SoCal Beach Detecting

[Raphis]

Buran, IMHO, I think you're doing way too much researching/contemplating into the purchase of your first beach machine. Trust me, I've seen jewelry from our local So Cal beaches found with single frequency machines that would have your eyeballs popping out. Don't spend anymore than you want to.....just get out there, start swinging your machine and have fun. Learn as best as you can whatever machine fits into your price range. Put the time and effort into the hobby, and you will be rewarded. The competition at all the popular spots on our local beaches is fierce, but there's a lot of beach to cover, and if you put yourself at the right spot at the right time, you will be posting treasure for us to view and congratulate you on.

[Robin D]

Originally Posted by Raphis

Buran, IMHO, I think you're doing way too much researching/contemplating into the purchase of your first beach machine. Trust me, I've seen jewelry from our local So Cal beaches found with single frequency machines that would have your eyeballs popping out. Don't spend anymore than you want to.....just get out there, start swinging your machine and have fun. Learn as best as you can whatever machine fits into your price range. Put the time and effort into the hobby, and you will be rewarded. The competition at all the popular spots on our local beaches is fierce, but there's a lot of beach to cover, and if you put yourself at the right spot at the right time, you will be posting treasure for us to view and congratulate you on.

I agree with Raphis here. I used my Gold Stinger with great success in the dry sand. Didn't work well in the wet, but that's to be expected with our beach sands. I hunted with a buddy who swung an Ace 250 and did very well in the dry. Another swung the MXT and found a lot of gold in the dry. Just get out there with whatever you decide to purchase.
I just got the AT Pro and am getting used to it. So far, I'm very impressed. I'm planning on using it for the dry. If I decide to consistently hunt the wet, I'll purchase a PI. My suggestion; unless you want to spend a bunch of $, get a VLF for now, get used to it, then get a PI for wet sand later.

Good luck.
RD

[Buran]

Originally Posted by Raphis

Buran, IMHO, I think you're doing way too much researching/contemplating into the purchase of your first beach machine. Trust me, I've seen jewelry from our local So Cal beaches found with single frequency machines that would have your eyeballs popping out. Don't spend anymore than you want to.....just get out there, start swinging your machine and have fun. Learn as best as you can whatever machine fits into your price range. Put the time and effort into the hobby, and you will be rewarded. The competition at all the popular spots on our local beaches is fierce, but there's a lot of beach to cover, and if you put yourself at the right spot at the right time, you will be posting treasure for us to view and congratulate you on.

Raphis, your right and I’m going to bite the bullet soon. One thing I’ve noticed is the Minelab MD’s, like the 505 and 705 have multiple frequencies. They transmit one frequency, but you can choose one of 3 to use; 3, 7.5, and 18.75 KHz. It seems to me that having several frequencies would be better to optimize our sand; and if I go to a park or the mountains, one of the other frequencies might be better suited.

This is my last issue and any experience or thoughts would be appreciated; thanks much.

[Robin D]

Originally Posted by Buran

Raphis, your right and I’m going to bite the bullet soon. One thing I’ve noticed is the Minelab MD’s, like the 505 and 705 have multiple frequencies. They transmit one frequency, but you can choose one of 3 to use; 3, 7.5, and 18.75 KHz. It seems to me that having several frequencies would be better to optimize our sand; and if I go to a park or the mountains, one of the other frequencies might be better suited.

This is my last issue and any experience or thoughts would be appreciated; thanks much.

Someone could better speak to this, but I understand that the 705's coils are not water proof, so you don't want to get them wet.
Guys, is that true?

RD

[Raphis]

Originally Posted by Robin D

Someone could better speak to this, but I understand that the 705's coils are not water proof, so you don't want to get them wet.
Guys, is that true?

RD

On Minelab's website, the 705 specifications say that the standard 9" concentric coil (7.5 Khz) "is" waterproof.

