Discover the Best Tesoro Metal Detectors for Your Treasure Hunting Needs!
Tesoro Metal Detectors: A Comprehensive Guide
Metal detecting is a fascinating hobby that can lead to discovering lost treasures of all kinds. Whether you are searching for coins, relics, or even gold nuggets, having the right metal detector is crucial. Tesoro metal detectors have been a popular choice for both beginners and experienced treasure hunters since 1980. In this comprehensive guide, we will review some of the most popular Tesoro models and provide tips on how to get the most out of your detector.
Tesoro Compadre Review
The Tesoro Compadre is an entry-level metal detector that is easy to use and affordable. It has a simple design with only two knobs – one for sensitivity and one for discrimination. The Compadre has an 8-inch concentric coil that makes it ideal for hunting in trashy areas like parks or playgrounds.
Despite its simplicity, the Compadre performs well in finding small targets like coins or jewelry. Its discrimination feature allows users to ignore iron objects while searching which prevents unnecessary digging. Although it lacks advanced features found in more expensive detectors, the Compadre remains a great option for beginners who want an efficient machine without breaking their budget.
Tesoro Lobo ST Review
For those interested in prospecting gold nuggets from rivers or streams, the Tesoro Lobo ST may be your best bet. It’s specifically designed as a gold-hunting machine and comes equipped with automatic ground tracking to help eliminate unwanted mineralization interference.
The Lobo ST also includes three different search modes: All-Metal mode which detects all metals equally; Discriminate mode which ignores ferrous targets such as nails but identifies non-ferrous targets like silver or copper; and Silent Search Discriminate mode which emits no sound when passing over iron objects but gives off an audible signal when detecting other metals.
This versatile detector weighs only 3.5 pounds making it lightweight enough to take on long prospecting trips. It also has a waterproof 10-inch elliptical coil which allows users to search in shallow water.
Tesoro Mojave Review
The Tesoro Mojave is another great entry-level detector that can be used for coin shooting, relic hunting, or even gold prospecting. The Mojave comes with an 8-inch concentric coil and has adjustable sensitivity and discrimination settings.
One of the most notable features of the Mojave is its automatic ground tracking. This feature automatically adjusts to changing soil conditions as you move around and helps eliminate false signals caused by mineralization or other environmental factors.
The Mojave also includes a pinpoint mode which allows users to precisely locate targets before digging them up – saving time and effort.
Tesoro Silver uMax Review
If you are searching for a high-performance metal detector with advanced features but don’t want to break the bank, then the Tesoro Silver uMax may be for you. It has an impressive depth range and sensitivity that can detect coins buried up to 12 inches deep.
The Silver uMax’s discrimination system includes both motion discriminate mode (which only detects non-ferrous metals) and no-motion all-metal mode (which detects all metals). Additionally, it has a large LCD screen display that shows target information including depth, type of metal detected, battery life, etc.
It also includes manual ground balance adjustment which enables users to fine-tune their detectors according to specific soil conditions. The Silver uMax is lightweight at just under three pounds making it easy on your arm during prolonged use.
Tesoro DeLeon Review
One of Tesoro’s more popular models among experienced treasure hunters is the DeLeon. It offers multi-purpose capabilities with various search modes including All-Metal Mode (detects all types of metals), Discrimination Mode (ignores unwanted ferrous targets while identifying non-ferrous ones), Notch Discriminate Mode (eliminates any target that falls within a specific range), and Pinpoint Mode (to help locate targets more precisely).
The DeLeon also features an interchangeable coil system, so users can switch between the 9×8-inch concentric and 12×10-inch widescan coils depending on their needs. It has a backlit display screen that shows target ID, depth, battery life, etc.
Tesoro Outlaw Review
For those who prefer hunting in highly mineralized soil conditions like saltwater beaches or gold fields, the Tesoro Outlaw may be worth considering. Its advanced ground balance feature allows for fine-tuning according to specific environmental factors resulting in fewer false signals.
The Outlaw is also equipped with three search modes – All-Metal Mode (detects all kinds of metals), Discriminate Mode (ignores unwanted ferrous targets while identifying non-ferrous ones), and Notch Discriminate mode (eliminates any target that falls within a specified range). The detector comes with an 8-inch concentric coil but can be switched out for larger sizes if needed.
