In need of advice on a upgrade

[FishKing]

Hi all,
My name is Mike and ive only been detecting about 5 months. I hunt salt water beaches on the south shore of NY/Long Island, and i currently use an Ace 350. However its definitely time for an upgrade. My machine is great on dry sand but on wet/black sand it will only read about 5"-6", and im looking for a machine that will go deeper for me. Unfirtunately im on a strict budget and can only spend around $600 if anyone has any suggestions for me i would greatly appreciate advise/suggestions. Thanks in advance for any and all help. Stay safe out there and good luck to you all.
Mike K.

 

[MAKRO RACER POWER]

Dear . Mike .. Bay 722$ for the new Garrett at max machine because it can control the wet sand and black sand also with threshold option and more . Regards

 

[Digger 45]

If the beach is not littered with a lot of metal then i would got with the Tesoro Sand Shark, a PI machine but one of the very best, and for around 600.00

 

[jadocs]

I wouldn't jump on the ATMAX for saltwater hunting. It is a single VLF machine and will not have the same performance as a dedicated water unit (you mentioned that you want to go deep). Mid-range machines that claim to do everything usually don't do everything well. The ATMAX will be a great land machine for sure due to the nature of being a VLF, but for performance in salt that is equal to a water machine....I'll believe it when I see it.

For Saltwater hunting at $600 I would keep an eye out for a used Minelab Excalibur, Whites Beach Hunter 300, or if you want to go Pulse induction (no discrimination) there are a few to choose from (Whites Surfmaster Dual Field, Garrett Infinium LS, Tesoro Sandshark, etc...). The only one in your price range new will be the sandshark PI, but I recommend trying to find a used machine from the others listed depending on what direction you want to go. Heck just a few weeks ago I picked up a used Whites Beach Hunter for $260 that was barely used.

 

[FishKing]

-- moved topic --

 

[vlad]

a good used CZ, or ML SE/SE Pro, or Sovereign. (2/3 freq units)
The biggest difference between the Fisher is that it uses concentric loops & ML comes with DD types; each loop style has advantages,
but the DD covers more ground & is less bothered by some mineral-and many water hunters like them.
If a beach is not too trashed with small junk a P.I. is great-if trash is abundant, will eat you alive.

 

[Tom Slick]

The best single frequency detectors I have used on wet saltwater beach sand is the Makro Racer & Racer 2 and they are excellent in the dry sand. The Original Racer (Red) can be found for around $400 and a good used Racer 2 for about $600. I think, for the money, they are the best all around Dry/Wet saltwater beach detectors available. Next step up is the Minelab multi frequency detectors like the Excal & Sovereign but they are more expensive. They will perform better in the wet sand but not as well in the dry. They go deeper in the wet but they are heavier and they don't hit as well on the small gold in the dry sand.

 

[airscapes]

$350-$400 will get you a used whites DFX duel frequency, millions of coil choices although the stock 950 is best for the beach..

 

[Dancer]

Well if all the above advice doesn't make things clear?? Fishking, with 5 months of detecting experience, I would stand pat with what you got. Before running off and getting another machine, learn your machine and beach hunting inside and out. As your experience grows your machine won't seem so inadequate. True it's not the ultimate beach machine, but no way are your ready to stretch your wallet out on what you need right now. Get as much hunting time as you can, save your finds, than make a decision down the road. Remember, there are vendors advertised here that will take your machine on trade. While on your beach notice what others are using. Ask them some questions. Good luck. Experience will help you make a sound decision.

 

[amberjack]

AJ

 

[C.J.M.]

LOVE THOSE CATS!!!!