Tesoro Electronics Inc. is an American company, founded in true American dream fashion—out of a garage. The company, which has grown to the size of an industrial giant in the metal detector market, was originally a family business.
Its founder, Jack Gifford, was an experienced engineer who had worked at various metal detector companies for twenty years. His career began at Bounty Hunter, and prior to that, he managed to work as an electronics engineer in the aircraft industry, as well as at Motorola.
Joining a metal detector company in 1975, Jack began treasure hunting as a hobby. His hobby turned into a passion and soon determined his future.
Working for one of the era’s market leaders in metal detectors, Jack decided to create his own company. Together with a colleague, they founded the company C”]G technology. Although the company released several successful models, it did not last long, and Jack was offered a vacancy at Fisher Labs.
In 1980, Jack took his experiences at top manufacturers and created Tesoro Electronics Inc. Jack had the necessary information, connections, and ideas to create a competitive company and was soon a contributor to the world of metal detector manufacturing.
He understood the direction the metal detector industry was headed, and each metal detector released by Tesoro Electronics Inc. was created with a commitment to quality. He vowed that his technology would not lag behind its competitors in terms of performance. He pushed for lightweight, reliable, and versatile equipment designs.
Gifford pared down the nonessentials that increased the cost of devices and, since 1981, mandated lifetime manufacturer warranties for all of his metal detectors. This was a revolution in the world of metal detectors.
Year after year, the company improved designs and developed new features for its Tesoro detectors. Some Tesoro metal detectors have become legendary. Now we can say with confidence that the Tesoro metal detectors are the lightest among devices with similar functionality.
Top Best Tesoro Metal Detectors
1. Tesoro Compadre Metal Detector
Tesoro Compadre brings devices of its kind to an entirely new level. While, at first glance, it may seem the device is incredibly user-friendly, its complex components and quality performance make it an industry leader.
Tesoro Compadre is the best choice for all adventure seekers. You will be pleasantly surprised by its versatility and functionality. Its progressive technology surpasses that of its competitors.
The Compadre is completely insensitive to distraction and excess objects. Electric transmission lines do not affect its productivity. Tesoro Compadre metal detector is an entry-level, analog metal detector.
Those who happened to experience this “peanut” in practice sincerely marveled at its capabilities.
2. ACE 400 Pro-Pointer II Special
The metal detector will please with its stable operation, which distinguishes it from many budget models.
The advantage of Compadre is its ability to avoid false alarms when the coil hits the grass or shrub trunks. Neither wet grass nor work under power lines affect its performance.
- Digital target ID
- Deep searching capabilities
- Complicated manual for all the mentioned features
3. Tesoro Mojave Metal Detector
The main feature of Tesoro Mojave is the switching of a pre-set soil balance (2 values, normal and high). The detector is targeted at US diggers.
With the Ground Condition Switch in LOW mode, the metal detector maintains maximum depth. High mode is designed for searching on difficult soils.
The new discrimination scheme is colored with three colors representing each category of purpose. Discrimination covers the entire range, starting from no discrimination (ALL METALS), and ending with zinc metal.
For example, iron and foil are a white zone. Coins of 5 cents (nickel, USA), as well as aluminum and gold are the yellow zone. The red includes silver and other metals with high conductivity.
The Tesoro Mojave has a new 7-inch reel. Round, coil type Mono.
- Greater search depths
- Large coil
- Heavy for its size
4. Tesoro Sand Shark with an 8″ Search Coil Metal Detector
The metal detector is an interesting find. Its rod is golden, three-section, with good, convenient, reliable mounts. The coil also fastens firmly and does not loosen as the spring easily attaches and disconnects. When you need to conduct an underwater search, the middle section of the boom is easily removed.
The control unit can also be moved around the bar for convenience. It can be moved closer to the armrest itself or attached to the arm or waist belt. 2 meters of cable is sufficient for any configuration. Obviously, the design is calculated and ergonomic.
Tesoro Sand Shark is equipped with a standard 8-inch round reel with a hole in the center. An optional elliptical coil of 10.5 inches for greater depth and coverage, and 7 inches for smaller targets.
Exceptional winding qualities provide the device with high sensitivity. It is noticeable that it is better to catch the strongest signal with the center of the coil. This makes it easier to locate the target.
