, you just have to know what is going on) and increases depth of penetration.
I can only presume that the preset arrow on the depth is the point where you have a good balance of depth and sensitivity... However the depth at that mark gives off the same signal at the 4" as did the 6" but it was able to get the surface coin perfectly.
Learn your machine before you bash something that could have some potential, I would suggest, not recommend this for a beginner since there are more MDs out there that are easier to use. If you do obtain a pred III, get rid of the concentric coil and pick up a good DD coil. I am putting 5" as max depth, because once again, I feel that 5" is this machine's maximum EFFECTIVE depth.
Max Depth: 5 inches on US quarter
Overall Rating
Durability
Ease of Use
Would you recommend this to a new user?
No, not really.
Jeffrey from
Spangdahlem, Germany
41
Had one/traded up
March 12, 2008
I also went through kellyco(great ppl) after about a month of trying to
decide on my first detector I went with the predetor3. Turned out that half
the time it wouldn't even pick up on the end of my shovel @ about 2 inch's.
I got a ace 250 instead and love it.
Overall Rating
Idahogold from
Idaho
152
Predator II
October 08, 2004
There are new Garrett detectors which come with target ID etc. Which seem
good right now for beginners, but watch out for the Predator series, it
only has 'flashing lights'
Overall Rating
Mitch from
USA
242
Predator III
September 10, 2004
I have a Predator III, for about the same price you can get something that
discrimnates properly. I would deal with Kellyco again nice folks. When i
think about it, i think the guy at
kellyco was trying to talk me out of buying this detector that for some
reason i had my heart set on. Overall Rating
Wiley from
USA
324
Predator II
June 20, 2004
Most notable finds I made 5 lincoln pennies all from 2000 and up and
corroded.
Overall Rating
Joey from
USA
263