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For those seeking entry into the world of detectoring, the Garrett Ace 250 Metal Detector is a highly-respected option.
A reliable, beginner-friendly metal detector like the Garrett Ace 250 will set you up for success as you search at the beach or nearby park for hidden treasures.
You might be tempted to buy the flashiest and most intricate detector on the market, but if you’re new to detectoring, it’s wise to go with a reliable product as trusted as the Garrett Ace 250.
Even if you’re brand new, you won’t look like an amateur walking around with this detector!
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Things to Consider Before Buying a Garrett Ace 250 Metal Detector
Before making your purchase, it’s important to consider what you’ll be using your metal detector for and what kinds of items you’ll be on the hunt for.
Again, if you’re a beginner, it’s best to simplify your search for a new detector and not try to invest in too many bells and whistles right off the bat.
There will be plenty of time to expand your toolkit the more you acquaint yourself with detectoring.
As you seek out the right fit, you may consider if you need a detector that’s all-terrain and resistant to all types of weather.
As for what items you’re hunting for, the Garrett Ace 250 is great for coins and small objects, but if you’re set on finding historical artifacts deep within the ground, you might need a detector beyond the Garrett Ace 250’s price range and frequency.
“Using the Garrett Ace 250 at an old house!” – shows the Garrett Ace 250 in action finding coins in a backyard
Review of The Garrett Ace 250
The Garrett Ace 250 is a very low frequency (VLF) metal detector. Beginners will appreciate the Garrett Ace 250’s affordability, sturdiness, and straightforward design.
This easy-to-handle and efficient detector, manufactured in the US, will help you find coins and other small items in most settings.
As a top-selling detector, the Garrett Ace 250 does what you want it to do, travels easily, and – perhaps most importantly – doesn’t break the bank.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Ideal for beginners
- Straightforward interface
- Sleek, ergonomic design
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Adjustable search modes
- Up to 6 inches of search depth
- Pinpoint mode
- Waterproof coil
Cons
- No volume control
- No ground balance adjustments
- Less depth and fewer search specifications than higher-end models
- Not entirely waterproof
Features
The Garrett Ace 250 shines in its simplicity. Entry-level detectorists won’t need to worry about putting together lots of parts or dealing with a variety of knobs and buttons.
The detector disassembles into 3 pieces for easy storage and travel.
This also makes the Garrett Ace 250 a great choice for those who like to learn on the go and don’t want to bother reading through a whole manual (though it does come with one.)
Among its many features, the design includes an elbow rest and handle, LED display and control pad, adjustable stem, and waterproof 6.5×9 inch search coil.
Frequency
Very low frequency (VLF) detectors, under 30kHz, are some of the more preferred types for your standard detectoring, especially for hobbyists and amateurs.
Clocking in at 6.5kHz, this VLF detector has a solid sensitivity and range, allowing you to find items up to 6 inches below the surface.
Weight
At 2.75 pounds, the Garrett Ace 250 is very lightweight compared to other detectors.
While some brands may claim their detectors are easily one-handed tools, the Ace 250 is truly easy to hold in one hand for extended periods of time.
Waterproof search coil
The coil is waterproof, which means it can be briefly submerged in liquid or a wet area, though you will probably want to avoid taking the Garrett Ace 250 in very wet conditions as the entire detector itself is not waterproof.
Still, this is helpful if you’re searching through a wet, marshy area or one filled with many puddles and pools.
Adjustable stem
Depending on your height and preferences, you can adjust the stem of the Garrett Ace 250 between 42 inches and 51 inches.
Hopefully this means you won’t need to strain your back by bending over while you search.
Elbow rest and handle
The ergonomic shape of the Garrett Ace 250 fits nicely to most bodies. Soft, foamy cushions on the handle and in the elbow rest allow the Ace 250 to sit comfortably on the arm and won’t make your hands feel achy.
LED Display
The simple, easy-to-read LED screen displays search mode, coin depth, a graphical target display, and battery charge level.
The display does not have adjustable brightness and you may want to have a separate light with you when searching in the shade or the dark, anyway.
5 Search Modes
You can adjust the Garrett Ace 250 to 5 different search modes depending on what you’re seeking.
The modes are: all metal, jewelry, relics, coins, and custom. This is one feature that sets the Ace 250 apart from similarly-priced detectors.
Pinpoint mode
The pinpoint button on the control panel is another great asset that sets this detector apart from other Garrett Ace models and other brands.
For instance, this feature is not available on the lower-priced Garrett Ace 150.
By holding down this button when close to a target, it can help you get a more accurate sense of where the target is and its size while you dig.
One-touch power button
Like many of the intuitive features on the Ace 250, this one is self-explanatory.
Simply press the power button once and the Garrett Ace 250 is fully powered and ready to roll. Then just press it again to power down.
Fixed Ground Balance
The ground balance is fixed on its factory pre-set and is not adjustable. Some detectors can be manually adjusted for ground balance.
However, for beginners, this is not usually a necessary feature as it requires much more knowledge of how you like to use your detector.
Audio and visual targeting
When it comes to alerting you that a target is close, the Garrett Ace 250 includes three tones for its audio alerts and a 12-segment visual display on the LED screen.
Having both an audio and visual element ensures you’re not likely to overlook anything on your search, or you can just rely on one or the other depending on your preferences.
Batteries included
This detector comes with 4 AA batteries already in the box, so you can get using your detector right away.
2 Year Warranty
Within 2 years of the initial purchase, Garrett will repair or replace detectors at no charge for a part or whole detector that is determined to be faulty, according to their website.
The Ace 250 is a sturdy detector that is built to last.
