I've had a good search through previous metal detector posts but still not clear. My existing CST one is not great so wish to upgrade. While in northern hemisphere looks like lots more options you can buy, it is just the Schonstedts in this part of world so not looking for other brand options.
The Spot looks the better option as still has same internals, better ergonomics and bit cheaper. The big but is no volume control, the fixed sensitivity steps not so concerning.
For anyone who has used both the GA-52CX and the Spot is the lack of volume control on the Spot a deal-breaker??
Glad this was posted! I actually bought a spot about a year ago after working the prior 12 with the GA-52cx. The volume control was not a deal breaker for me, and the ergonomic feel of the spot was definitely great, however, I did have to send the spot in for warranty work about 8 months after initial purchase. I haven’t had any issues since, and the warranty on any schonstedt is phenomenal so it’s not a deal breaker, but I would say I’ve never had to send the 52 in before it was probably 5 years old… most of the time with those it was just battery swaps, or some new nuts on the housing. I honestly would recommend either, but if you got a deal on one or the other just take that. That was the ultimate reason I tried the spot is because it was on sale for a few hundred dollars less than the 52. Maybe not the answer you’re looking for, but when I was looking at the spot initially, I too had a hard time finding anyone that could provide feedback on both.
Thanks for that feedback
So even on the side of the road you find the volume enough? Do you ever drop it down to the medium volume setting?
I would say very heavy traffic, even on high volume with the 52 is difficult, same with the spot, but most situations the spot volume has been fine.
I went through researching about 2 years ago myself. I ended up buying the ga52 but have a friend that has both the ga52 and the spot. He likes the spot for lightweight as he makes his first round around the rural farms he surveys. Any corners he doesn’t find he always go back with the ga52. But the spot gets him enough early on but he believes the ga52 is better and misses less. But he has good luck with the spot most of the time.
I have an older ChrisNik HoundDog Magnetic Locator prior to ChrisNik taking this over or taking on the marketing or whatever they did. Probably 10 years old now and zero issues, it works good with the exception I feel Schonstedt has a faster response (too fast a swing with the HoundDog and it won't respond), you have to slow down the HoundDog, but otherwise good quality, good everything else. I guess that is to say you want a fairly tight search radius to use it effectively i.e. 10 feet not 30 feet for example. Easy to work along a fence with the Fence Ignoring Technology Mode. Good battery life, I may still be on the same battery too and it mostly rides in the truck, I don't have a need to do a lot of searches in my business.
SHG
Yes those are one of the options I hear good things about but not available in this part of the world.