Advice on waterproof detector purchase.

[chrisggard]

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

Thats good advice. I dont need to jump on something to quick. Ill take my time and keep an eye out for a good used unit at a decent price.

As far as the magnets, pinpointers and other items needed there no problem. I magnet fished for awhile before i got back into detecting and still have solid magnets from that and im planning on upgrading my propointer to the at propointer anyway.

Ill stay wide eyed and bushy tailed till the right deal comes along.

Thanks for all the input guys!

 

[msand]

Consider buying new. I am not sure if anyone pointed this out to you but, here goes.. by the time you replace all the gaskets on a used detector you may as well get a new water proof unit and go hunting in the water with out worries and full warranty. HH

http://metaldetectingforum.com/sponsors.php

 

[DaviDs]

Consider buying new. I am not sure if anyone pointed this out to you but, here goes.. by the time you replace all the gaskets on a used detector you may as well get a new water proof unit and go hunting in the water with out worries and full warranty. HH

http://metaldetectingforum.com/sponsors.php

....depends on the detector. A sea hunter only has (3) gaskets or O-rings....each are user serviceable and less than $1. (Like the o-ring in a garden hose) Some of the Fisher machines only have one as the headphone and coil are hardwired.

if you were referring to an excallibur, well then yes, you are probably looking at a few hundred dollar repair/maintenance order.

Another thing is that some of those detectors are built rugged. I've had first and 2nd gen Sea Hunters that without a doubt, can take a lickin' and keep tickin'. You could almost say their knobs and cords are over engineered as they are meant to take on considerable pressures for diving to 200/250 feet deep. For me, I used mine in the dense brush of wooded areas, the surf and worst of all, handed it over to (3) little kids to play with at the beach. After 5+ years even THEY couldn't break it!!

I tell you, I'll be the first one to ante' up if Garrett ever offers a MF-VLF.

 

[rluna]

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.

I just put my Tesoro Tiger Shark up for sale here if your interested: http://www.findmall.com/read.php?44,2230105

Rand