Diving Detectors

[TURNMASTER]

Ok. Several years ago I certified to scuba dive. That was in 98. I have not ben underwater since 99. I intend on taking a quick refresher course and getting out at least a few times a year.

So what I would like is some input on which detectors are the best for divers, as it only makes sense to combine these two hobbies.

No machines that are only good to 10 or 25 feet, as Garrett, Whites and Detector Pro all have shallow water machines. UNLESS they can be and have been successfully and readily modified to go to greater depths.

Please give me some of the benefits and less positive aspects of each machine if you are able. What level of buoyancy do they tend to have?

I am in eastern Washington state and the bulk of my dives will be fresh water swimming holes and shallower water. This does not mean that I will not get to the Puget Sound area and dive salt water to hunt. So a machine that will hunt salt water is something that I should consider.

I currently run (in order of frequency) ML Xterra 705, ML Explorer SE and Garrett AT PRO. I add this point in hopes of getting feed back as to which dive machines I will adapt to the most readily. I will likely trade off the Explorer and AT Pro for a dive machine and or scuba equipment. Though I am not thrilled at getting rid of either machine. I hate getting rid of good tools.

Also good recommendations on scuba equipment would be appreciated.

Jeff

 

[tomcatpl]

excal or the cz would be my choice

 

[scotthowes]

ADD A VIBRA PROBE FOR PIN POINTING AND SMALL HOLES AND CRACKS

 

[therover]

Check out some of scubadetectors posts. I believe he strictly runs CZ's when diving in the great lake areas and can give you some insight as to the pros/cons of a CZ vs Excal as well as scuba in general (hope you don't mind the plug scubaD) !

They would be the only 2 units I would suggest being that you want to hunt fresh and salt water.

If it was strictly salt water, then a PI unit may also be a viable option, but since fresh water has a lot more junk that does not dissolve, a discriminating unit is needed.

In reading comparisons for fresh water diving units, the Tesoro Tiger Shark comes out the winner for gold sensitivity, but apparently it's not a good salt water unit. The CZ and Excal can handle the salt water much better.

 

[TURNMASTER]

Thanks

 

[scubadetector]

The Excal is way too noisy for me. ESPECIALLY in shallow water. A LOT of boaters have NOOO idea what a dive flag is. Propeller bait isn't in my list of fun things to have happen. The CZ-21 or 20 is great for fresh water and salt water but I have used it in fresh water for over 5 years and salt water for 3 weeks. I can hear boats and jet ski's very easy with the silent CZ. Love the 4 different beeps and I am deadly with it. I have the 10" coil and I think you would be disappointed with a smaller one.

I hip mount my machine so the small amount of positive buoyancy is not an issue. Never use the pinpoint button and I can swing for 9 hours with no problems. AS everybody will let you know the main issue with either the Excal or CZ is you will not find gold chains unless a cross or medallion is also on it OR if your digging another target and you happen to see it.

I also have NOOO idea why you would find yourself in over 25' of water with it. Most stuff is just not out that deep. The only place I find to go that deep is on drop offs right outside swimming areas and they are the BEST.

No recommendations on good scuba equipment. Just KNOW your surroundings and what to do in an emergency. I have NO computer and a weight integrated BC with pockets to hold my goodies. A DIVE FLAG is a MUST. I have a 15" car inner tube cover with a 20 X24" flag. It also serves as a float to put my boat anchors, propellers or bottles in or sunglasses or any other big object I don't want to drag around when detecting. And a small mesh bag is a must in muck. Very easy to wave a handful of it in front of the coil. When the target is in your hand, put the handful in the bag, hold the top shut and swish it around and you have it. Only way to go in my opinion.

Good luck out there and if your the only one in your area with dive gear be prepared to find a lot of goodies. Unfortunately here all I find are pull-tabs and bottle-tops and an occasional coin.

 

[rehless]

Hello,
I live in Western Washington and have been certified for thirty years. Spent the first ten chasing crab and sight seeing in Puget Sound.
Met a couple guys at a swap meet and went and bought a Fisher 1280. I've been thru several water machines since then, including
Garrett Sea Hunter, Fisher Impulse and now own a Tesoro sand Shark, a White's Surf PI and a White's Dual Field. I bought a 7" coil
for the Sand Shark to work areas with nails. I will tell you the dual Field goes the deepest so I only use it where I know there are old
goodies deep in the sand. With the 12 coil, it is too much machine to use just any where. Up thru November of last year I've been
hunting an old park beach where the guys with scoops have taken the top layer of targets out of the way. Some nice goodies down
deep in the sand.
I do not hunt in Puge Sound. Water too cold for swimmers. With research you may find a spot or two, but not many that I know of.
Maybe where luna Park was. Plaenty of lakes here to hunt. Mostly Lake Washington. So the machine for you would be a White's
Surf PI Pro or a Tesoro Sand Shark. Never used any of the Fisher cz models, but I am sure one of them would work.
Good luck to you.