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Graham
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looking for some ideas on members thoughts about the best beach detector .? ...
Beach metal detector
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A Minelab Excalibur is pretty impressive, and it is waterproof, so you can scuba detect.
Goldpick
Chris Johnson
All depends on budget, and whether you want to detect dry sand, wet sand, in the water. You can go the no compromise route and get a more expensive pulse induction machine, albeit with none or minimal discrimination (dig everything), or buy a VLF that will cover most bases albeit with compromises on stability/chatter from the salt, but the advantage of being able to discriminate out a lot of the junk.
AT Pro seems like a popular choice due to being waterproof, just need to adjust the sensitivity and ground balance to cope on the wet sand/water. Same case with most VLF's on the wet parts of the beach, they will always get some chatter, but real targets tend to be more obvious above the background noise. The ability to ground balance is an advantage, and to have a ground balance that has a good range, my Tesoro Vaquero did not have enough range on its ground balance control, hence wasn't of much use.
On other detectors without the ability to GB, you have no choice but to reduce the sensitivity at the expense of depth. Other detectors such as the Whites range (MXT) have salt settings to help stability on the beach.
Lower frequencies also help out on the beach, and deal with the mineralisation a lot better, hence why a lot of the gold detectors are not much good there, and will probably drive you nuts.
AT Pro seems like a popular choice due to being waterproof, just need to adjust the sensitivity and ground balance to cope on the wet sand/water. Same case with most VLF's on the wet parts of the beach, they will always get some chatter, but real targets tend to be more obvious above the background noise. The ability to ground balance is an advantage, and to have a ground balance that has a good range, my Tesoro Vaquero did not have enough range on its ground balance control, hence wasn't of much use.
On other detectors without the ability to GB, you have no choice but to reduce the sensitivity at the expense of depth. Other detectors such as the Whites range (MXT) have salt settings to help stability on the beach.
Lower frequencies also help out on the beach, and deal with the mineralisation a lot better, hence why a lot of the gold detectors are not much good there, and will probably drive you nuts.
The best beach detector is minelab sovereign gt without a doubt and wet sand is a problem, the trouble is wet sand varies all all round australia my wet sand is all black underneath and most vlf detectors cant handle it
Pi detectors are great but you will be digging alot
It will depend on which beaches you are going to detect local knowledge is good
Pi detectors are great but you will be digging alot
It will depend on which beaches you are going to detect local knowledge is good
G
Guest
For anyone wondering. A Minelab sovereign is a multi frequency machine and is why its good on wet sand and in the water.
The excalibur is a water machine and is a multi frequency machine. An alternative is a cz3d which is not water proof
or cz21 which are multi frequency machines as well. The cz21 is the new version is fully waterproof and built like a tank.
Going back a few years the most popular for beach water detecting was the cz20 which is the older version.
The best unit for the beach is a PI such as a Garrett Sea Hunter MK2 but get ready to start digging deep holes.
The excalibur is a water machine and is a multi frequency machine. An alternative is a cz3d which is not water proof
or cz21 which are multi frequency machines as well. The cz21 is the new version is fully waterproof and built like a tank.
Going back a few years the most popular for beach water detecting was the cz20 which is the older version.
The best unit for the beach is a PI such as a Garrett Sea Hunter MK2 but get ready to start digging deep holes.
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I've been looking more closely at getting a beach capable detector, as opposed to a minefields style PI, due to my limited budget.
There are just so many detectors out there, and I've been doing my research, only to end up relatively confused. My goal is a detector under $1000. I have been looking at a Minelab Sovereign GT (although the fact that it isn't waterproof is a bummer), Garret AT Gold, Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II, Fisher Aquanaut, Whites Beach Hunter.
What is your 2 cents on the best beach detector. Being waterproof is a plus, but not essential.
I've seen the Garret AT and Soverign mentioned before, but not much about the Garrett Sea Hunter MII, Aquanaut, Whites Beach Hunter..... ?????
There are just so many detectors out there, and I've been doing my research, only to end up relatively confused. My goal is a detector under $1000. I have been looking at a Minelab Sovereign GT (although the fact that it isn't waterproof is a bummer), Garret AT Gold, Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II, Fisher Aquanaut, Whites Beach Hunter.
What is your 2 cents on the best beach detector. Being waterproof is a plus, but not essential.
