Buying a new detector, Would like your feedback on the Quattro

[Gonzo]

Hello,
I'm new to the forum, my name is Gonzo. I am purchasing a detector and am looking for any opinions or suggestions you might be kind enough to post.
I had purchased a Whites IDX pro and took it to the Beach. I could not get it to "Ground Balance" and it would not function on the wet sand, it did work on the dry sand. I returned it to Kelly Co and they could not determine if it was defective but are returning it to Whites just the same.
That brings me to today. I would like to pick a different detector, mostly for beach use, and in the woods. A very nice woman at Kelly co suggested the Mine lab Quattro. Since this is the Quattro forum, I thought I would ask for your thoughts. Its 845.99 which is more than I wanted to spend, but if it is really a good detector and worth the money I would seriously consider it. What I am saying is I would rather buy one that works well, and I can use, vs spending 400 dollars and not be able to use it on the beach.
So, is it worth the extra money? or do you have any other suggestions? Are you happy with yours?

Thanks for any help you can offer, Gonzo

 

[SnowCampRick]

Hi Gonzo

I love beach detecting, In my opinion if you want the best wet salt sand machine it has to be a Minelab multi freq. I had a Minelab Sovereign XS (17 freqs)and it was awesome on the beach very stable very deep. But I had a chance to trade for a Minelab Quattro(28 freqs) and it is even better. I will have the best all around detector someday the Minelab ExplorerII(28 freqs). You can also use a Minelab Excaliber(17 freqs)for under water but I believe the Quattro is the very best there is for wet salt sand period! The sovereigns are available for $250 to $350 used. Some other machines that do OK at the beach are Fisher CZ models and Whites DFX they are two freq machines. Most single freq machines have a lot of trouble on wet salt sand where the mineralized salt looks metallic to the detector. Also using the Double D type coil is a must on the wet salt sand.

Rick

 

[beachguy777]

All I can say is: Amen, amen, amen. I can only speak about the Quatro, but it's the best machine for the beach, or anywhere else for that matter that I've ever owned. Gonzo, SnowcampRick is right on what he's saying as far as I'm concerned. It's an extremely stable machine and the deepest too at the beach, salt water, tough ground, etc. Also, Gonzo, it has terriffic discrimination: totally notchable and programable and very accurate, in my opinion. I've talked to other soverign users too and they all say that's a great machine too. I know a guy in our detector club that has the soverign and he finds tons of great stuff and apparently has great ground balancing also. I think any of the multi-frequency machines are good for that, but I like the Quatro because it has 28 frequencies and is very programable as far as discrimination. The only other machine that might beat the Quatro, I think, would be the Explorer II, but it's a couple hundred bucks more. It has one more numeric readout which probably gives you more information on the discrimination area, but I think the Quatro does a really great job and seems to work very well with one numeric readout.

 

[Gonzo]

Well,
I bought the Whites QXT pro, it was only 450 dollars and says it has a beach program. I guess I cheaped out, but I could call Monday am and change it. Is the Quattro Worth 450 dollars more that the white QXT PRO????
Please give me your honest opinion I am new to detecting and may not need the 860 dollar machine perhaps the 450 dollar machine is OK.
But I want the truth, If the Whites at 450 dollars cannot work on wet sand then it may be a waste of the 450 dollars. However if it is a good starter and OK on the beach, it may be worth the saving since I am new.
Please let me know, Gonzo
Thanks for your replies

 

[Gonzo]

Thanks Guys,
I really appreciate you taking the time to give me your thoughts. I Called Kellyco and have everything on hold right now. I am leaning toward the quattro, and called minelab in Nv. they suggested the Quattro, Sov GT, Or X-50
Still go Quattro??
Thanks Gonzo

 

[beachguy777]

You may have to go to (Dr. Mike) on that one or somebody that's owned the other units. I think any of the multi frequency units are supposed to be great for ground problems, but get some qualified opinions on that one. I'm sure there's some answers to be found fairly quickly, maybe even on this forum.