It seems to me that having several frequencies would be better to optimize our sand;

Buran, I think you're confusing detecting terms here. A machine's ability to better handle ground conditions is a factor of its ability to "ground balance" itself, in addition to coil design. Some VLF machines have auto ground balancing, while others have manual balancing. A double D coil design can handle "hot" ground better than a concentric design coil can. The frequencies a machine can function at will enhance your ability to find different objects on the conductivity scale. For instance, lower frequencies will enhance the machine's ability to find deeper, higher conductive targets, while higher frequencies allow a machine to be more sensitive to finding your lower conductive items (small gold, platinum, nickels, foil, tabs, etc.). I believe with the Xterra 705, you can't just change frequencies....you need to buy different coils to operate the machine at a different frequency.

[Compass]

Originally Posted by Raphis

Buran, IMHO, I think you're doing way too much researching/contemplating into the purchase of your first beach machine. Trust me, I've seen jewelry from our local So Cal beaches found with single frequency machines that would have your eyeballs popping out. Don't spend anymore than you want to.....just get out there, start swinging your machine and have fun. Learn as best as you can whatever machine fits into your price range. Put the time and effort into the hobby, and you will be rewarded. The competition at all the popular spots on our local beaches is fierce, but there's a lot of beach to cover, and if you put yourself at the right spot at the right time, you will be posting treasure for us to view and congratulate you on.

Don't forget that all southern California beaches are not the same and even the same beach will have changing conditions that affect black sand concentration or the amount of trashy targets present. When the conditions are perfect (not that often) you don't even need a detector- just watch the surf wash targets out of the cut. I remember seeing a half dollar washed out right in front of me and I'm sure that others have even found gold this way. HH!

[Buran]

Originally Posted by Raphis

On Minelab's website, the 705 specifications say that the standard 9" concentric coil (7.5 Khz) "is" waterproof.


Buran, I think you're confusing detecting terms here. A machine's ability to better handle ground conditions is a factor of its ability to "ground balance" itself, in addition to coil design. Some VLF machines have auto ground balancing, while others have manual balancing. A double D coil design can handle "hot" ground better than a concentric design coil can. The frequencies a machine can function at will enhance your ability to find different objects on the conductivity scale. For instance, lower frequencies will enhance the machine's ability to find deeper, higher conductive targets, while higher frequencies allow a machine to be more sensitive to finding your lower conductive items (small gold, platinum, nickels, foil, tabs, etc.). I believe with the Xterra 705, you can't just change frequencies....you need to buy different coils to operate the machine at a different frequency.

Gotchya, You’ve just stated what I spent the last hour looking for and reading. Multiple frequencies, multiple coils, multiple types of coils, yada yada yada; it gets complicated. I’m just gonna look for a middle-of-the-road, water resistant, reputable brand machine.

Thanks for all the help guy’s, I’ll let you know what I decide.

[IntoIt]

Originally Posted by Buran

Gotchya, You’ve just stated what I spent the last hour looking for and reading. Multiple frequencies, multiple coils, multiple types of coils, yada yada yada; it gets complicated. I’m just gonna look for a middle-of-the-road, water resistant, reputable brand machine.

Thanks for all the help guy’s, I’ll let you know what I decide.

Glad you didnt go down that road..so many do. In allot of ways I have come full circle with detectors. I used to think a better detector meany better and deeper finds and to a little extent that is true but with the costs and extra weight you will pay for the gains is not worth it to me.
Just think a name brand machine that is light weight. Your arm will get real sore in a hurry with some of these machines.
Like I said, and I`m not trying to sell you on a fisher ..But I have to admit it was a breeze to swing around.
The Garrett has a heavier coil, at least the 250 does. It is the heaviest coil I have swung with the exception of my minelab.
I`m not shure of the whites, the last coil I swung had the rainbow coil(flat coil) and it was very light but I dont think they use it on their current line anymore.
The reason I say to get a light coil is that it is on the end of a stick your swinging back and forth and even an ounce or two difference makes a huge difference when it is on the end of a 3 foot + stick after an hour or two.
Bottom line is you can have an overall lightweight detector as a whole but if the coil is heavy your arm and wrist will suffer.