I've seen the Garret AT and Soverign mentioned before, but not much about the Garrett Sea Hunter MII, Aquanaut, Whites Beach Hunter..... ?????
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i think your heading in the right direction - you can get a good second hand excalibur 1000 for under $1000 and its water proof up to 200ft
as others have said before just make sure to check the seals are good on it before putting into the drink
as others have said before just make sure to check the seals are good on it before putting into the drink
Minelab Sovereign GT (wouldn't recommend it for the beach)
Garrett AT Gold (nope, while it can do it Its probably not the best option for your money)
Garrett Sea Hunter Mk2 (good machine, bit heavy but that can be solved with a shaft upgrade)
Never used the fisher so i can't comment.
Whites Beach Hunter ID Is a great beach detector only had mine for a few months but it was a solid machine..
My pick would be either the Whites, or Garrett Sea Hunter (PI detectors)
If you're after a good VLF option, look into DetectorPro they make some excellent beach/water machines..
anyway that's a little more than 2 cents.. hope it helps.
Garrett AT Gold (nope, while it can do it Its probably not the best option for your money)
Garrett Sea Hunter Mk2 (good machine, bit heavy but that can be solved with a shaft upgrade)
Never used the fisher so i can't comment.
Whites Beach Hunter ID Is a great beach detector only had mine for a few months but it was a solid machine..
My pick would be either the Whites, or Garrett Sea Hunter (PI detectors)
If you're after a good VLF option, look into DetectorPro they make some excellent beach/water machines..
anyway that's a little more than 2 cents.. hope it helps.
G
Guest
Some will chime in with what they like.
I have used a few different machines and with Pulse induction machines be prepared to dig up all sorts of targets. I don't think the sea hunter is that heavy as I
currently own one and over the years I have also used a Whites PI1000 as well.
Pulse induction machines are deep seeking machines but expect to dig a bobby pin at 6 or more inches. This is the only pain.
Multi frequency machines are great as well and offer a discriminator. I have used a sovereign and I currently own a fisher cz3d as well and are great on wet or dry sand.
If I was to buy another waterproof machine for the beach on a tight budget my money will be spent on a Whites Beach Hunter 300.
Why?
1. You could pick these up for around $600 2nd hand.
2. They have lights that match the tones so when your over a target you will hear the tone and the relevant light will switch on. Perfect for night detecting.
3. Not single but Multi frequency.
4. Discriminator.
If money was not an issue I would buy a Fisher CZ21. Its built like tank has a brilliant discriminator and has a few tones and the technology has proven itself over the
years.
If you come across a cheap sovereign and lets say it sells for $350 as long as it works don't hesitate to buy it. You can always do a conversion and add it in
a waterproof container and then attach it inside a waterproof back pack. A few guys have done this over the years.
Good luck with it.
I have used a few different machines and with Pulse induction machines be prepared to dig up all sorts of targets. I don't think the sea hunter is that heavy as I
currently own one and over the years I have also used a Whites PI1000 as well.
Pulse induction machines are deep seeking machines but expect to dig a bobby pin at 6 or more inches. This is the only pain.
Multi frequency machines are great as well and offer a discriminator. I have used a sovereign and I currently own a fisher cz3d as well and are great on wet or dry sand.
If I was to buy another waterproof machine for the beach on a tight budget my money will be spent on a Whites Beach Hunter 300.
Why?
1. You could pick these up for around $600 2nd hand.
2. They have lights that match the tones so when your over a target you will hear the tone and the relevant light will switch on. Perfect for night detecting.
3. Not single but Multi frequency.
4. Discriminator.
If money was not an issue I would buy a Fisher CZ21. Its built like tank has a brilliant discriminator and has a few tones and the technology has proven itself over the
years.
If you come across a cheap sovereign and lets say it sells for $350 as long as it works don't hesitate to buy it. You can always do a conversion and add it in
a waterproof container and then attach it inside a waterproof back pack. A few guys have done this over the years.
Good luck with it.
G
Guest
Sa_bogan said:
It was the first machine I owned in the 90's.
Here are a few completed listings.
I did see one sell for about $350 in Aus about a year ago. It depends how the listing is presented what info is available and
what time it ends. I don't buy anything that ends on an evening especially on a sunday.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Minelab-...5085?pt=AU_Gadgets&hash=item258db4ef0d&_uhb=1
Sold $406 AUS.
