Yes, the entire line of Prizms are excellent and easy to use machines. The Prizm III was actually my first machine, but I gave it to my son when I bought my M6. Again, I bought both of my machines on eBay, slightly used, and saved a ton. I am very happy with both purchases.
The Prizm III is excellent for land and beach. I will advise, however, that there are some supplies you absolutely must have if you are going to do any sort of metal detecting. For any of these supplies, I recommend KellyCo (http://www.kellycodetectors.com/indexmain.htm).
1. Headphones. An
essential
item. Keeps the signal to yourself, and it's much more clear. Any cheap pair will do, although some of the pros swear by the more expensive models. If you have an iPod or some such device, you can use the ear buds with an adapter from Radio Shack.
2. A good trowel. Garden trowels are not the best, and they tend to break after extended use. I use a Lesche Digger (about $40). You can find them in any good detecting store.
3. If you're beach hunting, a sand scoop is a must have item. They range from inexpensive ($10) to rather expensive ($75+). The cheap plastic ones work fine.
4. An apron or belt. You need something to carry your tools in, as well as your finds. Whites makes a useful apron, and it's not expensive (if you buy a new machine, especially from KellyCo, you'll get a bunch of stuff free. I see right now they're giving away a very nice digger.)
Some other things to remember that are
very
important.
1. Digging technique. You don't want to just start digging holes all over the lawn (beach is a lot easier, of course, to make the area look like it did before you dug). The idea is to leave an area as you found it. The best technique is called the "flap", and it takes practice. Once you pinpoint your target, use your trowel to make three straight-down cuts, like 3 sides of a square. Now, pull back the "flap" of turf you created, making sure you don't tear it from the remaining side (you're using that side like a hinge, if you can picture it). Remove the soil with your hands or trowel and place it on a towel (good to have several towels with you). After you recover the target, backfill the dirt and close the flap. You might have to stand on it to make it flat again. When done correctly, this technique leaves almost no mark at all.
2. Trash. You will find tons of crap, like bottle caps, pull-tabs, cans, pieces of cans, foil, etc., etc. Don't just leave that stuff in the ground (or sand). Proper etiquette dictates removal of all trash you find as well. I use a two-pocket tool belt, and one of the main pockets is for trash. Your trash to good stuff ratio will be high, so be prepared. Even the best detectors in the world will give you signals for junk because some coins and rings and things fall into the same VDI range and will give a similar signal.
no subject
The Prizm III is excellent for land and beach. I will advise, however, that there are some supplies you absolutely must have if you are going to do any sort of metal detecting. For any of these supplies, I recommend KellyCo (http://www.kellycodetectors.com/indexmain.htm).
1. Headphones. An
2. A good trowel. Garden trowels are not the best, and they tend to break after extended use. I use a Lesche Digger (about $40). You can find them in any good detecting store.
3. If you're beach hunting, a sand scoop is a must have item. They range from inexpensive ($10) to rather expensive ($75+). The cheap plastic ones work fine.
4. An apron or belt. You need something to carry your tools in, as well as your finds. Whites makes a useful apron, and it's not expensive (if you buy a new machine, especially from KellyCo, you'll get a bunch of stuff free. I see right now they're giving away a very nice digger.)
Some other things to remember that are
1. Digging technique. You don't want to just start digging holes all over the lawn (beach is a lot easier, of course, to make the area look like it did before you dug). The idea is to leave an area as you found it. The best technique is called the "flap", and it takes practice. Once you pinpoint your target, use your trowel to make three straight-down cuts, like 3 sides of a square. Now, pull back the "flap" of turf you created, making sure you don't tear it from the remaining side (you're using that side like a hinge, if you can picture it). Remove the soil with your hands or trowel and place it on a towel (good to have several towels with you). After you recover the target, backfill the dirt and close the flap. You might have to stand on it to make it flat again. When done correctly, this technique leaves almost no mark at all.
2. Trash. You will find tons of crap, like bottle caps, pull-tabs, cans, pieces of cans, foil, etc., etc. Don't just leave that stuff in the ground (or sand). Proper etiquette dictates removal of all trash you find as well. I use a two-pocket tool belt, and one of the main pockets is for trash. Your trash to good stuff ratio will be high, so be prepared. Even the best detectors in the world will give you signals for junk because some coins and rings and things fall into the same VDI range and will give a similar signal.
(continued on next post)