Half decent one I don’t have to pay an arm and leg for it. Any recommendations?

Minelab.

I dont own one yet but will be getting one soon. A good friend has been doing it for a long time and he also recommends the Minelabs. This is the one he told me to get. He has found a lot of valuable stuff with his, including gold.



https://www.minelab.com/usa/metal-detectors/vanquish-440

Minelab
X3

https://kellycodetectors.com/minelab-vanquish-440-metal-detector/

$289
Weighs 2.6lbs

WHITES XLT

I upgraded from an old Garrett to a Minelab Equinox last year. It’s an awesome machine. I preordered a Minelab Manticore back in Oct. and finally received it three weeks ago. It has a much steeper learning curve than the equinox. It is a very capable machine but for the money if I were buying a Minelab I’d get an equinox 700. The Nokta Macro Legend is a really nice machine for the money and probably the best overall value. Check out Merrill’s website here IRATEMETALDETECTORS.COM he has around 20 or so different metal detectors and a really entertaining and informative YouTube channel metaldetectingNYC

Several things to consider first:

1. What's your top end budget?
2. Do you plan on REALLY using it as a serious "hobby", or will it get put in the closet after a few times out?
3. What will you be using it to find, general or specific items?
4. Do you plan on doing research and getting permission to "hunt" areas local or otherwise?

There's a lot to think about before spending any amount of money in this hobby and there's more to buy than just a detector :-)

Proud owner of:

Minelab Excal II - Land & Water - waterproof to 200 feet
Minelab E-Trac - Land - All phases
Whites V3i - Land - All phases
Whites Coinmaster Pro - Land - All phases
Tesoro Silver Umax - Land - All phases
Troy Shadow X2 - land - All phases

Prices vary. . . and then there are all the "accessories" . . .

:-)

I lost my gold wedding ring while working on our shower house at the river. Would the mind lab Vanquish be a good choice to try and find it with?

It should do the job fine on land, but the coil is on waterproof up to 3' .

Watching.

Moosetrot

I use minelab equinox 800. Love it. Whatever you get be sure to get a garrett pro pointer to. Once you dig your hole the pro pointer will locate your target precisely.

Pointers are a must have. Saves a lot of digging.

I do not know about the update ones but I got a whites from the late 60 and is still doing good for me

Will you be hunting dry land or water?
And as asked above, what is your price range?
Whites is no longer in business, but I have a Whites MXT for dry land.
My favorite detector is a DetectorPro Headhunter Underwater (rechargeable) for both water/beach and dry ground.
I also have two other DetectorPro's, the Diver and the Wader (battery).

The old-time detectors did their job very well with just the "beep-beep" signal and were MUCH easier to use without the new fancy technology used today. :-)

I have a Minelab Excalibur, but I'm thinking of upgrading to an Equinox 600 or 800. For the price, the 600 is a great value, but the 800 has more options. Both are submersible and I do quite a bit of water detecting.

I am going to re-ask what I think the OP is looking for

Me, too, the wife all of a sudden has taken an interest in metal detecting. All I am visualizing is another piece of once used junk to dispose of before my big move next spring.

So, here goes.

Is there a unit out there, say a few hundred bucks, max, very basic, good enough to find anything of interest to perpetuate the hobby? Once the seed is planted, a more sophisticated replacement could be justified.

Yes. Check Kellyco Detectors. Minelab Vanquish 440 Metal Detector $289.00. or find a Reputable dealer in your area. Don't buy any detectors from Craigslist or other "Market Places" . . . you don't know really what you're getting. :-)

X2
Kellyco is good. Bought a Minelab there in person , Orlando FL.
Recommend.

I use Garrett at pro. Love it. My boy had an ace 400 he sold my dad that was good.