The control unit has a bracket mounted on the top. There are four buttons on the sides of the bracket, and it is easy to separate the control unit from the housing. The walls of the case are very durable, and the unit itself is waterproof.
With the Tesoro Sand Shark , you can dive to depths of up to 60 meters. The unit comes with waterproof wired headphones, the connectors of which are reinforced with special tightening couplings. Inside the control unit is a battery compartment, which houses 8 AA batteries. You can access the battery compartment by removing the front panel.
According to the Tesoro Sand Shark review, pulse, induction metal detectors are easy to use. Sand Shark has four knobs to operate its most important functions including Mode and VCO.
If you are planning on doing beach searches, the Tesoro Sand Shark is the best Tesoro metal detector. Believe us. This shark will not miss its treasure!
- Indicates all targets on the field
- Easy to use
- Takes time to find out what all the beep sounds are about
5. Tesoro Silver uMax Metal Detector
The Tesoro Silver uMax has simple controls making it the ideal device for novices and new searches diving into the world of searching antiquities.
The search for artifacts has never been so accessible, and control operation is user-friendly for the beginner. Whether it’s a search for medieval rarities, a fascinating pursuit of treasures, or exploring the places of great battles, the Tesoro Silver uMax metal detector will prove itself in search.
A large coil allows you to effectively explore vast areas in the shortest possible time, without spending a single extra minute on settings and adjustments.
The Tesoro Silver uMax metal detector is highly appreciated by archaeologists exploring ancient settlements because, in the search mode for all metals, this metal detector provides the treasure hunter with a detailed overview of objects located on the deepest layers.
You can easily explore in both the discrimination mode and the search mode, for all metals, work in conditions of continuous movement of the device head (dynamic mode).
A fixed adjustment to the ground allows you to search at significant depths. By adjusting the sensitivity with an extra range, the Tesoro Silver uMax metal detector shows outstanding results in finding valuable artifacts at very great depths.
The undoubted advantages of this metal detector include its low weight, only one kilogram. With such light, comfortable equipment, the treasure hunter is not fatigued and can easily conduct long searches!
- Includes backlight for better visibility
- Adjustable frequency
- High cost
6. Tesoro Lobo SuperTRAQ Metal Detector
The metal detector was developed by Tesoro engineers specifically for treasure hunters to search for native gold, as well as to search for gold jewelry.
Tesoro has introduced such schemes, which significantly improve both the sensitivity and the quality of the detuning from the ground. This detector is perfect to look for gold nuggets and old expensive artifacts.
Tesoro Lobo SuperTRAQ for metal searching has three modes of detuning from the ground—detuning from alkaline soils, detuning from black sand, and detuning from salty soils. When you use these modes, the search performance of small gold items does not fall. Engineers accounted for the possibility of mounting a metal detector both on the rod and on the belt.
On the panel, we see only five controls—discrimination, ground tuning, sensitivity on / off, mode switch, and threshold control.
Each hunter personalizes the search parameters for current conditions and his work style.
- Indicates all targets on the field
- Easy to use
- Takes time to find out what all the beep sounds are about
Buying Guide
Where Can I Buy a Tesoro Metal Detector?
Although Tesoro brand isn’t as popular as the industry frontrunners like Garrett, you can find current models for sale on Amazon and with dealers who sell the Tesoro brand. Dealers will provide guides and reviews to help in your buying decision.
Where Can I Repair a Tesoro Metal Detector?
If your warranty still covers the device, you should turn to official service centers for help. As a rule, their warranty period lasts for 5 years.
We recommend you first troubleshoot all issues before contacting the service center. First charge your device and note any visual damage. The service center will run diagnostics to determine any additional concerns.
Where Can I Buy Parts for Tesoro Metal Detector?
Tesoro Corporation has developed with the times and has always responded to customer requests. It continues to expand its line to include accessories and adaptations to its current metal detector models.
Today, Tesoro offers more than 200 components for their devices. It produces headphones, coils, sensors, screws, washers, a battery holder, armrests, and others. These parts have increased strength, reliability of small structures, convenience, and are a necessary attribute of each metal detector.
All of these items you can purchase in our online store or on Amazon, as well as in offline stores near you.
