Garrett Ace 250 Review: The Ideal Detector for Beginners

Have you been searching for an affordable reliable metal detector? The Garrett Ace 250 is the answer for you. It is known for its simplicity and solid performance. This model has gained popularity among both beginners and professionals. But what makes it stand out from others?

The Garrett Ace 250 offers a range of features like its simple controls, accurate target ID, and built-in pinpointing system. These features make metal detecting easy, even if you are just going to start it. Plus, it’s lightweight, which means you can detect for long periods without being tired.

In this review, I will walk you through everything the Ace 250 has to offer and why it could be great for your metal-detecting adventures.

The Garrett Ace 250 was introduced as part of Garrett’s Ace series, which quickly became popular due to its affordability and reliable performance. It was released in the early 2000s and it quickly became the favourite metal detector for beginners due to its reliability and simple controls. Garrett designed this model with beginners in mind. It offers advanced features with simple controls so that beginners can easily jump into the field of metal detecting.

Over time, the Ace 250 earned a reputation for being durable and effective in various detecting environments. Its ability to provide good performance at a lower price point made it a go-to choice for professionals and those new to metal detecting. The Ace 250 has remained a classic, continuing to serve as a reference point for entry-level metal detectors due to its combination of simplicity, performance, and value.

As the Ace series grew, newer models like the Ace 300 and 400 were introduced with more advanced features, but the Ace 250 still holds a special place in the history of metal detecting.

When I started searching for a metal detector, I wanted something that would give me good options and features without being too costly. After doing some research and highlighting some of the metal detectors, the Garrett Ace 250 caught my attention. One of the main reasons I chose this model was because of its reputation. Garrett is a trusted brand in the metal-detecting world, and the Ace 250 has consistently received positive feedback from both beginners and experienced users.

The thing which attracted me was the features it was offering at such a reasonable price. It has a clear Target ID system, which helps identify the type of metal before you dig. This feature is important because it saves time and effort. The built-in pinpointing function was another big plus point, as it allows for more accurate digging. I wanted a metal detector that would be easy to use but still have enough advanced features to make my metal detecting successful. The Ace 250 exactly meets my expectations.

The price was also a deciding factor. While there are more expensive models out on the market, I felt the Ace 250 gave me everything I needed without going over my budget. It is a well-known detector for beginners, which made me confident that it would be easy to learn and use.

When I first unboxed the Garrett Ace 250, I was impressed by how thin and well-made it looked. The design is simple but strong, giving me the feeling that it is built to last. I also noticed that it was lightweight, which was a pleasant surprise for me. I had expected it to be heavier, but this made me feel like it would be easy to use for long detecting sessions without getting tired.

It is quite easy to set up and I think it is great for someone like me who doesn’t want to spend hours setting the metal detectors. The control panel is easy to understand, and the buttons are clearly labelled. Within a short time, I made all the settings and was eager to test it out.

Another thing that caught my attention is its soft and elegant handling. It is well-designed for a good grip, which made me feel confident that I could swing it easily in the field. Overall, my first impression was that the Ace 250 is a well-built, user-friendly metal detector that is perfect for both beginners and more experienced users.

The Garrett Ace 250 metal detector has several features that grabbed my attention. Each one adds something useful for different kinds of searches. Here is what I found most important:

Target ID

The Target ID feature was really helpful for me in identifying what is beneath the ground. It shows numbers on the display that match different types of metal. For example, coins, gold, and junk all show different numbers. This saved me a lot of time by letting me know which type of metal is detected by the detector and whether I have to dig for it or not. I was amazed by this feature as it made my detection more efficient.

Discrimination & Sensitivity Control

This feature allows you to filter out unwanted metals. By using the Ace 250, I could adjust it to ignore junk like nails and bottle caps, which can be annoying to dig up. The sensitivity control is great for adjusting how deep you want to search. On sensitive ground or in areas with a lot of trash, I can lower the sensitivity so that it can help me to ignore false signals. It is very easy to adjust these settings with the buttons on the control panel.

5 Search Modes

The five search modes—All Metal, Jewelry, Coins, Relics, and Custom—gave me a lot of flexibility. Each mode is designed for different targets, which made it easy to switch between them depending on what I was looking for. I mostly used the Coins and Jewelry modes because that’s where I found the most valuable items, but having these preset modes made everything simple.

Standard Searchcoil

The search coil on the Garrett Ace 250 is a good size for everyday use. It is not too big or small. I can cover a good area of ground with this search coil. Plus, it is waterproof, which meant I could search in shallow water or wet grass without worrying about damaging it. This feature allowed me to use it in different conditions.

VLF Technology & Frequency

This detector uses Very Low Frequency (VLF) technology. It operates at 6.5 kHz, which is good for finding common metals like coins and jewellery. It is not the highest frequency, but for general use, it works just fine. The balance between depth and sensitivity was great for most of my searches.

Control Panel

The control panel on the Ace 250 is simple and easy to understand. The buttons are big, and the icons are clear. It was one of my beginner metal detectors, but still, I can adjust it according to my needs. I can use every feature with just a press of a button.

Pinpointing Function

The pinpoint feature of this metal detector is really a thing I want to appreciate. This is really helpful in pinpointing the exact location of the buried metal. Once the detector gives you a signal about the metal, you can use the pinpoint feature to exactly locate the metal. I used this feature more frequently because it saved a lot of time.

When using the Garrett Ace 250 in the field, I found that it performs well in various environments. Whether I was searching in parks, beaches, or open fields, the Ace 250 delivered consistent results.

Parks and Yards

In parks and backyards, the Ace 250 picked up many coins and small items like jewellery. The Target ID feature really helped me to distinguish between trash and valuable items, so I wasn’t digging up useless things like bottle caps all the time. It is great for areas with a lot of metal signals since the discrimination feature filters out unwanted targets well. In grassy areas, it was easy to spot coins just a few inches below the surface.

Beaches

On the beach, I was impressed with how it handled the sandy conditions. Although it is not designed for saltwater, the Ace 250 still did a good job in dry sand. I found some small coins and jewellery, but it is important to note that the detector struggles a bit with wet sand due to mineralization. Lowering the sensitivity helped reduce false signals, but it is best suited for dry areas near the shore.

Fields and Woods

In fields and wooded areas, the Ace 250 picked up larger relics and some deep-buried coins. I noticed it was quite responsive even in rougher areas, and the pinpointing function saved me from digging up wide holes unnecessarily. The depth was solid for coins up to 6 inches deep.

I did some searches in areas with tougher soil, and the detector still provided good depth, though adjusting the sensitivity helped when the ground was more mineralized.

Soil Conditions

The Ace 250 handled regular soil well. In mineralized or rocky soil, there were a few more false signals, but with sensitivity control, I could manage this easily. It works best in neutral or mildly mineralized soils, and it may take a bit of adjusting in tougher conditions.

The Garrett Ace 250 is a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable and reliable metal detector. It is perfect for beginners because of its simple controls, accurate Target ID, and helpful pinpointing feature. Its lightweight design allows for long searches without discomfort, and its multiple search modes make it flexible for different types of metal detecting. 

While it may have some limitations in wet sand and highly mineralized soils, it still offers solid performance in parks, fields, and dry beaches. Overall, the Ace 250 provides excellent value for its price, making it a smart option for both new and experienced users.