Monte both you and Dick Strout have offered the advice to the hobbyist. Work with your detector learn what the different settings do. Above all read and understand the operator's manual. I think your idea of the high dollar bells and whistles detector is really beyond their ability to understand or comprehend. Most people like simple. Turn it on and and start to find silver and gold. When it doesn't work that way it is relegated to the garage or the back of the closet with all the rest of the toys
I would bet that if you were to go out hunting with them. They were using their Nox 800 and you a White's 6000 Di Series 3 you hunting 50 feet behind them at the end of the day you would have more coins in your pouch than they. The reason your knowledge of the detector and what it can do. And the right hunting technique.
Today I watched a fellow with a MXT with a 9.5 inch coil hunt a fairground. He covered 4 times the area I covered. I was using the old 5900 Di Pro Plus with the 6.5 concentric coil. He came before he left to see if I was finding anything. My 12 coins and three ride tokens topped his penny and dime both lost last summer. He had the better detector I had the better hunting technique. I knew how it had to be set to find coins that were 3 to 5 inches deep. Don't think he had a clue. I will say some people are successful enspite of themselves. Myself I would rather be good and lucky than just lucky.
I am becoming convinced that knowledge of your detector and proper hunting technique in a good location is going to make you a above average Joe.
Senior Deacon