Big Boys Hobbies

sand shark vs Sov gt question

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machineman

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Oct 11, 2010
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I haven't figured it out yet
I am looking at getting a beach machine. I dont live near the beach but go a few times a year and want a good detector for those times. I want to hunt the wet sand and surf area on central Ca beaches. I dont plan on diving. I already have a Gold bug pro for dry sand work. If I can get a used Sov GT for about the same price as a new 10.5" sand shark. What should I get? These are basically the 2 detectors I am looking at. I dont like the tones on the Garretts (had and INfinium that I didnt like). The Dual field would be ok as well, but mostly wondering about the 2. My price range is $500-$600.
 
Sovereign for sure.

There is a reason nearly all of us have a Sovereign, they are amazing machines.
 
Now, being a Tesoro fan here I'd suggest you the Sovereign. The GT is an awesome machine.
It's deep, stable, and with the S-rod and the control box mounted under the arm rest
a very well balanced machine.
The ID meter is a nice feature, but it is NOT a must have because it is a multi tone machine.
Even threshold pitch changes to the last detection sound. GREAT. I liked it a lot.
Had the 10" coil on the GT and think a 8" one had better suited my needs.
IMHO
 
You may have the GB for dry sand hunting, but i think you would find carrying two machines to the beach is something you want to avoid. Id say the Sov because most of us find a PIs use can be limited by the beach you are hunting... there can be a lot of digging. PIs get good depth in some areas... but they really get exceptional depth on small IRON something the Sov avoids.

Dew
 
A Sovereign is my dream machine for wet sand. Maybe one day...
 
If your beaches are clean of iron the PI is an option but if they are loaded with trash its not a great option unless you are willing to clean the beach free of charge ;) The PI is a water machine... I have found at least for me that the majority of my gold and silver finds are in the wet sand this is where a GT shines..
 
Sov gt pretty much goes as deep as a sand shark. Disc? Priceless! Advantage goes to the sov gt. And you got plenty of coil options and can slap it in a waterproof box. Lifetime warranty advantage goes to the sand shark. Just remember the warranty isn't transferable.:(
 
machineman said:
I am looking at getting a beach machine. I dont live near the beach but go a few times a year and want a good detector for those times. I want to hunt the wet sand and surf area on central Ca beaches. I dont plan on diving. I already have a Gold bug pro for dry sand work. If I can get a used Sov GT for about the same price as a new 10.5" sand shark. What should I get? These are basically the 2 detectors I am looking at. I dont like the tones on the Garretts (had and INfinium that I didnt like). The Dual field would be ok as well, but mostly wondering about the 2. My price range is $500-$600.
Click to expand...
I am getting ready to sell my Sov GT. You are not going to get a new Sand Shark for your budget or a used GT either. You might get a used Sand Shark but not a dual field. Any PI machine you buy will slow you down and wear you out of tourist beaches. Been there and sold that. :laughing:
 
Vito said:
Now, being a Tesoro fan here I'd suggest you the Sovereign. The GT is an awesome machine.
It's deep, stable, and with the S-rod and the control box mounted under the arm rest
a very well balanced machine.
The ID meter is a nice feature, but it is NOT a must have because it is a multi tone machine.
Even threshold pitch changes to the last detection sound. GREAT. I liked it a lot.
Had the 10" coil on the GT and think a 8" one had better suited my needs.
IMHO
Click to expand...
Vito, the GT in the USA comes with a straight shaft. The S shaft was done away with years ago. Also, the meter for that machine has not been made for years. It just gets in the way anyway.
 
imalookin2 said:
I am getting ready to sell my Sov GT. You are not going to get a new Sand Shark for your budget or a used GT either. You might get a used Sand Shark but not a dual field. Any PI machine you buy will slow you down and wear you out of tourist beaches. Been there and sold that. :laughing:
Click to expand...

:lol:
 
machineman said:
I am looking at getting a beach machine. I dont live near the beach but go a few times a year and want a good detector for those times. I want to hunt the wet sand and surf area on central Ca beaches. I dont plan on diving. I already have a Gold bug pro for dry sand work. If I can get a used Sov GT for about the same price as a new 10.5" sand shark. What should I get? These are basically the 2 detectors I am looking at. I dont like the tones on the Garretts (had and INfinium that I didnt like). The Dual field would be ok as well, but mostly wondering about the 2. My price range is $500-$600.
Click to expand...

I have heard the infinium on a video and I agree it sounds annoying,kinda like
my sea hunter.:(
 
imalookin2 said:
Vito... Also, the meter for that machine has not been made for years. It just gets in the way anyway.
Click to expand...
Ron Nelson still makes a 180 meter for the Sovs. I just got one, works like a charm.
If you call having an idea of what your target might be, then I agree.
 
Auriemma said:
Ron Nelson still makes a 180 meter for the Sovs. I just got one, works like a charm.
If you call having an idea of what your target might be, then I agree.
Click to expand...

Problem with the meter is it's good for weeding out zinc pennies. If you are using a Rons meter someone is digging all sorts of broke gold behind you. I've had the factory 180 one and the Rons meter and got rid of both of them.
 
Yep Itsaring

Bad luck with Ron's meter also, worked good for a while than the vdi's went nut's, tried to adjust , junk, I suggest a GT with the 10x12 sef, if your beaches are clean of trash , and iron, than I suggest a Surf Pi DF with the yellow DF 12 with 6 in the middle, happy hunting, Earl
 
From a Central Cali Beach somewhere...:D
Either a PI or GT work well here. You have to know the beach you want to hunt. Stay away from beaches where bon fires are allowed if you go with a PI. IF I had to choose between the two, I'd go GT!! Most all our beaches are heavily sanded in this time of year. The PI will give a bit more depth, but for an occasional beach digger, again the GT as you can use it in your normal hunting grounds.
All IMHO!:cool:
 
Auriemma said:
Ron Nelson still makes a 180 meter for the Sovs. I just got one, works like a charm.
If you call having an idea of what your target might be, then I agree.
Click to expand...

The meter would be good for land use, but not needed on the beach, again IMHO.:cool:
 
Having both, I advise the GT. Sand shark is a fine detector but it needs to be used in the right place (in the water) the Sov GT is DEADLY in the wet sand


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