best all around detector

[pylotttt]

I am just getting back into detecting. I am in Southwest Florida and want a machine to search the beaches and water as well as dirt/grass in parks.
I was looking at the Garrett AT Pro as an all around machine, but it will only go to 10' under water. I like the visual indicators on the Pro, while most or all of the others that are true underwater don't have them.
I don't know if I will scuba but having the option for deeper would be nice.
Does the AT Pro handle salt water ok? Are the other machines better? I hear the pulse detectors are better under water but don't discriminate as well and may not be as good on land as a VLF machine.

Thanks for any and all feedback.

 

[dewcon4414]

You want simple on the beach.... you arent looking for a reason NOT to dig because you are digging everything but a shallow bottle cap. A PI is a good choice in the water..... sometimes..... but you better know your beach or it can be a long day out there. AT Pro isnt the best choice for the salt water.... its a single freq, you really need a multi freq machine. Honestly... you need the right tool for the job.... or in this case detector. The CTX covers most of your wants..... but the diving aspect. Personally .... id get an Xcal or CZ21 first.... let it pay for its self and then pick up a single freq land machine you know will hit on smaller gold for dry sand and fit the bill for your dirt digging. Both those machines are pressure tested to 200+ feet for diving.

Dew

 

[ZOFCHAK]

I am just getting back into detecting. I am in Southwest Florida and want a machine to search the beaches and water as well as dirt/grass in parks.
I was looking at the Garrett AT Pro as an all around machine, but it will only go to 10' under water. I like the visual indicators on the Pro, while most or all of the others that are true underwater don't have them.
I don't know if I will scuba but having the option for deeper would be nice.
Does the AT Pro handle salt water ok? Are the other machines better? I hear the pulse detectors are better under water but don't discriminate as well and may not be as good on land as a VLF machine.

Thanks for any and all feedback.

I can not recommend an AT Pro for saltwater use, and it's definitely not suitable for diving. An Excalibur will fit all of your needs, but is a bit awkward to use while turf hunting. PI machines have their place, but on land they will drive you nuts. The CTX would work well for both wading and land use, but is not suitable for diving and is much more expensive.

All in all, if I had to pick one detector for Florida it would be the Excalibur.

 

[dyardude]

n/t

 

[Ron Lord]

You say you live in S.W.Fl. Collier or Lee county.AT PRO doesn't work good in the Gulf. The excel 2 work OK ,the CZ-21 works good too, but most hunter in this area hunt with PI detectors and cover the area pretty good . So if you are looking for fresh drops, get an Excal 2 or CZ-21.

 

[PowerDetecting]

I have a CZ-21 and just got my ctx 3030 yesterday. I use my cz-21 on land and at the beach but its not too good on land it works but I like more info before wasting time digging trash. I used my ctx 3030 at the beach today it did great even though there where not many targets to be found same way with cz-21 just hunted out and sanded in right now but the targets I did find with the 3030 where deep!!! I would recommend CTX 3030 for land and water. Shallow water though Personally I will not use mine in the surf only wading with it and CZ-21 for deep water.


EDIT* AT Pro is a single frequency detector so my advice is to stay away from beaches with it unless u only want to hunt dry sand. JMO