Best Settings for the Tesoro Vaquero
The Tesoro Vaquero is designed specifically for relic hunting which means it’s great at finding old coins or artifacts from past civilizations. To set your Vaquero up correctly, we recommend starting with the following settings:
Sensitivity: Start by setting sensitivity to around eight or nine; too high sensitivity may cause false signals.
Discrimination: Set discrimination to reject iron objects but keep it low enough not to discriminate against valuable relics.
Threshold: Adjust threshold until you hear a faint hum.
Ground Balance: Use manual ground balancing for better results in different soil conditions.
Coil type: For relic hunting purposes use 9×8 concentric coil.
How to Ground Balance a Tesoro Metal Detector
Ground balancing is one of the most important aspects of metal detecting because it helps eliminate false signals caused by mineralization. To ground balance your Tesoro detector, follow these steps:
1. Press the Ground Balance button.
2. Hold the coil parallel to the ground and about 6-12 inches above it.
3. Pump the coil up and down while holding down the Ground Balance button until you hear a threshold sound or see numbers changing on your screen display.
4. Keep pumping until numbers stop changing or until you hear a steady hum.
Tips for Using a Tesoro Metal Detector on Wet Sand
Using metal detectors at beaches can be challenging because of wet sand conditions which may cause false signals or interference from salt minerals in soil. Here are some tips for using your Tesoro detector effectively on wet sand:
1. Use pulse induction mode: Switch to pulse induction mode as it’s better suited for beach hunting due to its ability to detect through saltwater minerals.
2. Lower sensitivity: Reduce sensitivity levels as high levels can cause interference with salt minerals found in wet sand areas.
3. Use smaller coils: Smaller coils work better in shallow water and will reduce interference from other signals.
How to Pinpoint with a Tesoro Metal Detector
Pinpointing is an essential skill that every treasure hunter should learn, regardless of their experience level or choice of detector brand/model used. To pinpoint with your Tesoro metal detector, follow these steps:
1. Locate target signal by scanning back and forth over suspected area
2 .Switch machine into All-Metal Mode
3 .Slowly move towards target while keeping search coil close to ground
4 .Rotate search coil slowly around detected signal
5 .The strongest signal indicates where object is located beneath surface
Comparing Sensitivity of Different Tesoro Models
Tesoro offers various models designed for different types of treasure hunting activities such as gold prospecting, relic hunting, coin shooting etc., so each model has varying degrees of sensitivity depending on their design specifications.
The Silver uMax, for example, is known to have the highest sensitivity compared to other Tesoro models. It can detect small objects like coins or jewelry buried up to 12 inches deep in different soil conditions.
The Lobo ST and Cortes are also highly sensitive detectors designed specifically for gold prospecting and relics hunting respectively. The Mojave and Compadre offer a decent level of sensitivity suitable for beginners or those on a budget.
Pros and Cons of Using a Small Coil on a Tesoro Metal Detector
Using smaller coils (6-8 inches diameter) has its advantages as well as disadvantages depending on what you are searching for. Here are some pros and cons of using small coils:
Pros:
1. Higher frequency: Smaller coils operate at higher frequencies which makes them more sensitive to smaller targets.
2. Better maneuverability: Small coils make it easier to navigate around tight spaces or between obstacles.
3. Less weight: Small coils weigh less than larger ones making them ideal for prolonged use without causing arm fatigue.
Cons:
1 .Less coverage area: Smaller coils cover less ground area thus requiring more time spent detecting.
2 .Reduced depth penetration: Smaller coils detect shallower depths compared to bigger ones which may result in missing deeper targets.
3 .More susceptibility to mineralization interference: Due to their high-frequency operation, smaller coils may pick up unwanted signals from mineralized soils resulting in false readings.
How To Clean And Maintain Your Tesoro Metal Detector
Proper maintenance of your metal detector will ensure that it lasts longer while performing efficiently every time you go out treasure hunting. Here are some tips on how clean and maintain your Tesoro detector:
1 .After each hunt wipe down your detector with a damp cloth
2 .Dry off all components before storing
3 .Replace batteries regularly
4 .Store in dry place away from moisture
5 .Ensure coil is free from dirt, sand particles or debris
Using A Tesoro Metal Detector In Trashy Areas
Trashy areas such as parks or playgrounds can be challenging to search without encountering false signals triggered by trash and other debris. Here are some tips for using your Tesoro detector effectively in these high traffic areas:
1 .Use discrimination: Set up your machine’s discrimination feature to ignore unwanted iron targets.