USA
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINELAB-SOV...etal_Detector_Accessories&hash=item27e329e57a
With Meter sold for around $420 AUS.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Minelab-Sov...243?pt=US_Metal_Detectors&hash=item27e4db236b
Sold for around $385 AUS.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINELAB-SOV...745?pt=US_Metal_Detectors&hash=item2ed1c33881
Sold for around $560 AUS with 2 coils with a $90 Aus Delivery option. What is the extra coil worth - $200?
I have picked up a few bargains myself from the US. The last one was 3 weeks ago. I paid $550 AUS for a whites GMT delivered to my Door
which included a slightly used Morakniv.
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Great info guys. Really. I appreciate it.
I found a whites Beach Hunter ID. I know it's not a 300 model, but is it similarly good in comparison to price, or just a waste of time?
I also found a Garrett Infinium. Good, or a no goer?
I would be far more inclined to buy second hand, rather than new, considering my budget, and the fact that you just get more bang for your buck.
but it seems there just isn't a lot to choose from on ebay or gumtree at the moment.
If anyone is selling a good beach detector, then your welcome to PM me.
I found a whites Beach Hunter ID. I know it's not a 300 model, but is it similarly good in comparison to price, or just a waste of time?
I also found a Garrett Infinium. Good, or a no goer?
I would be far more inclined to buy second hand, rather than new, considering my budget, and the fact that you just get more bang for your buck.
but it seems there just isn't a lot to choose from on ebay or gumtree at the moment.
If anyone is selling a good beach detector, then your welcome to PM me.
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downhalo said:
im not sure if you have used the gt down at the beach but paulmarr and myself have found it to be a great detector down there - also for its price and the coil selection and ability to chest mount or sling mount makes it nice and light with the straight shaft to go along with it
Goldpick
Chris Johnson
trekwithleena said:
The Infinium is good if you want to use it for more than just beach detecting (has auto ground balance whereas the sea hunter doesn't), so it is useful for on land/gold detecting - so it is more flexible than the specialised Sea Hunter. It is also water proof and has more coil options than the Sea Hunter. As with most PI detectors, it has basic discrimination, but you should really dig all targets, you can also adjust the timings to reduce sensitivity to smaller junk targets if after coins and deeper targets.
They aren't really that heavy, especially if mounted on a well balanced shaft like the units from Anderson Shafts, or Plugger shafts.
The advantage of the Sea Hunter is that it offers decent discrimination for both underwater and beach detecting, so you shouldn't end up digging loads of junk targets as you do with the Infinium.
Downside to both machines is the fiddly and prone to damage coil and headphone plug pins, plus watch out for some of the older coils as they were prone to cable shielding issues (older coils have thinner cabling that is more fragile compared to the thicker black cabling of the newer coils). Some older Infiniums, or ones brought in from the US may have not habe been upgraded to run mono coils, but that can be fixed relatively easily and cheaply with a hardware upgrade. Upgraded Infiniums for Australia should have a yellow or green sticker inside the battery compartment from the Gold Mining Centre.
Upside is that the coils are pretty cheap for a PI detector, especially if brought in from the US, and most infiniums can be picked up for well under $1000 these days, and they get excellent depth on the beach and are quite a sensitive detector.
G
Guest
downhalo said:
The Minelab soveriegn like the fisher cz3d are
multi frequency Detectors and are brilliant for
wet or dry sand.
The only issue could be the weight after a while.
The whites beach hunter is a water machine
and thats Multifrequency as well.
Hi, I would like to start using a metal detector on the beaches near to where I live. I hope to find coins, jewellery etc . Please could anyone tell me which metal detector would be suitable for this kind of activity, nothing to heavy or complicated, but a good one.
Many thanks
Many thanks
Paulene,
Im new to this as well and went with the terra 705 dual pack.
It's a great detector and I have found some cool pre-dec coins and silver jewellery at the beach.
I'm also doing ok at the parks with spendable coins.
It's a steep learning curve but in my opinion the 705 is easy to learn yet has enough capability so you don't outgrow it in a few weeks.
Welcome to your new addiction
Clegy
Im new to this as well and went with the terra 705 dual pack.
It's a great detector and I have found some cool pre-dec coins and silver jewellery at the beach.
I'm also doing ok at the parks with spendable coins.
It's a steep learning curve but in my opinion the 705 is easy to learn yet has enough capability so you don't outgrow it in a few weeks.
Welcome to your new addiction
Clegy