Tesoro vs Garrett
The Garrett Ace 250 and Tesoro Compadre are great devices for people who have just started working with metal detectors. Which one you should purchase depends entirely on your location, goals, and preferences. Each of them has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Since, personally, we are primarily small gold jewelry hunters, the Tesoro Compadre wins in our book for its sensitivity to small items. To search for coins and more general items, the Ace 250 will better suit.
Tesoro Pros and Cons
- Easy to use
- Extremely lightweight
- Good sensitivity to small objects
- Excellent separation of debris from standing objects
- Good iron discrimination mode
- Cheaper than Ace 250
- 9-volt batteries are more expensive
- Fixed coil (without a connector)
- Cannot ignore coins
- Subpar depth control
- No sensitivity control
Garrett Pros and Cons
- AA batteries (they are cheaper)
- Wider area of the site with an increased voice coil
- Sensitivity adjustment
- Discrimination mode of first-class functions and id allow us to ignore iron, as well as unnecessary items at long range, such as garbage and focus on low conductors where gold jewelry is located and with this mode you can search for coins more deeply
- Annoying audio sounds
- Poor ergonomic balance
- Weak mounts and less sensitivity to small objects
Tesoro vs Whites
Soil metal detectors, Tesoro Compadre and Whites Coinmaster have a similar set of functions and comparable search capabilities, yet in practice, search results may vary depending on the experience of the treasure hunter, the accuracy of the settings, and the optimal choice of tools for specific search conditions.
The Tesoro Compadre and Whites Coinmaster are both professional detectors and have similar functionality.
They are used for the same search types, namely searching for coins, treasures, relics, and jewelry on the beach or in shallow waters—conditions of high humidity near water bodies. These devices are often used by professional geologists for reconnaissance.
Each device has its own design features, but the size and overall structure are quite similar. Unlike Tesoro Compadre, the Whites Coinmaster metal detector has the ability to hide the cord connecting the coil to the control unit inside the rod, which is very convenient in the field, as the wire does not cling to the branches when scanning.
In addition, Whites engineers have developed a smooth bar height adjustment that can be quickly used directly during the search by pressing the reel with your foot. This is very useful in hilly terrain and in areas overgrown with vegetation when the distance to the ground changes sharply and often.
Tesoro allows you to adjust the height of the bar, but for this, you have to rewind the cord every time.
Tesoro Pros and Cons
- AA batteries (they are cheaper)
- Sensitivity adjustment
- Poor ergonomic balance
Whites Pros and Cons
- Excellent separation of debris from standing objects,
- Good iron discrimination mode
- Fixed coil (without a connector)
Tesoro vs Bounty Hunter
Let’s have a look at Tesoro Lobo and Bounty Hunter Platinum. The control unit of the Tesoro Lobo metal detector, in addition to the main control buttons and the monitor, has a battery compartment.
Bounty Hunter Platinum uses a rod for expanding the batteries, which expands at the top. In addition, the Bounty Hunter Platinum requires eight pieces of power to ensure uninterrupted operation, while only four are needed for Tesoro Lobo.
The location of the headphone jack differs in these two devices. With the Tesoro Lobo, it is located on the control unit, while the jack for the Bounty Hunter Platinum is located on the bar.
The armrests of the devices have a different design, and the foam pad on the rod handle of the Tesoro Lobo metal detector is much more convenient, as it has corrugations and stops on both ends, which additionally prevents slipping.
The search coils for the instruments are both 11 inches but different shapes. The Tesoro Lobo is equipped with an elliptical sensor, and Bounty Hunter Platinum has a round coil.
The detection depth of both sensors is approximately the same, but the Tesoro Lobo coil is lighter in weight and better separates closely spaced targets. The Bounty Hunter Platinum has a higher inspection speed and sees a little deeper than its counterpart.
In addition, the Bounty Hunter Platinum package has special protection for the coil, which protects the sensor from scratches and chips, which can affect the quality of the scan and the appearance of phantom signals in the event of moisture entering the damaged parts of the coil.
Tesoro Pros and Cons
- Equipped with an elliptical sensor
- Lighter weight coil separates closely spaced targets
- The coil isn’t protected from scratches
Bounty Hunter Pros and Cons
- Special coil protection
- Higher inspection speed
- Sees deeper than its counterpart
- Requires eight pieces
Tesoro metal detectors have changed the industry and continue to compete with top brands to produce affordable, technologically advanced equipment. To learn more about Tesoro products and other metal detector brands, contact the Base Outdoor Team.
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