Used Metal Detectors on Craigslist – Are they Worth Buying?

Craigslist is one among the good places online to find used or cheap metal detectors. It is the current and most popular online store that allows people to directly sell their used items to interested buyers.

The most interesting part is that, since the items are considered secondhand, their prices are always lower than the brand new price of the item.

At Craigslist, there are some individuals who are in desperate need of money. They are the once that sell their items at a very low price in order to be able to rash-sale their items. 

This is good for buyers who are looking for cheap prices.

On my research, I found a guy claiming that he was able to buy a Bounty Hunter 202 for a very cheap price of only $70. The brand new price of a Bounty Hunter 202 is worth $174.99. 

Thus, he was able to buy the metal detector at a price which is way less than half the price of the brand new model. 

Then again, he was able to purchase another metal detector which is the White’s MXT for a very cheap price of only $450 (the brand new price is worth $849).

The Buy and Sellers

One of the annoying users of Craigslist are the buy and sellers. What they do is that, they have a certain amount of capital to spend on items being sold by rash sellers. 

Aside from rash sellers, there are also those sellers who simply doesn’t know the actual market value of their items or they simply doesn’t care. 

Hence, they end up putting prices according to their own personal estimation. Buy and sellers will target such items by buying them then selling them back at a higher price where they are able to make good profit. 

It is good for them but not for those actual buyers with the real intent of being in need or wanting the item.

Buy and sellers are also the main reason why it is hard to find or search for those super cheap metal detectors. 

It’s because they are constantly monitoring every new entries on the list. As a result, you are trying to compete with them in which you have a very low chance of succeeding. 

It’s because these people are often good at it since majority of them considered it as a job.

If it happens that you have found a super cheap metal detector listed on Craigslist then it is just probably luck.

The Scammers

Scammers are a lot worse than the buy and sellers it’s because they are there to steal your money. There are already an endless number of complaints from victims directed to Craigslist about being scammed. 

A cautious buyer even claimed that there is a 40 percent chance that you will contact a scammer. So if you really want to purchase a certain metal detector at Craigslist, you need to conduct your own investigation particularly about the reputation of the seller.

Quality of the Item

When it comes to used or second-hand items especially metal detectors, it will be hard for you to confirm the quality if all features are still on a good working condition or does not have any damages. 

Unless, you are already familiar with it or you are a techy individual.

Fake Ads

There are plenty of attractive ads about cheap metal detectors listed on Craigslist but when you are going to them check them up, it brings you to different products.

So is it worth buying a metal detector at Craigslist?

Despite all those risks involve, it is still worth buying a cheap metal detector at Craigslist. 

There are already numerous individuals who are well satisfied using Craigslist’s service where they were able to buy expensive metal detectors at a very low cost or affordable price. 

The key to their success is that they know how to distinguish legit sellers from the scammers.

Buying your Metal Detector at Craigslist


The risks of buying a metal detector at Craigslist can be easily avoided if you know exactly what you are doing. Thus, for those who are new to Craigslist, you may want to follow these guidelines:

1. Always Inspect the Image Ads

There are 3 ways a seller at Craigslist can post their ads which can be in the form of an image, text or both. 

Among them three, you should always prioritize ads with images of the item. The next thing to do is to investigate the posted image if it’s original or not. 

If you can find similar images on other websites, try to determine their locations. 

Once you discovered that the location of the seller varies from one another (especially from a different country) then, there is a huge chance that the ad is fake.

2. Research the Original Price of the Metal Detector

In order for you to be able to buy a super cheap metal detector at Craigslist, it is important that you need to be aware about the metal detector’s original price. 

Through this price, you are able to tell if you are buying your item at a good amount of price. 

If you noticed that the item is just slightly lower than its brand new price, it is probably being manipulated by a buy and seller. 

If this is the case then you are much better off buying the brand new model.

3. Search and Browse for Sellers at your Region

Buying a metal detector at your own region should be the first important step. So if it happens that you found an item that you are willing to buy, you can always ask the seller to meet you in person.


Meeting in person allows you to do the exchange manually which completely minimize your risks of getting scammed at a very low chance.

Moreover, finding a good used metal detector on Craigslist is like metal detecting

You really need to put some effort in your search and surely, you might even find something that exceeds your own expectation.

TFR-1 Long Range Locator Rod Product Review

People have been talking about the “TFR-1 Long Range Locator Rod” (some categorized it as a metal detector) which often ended into a never ending debate if it’s really effectively working or not. 

This tool based on my own personal perspective works like a dowsing rod. 

You hold it with your hand and sweep it around then follow the direction of the rod’s tip until it takes you to spot where the item is buried.

Now, let’s look further into the product features of TFR-1 Long Range Locator Rod.

“Crystal and Mineral Powered”

Upon knowing that TFR-1 is powered by a natural element which are crystals and minerals, I already knew that it doesn’t require electrical energy which is the main advantage of dowsing rod detectors against EMDs (Electronic Metal Detectors). 

Although, it is still a puzzle to me the use of crystal and mineral as a power source for this tool.

“No Junk Metals or Magnetic Signal Guaranteed”

I like the word “guaranteed” which means, it delivers what is stated a hundred percent to the buyer. 

