Questions on Beach Detectors

[bziddy]

Hi all,
I used to detect years ago with my dad on the beaches here in So Cal. We used his detector on the grass, sand, wet sand, dirt, etc. Needless to say, I've dug my fair share of nails and pull tabs. (Coolest thing we ever pulled was an early 19th century coin from a foreign country -- forget which one).

I have been wanting to get back into this and have been reading a bunch of stuff on MDing today. I have read that some detectors are a bit difficult in one area or another (good on wet sand, but so-so on grass or vice versa).

I have been looking for a detector that will
1) last a while
2) work well on wet sand
3) work well on dry sand/tot lots/parks/yards
4) is <$500

Am I dreaming? Or does such a detector exist.

Thanks in advance for your answers -- I've really enjoyed reading all the posts the past couple days.

[Cfmct]

If you are not going to go in the water... my first choice would be the Sovereign GT... second choice the Detector Pro Wader... Whites Beachhunter300... If you are going in the water.. the Minelab Excalibur...


Edited to add... didn't see your price requirements... you can find a GT for under that price... I did 3 weeks ago...

[Daddy Rabbit]

No question about it. The sov gt. You can't go wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sreynolds1977]

Yup, Minelab Sovereign Gt is ideal for beaches & shallow surf. I picked up a used one a couple of weeks ago for $500 for use at the beaches here in S. FL. The stock 10" tornado coil is water-proof, so it can be taken into shallow water, but the electronics are definitely not water-proof...

If you end up getting one and need to take it into shallow water beware: The shaft will fill up with water without your knowledge. If you then happen to tilt the detector so that the coil is higher than the controll box, water will run down the shaft tube and empty out of the bracket bolt holes in the other end and dribble all over the controll box. I had this experience and had to dis-assemble the entire controll box to remove salt residue off of the controlls circuit board. After that experience I cross-drilled the shaft just above the coil bracket. Now water drains out of the shaft through these new holes as soon as the coil is removed from the water - no more shaft filling up with water.

Good luck with whatever detector you end up getting.

[bziddy]

Thanks for the replies.

Question -- should I be checking ebay/craigslist for used gear? Any gotchas when purchasing used gear?

With most things I prefer to buy new -- but the $800 price point on the GT is probably enough out of range to not impress the SO.

[Cfmct]

Originally Posted by bziddy

Thanks for the replies.

Question -- should I be checking ebay/craigslist for used gear? Any gotchas when purchasing used gear?

With most things I prefer to buy new -- but the $800 price point on the GT is probably enough out of range to not impress the SO.

Yes try those but you can also contact metal detecting dealers... many of them sell used detectors as well... check KellyCo... I know they sell used detectors...

I paid $475 for my GT and it had 30 hours on it... I love it

[SandHunter]

Originally Posted by sreynolds1977

Yup, Minelab Sovereign Gt is ideal for beaches & shallow surf. I picked up a used one a couple of weeks ago for $500 for use at the beaches here in S. FL. The stock 10" tornado coil is water-proof, so it can be taken into shallow water, but the electronics are definitely not water-proof...

If you end up getting one and need to take it into shallow water beware: The shaft will fill up with water without your knowledge. If you then happen to tilt the detector so that the coil is higher than the controll box, water will run down the shaft tube and empty out of the bracket bolt holes in the other end and dribble all over the controll box. I had this experience and had to dis-assemble the entire controll box to remove salt residue off of the controlls circuit board. After that experience I cross-drilled the shaft just above the coil bracket. Now water drains out of the shaft through these new holes as soon as the coil is removed from the water - no more shaft filling up with water.

Good luck with whatever detector you end up getting.

I just purchased a Sov GT, what are the Dixi Mods?

Best,
Sandhunter