Beach/Water machine, any advice or opinions ?

[srf2112]

I live right on the coast in Central Ca. (Monterey Bay area) and have been MD'ing for about 6 months on land and some dry sand exclusively. I actually started out with a Fisher 1280x but never used it in saltwater and recently sold it. Apparently I've since become a White's man with my land machines and am wondering what water machine would be my best choice. I'm a tradesman and want the best tool for the job within reach for me $ wise. ( From the reviews it appears the Minelab Excal is a top choice but it's outside of my budget at the moment ). With all the different interchangeable names being used for the different models it's very confusing. Surfmaster PI, Dual Field PI, PI PRO etc, I'm leaning towards a PI machine and was wondering the differences between the different models and versions and what you would recommend. The machine would be pretty much a dedicated water/wet sand machine but I was wondering if they're still practical when you get into the dry sand. ( Don't prefer to take my land machines out there ) I do not plan on diving with it but do need a fully submersible machine for wet sand and wading. I understand the discrimination ( or lack of ) issues with PI's but I THINK depth is my main goal so I'm pretty sure a PI is the way to go as opposed to the alternative but I'm in no way certain about anything. We DO have a good deal of black sand on the beaches in my area. I am not close minded to ANY manufacturers, makes or models so all advice is welcome. Thanks in advance.
HH
Scott

 

[jyt2017]

My opinion, if you planned on doing freshwater or diving, selling the 1280 was a mistake. Maybe not best primary machine, but excellent backup, and really goes deep in fresh water [if you learn its responses to metals also...you can tell when its iron etc].

For a saltwater machine...get yourself a beach hunter ID 300. Either that or surfmaster. If you get the PI machine...hope your area doesn't have lotta deep iron targets. If it doed you need a VLF machine.

HH -Joe

 

[srf2112]

Thanks Joe,
Yeah I was holding onto the 1280 for just that purpose but since I'm at the ocean and haven't had any freshwater hunting opportunities I decided to sell it to start getting the funds together for a really good saltwater machine. I have no idea if my area has a deep iron target pronlem or not. If anyone hunts the Monterey/Santa Cruz area and knows this or has a good method to find out ( short of getting a PI and checking, I have no access to one ) For that matter if there's anyopne in my area that wants to contact me, I'm always looking for a good hunting partner. BTW Joe, I saw some bad reviews ( and some good ) for the BHID 300. Was that with the earlier models, an ongoing problem or were the reviews written by people who didn't know the machine ? Obviously I would like to have discrimination abilities and other VLF features but is that worth the trade off in depth ? I assume common wisdom would dictate that if there's not a deep iron problem then the PI would be the choice for wet sand and water hunting especially with the black sand here. Thanks again.
HH
Scott

 

[grumpyolman]

One thing to consider is if you are always digging in sand, it's a heck of lot easier than we fresh water hunters who dig rocks, gravel, clay, etc. If you are always in sand and have a good scoop, I would think the extra digging might lead to some targets others have walked past. Especially if you are using the depth of the PI. And...after awhile, you can hear the subtle differences between obviously trash and a possible target. You ear will discriminate for you, but not like a VLF machine. jim

 

[srf2112]

Thanks Jim, good point. I will be digging in sand only. If I determine that I don't have the deep iron problem mentioned by Joe and I do decide on a Whites PI machine, which model would be my best choice among their line ? I know there's a lot of variables in determining the best unit for me but I'd like to hear what you all think and why. Thanks again.
HH
Scott

 

[Critterhunter]

Buy a used older model Sovereign for $200 to $400, stick it in a waterproof box for $20, and you for the most part have an Excalibur since that's what they are. It will blow away any machine on the market in depth and handling minerals except for a PI in some instances, but then a PI means you are going to dig a bunch of iron as well.

 

[srf2112]

Thanks for that Tom. Should have figured you'd have some valuable info for me to consider that I knew nothing about. Are you talking about a box Minelab makes for that purpose or would it be an engineer and do-it-yourself project. I assume the minelabs are waterproof up to the control box. Also, I know the minelab's work with different frequency coils to interchange on a given machine. If the older Sovereigns are that way, which coil and frequency would be the best if I was to go that way ?