So by purchasing TFR-1 Long Range Locator, it guarantees that you won’t be detecting hassle scraps or junk of worthless pieces of metals. 

The magnetic signal being referred here is more commonly interpreted by others as noise or interference. It actually interferes with the frequency level of the tool which give annoying false signals. 

Gladly, TFR-1 Long Range Locator is capable of neglecting such unwanted signals giving only satisfying result to the user.

“Lightweight and Compact, Will Not Tire your Wrist”

Another obvious advantage of Long Range Locating detectors over the EMDs is the size. 

TFR-1 is so lightweight and compact that you can hold and use it for the entire day without tiring your wrist. Since this tool is held by just one hand, you can alternately operate it with any of your hands. 

So if it happens that you are right-handed and it came to the point that it got tired, you can just switched it to your left hand.

“Completely Collapsible for Pocket Transport”

Aside from being a lightweight device, TFR-1 Long Range Locator is also collapsible which can be easily disassembled that it can even fit inside your pocket.

“TFR-T.D. Target Discriminator Accessory”

What really makes TRF-1 a lot more interesting as compared to any other Long Range Locators in the market is its TFR-T.D. 

Target Discriminator Accessory. What it does is that, it allows you to determine the size of your target before you even attempt to dig it under the ground.

How TFR-1 Target Discriminator Accessory Works?


The Target Discriminator Box of the TFR-1 consist of a large dial in the middle. Around this dial is a scale of weight settings starting from the minimum, grams, ounce, pounds and maximum (1 gram to over 100 lbs.). 

 Take note, you have to set the dial into the corresponding weight of the item that you are trying to locate. It is very important that you really have to set the dial into the specific weight of the item that you intend to detect. 

Otherwise, you won’t be getting any signal from the rod it’s because according to the manufacturer, setting the target’s weight “precisely” gives accurate result.

After setting the dial up, you need the “material or sample”. This material must be the same type of material that you are trying to detect. 

So if you are searching for gold, you need a material which is also a gold. The minimum weight of the material must not be less than 1 gram but according to some users, 2 grams gives a much better result.

The discriminator box consist of a blue colored cap on its top. Opening it will reveal an empty chamber in which you need to put the sample inside it. 

The manufacturer don’t have any further explanation about the purpose of placing the sample inside the chamber of the box. 

But in my own opinion, the discriminator box uses the frequency pattern of the sample to detect similar type of materials via the locating rods.

TFR-1 Long Range Locator comes with a stereo cable which connects the discriminator box to the locator. 

At the bottom of the discriminator, there is a jack in which you are going to insert the stereo cable. The other end of the stereo cable it to be connected into the jack found at the bottom part of the TFR-1 handle.

Those are all the setup and you are good to go.

Amplification Booster of the TFR-1 Long Range Locator


The TFR-1 Long Range Locator already comes with the standard amplification booster which is the cylindrical piece connected at the opposite side of the locating rod or antenna. 

This part is actually removable which can be replaced with a better or more improved versions of amplification booster.

According to the manufacturer, the amplification booster works as a balancer which gives the rod more power. 

Inside the booster are secret ingredients discovered by the manufacturer in their several years of experimental tests especially on the field. 

One of the latest model is the TFR- A.B. (Stainless) Extreme Power Amplification Booster accessory. When used, it amplifies TFR-1’s range of detection from 500 to 700 feet distance range which is very incredible. 

Aside from its range, this booster model is also capable of detecting various types of material (not just gold) such as diamond, paper money, copper, aluminum or almost anything that you can fit inside the sample chamber. 

But, if you want to focus more in finding gold and silver then you should choose the TFR-A.B. (Brass) Gold Silver Amplification Booster. 

This model is perfect for prospectors looking for small amount of fine gold or nuggets. Its range of detection goes between 500 to 800 feet distance.

My Personal Review about TFR-1 Long Range Locator


In my own personal point of view, TFR-1 is a technological invention that evolved from the traditional long range locators which is the dowsing L-Rods. 

The main difference is that, traditional L-Rods requires two antennas which are held by both hands while TFR-1 consist of only one.

When operating the TFR-1 Long Range Locator, you need to swing it from side-to-side and feel through the rod the direction of the target. 

The feeling is like, there is a magnet pulling the rod into your target’s location. You have to keep swinging the rod while observing the strength of the pull because the stronger the pull, it means that you are getting closer.

Unfortunately, there are some individuals who have trouble trying to feel the pull or not getting any signal no matter how many times they tried. 

On my part, I could feel the pull but the real challenge is that, it is really hard to locate the exact spot of the buried item. 

Or, it could only mean that there are several deposits scattered around the area that I am trying to detect.

And finally, according to the manufacturer, TFR-1 Long Range Locator is capable of detecting 500 to 700 feet range distance. 

I want to emphasize the word “range distance” here which is not the same as “range of depth”. I assume it could penetrate almost an equal range of depth to its range of distance.

My overall product review of TFR-1 Long Range Locator is that, it is an awesome and powerful tool when used by the right person especially individuals who already have experiences in using dowsing tools.