Myers Depot Metal Detectors

Advice on waterproof detector purchase.

chrisggard

chrisggard

Full Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2015
Messages
143
Location
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
So I bought a kayak to get into some of the hundreds of waterways in east Tennessee and detect what will hopefully be some virgin ground. I also want to get into the water if I come across evidence of fjords or other promising locations from research.

I do not have a water proof detector anymore (had an AT Pro, was a complete headache every time I used it, so that is out of the question) Even when I did have a waterproof machine I never took it into water deeper then a couple feet.

SO....

I do not know if ill even like detecting while snorkeling and I don't want to spend 600 bucks on a machine that I may not use again. I'm leaning towards a Treasure Products Vibra-Tector. Its about 150 bucks at amazon and Kellyco. It has pretty decent reviews but I don't always trust them.

Anyone have experience with this thing? Or any recommendations on diving detectors in that price range?


Thanks in advance for any help and HH
 
chrisggard said:
So I bought a kayak to get into some of the hundreds of waterways in east Tennessee and detect what will hopefully be some virgin ground. I also want to get into the water if I come across evidence of fjords or other promising locations from research.

I do not have a water proof detector anymore (had an AT Pro, was a complete headache every time I used it, so that is out of the question) Even when I did have a waterproof machine I never took it into water deeper then a couple feet.

SO....

I do not know if ill even like detecting while snorkeling and I don't want to spend 600 bucks on a machine that I may not use again. I'm leaning towards a Treasure Products Vibra-Tector. Its about 150 bucks at amazon and Kellyco. It has pretty decent reviews but I don't always trust them.

Anyone have experience with this thing? Or any recommendations on diving detectors in that price range?


Thanks in advance for any help and HH
Click to expand...

It is a pin pointer with very little depth, 2-3 inches at max and gold is dense and sinks in sand...

There are no water detectors worth anything in price range of $150...
 
How much time did you spend using the AT? Do you know or hunt with others that can help you out?
I ask you these questions because many others that hunt with the AT in fresh water and post on this and other forums do quite well, so either you had a defective one or did not take the time to learn it.
IMO....the AT is ideal for your situation. DL
 
You have the ATPro, you have the Tesoro Tiger Shark, same price range...

Something many new hunters don't take in consideration is if they don't like the hobby they can sell a good detector used and get 75-80% of their money back. A new ATPro is about $600 new and you can sell it all day long for $475-$500 in good condition...
 
Dirty Love said:
How much time did you spend using the AT? Do you know or hunt with others that can help you out?
I ask you these questions because many others that hunt with the AT in fresh water and post on this and other forums do quite well, so either you had a defective one or did not take the time to learn it.
IMO....the AT is ideal for your situation. DL
Click to expand...

I had the AT for around 7 months. I used it about 10 hours a week during that time. The other 5-10 hours a week I used my grandfathers old Coinmaster Classic II and found 80% of my "Keeper finds" with it. It may have been defective. Ive seen Aquachigger and a few other guys tear it up with the Pro but mine just wasn't delivering. I actually sold it a few weeks ago and bought a mint condition IDX pro. The first time out with the idx at a park I hit several times with the pro, I found a silver spoon ring. I put a lot of time on the pro and was giddy as sh** when I got it but I spent more time fooling with it then digging targets. It got to the point I dreaded taking it out and so I didn't.

The only people I hunt with aren't experienced except for one guy that never hunted in water and still uses his Whites 6000 (old school digger that started in the 60's).
 
treasure_hunter1 said:
You have the ATPro, you have the Tesoro Tiger Shark, same price range...

Something many new hunters don't take in consideration is if they don't like the hobby they can sell a good detector used and get 75-80% of their money back. A new ATPro is about $600 new and you can sell it all day long for $475-$500 in good condition...
Click to expand...


I hear good things about Tesoro. Before I found the IDX I was going to try the Silver Umax. Have you used the Tiger Shark? I might find one Ebay for a decent price. Being unfamiliar with the water detectors, would the Tesoro work on land as well for a backup/lender?
 
tesoro tiger shark and at pro are your best bets...and since you do not like the at pro check out the tesoro
 
If u are only going under a few feet.....say up to o 10-12 feet deep, then u can convert almost any detector to be waterproof. I have (2) Mjnelab explorers and (1) bounty hunter that I converted.... Cost ranges 50-100 plus headphones, but u could just use the vdi (screen) to try it out. As far as headphones, any used set will work, u just modify the connector.....so those can be found used on eBay for as low as $25.

