Headhunter Pulse vs. High power PI's

[Phlipper]

I have been rolling with a HH PI for wet sand and wading applications over the last couple of years. I really like them, and, as a matter of fact, have just picked up a second one for use as a back-up.

I know this question is impossible to answer conclusively because there are so many variable factors involved, but I was wondering if anyone could give me a rough idea of what the performance gain might be by going to a White's TDI or a Goldscan 5c or maybe some other high power PI over the Headhunter? I generally hunt a huge beach area with very fine sand an a large tidal range---8 foot +++, so I really need all the depth I can muster. I think my Headhunter fitted with the 11 inch coil tops out at about 14-15 inches on an average gold ring . At that depth, the signal is also quite small and easy to miss.

I am looking for real answers here, not baloney or fish stories. If I can only eek an inch or two of greater depth, my inclination is to stick with the Headhunter. If I can get substantially greater depth, I might take the plunge and go to one of the high power units. Thanks in advance for your input and experience.

 

[ROBOCOP]

I use the HHPI also and another consideration is I don't think you will find a unit as light as the HHPI.

Having to dig 14 to 15 "'s you need a stout scoop usually 4.5 to 5 pounds.

The combination of the two is important.

 

[tvr]

I see you posted over on the Technology forum. I suspect you will get more information over there.

What batteries are you using? I've found the HH pulse I have to be a little particular about batteries.
tvr

 

[ROBOCOP]

I use HI TECH lithium ion rechargeables. I got 2 pair from Horizon Battery.com with their smart charger. They are rated at 600 mah and get 500 recharges.
I've been using them for over a year rotating pairs every 4 to 6 hours of use. I've probably recharged them over 120 times and I check them with a meter.
They still spec out like new.

 

[Robert2300]

There is some debate as to where the Pirate Detectors are made.
Some have said they are made in China while mother reports say the
parts are made in China and assembled in Mexico. Which is it?

I prefer American made but I guess if the Pirate Pro and Waders
work for ya and there are no issues, then what the heck.
Robert2300

 

[therover]

I can comment on the Whites TDI vs the HH PI since I have used both. I have also used an Eric Foster Goldquest SS V2. The TDI I had was one of the original, through hole units.

I am assuming when you state wet sand and wading, it is in salt water.

For starters, I am a firm believer in using waterproof units when hunting in a salt water environment. Electronics and a salt water environment do not mix very well. Fully rinsing units off in fresh water after hunting in a salt water environment is very important.

The Whites TDI, in pure PI mode, will be a little deeper than the HH PI, especially with the 12 inch coil. It does have the ability to tone ID on low or high conductors, and has a bunch of coil options. You can actually coin hunt in the dirt with them, but obviously there are better VLF units for that application. Ended up selling it because it was not waterproof.

The Gold Quest SS V2 I had, had a 10 inch coil, and it ran smoother than either the TDI or HH PI. It was a bit deeper than the HH PI as well. It can be adjusted via the delay,filters and SAT functions and was the most sensitive to smaller gold. Only reason I sold it was I did not use it much, and when I hunt with a PI, it's in the wet sand, suds and knee deep water and I was always worried about it getting fried.

If you are looking for another PI to get 5-6 inches deeper on mid and large sized rings over the HH PI in the wet salt sand and water, I don't think there are any waterproof ones that would do it.

In my opinion, for the type of hunting you are doing, having the HH PI is a good choice. With the 11 inch coil will get you plenty deep on the mid and larger sized gold (ie rings). If you want more sensitivity to smaller gold, you can get the 8 inch coil for it ( assuming you have one of the units that can swap out coils...that is, the cable is not hard wired in but has the metal connector that screws on and off) You won't have to worry about dropping it in the water, if there is a rogue wave that hits, or if it starts to rain. Its light and has an adjustable pulse delay which is important for smoothing out salt water effects. And you can totally rinse everything off with a hose when done...a must in by book when it comes to salt water beach hunting. It is a battery hog though. In speaking with other users of the unit, and talking with Bill Crabtree, it seems the Energizer brand works the best in them. I have used several brands and have to agree I got the best results and the longest run time with Energizers.

At this point the only waterproof PI I have is an Infinium with the 10x12 mono coil. I like that unit a lot. Will probably get another HH PI in the future when they hopefully start making them again, with the 8 inch coil. I liked that coil better due to easier pin pointing, coil control and sensitivity as well as the ability to ID shallow iron a bit better. It's deep too, but not as deep as the 11 inch coil. Super easy unit to use and great for a new person who wants to try wet sand and suds hunting in less trashy beaches.

 

[tvr]

Energizer brand works the best in them. I have used several brands and have to agree I got the best results and the longest run time with Energizers.

Matches my experience with batteries too!

I see the HI TECH lithium ion rechargeables are 8.4 volt. The HH Pulse has the two 9 volt batteries wired in series. I may have to call and see where the voltage cut off is for the HH Pulse. If the sand is nice and I'm only working the wet sand, I can run with more hours on the batteries. If the sand is ugly with a lot of black sand or I'm working in shallow waves (lots of water movement) The HH Pulse is much more stable with fresh batteries. Stable meaning it doesn't sound off on the sand changes or water movement.

 

[ROBOCOP]

Right the HHPI are 8.4 volts and they discharge at the rate of .1volt per hour.

After 4 hours they are at 7.8 and I change them out. I don't really notice a deterioration in performance at that point but that is about as long as I detect at one time.

This is how these batteries have performed since I got them. 4 batteries and the charger were $75 with free shipping.
If I had used non-rechargeables I probably would have spent a couple of hundred by now.

Once I left my detector on overnight and a pair of batteries discharged to zero volts. They recharged back to 8.4 volts in 6 hours and now I can't even tell which pair it was as both pairs still perform the same.

 

[eek]

I have a Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II...now for what it is worth and I know that there a some people out there that don't believe, but I have dug in dry sand at the beach here in Gulf Shores, AL 2 feet and found a piece of what
I call piano wire about 8 inches long and the signal when I found it was loud...I us a T-Rex 9 inch scoop and digging is not to bad, but that was a long deep hole, and that is not the only thing I have found at that depth.
The SH is a deep machine and does have some descrimination if you want to use it, but I dig everything at the beach, and for the price I do not think it can be beat....It is a matter of personal opion and I like Fisher products
and would love to have a CZ 21 but I cannot justify the price difference as with the Excaluber (?) Take a look and whatever you get try to learn the machine and dig dig dig everything at the beach and you won't miss anything.

Good Luck

eek