Ace 250 in wet beach sand?

[ED-NH]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how well the Ace 250 would do in wet beach sand. I can get a great deal on a new in the box one from a friend and was thinking of getting it for my son and daughter to use. (maybe for me too) It is super light compared to my GMH CXlll and my Explorer ll. MY GMH CXlll was not good in wet sand but great everywhere else. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[FrankG]

Hi Ed,

I use the Ace 250 in wet sand and shallow water around Cape Cod and I find stuff all the time although it is said that 250 performance is degraded in salted wet sand (because of its fixed ground balance). I can't personally say how much it might be degraded in wet salted sand but it works OK for me. You may have to back the sensitivity down a notch to stop falsing.

The most falsing is right at the boundary between wet & dry sand when you swing across the line. The solution is simple, turn 90 degrees and swing parallel to the shoreline keeping the arc in the "all wet" or "all dry" area. It works just fine in any dry sand situation I've come across.

On fresh water beaches, wet sand or water doesn't seem to matter. It seems to work/perform as good as land but you sometimes have the same falsing issue when you swing across the wet/dry boundary.

The 250 is a very impressive detector for the money. I purchased the large coil 9"x12" which I love for the beaches and fields because of the wider coverage per swing.

Good Luck!

 

[ED-NH]

Thank you Frank. I that is great information!

 

[Skillet]

When I used all three down at Corpus Christie. The 1000 had a smaller than stock coil and the 1500 had the 5x10 DD coil. The 250 hit harder than all of them on buried coins and surprised the heck out of me! I really had expected great things from the DD coil.

This was in wet sand. Thing is, mineral content seems to vary from beach-to-beach... it will likely do better on some and worse on others.

It's not the very best choice for wet sand, but will likely serve you well. Mine wouldn't hit a dime at much past 5", but the other Garretts wouldn't hit the coins well at all where I tested.

Skillet

 

[Uncle Willy]

I haven't used it in wet salt sand but have heard from others that it works well. You'll love that little critter if you get it and you'll probably be using it more than anyone else.

Bill

 

[ED-NH]

n/t

 

[parrott]

ED-NH.... One more comment. There is a frequency changer which installs between the searchcoil connector and the control box and mounts on the upper stem. It has 5-different positions. A through E.

I recently got one with the thought to use it in close/crowded fee-hunts to avoid interference from other detectors

I will quote the operating instructions regarding the "D" position"

"In the D setting "the frequency is increased to a greater amount. This position may well be the best for searching wet and/or salty areas. The higher freqency better serves those most more difficult search conditions."

I have not used my 250 at the beach. But it could be worthwhile while
to use.

 

[ohio fred]

n/t

 

[parrott]

The Frequency Changer is an accessory. It is available from "Jay's Cache." I did not know it was available until I recently bought my 250. I bought it with the thought of being able to change frequency so as to avoid other close packed detectors in a crowded field.

The operating instructions say it just changes the frequency. Nothing else is changed.

 

[Dick from IA]

I will concur the 250 does very well in wet salt sand. Didn't have to back off the sens. and it only falsed when the coil actually touched the wet sand.

Maybe not the ultimate beach detector, but I was sure as heck happy with mine

 

[treasurehunter102.5]

Hello,
the ace 250 will do just fine in the wet sand as well as the shallow water because of the waterproof coil, but be sure 2 have the sensitivity on moderate. this is because wet sand is tougher for the machine 2 read and if the sensitivity is on high, the signals will "bounce" off the sand and give u a false reading.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Hi bud,
What are the different frequencies with the shifter?

Bill

 

[parrott]

Uncle Willy... I do not know the exact frequencies. This information
was not with the instructions.

Position A... no change
Position B and C slightly increase the frequency to provide separation so not to fight with other nearby detectors.
Position D changes the frequency a greater amount. It is considered to be the best for searching wet and/or salty areas.
Position E will change the frequency to a higher amount amount. The
instructions say the position is the best for a greater response to
smaller targets and harsh ground conditions.

I got mine through Jaye's Cache... it is advertised in Lost Treasure
"Advertiser index."

 

[Uncle Willy]

Thank you old bud.

Bill