- Graphic Target ID cursor
- Accept/Reject notch for specific target detection and to ignore unwanted items
- Electronic pinpoint for easy target recovery
- Sensitivity Control : Adjusts to 8 Levels of Sensitivity for Differing Ground Conditions
- Continuous target depth indicator
Last update on 2024-05-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Interface of The Garrett Ace 250
You won’t have to do much guessing and fiddling with the Garrett Ace’s 250 readable LED screen display.
The screen features just a few key pieces of information to help you with your search.
You’ll be able to see the search mode, coin depth, a visual target display, and battery charge level as you go.
There is also a handy legend at the top of the display showing the range of metals along with the various types of coins.
Currently, the legend only displays information for US currency. The Garrett Ace 250 control panel has six buttons in total: power, discrimination, mode, sensitivity, pinpoint, and eliminating.
Using the mode button, you’ll be able to switch between the five available search modes: all metal, jewelry, relics, coins, and custom.
Under the custom search mode, you can customize your own search setting using the elimination and discrimination buttons to make your own search specifications.
For instance, you could make a setting that searches just for jewelry and relics and eliminates the search for coins, meaning you won’t be alerted by items you’re not interested in.
It also doesn’t get any simpler than a one-touch power button – just tap it once and you’re ready to get hunting.
The good thing about this level of detail is that you don’t need to be an expert on the ins and outs of these features to be able to use your Ace 250 effectively.
As you acquaint yourself with the Ace 250’s interface, you can make more use out of these adjustments and specifications, but if you have no idea what “eliminating” is for, you don’t need to worry about using that button.
You can still have a productive detectoring experience with the factory pre-set settings.
“Garrett Ace 250 Metal Detector / Settings Tips” – reviews and makes suggestions for using the detector
Use and Performance
At 2.75 pounds, the Garrett Ace 250 is not just easy to handle but most people can hold it in one hand quite comfortably.
Users will appreciate the comfortable, cushioned handle and form-fitting shape of the elbow rest and arm strap.
The Garrett Ace 250 can travel with you just about anywhere and you can take it on extended searches – just be sure to bring spare batteries!
The Garrett Ace 250 will pick up small metal pieces and is especially great for finding coins.
Its sensitivity at 6.5kHz allows you to find treasures up to 6 inches below the surface, or sometimes even a few inches deeper on a good day.
The pinpoint button will also aid you as you get closer to your target. Simply hold it down as you close in and you will get a better sense of the size and proximity of your treasure.
This is especially helpful if you find a large object and don’t want to risk damaging it as you dig.
Along with the visual display, the clear, responsive audio tones will alert you when you’re close to a target.
Eventually, you may get so used to listening for the dinging tones that you won’t need to stare at the visual display as you move.
The volume is not adjustable though, so in order to not bother the people nearby, you should bring some headphones along with you.
This detector can beep pretty loudly.
The Garrett Ace 250 is not ideal for all settings, such as areas with high mineralization, but will do quite well in your typical meadow or park.
With its sensitive frequency and waterproof coil, it performs quite well in most conditions, especially compared to other detectors intended for beginners.
However, the LED control panel is not waterproof, so be sure to bring your umbrella or buy a cover if you plan to go out in the rain.
Other Notes
The Garrett Ace 250 comes at a great price and you can get straight to using it right out of its box.
However, a few separate add-ons to consider are headphones, a coil cover, and spare batteries for extended use.
Many detector brands sell accessory bundles that will help you in your detecting journey, including these items along with gloves, shovels, and more.
It’s also worth noting that there is more than meets the eye to the Garrett Ace 250 and many seasoned detectorists have made the most out of this detector despite its apparent simplicity.
You can find tutorials and videos online and in forums, that highlight many more tips and tricks to using the Garrett Ace 250.
Alternatives to The Garrett Ace 250
Garrett Ace 250 vs Garrett Ace 150:
Understandably, you might be interested in looking at some slightly more budget-friendly models like the Garrett Ace 150.
The Ace 150 is certainly a simpler tool, with only three search modes: all metal, jewelry, and coins.
With no pinpoint feature and no way to manually adjust discrimination and elimination patterns, the Ace 150 falls a little short compared to the Ace 250’s range of options.
With the 250, you get a lot more detector for a slightly higher cost.
Garrett Ace 250 vs Fisher F22:
The closest comparison to the Garrett Ace 250 elsewhere in the market is the Fisher F22 detector.
Like the Garrett Ace, the Fisher is a popular beginners’ detector with a good variety of features and adjustments.
The Fisher F22 also promises slightly more depth than the Garrett Ace 250.
The Fisher F22 has 4 search modes compared to the Ace 250’s 5 modes, and a 9-segment visual targeting display compared to the Ace’s 12-segment display.
Garrett Ace 250 vs Garrett Ace 300:
If you like the sound of the Garrett Ace 250 but feel ready to jump into something more complex, then the Garrett Ace 300 could be what you’re looking for.
The Ace 300 operates at 8kHz compared to the 250’s 6.5kHz. It also has a few different features like a Digital Target ID that ranges from 0 to 99.
The real difference here is in your budget, as the 300 is a newer model and will be slightly more expensive than the 250.
Conclusion
Those hoping to begin their detectoring journey will be hard-pressed to find a detector that compares to the Garrett Ace 250.
The Garrett Ace 250 has many great features that set it apart from the rest, especially at its price point.
Key features of the Garrett Ace 250 are its waterproof coil, adjustable stem, LED screen display, 5 available search modes, 12-segment visual targeting ID, pinpointing abilities, and lightweight, ergonomic design.
When considering affordability, durability, ease-of-use, and effectiveness, the Garrett Ace 250 checks off all the right boxes.
There are few other entry-level metal detectors at this price point that can compare.
New and seasoned users alike will enjoy a low-stakes, stress-free time searching for coins, relics, and other small items with this detector.