[Jerryhall]

I go out to All the san diego beach's With my Bounty hunter 505.
Dry sand no problem but it hates the wet sand. I can hunt in the wet sand after 5 mins of messing around with the settings but it a pian in the *@%.

[Labyrinth]

Originally Posted by Jamflicker

My AT Pro works great in the dry sand but it is horrible in the wet sand at Southern California beaches.

Ditto !!!!!
That is why I bought my GT for the California beaches.

[Joemamma]

My first piece of jewelry and a zippo lighter were found in wet sand with my silver u max. Works great so long as you don't touch the sand with your coil.

[Buran]

Well, I went and did it; I purchased a Minelab X-terra 505 intermediate MD. I purchased this MD from the on-line retailer that starts with a “K” and received a bunch of stuff in the free accessory package like extended to 5 year warranty, carrying bag, decent head phones, etc. It also qualified for their BOGO by-one, sort of get another free and selected an MPX MD. I figure I received good bang for the buck with this purchase.

OK, so I’m waiting for the brown truck and give metal detecting a shot and probably have more questions; thanks for all the help.

[Burbank Bob]

Originally Posted by Buran

So now I guess I’m back to square one. I need to research multiple frequencies MD’s; just hoping I can get one in my price range.

You can find used Sov XS XS-2 and XS-2A Pros for as little as $325 and they are rock stable in the wet sand AND in the water. (not UNDER water unless you make a waterproof conversion).

(EDIT - nevermind, did not see you had made a purchase - Good luck with the Xterra.)

[Gamblur]

Congrats on your new detector!

[Syrex5]

You could also try a F2 or F4. I own a f2 and have been to the beaches around here in galveston tx. It works fairly well on wet sand, good on dry sand but I haven't tried it in any water yet. Maybe you could get a DD coil and propointer and have yourself a pretty nice detecting setup until you want to take the plunge for a grand+ one

[outdoor]

I live in san diego Iam using the Minelab Explorer SE Pro work great no problem with
the wet sand or the mineralized sand at the beach because it uses multiple frequincy
and the salt water does not effect it at all. It's a great beach detector and will not give you any problems at the beach...

[allcav]

Originally Posted by Buran

Gamblur, by writing dual-field, I take it you mean PI. I understand they are very good at detecting in salt water, but I think I probably want to be able to discriminate against metals like iron and aluminum. But then that’s what I’m here for; looking at real-world experience.

One of the features I’ve noticed in the higher end MD’s is multiple frequencies; most having 2 or 3 and one with 25. I’m thinking multiple frequencies is better/adjustable with regards to the soil/sand being detected.

I think a grand+ is a bit much for a detecting newby, but I also get the argument not purchasing a cheap/less capable MD risking frustrating/disappointment and leaving the hobby.

VLF machine in both highly mineralized soil and wet salt just don't work well. It is possible to make adjustments to help through this. If you turn your sensitivity down and your disk up past foil, it will help but it wont take out the effects intirely. The only machines that will work through these conditions is a PI unit.
I understand that your not interested in a PI but even if you follow my instruction, you will loose depth and it will be slightly annoying in the wet sand or in the water in SOCAL.

[Crumble]

Originally Posted by allcav

VLF machine in both highly mineralized soil and wet salt just don't work well. It is possible to make adjustments to help through this. If you turn your sensitivity down and your disk up past foil, it will help but it wont take out the effects intirely. The only machines that will work through these conditions is a PI unit.
I understand that your not interested in a PI but even if you follow my instruction, you will loose depth and it will be slightly annoying in the wet sand or in the water in SOCAL.

Even Tesoro PIs don't work well here in SoCal...

[allcav]

Originally Posted by Crumble

Even Tesoro PIs don't work well here in SoCal...

They work for me in San Diego!

[Crumble]

I live in San Diego, and the SS was unusable on some of the beaches. Try hunting La Jolla Shores... I couldn't even sweep over the ground there, overload every sweep, granted that beach has very hot ground. If the SS had a pulse delay setting instead of pulse width, I may have been able to tweek it to work, but with only pulse width, there was no way to make it work there.

It worked well on the sanded in beaches though...