Looking for a detector

[Ian]

Hello everyone I would like to introduce myself and also ask for some advice. My name is Ian just as my username. I have been doing a lot of research and have aquired some knowledge of the differences in metal detectors and their differences.

Now my problem.. I am new to metal detecting, the only detector I have even played with is my older brothers which probably cost $50-100 about 18 years ago (it still works but in todays standars is a piece of crap). I am looking for a decent metal detector to search beaches with. I have no intentions of taking it underwater. I will mostly use it in very dry sand but if I can I would like to take it along the shoreline as well (wet sand), but my priority stands with the dry sand. From what I read so far a VLF would probably be my best bet due to the trashy conditions.

The primary beach I am looking to hunt at is a camping beach that has access to sand dunes for people on quads and sand rails so there will be excess of all kinds of trash, but I know treasures exist as well (wallets, rings, necklaces, and many other random things).

I suppose any detector that works well in these conditions would work well about anywhere, but if I am wrong please inform me. I would say my spending limit would be around $600-$700, but if I can get a sufficient machine at less I would rather due so (due to being so new to the hobby). I don't mind digging some junk and cleaning up the ground a bit, but I don't want to get stuck on purely trash.

Thank you in advance, all opinions and advice are greatly appriciated.

 

[BEACH HUNTER]

Sounds like a Whites M-6 might be what your looking for..

its not water proof but you said you just want to hunt waters edge. the M-6 will work great in dry sand and will work in wet salt sand. the M-6 is a high quality detector at the 600-$700 you said you wanted to spend.there are cheaper whites and other detectors like the ace 250 that would work too..the M-6 you won't grow out of as fast. good luck!!

 

[frozenfishy]

In that price range I would go with the Tesoro ask Tonyct about it I am sure he would hook you up. The reason I say Tesoro is I have had one for a good ten years I hunt in all types of weather with it never had a problem, batteries seem to last forever, easy to use, and you can change the coils as well as the lifetime guaranty Just my found 2 cents worth.

 

[Ian]

Great info and please keep it coming. Please be specific with makes and models. Also, if any of you have personal experience with detectors in these same conditions of deep dry sand with lots of trash please chime in. If you have experienced detectors that work very well or very poorly in these conditions all the help I can get is great. Thanks again.

 

[TonyinCT]

You may say you don't want to go into the water now but later you surely will. This is where there are more good targets. i would suggest that you look at the Tesoro Tigershark. It is under your budget and is a beach and water detector that works well in most conditions even on land. Another choice would be the White's BeachHunter ID. Based somewhat on the DFX it is also a good all around detector for your useage. If not a water/beach detector , then any VLF in the price range you suggested will do fine for dry/wet sand conditions. Let me know if you need any more help with your decision or purchase.
8)

 

[dewcon]

Dont forget about great used detectors that the dealers have. Got my DFX for less than $700 and it was used one month. I would recommend a Sov GT... its just like the Excal, but not waterproof.

 

[TonyinCT]

Actually the GT is a level above the technology in the Excal but not waterproof.

 

[Ian]

I was under the impression that VLF's could discriminate the trash out better than the pulse (beach hunter) detectors. If this is not so then a pulse detector would surely be one to consider for me; but I would like to re-emphasise the fact that the beach I would be focusing my attention at contains excesive amounts of trash as it is a big party area (hence the reason so many people loose valuables there; they get drunk, roll around fighting and pass out on the sand with valuables in their pockets). Yes I admit, I too am a perpetrator of these activities and I too have lost valuables (including my only set of keys but thanks to a rake and about 2 1/2 hours time was able to recover them).

Anyways back on topic, would a pulse detector be better for these conditions or should I focus on VLF's?

 

[Cfmct]

The BeachHunterID is not a PI it does discriminate out junk.

 

[TonyinCT]

Focus on a VLF for sure.

 

[BEACH HUNTER]

I was under the impression that VLF's could discriminate the trash out better than the pulse (beach hunter) detectors. If this is not so then a pulse detector would surely be one to consider for me; but I would like to re-emphasise the fact that the beach I would be focusing my attention at contains excesive amounts of trash as it is a big party area (hence the reason so many people loose valuables there; they get drunk, roll around fighting and pass out on the sand with valuables in their pockets). Yes I admit, I too am a perpetrator of these activities and I too have lost valuables (including my only set of keys but thanks to a rake and about 2 1/2 hours time was able to recover them).

Anyways back on topic, would a pulse detector be better for these conditions or should I focus on VLF's?

THE BEACH HUNTER IS A multi freq. detector based on Whites DFX..has disc great fresh and salt water!! used they go for 400-$600 alot..get the new one w/M-6 style coil it rocks..when you have settings right..

 

[Fishnmaine]

Hey BH,

Whites told me that there is no difference in the two coils.........they just changed the style of it......they did the same on the DFX,XLT,MXT............Did you hear different??

 

[BEACH HUNTER]

THERE SEEMS TO BE A VERY NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE..

I have had both new and old..new is much more stable in surf..also cuts waves better...able to run sensativity hotter...better depth...visual ID able to ID deeper targets...there seem to be other MOD'S in switch also..But if they say theres no difference I wish they could tell me why I found these's improvements...I hunt many many hours a week..every day in summer..

 

[TonyinCT]

The style was all that was changed .

 

[Cfmct]

BH

There is no difference in performance but that new coil sure is pretty lol.. My hunting partners PI PRO somehow got water in the electronics and they sent him a brand new detector and I was jealous of his new coil because its sleek looking but he still jealous of me because I find more gold than he does

 

[BEACH HUNTER]

Then my old BHID must have been worn out??

I have talked to many other BHID owners that feel there are improvements from Model they sold 3/4yrs ago!!

 

[BEACH HUNTER]

Whites gave me a FREE Beach hunter ID this fall

BH

There is no difference in performance but that new coil sure is pretty lol.. My hunting partners PI PRO somehow got water in the electronics and they sent him a brand new detector and I was jealous of his new coil because its sleek looking but he still jealous of me because I find more gold than he does

I even talked to the guy who put mine together it was pretty cool I sent just the cotroll box and coil of a older BHID to them..they let me keep shaft ect..they also sent me new coil cover coil stablizer chest/hip mount bag digging tool dvd..the older model had a hair line crack near nob from poss hit???it was 2yrs old used hard!!! still they charged me nothing!!! 10 day turn around!!!

 

[Cfmct]

George

Have you been getting out at all? I'm going out tomorrow and again on Saturday.. I'm not going Friday I don't think they are saying Friday high temp of 11 and wind chill below zero I think a bit chilly even for me We need some strong winds to take out this blasted soft sand..

 

[BEACH HUNTER]

VERY LITTLE!!

Every where up here is sanded badly!! not even much good sea glass!! hope for a storm!! I will be by beach Sat. check it out see whats up...very cold is right!!! good luck to ya!

 

[Ian]

I'm still looking and I do appriciate all the good information. I feel undecited between the M6 and the beach hunter. I know the beach hunter is made for the beaches, but there is something about the m6 that is appealing to me. If anyone could persuade me to either one please jump in, thanks.