Here is a link to a forum thread on waterproofing, has lots of pics. http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=88982
 
Be sure your detector is out of warranty as it could easily void the warranty on a high dollar detector......
 
I have a tiger shark. Just got it back from Tesoro a couple days ago, and have been enjoying it. I had an issue with the discrimination, but turns out there was more wrong that that, and they fixed it all for free, no problem. Got it back, and it is working like a champ on dry land. Haven't taken it out into deep water yet, only out to about 4 feet so far. Doing everything I need it to, and then some.

I don't think you can go wrong with the Tiger Shark. Easy to use, easy to learn, and doesn't seem to miss much at all. I've gone back over areas with my ETrac just to double check the tiger shark, and it seems to be working fine so far.

My ETrac is my go-to machine, but the tiger shark comes out for water hunts, and will be used on dry land in place of the ETrac if it starts raining.
 
raptortrapper said:
I have a tiger shark. Just got it back from Tesoro a couple days ago, and have been enjoying it. I had an issue with the discrimination, but turns out there was more wrong that that, and they fixed it all for free, no problem. Got it back, and it is working like a champ on dry land. Haven't taken it out into deep water yet, only out to about 4 feet so far. Doing everything I need it to, and then some.

I don't think you can go wrong with the Tiger Shark. Easy to use, easy to learn, and doesn't seem to miss much at all. I've gone back over areas with my ETrac just to double check the tiger shark, and it seems to be working fine so far.

My ETrac is my go-to machine, but the tiger shark comes out for water hunts, and will be used on dry land in place of the ETrac if it starts raining.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking I might give Tesoro a shot. Although the issues you mentioned are a little menacing but if I get it new that Lifetime warranty is a big plus. I know I said I don't want to drop 6 hard earned Bennies on a detector but if it could double as a kick ass land machine too it might be worth it. Ill check out some videos on it.

DnD said:
If u are only going under a few feet.....say up to o 10-12 feet deep, then u can convert almost any detector to be waterproof. I have (2) Mjnelab explorers and (1) bounty hunter that I converted.... Cost ranges 50-100 plus headphones, but u could just use the vdi (screen) to try it out. As far as headphones, any used set will work, u just modify the connector.....so those can be found used on eBay for as low as $25.

Here is a link to a forum thread on waterproofing, has lots of pics. http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=88982
Click to expand...

Waterproofing myself makes me nervous (that was a cool thread though!). It would be fun on a to try out on a cheapo but I don't trust myself enough to throw a pricey swinger in a box like that.

DashHopes said:
Fisher F22 maybe? Around $230 and water proof to 10 feet.
Click to expand...

I didn't think those were completely submersible? From what I read they are "Weather Proof" but not able to go under?
 
Everyone always wants a water detector on the cheap. Well that just doesn't happen. Choices are limited and they come at a price. Sounds like you had a defective unit. Tossing a few coins on the ground and observing the results would have been real easy. Water hunting is a challenge. If you don't know how to test a detector and you don't want to invest the correct amount of money then maybe water hunting isn't for you. $150.00? That would be a waste of money and time. Youtube is full of water hunting videos. You see what they use. You see what is needed. That includes the waterproof pinpointer, magnet, and other tools to make a success out of the hunt.
 
Yes water-based hunting is expensive; however, the thing you have going for you is that you are in fresh water. If you aren’t in a hurry, you can search around for the older version of the Fisher 1280-x (VLF) or a Garrett Sea hunter (PI). New, they retail for $600-800, typical sell used for $4-6, but I’ve seen both as low as $250 and $200 (respectively). Finding them at those kind of prices takes a lot of work, searching ads hourly and acting fast, but it can be done.

Option 2 , contact the forum sponsors. They get pre-owned equipment, go through them with a fine-tooth comb, and then give you the opportunity to buy a detector for less than new. Sponsors on the forum have a review section and IMO, would probably be booted if they were less than ethical. FMDF is a tightly knit community and although opinions may vary, ethics have a high value.
-David
 
treasure_hunter1 said:
Mistype on my part, sorry...
Click to expand...

No worry, Fisher hasn't exactly been clear on it.

Just so customers know, if you dunk a F22 or F44 your warranty may not be honored.

However, I know of someone using one along side an ATP pro in creeks so I doubt you'll have trouble with a quick oopsie but don't submerge the control box unless you are ok self insuring. :)
 
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