Beach & Surf Detector

[Cfmct]

Dang. That is real tempting at $2-500 dollars cheaper than the others...

How does the Pirate Pro do in the surf?

Because its a single frequency detector it will chatter from the salt and minerals somewhat... if that doesn't bother you then it should work ok.

 

[fishindetector]

Because its a single frequency detector it will chatter from the salt and minerals somewhat... if that doesn't bother you then it should work ok.

No way. The chatter drives me nuts. I already have a chattery 5900 that gives me fits with the ripples in wet/damp sand. Booooo to chatter!

So I guess in that case only the Pulse PI machine from Detector Pro would fit my needs. Same price ballpark as the others, so I guess the benefit would be having the lightest MD on the beach...

 

[norbyx]

The Detectorpro wader or pirate pro won't chatter in salt water unless you are on dark sand beach than it will be useless.
I had the head hunter wader up till last week, I now have a whites dual field, not because I didn't like the wader but because of where I live, there are a lot of black sand volcanic beaches around so I needed a PI machine.

 

[borborygmus]

L I B, the bh 300 is a price outlier...

 

[Aquaman]

Under $1000 I'd say (sorry not using your pole), a lightly used DF or a heavily used Excal. That Tesoro Sand Shark is a good little machine if your on a budget though.

 

[Cfmct]

The Detectorpro wader or pirate pro won't chatter in salt water unless you are on dark sand beach than it will be useless.
I had the head hunter wader up till last week, I now have a whites dual field, not because I didn't like the wader but because of where I live, there are a lot of black sand volcanic beaches around so I needed a PI machine.

Up here in CT the Wader which I tried and the Pirate Pro do chatter but as I mentioned in my post fishindetector if he doesn't mind it, it should work ok... my Wader and the PP I tried chattered like crazy but it didn't bother me because I run all my detectors hot and a little chatter never hurt anyone

 

[zeemang]

Used excal if you can find one or used sov gt in a waterproof box...

 

[fishindetector]

I thought of another question while reading about all of these brands and models. I see one of them either comes in an 8" coil or 10" coil model. In the surf are biggers coils better in general than smaller coils?

 

[Cfmct]

Bigger coils tend to be deeper and you can cover more of an area than with small coils.

 

[itsaring!]

Save up and purchase an Excal to fund your future machines.If you can't get on the gold with an excal,a PI for a first machine is gonna get you frustrated as hell.They should have to ask if you are a first time buyer before they sell you a PI.Then try and talk you out of it.I paid for my excal with a used Whites DFX at the beach.

 

[Twinkies]

I had the Pirate Pro...I air tested a Dime at 9 1/2". Goes deeper then my IDX-PRO in the dirt!

I agree on how deep this Pirate Pro goes. I found my best ring to date with my Pirate and it was right around 12" mark. I will admit it was a large gold ring (scrapped at 22 grams of 14k) but 12" was great for a sub $400 machine.

Side not just as a test I dropped it back in the hole and my Tiger Shark would not hit on it at all. The Pirate was fairly faint but I run max volume and hope to hit those deeps targets as this beach is fairly clean.

About to buy another machine and wish I could have seen how an AT Pro would have read at that depth. Really torn between the AT and another Pirate Pro (or wader) as my next machine as my wife runs the Pirate Pro mostly and she isnt about to give up hers.

 

[borborygmus]

I thought of another question while reading about all of these brands and models. I see one of them either comes in an 8" coil or 10" coil model. In the surf are biggers coils better in general than smaller coils?

however, it's more difficult to maneuver a larger coil in the surf. either the surf moves you or the surf involuntarily moves your coil - hence, the coil brace.

 

[Metal Marauder]

Used excal if you can find one or used sov gt in a waterproof box...

Sorry to the OP for a minor hijack of this thread. Would a SovGT in a waterproof box basically be an Excal? Craig, how is your mod going from BurbankBob on your SovGT? Hope your planning on starting a thread with pics when you get that completed.

Okay...

 

[Cfmct]

Sorry to the OP for a minor hijack of this thread. Would a SovGT in a waterproof box basically be an Excal? Craig, how is your mod going from BurbankBob on your SovGT? Hope your planning on starting a thread with pics when you get that completed.

Okay...

The wife had me busy doing things this weekend but I plan on tackling the GT very soon

 

[fishindetector]

I think I'm leaning toward the PI machines for a couple reasons.

I hate messing with all the knobs and not being sure that I'm getting great depth.

I already dig all the iron I come across (found only iron this morning) and I would much rather dig iron pieces than feel like I'm missing stuff under the sand.

Thanks everyone for your input and votes! Keep em coming.

 

[Twinkies]

If you dont mind digging and like the depth then Pulse machines are where its at and there are alot of great ones out there.

When I know I am going to be in a fairly quiet area I run my Pulse as well. The bobbie pins drive me insane but I dont mind digging alot either.

 

[SilverSlueth]

I am very new to metal detecting so if you have any other options in this price range I'd be willing to look at them. I definitely do NOT want to go over $1000. My wife already scowled at me when I mentioned buying a beach detector.

Honestly, I'd prefer to stay around $600 if possible, but DEFINITELY sub $1000.

I recently bought a $2500.00 machine. My wife was not too excited about this. Within a couple weeks she watched me scoop up a gold ring with 11 diamonds. That changed everything. Then I had to go buy her an AT Pro so she could get in the water and hunt too! Once you bring home some gold and diamonds you may be able to break through the thousand dollar barrier.

 

[dogpound]

i voted for " Which detectors do you use. You may pick multiple choices"

thats because mine wasn't listed

 

[Cfmct]

I think I'm leaning toward the PI machines for a couple reasons.

I hate messing with all the knobs and not being sure that I'm getting great depth.

I already dig all the iron I come across (found only iron this morning) and I would much rather dig iron pieces than feel like I'm missing stuff under the sand.

Thanks everyone for your input and votes! Keep em coming.

All detectors have knobs for adjustments but once you set it you can forget it most detectors are like that...

 

[Cfmct]

i voted for " Which detectors do you use. You may pick multiple choices"

thats because mine wasn't listed

There is always one in the crowd