2 .Lower sensitivity levels: Reduce the detector’s sensitivity levels to avoid interference caused by metallic trash items.
3 .Pinpoint mode: Use your pinpointing skill to identify exact location of detected target before digging it up.
Hunting For Gold With A Tesoro Lobo SuperTRAQ
The Tesoro Lobo SuperTRAQ is specifically designed for gold prospecting, and it offers advanced features that make it stand out from other metal detectors. Here are some tips on how best to use this machine when hunting for gold nuggets:
1. Ground balancing: Adjust ground balance settings according to specific soil conditions
2. Increase Sensitivity: Higher sensitivity helps detect smaller gold nuggets buried deeper underground
3. Use larger coils: Switch out the standard 10-inch elliptical coil with a 14-inch widescan coil, which allows coverage over a larger area.
Finding Relics With A Tesoro Cortes
The Tesoro Cortes is an excellent option for finding relics like old coins or artifacts from past civilizations due to its multi-purpose capabilities and adjustable modes. To get the most out of your Cortes when relic hunting, we recommend trying these techniques:
1 .Notch Discrimination Mode- Eliminates unwanted targets within specific ranges
2 .All-Metal Mode- Detect all types of metals equally
3 .Manual ground balancing – Adjust manually according to soil conditions
Benefits Of Using Lightweight Tesoro Metal Detectors
Tesoro metal detectors have a reputation for being lightweight machines making them suitable for extended use without causing arm fatigue or strain. Some benefits of using lightweight Tesoro metal detectors include:
1. Easy to maneuver in tight spaces or around obstacles
2. Enable longer detection sessions without causing arm fatigue
3. Reduces risk of injury from carrying heavy equipment
4. Ideal for senior citizens, young adults or people with physical limitations.
How To Use Discrimination Effectively On Your Tesoro Metal Detector
Discrimination is a feature that allows you to eliminate unwanted targets like iron objects while detecting only non-ferrous metals like gold, silver, and copper. To use discrimination effectively on your Tesoro detector follow these steps:
1 .Ground balance the machine according to soil conditions
2 .Set up discrimination levels according to target preference (example: reject all iron signals)
3 .Use All-Metal Mode first before switching onto discriminate mode so as not to miss out on valuable targets.
4 .Experiment with different discrimination levels until desired results are achieved.
Hunting For Coins With A Tesoro Cibola
The Tesoro Cibola is designed for coin shooting which makes it an excellent option for those interested in finding lost coins at parks or playgrounds. Here are some tips on how best to use this detector when hunting for coins:
1 .Discrimination settings – Set up your detector’s discrimination system based on preferred target types such as rejecting all iron signals.
2 .Sensitivity levels – Adjust sensitivity settings accordingly depending on soil mineralization level.
3 .Pinpoint mode – Use pinpointing techniques after detecting a signal so that you can find the exact location of the coin before digging it up.
History Of The Company Behind The Tesoro Brand
Tesoro Electronics Inc., was founded by Jack Gifford in 1980 in Prescott Valley, Arizona USA. Initially starting out as a small company producing metal detectors for hobbyists and professionals alike, they have since expanded their product lines over the years into various models designed specifically for particular treasure hunting activities.
The company prides itself on producing high-quality, reliable and affordable detectors that cater to both beginners and experienced treasure hunters. Tesoro Electronics has a loyal following among metal detector enthusiasts due to their commitment to customer support and satisfaction.
Conclusion
Tesoro metal detectors are some of the best machines on the market when it comes to finding lost treasures. Whether you’re interested in coin shooting, relic hunting or gold prospecting, there is a Tesoro model designed specifically for your needs. By using this guide as a resource, you’ll be able to find your ideal machine based on specific features like sensitivity levels, discrimination settings or ground balancing capabilities. Remember always to practice proper maintenance techniques while ensuring equipment is functioning efficiently before each hunt- Happy Hunting!